The first session on a new water is always exciting. The chance of catching the first fish from a water is a always a buzz which I'm sure many anglers can relate too. The first fish can often be the hardest one to catch as you're new to the water and still yet to learn about the fish behaviour. Here are some tips which can help you bank a fish on you first coulple of sessions.

Explore the Lake before Your First Session

Having a lead around and casting for spots is something which is commonly done on the first session. This tells you what the lake bottom is like, how to approach the lake, which rigs to use and what lead set-up is most suited.

If you have the time, even if its a couple of hours or an evening, it can be worth making a trip to the lake before your session to have a little lead about. Doing this you can find some likely spots to fish before your session which means you can get rigs prepped and build an idea on your approach. As well as this, you will be creating less disturbance on your first session if you know some presentable spots in the swim your fishing. Have a lead about in as much swims as you can so you have more of an understanding of each swim.

Be sure to take note of any noticable routes where fish seem to patrol. Doing this will make it easier for you to lay a trap to intercept fish if you have an idea on a patrol route. The more time you spend at a lake the more you learn about the fish behaviour!

Don't Rush!

Don't rush to get your rods out. You have the whole session in front of you, getting your rods out as quick as you can won't always make your session successful. Take half an hour or so to walk around the lake, assess where you see signs of fish, assess where most of the angling pressure is and consider where you' re seeing signs of fish. Finding fish on your first session will give you the best chance of catching. When fishing a new water, you are going to have limited knowledge on patrol routes and areas where the fish like.

First Night - Keep an ear out and be up early!

When doing your first night, taking note of where you're hearing fish shows will teach you a lot about how the fish react in the dark. On some waters, the fish behaviour in the night can be completley different in the day. Sometimes they can be more active which can give away some spots where the fish like being. Keep note of where you're hearing them and what time you're hearing them - this can help you suss out patrol routes.

Set an alarm for first light as well, as this is one of the most common times for fish to show you'll be able to tell where the fish are in the early hours. If you having nothing to go on for your second night, fishing an area where you know they like to be in the early hours will give you a good chance of a night time bite!

Keep Up to Date on Catch Reports

Keeping an eye on catch reports can be a game changer. You will have an understanding on how the lake is fishing and know what to expect. For an example if the lake is only doing two fish a week, don't expect to catch on your first session, as it suggests that the lake is fishing hard. However if the lake is doing 9-10 fish a week then you may be able to knick a bite.

If the lake is doing 15-20 fish a week then you should definetly be able to nab a bite or two. Studying catch reports can aslo be a great indicator to your approach. If the lake is doing 15-20 fish a week and you're struggling to catch then it's definetly worth rethinking your approach as it may not be working. However if the lake is doing two fish a week and you've not caught, the chances are your approach is right, you've just not caught because the lake it hard. In this case it can be worth rethinking your approach but only change smaller parts of your approach if you are confident with the way you are fishing.

Fish Rigs You are Confident With

Fishing new waters isn't the time to try new rigs. Fish rigs you are confident with and what you know will catch fish. Once you have caught some fish then it maybe time to change some parts of the rig to get the best hookholds you possibly can. Fishing rigs you are not confident with on a new water is not always going to work in your favour.

Fish with bait your confident with as well, being confident in your angling will catch you more fish.

Blog Written By Rob Taylor