whats the most important thing about catching fish ie line ,reel etc

[peter.m]

Got me puzzled this. I would have always said quality bait was the first thing. however I fished a match down in Portsmouth in November. About 160 fished. The second day one zone completely blanked. My zone only 2 fish (not one was mine). Another zone only did better because untimely mackerel turned up.

After we were told the venue and times then local experts including the match referee Ian Golds said the venue was being fished on the wrong tide at the wrong time of day.

Some of the lads had a chat with Ian Golds durimg the bday and he said had he been consulted then fishing would have been done in the river. He stated that even with inexperienced anglers 60% of people would have caught.

I would therefore say venue (through experience or sound advice) coupled with decent bait and tactics is important.

[Tat]

Nobody\'s mentioned hooks,they don\'t come in sucking on a worm.

[colossus]

I think the most important thing is to make sure I\'m not there. Nobody standing anywhere near me has caught a fish for weeks

[Chippy]

Got to be right time, right place, right bait presented correctly. Luck comes in it sometimes, but as Gary Player said, the more I practice, the luckier I get.

[Mike.Haley]

Catchin the bloody things is the important bit. It does,nt matter how you do it. Cant remember the last time I caught a decent cod.

[john/r]

hi tarton pete ,i ment you were the expert sheep catcher, i sent you the tap and die over last year think you will remember now john

[Stores]

Without a doubt..... putting your bait in the right spot.......... providing the weather and sea are right as well.

[alan]

Bait and correct conditions for the mark you want to fish

[tonytaylor]

I agree with all of the views presented. My own feelings are that you need to have a reaonable idea of where fish will be, given the prevailing sea conditions. This comes after years of experience . The next very important issue is the quality of bait and it\'s presentaion.
Rods and reels are less important but there is nothing wrong in having the best or latest tackle to hit the market.
When we were younger, Chris Stringer and myself used to fish with 14 ft Bamboo canes bought from Irvins on the fish quay. We caught just as many fish with what would be considered to be crude tackle nowdays!

[tony.codling]

pearls of wisdom from tony .t

[kensr27sz]

ill let you know when i find out , prob good bait is the top one .