How many bite?

[Sluggo]

After wondering about this for a few years and then reading Vs Independence Point report, I thought I would ask the question even though there probably isn't a definitive answer. When you see many fish on the graph in an area, then go through it and catch several, how many turned their nose up at your presentation? For each one you caught, how many more were down there? Do more fish bite or ignore us? How about in a KDM seam, do you catch 80%? 50% or 10% of fish in the seam? Thoughts?

 

[Vollmer]

Where we were, the water was quite dirty. I’d say some just didn’t see it.
Others turned their nose, I’m sure.

 

[RustyTackleBox]

more than you want to admit pass up your presentation, part of my theory on fishing fast and putting my presentation in front of as many fish as possible... plus it helps find active fish

 

[MSA]

Ever fished with an underwater camera? Its ridiculous how many fish check out your lure n dont bite.

 

[risingsun]

Ever fished with an underwater camera? Its ridiculous how many fish check out your lure n dont bite.

This says it all .

 

[KDM]

I would guess 2-4% actually bite. Fishing in Alaska, I've seen thousands of trout, salmon, and Dolly Varden who have never seen a spinner, jig, or spoon sitting in runs of crystal clear water and IGNORE my offerings. Just watch trolling vids where fish approach and then turn away from the lure/bait. I suspect it's BEST that I don't know how many fish ignore my offerings in the Sheyenne. I might not like to go muddin' as much...........Naw, I'd still go.

 

[guywhofishes]

I think it varies from zero to darn near 100% and everywhere in between

there are times when a guy can haul good fish after fish from a small hole and everyone around you is blanking out... we've all seen that happen

I guess the hot boat could be sitting over the pile of the 1-2% that are biting - but that doesn't pass the probability smell test : )

also lots of youtube videos of guys that cruise around, mark a walleye, stop, and fish for that one fish and do well - that doesn't seem plausible if just a few % of the fish are biting

 

[Captain Ahab]

I think it varies from zero to darn near 100% and everywhere in between

there are times when a guy can haul good fish after fish from a small hole and everyone around you is blanking out... we've all seen that happen

I guess the hot boat could be sitting over the pile of the 1-2% that are biting - but that doesn't pass the probability smell test : )

also lots of youtube videos of guys that cruise around, mark a walleye, stop, and fish for that one fish and do well - that doesn't seem plausible if just a few % of the fish are biting

I jig under my transducer a lot. Some days 90+% of of them crush it. Other days it is opposite where 90+% pass. Really varies from day to day, depth, and water body.

 

[Fishmission]

Definitely depends...when they are active I would believe a high percentage bite but it depends on the lure getting in front of them. I believe It’s about angles. Have had days where I couldn’t buy a bite for fish going a certain direction, but turning around and going the opposite direction right through them brings a flurry of activity. A very active fish may not bite if you’re dragging it behind them or if something else underwater obstructs thier view, or if others beat them to the punch.

 

[MSA]

How many times have we had fish staring at our lure on a vexilar that swam away?

 

[guywhofishes]

How many times have we had fish staring at our lure on a vexilar that swam away?

I have had numerous 0% biting days to be sure - not a single nibble - but mark fish down there all day

not even a love kiss from a fat perch that you see on camera on occasion - they will grab the waxy's tail, swim backwards about a foot, then let it go - two or three times - curious but not hungry and never did the hook enter their mouth

if a guy didn't have a camera he wouldn't believe it

 

[fly2cast]

A couple of years ago I was fishing a lake in Minnesota and was trying to catch crappie. My first two days, we would see a bunch of them on the graph at 20 feet and could not get them to bite. I couldn't figure it out so I did some reading from Al Lindners book about crappie. He said it was typical that during the day you cannot get them to bite but as the evening approaches they will move more shallow and will feed. So I had to find the crappie that moved to the shallow weed beds in the evening. Sure enough, we nailed the crappie in the shallow weed beds in the evening.

 

[dean nelson]

Pretty common to get a lot of lookers but not many takers.


https://youtu.be/FbNM4x9e0MY

 

[ndfinfan]

Not really sure I want to know how many fish turn up their nose or even chuckle at my offering...might irreparably damage my ego!

 

[pointer]

I remember one time up in Canada the three of us friends were casting spoons looking for pike, I had on a spoon that I had found in a clearance bin, caught 7 out of 7 casts, the other guys never had a bite then on the 8 th cast caught a huge one that jumped out of the water and snapped of my line above the 3 foot leader, game over. Looked for two years til I found another one just like, still have never caught another fish on it, right time right place I guess

 

[Davy Crockett]

I was out on a flat pitching in 4 feet of sandy bottom early spring when the water was dead calm and visibility was great with my $ 20 polarized sunglasses. At times I could see 6 to 10 or more walleyes at once for about two hours there were walleyes within sight , I never caught a one of them. Had one grab and spit but other than that they wouldn't even follow .

 

[ndfinfan]

Fish suck...but we love them. They're like an ex-girlfriend that you know is poison...but you can't stop thinking about!

 

[LBrandt]

Not enough some days for the biting fish. The bad exs get stuck in your head for no good reason.

 

[Fisherman25]

How many times have we had fish staring at our lure on a vexilar that swam away?

I completely agree with this and the camera thing. Only thing I’d say though is it’s hard to always compare a more lethargic winter water temp bite versus July. That brings up a good point though too. I think it greatly differs based on time of the year, the lake forage situation and frontal patterns. That % number of takers definitely changes seasonally, daily and even hourly.