Time for this AGAIN
 

Here is a set of basic tips and rules of thumb for everyone to read over on bird fishing!

Tips:

When you locate a group ofbirds , don't just run up to them. There are a few things you need to know 1st about that group to be successful
- Look to see which way the wind is blowing, this is the first key factor to your success for bird fishing
- Once you have determined watch way the wind is blowing you want to go up wind of the birds,
- Once your a good ways upwind point your boat nose straight on to the set, and drive up slowly until your 400-500 yards away from set, shut your big motor down
- Now once your trolling up to the group of birds you need to determined which way the fish or group is moving...this is very important to know how you will set up on the fish.
- with light wind you should be able to place the boat in a good position to cast into the set or where you see fish popping
- If winds are high and its rough you will have to work the trolling motor more than fish....You will have to try to get your guys or gals in the best position to cast into the group while you maintain the boat from blowing into them....

Never approach a group of birds trolling upwind! This will spook the fish and shut the bite off quickly, always let the wind drift you to them! if calm let the tide push you or troll softly over

Rule of Thumb is one boat per one group of birds...More than that your going to spook fish


Awareness is key also.... You should approach a set of birds to get the most number of fish out of them. Don't worry about other groups or your next move, as this is where lots mess up on fish! Take your time and fish them ! Remember if you know which way the birds are moving you know which way the fish are moving. So when the birds fly away your able to still produce fish! Trout don't fly so there still in the area.... I have produced tons of fish by staying after thebirds leave.... ;)

System.... If you do join someone on a group of birds allow the person there to be the leader! Allow them the best angle on the group and you fill in the gap... More then likely if you crowd them they will get pushy and blow the group out!

Have courtesy for all anglers and respect, you can learn a lot also by watching others fish.

Very good advise and very opportune time to post "W"

"Kobe system" your welcome

Nice Job W .

Great advice W

Well done W. Wish all trout fishermen had to pass your course before getting ok to launch!

Great verbage "W". Unfortunately, the ones who should be reading and following "W's" advice don't read this--they don't.

Great job w

Great post "W"!

This needs to be in a FAQ on how to fish birds on Big Lake or any other lake.

Im sure they can make it a sticky

thanks for that, every tip on here has always helped me out a lot.

Can you print that out on poster board laminate it and hang it at surrounding launches? Preferably the ones selling live shrimp?

LOL!!!

From someone who is still learning, I really appreciate this...thanks W

No sarcasim or BS at all, just solid advice. Good job dude!

Thanks for the advice "W"; much appreciated.

I don't agree at all. I just pull up into the middle of a set and catch 2 or 3 then go to the next set. It's quicker.

Big Lakes most potlicked fisherman

'Everytime the Haynie stops, birds appear'

LMAO...You must only fish Saturdays :confused:

LMAO!!!!

Good Advise. Great post. Thanks.

Great information, thank you!!

Guess it needs a super Bump after hearing what I heard today

Bumpity bump bump for sure

In order to get more of the people to read this that NEED to read this: change the title to something like-
Coordinates to W's summertime honey hole

This is the only way I fish sheepshead, great read and thanks for the tips. Wish every other sheepsheadfisherman would live by this code.

This is just a guide to go by. That doesn't mean it is correct.
In your boat, I fish by your rules.
In my boat, I fish by my rules.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Hmmm
 

Well Ray, if this isnt up to par then why dont you share YOUR guidelines.... instead of just making a derogatory not contributional comment...........

OH" SNAP!!!!:redface:

I stayed at a holiday inn express last night..........

I meant the one about fishing birds. It's just one persons opinion.
There are no rules about fishing, except the ones in the LDWF pamphlet.
There is common sense. But some who write these things are doing it for their benefit.
Not the benefit of others, and they are usually the ones who don't follow them.

That's my opinion and I am sticking to it.

Its called Respect something that 80% of boat owners forgot!!

I assume the part you don't like is 1 boat per set.

Either way, I have never and will never hit a set that someone else is working. Why risk messing up what they have going, and I expect the same courtesy while on the water. I'll also never ease up on someone if I see there rod bent unless they wave me over - good for them I they catching and I'm not, if the but is THAT good where they are sitting then they will have there limit soon enough and I can fish my spot until they drag up, then move over and rack up on seconds.

Both of these scenarios shoul be LDWF regulations ;)

Great post. I appreciate it and all the other posts about fishing basics, techniques, locations, etc. that some of us newbies dont know. Keep it up and I might be able to learn enough to catch enough fish to show in a post.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727

Question n I'm sure I'm wrong. Buuuut if you say drift into them but don't troll upwind... If the wind is blowing you to them wouldn't u be drifting or "not" trolling downwind to them. Lets say wind blowing straight south birds are to the north. Are the birds downwind? So if you would be on the north side of them and trolling south with a south wind you would be trolling up wind. Which is it. I was taught treat em like you stalking a deer. If you can't drift into em go around and try your best to be semi upwind or in this case north of birds slightly and slowly work to them. Please correct me bc this confuses me. It seems like if wind is blowing u to them the trolling motor would spook them easier. I dry n drift into them or not fish em but if they no one around they hard to pass up

If birds are south of you and wind is blowing from the south, you are upwind

Nope, your downwind of the birds!

Agreed, if you are facing the birds and the wind is at your back .. You are upwind

Ok then I do it right Just call it wrong. But when I send my dog on a blind retrieve the old man who showed what's what said put the dog upwind so the wind blows the smell to his nose which would make the wind then the bird then him like I'm sending him against the wind. Another example: your going downstream on a river then u turn around and go against it u are going upstream. Figured it be the same. That's y it confuses me I guess

Let me make it easy

Never troll into the wind crashing through waves to fish birds!!! Which you would be trolling upwind

If you are trolling into the wind you are trolling upwind, but you are dowwind of the birds

For retards like me I just call it with the wind and against the wind... Lol... Nonetheless thanks w good read as it is every yr and I enjoy reading it every time. More the replies tho

Understood that's y if I can't drift em f*** em. Too much work just to be blinsided by someone or to bust em up. It funner to sit n watch ppl get angry at each other and catch fish watching from 200yds away. Best part about post to me is when the birds bust up the fish are USUALLY still there they just went down. Showed a friend that a few weeks ago.

That's what I meant

sign
 

hey W you need to make a big sign, and put that up at the boat ramp so every one can read it, i will pay for the one to put it up at cyp point landing hahaha

Lets start a kick starter for this. I'd put in a few $ it should be at every boat ramp. At least Heberts / Cal Pt / Spicers and Quintana fa sho.

I wonder what it would cost for a big 8x10 or something. My bro in law owns a sign company so im sure I can get a few cents knocked off.

as a newcomer to salt water fishing, many thanks!!! Great advice!

BUMP for a good post. Some don't know, and some know better......

Bump