10% of anglers catch 90% of fish- still true? 2024
deep reply :
especially with the information (knowledge?) at our fingertips, the electronics available... and the midwest finesse rig?
Catt reply :
Who counted? 
WRB reply :
90% of the bass are located in 10% of the water may still be true.
What us the % of skilled bass anglers verses all anglers who fish? 10% is still a good rule of thumb!
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
I'd say that's a good number when the fishing is good. Once it's tough like now during the heat of the summer it's probably more like 5% catch 95% of the fish.
Turkey sandwich reply :
This is probably pretty accurate. The separation between good anglers and everyone else is huge during the tough days. I think trout fishing is maybe the best example. Everyone can catch fish at the opening of the season when there are tons of easy to catch, freshly stocked fish. This is when everyone and their sister has a full stringer. Who's catching trout late in the spring? Into the fall? During the winter? Where safe for the fish, mid summer?
Catt reply :
Still wanna know who counted all the fish caught in just a single day?
david in va reply :
The other 90% buy 99% 0f the tackle 
A-Jay reply :
Is the old adage that 10% of anglers catch 90% of fish- still true?
Perhaps, and with the advent of the information high way the number of successful bassheads might be somewhat higher.
I'll say in my particular case, on any given day, I'm routinely fishing for only 5% of the population as it is.
I think that may decreases my probability of success but not my enthusiasm.
A-Jay
the reel ess reply :
Right now, I think it's more like 90% of the bass are feeding at night.
No, I think most casual anglers aren't going to spend the money and time it takes to be in the 10%. But do not despair! For the 90% there are kayaks and cheap combos and smaller public waters that will swing the odds for you.
NHBull reply :
Who can really say.
I believe the the 90/10 as it pertains to areas holding fish. I don't believe that number is accurate in regards to fishermen, for the simple fact that I don't believe the numerous of experienced anglers is that high on any given lake, compared to the weekend warriors, kids on the bank and those trolling.
I do believe the number may be relevant to big fish.
One observation........I tend to out fished my partner on a regular basis 3/1, but I attribute it to education and experience
OkobojiEagle reply :
10% of anglers spend 90% of the total angling hours...
oe
Catt reply :
If I have to make a guesstimation it's more like 15-18%!
A couple contributing factors are the growing popularity of kayaks & quality tackle at affordable prices.
I'm seeing kayaks in places where you would never see anyone fishing.
For years all entry level fishermen had was Zebco 202s & the likes which appealed to kids but not so much to adults. Now most major reel companies offer decent combos, I've recently seen a BOOYAH Padcrasher combo at Academy.
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
I'm guessing 90% of anglers exaggerate how many fish they caught and most of the remaining 10% exaggerate the size. So what? For me it does not matter which percentage I'm in - if I catch a few bass I'm good with my ranking!
frogflogger reply :
I see more knowledgeable fishermen that there use to be - I believe the percentage has changed but would not venture any numbers.
deep reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 7:32 PM, Catt said:Still wanna know who counted all the fish caught in just a single day?
Don't know, but @Team9nine did some research on this..
http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/mythbusting-10-of-anglers-catch-90-of-fish.html
ClackerBuzz reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 7:46 PM, A-Jay said:Is the old adage that 10% of anglers catch 90% of fish- still true?
Perhaps, and with the advent of the information high way the number of successful bassheads might be somewhat higher.
I'll say in my particular case, on any given day, I'm routinely fishing for only 5% of the population as it is.
I think that may decreases my probability of success but not my enthusiasm.
A-Jay
90% of anglers catch 90% of the dinks- and are happy campers (and I used to be one of them. I miss being happy).
slonezp reply :
90% of the time im wondering why people are concerned with the success and failures of others. 
The other 10% of time im enjoying a cocktail
Choporoz reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 8:37 PM, Catt said:If I have to make a guesstimation it's more like 15-18%!
What data was used to make that WAG?
jk, Catt.
On 8/9/2017 at 7:50 PM, OkobojiEagle said:10% of anglers spend 90% of the total angling hours...
oe
This is going to be tough to validate, but wouldn't surprise me at all. If true, it would prop up the OP's assertion, but perhaps deflate it a little, as well.
I've mentioned before that I am heavily involved with statistics, but hate them with a passion. Your comment is a great example of why.
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 10:11 PM, Choporoz said:This is going to be tough to validate, but wouldn't surprise me at all. If true, it would prop up the OP's assertion, but perhaps deflate it a little, as well.
I've mentioned before that I am heavily involved with statistics, but hate them with a passion. Your comment is a great example of why.
Translate my response as "more time on the water equals more success".
Please forgive my vagueness as it is a direct correlation with my 40 years of marriage to the same woman...
oe
Troy85 reply :
Based on what I see fishing local tournaments. I'd say 10% consistently catch more and/or bigger fish. Its the 10% that catch 5 when everyone else can only catch 3, or if everyone has a limit they have more weight. Everyone gets lucky , but there is the 10% that seem to consistently outperform everyone else.
Montanaro reply :
Im competitive. I love going to pressured small lakes and literally catching bass behind others and beside bank anglers (where they cant reach).
Then i hear the excuses "oh these bass are so spooky cuzz of the musky."
slonezp reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 8:52 PM, frogflogger said:I see more knowledgeable fishermen that there use to be - I believe the percentage has changed but would not venture any numbers.
I don't... Nor do I consider myself to be a knowledgeable fisherman. I know enough to know I don't know enough.
The adage states that 90% of the fish live in 10% of the water. The equation is now reduced as to what percentage of the targeted fish population are bass (leaving invasives, bait fish, and rough fish out of the equation) I'm no marine biologist but on most any given body of water, in sheer numbers, panfish will probably account for upwards of 70% or more of the total adult fish population. So, lets say the lake is 100 acres and the total fish population is 1000 fish. 10 acres will hold 1000 fish. 700 of those fish are panfish 300 are predators (bass, pike etc). It seems to me that 90% of the predators are going to be present in 10% of the 10 acres, so we are now reduced to locating 270 predator fish on a total of 1 acre of water on a 100 acre lake. Good luck with that. While technology may have increased our ability to locate fish. We still need to trick Mr. Bass into biting the hook.
Graphs and electronics technology has been around many many many years. As a kid, I remember watching paper graphs in the early 70's, while trolling for salmon on the Great Lakes. Today the salmon are located on the same structure they were 50 years ago. They follow the same seasonal patterns they did 50 years ago. The fish have been impacted by interference from man, and from invasives and yet they still play on the same stomping grounds...or find new. I believe this to be the same with bass. All the technology in the world will not and cannot substitute for time on the water.
pondbassin101 reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 1:51 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I'd say that's a good number when the fishing is good. Once it's tough like now during the heat of the summer it's probably more like 5% catch 95% of the fish.
For me it's more like 2% and 98%.
DogBone_384 reply :
Dunno about the whole fishing population, but when I fish with Fishing Rhino, he catches 90% and I catch 10% of the day's yield... ?
slonezp reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 8:03 AM, DogBone_384 said:Dunno about the whole fishing population, but when I fish with Fishing Rhino, he catches 90% and I catch 10% of the day's yield... ?
Which proves my point. The 2 of you are fishing the same space. Fishing Rhino's bait choice, bait placement, bait cadence, or experience is the key factor, not the technology
Raul reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 12:12 PM, deep said:especially with the information (knowledge?) at our fingertips, the electronics available... and the midwest finesse rig?
Knowlege is not practice.
On 8/9/2017 at 7:42 PM, david in va said:The other 90% buy 99% 0f the tackle
Good one ! 
scaleface reply :
What the heck is the midwest finesse rig ?
soflabasser reply :
All the knowledge in the world won't help much if your not willing to put in the time and use it.
WRB reply :
Ignorance is bliss!
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 11:40 AM, scaleface said:What the heck is the midwest finesse rig ?
It's the actual presentation and thought process that most just refer to as the Ned rig.
Scott F reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 12:12 PM, deep said:especially with the information (knowledge?) at our fingertips, the electronics available... and the midwest finesse rig?
Does the exact percentage matter? The point of the phrase is that most fish are caught by those few who make the effort to learn how fish behave and how to properly use the tools at their disposal. Electronics don't catch fish. You must understand what the information on the screen means and then use that information correctly. All the knowledge in the world is no guarantee of success. I can tell people exactly where to cast a lure and exactly which lure to use and most still can't catch the fish that are there.
geo g reply :
I think those numbers are greatly exaggerated. But in the mind of those 10% its probably right on. There is no shortage of over confident fishing experts. They should all be on the tour, with there own show, and millions in their pockets. In my opinion, reality is far from 10% of the fishing population.
deep reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 11:40 AM, scaleface said:What the heck is the midwest finesse rig ?
The philosophy and techniques designed to catch 100 bass in 4 hours (under optimum conditions?). The ned rig is the most popular example.
NHBull reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 7:26 PM, deep said:
The philosophy and techniques designed to catch 100 bass in 4 hours (under optimum conditions?). The ned rig is the most popular example.
True statement, but I don't have the patience, given it usually yield smaller fish. I have never met nor talked to anyone on my lake who does.....with the exception of my wife when she is not throwing a wacky rig
slonezp reply :
What percentage of fishermen are regular readers of internet fishing forums. I'm willing to bet more fishermen would rather surf "adult" sites than fishing specific sites. Speaking of which. Whatever happened to Uncle Bucks Bassmate calendars?
toni63 reply :
10% of anglers think they catch more than the other 90%. 
lol And the 90% don't care what that 10% think.
And if you really get down to it, that 10% who catch more than the other 90% also spend way more time fishing. I like fishing, but I wouldn't do it all day, 5 days a week. And I think that all day, 5 days a week fisherman who catches more is the 10% guy. It just stands to reason that come tournament time, the guy who has all the time in the world to fish the lakes where the tournaments are is going to know the patterns better, have better locations marked and more knowledge come tournament day than probably 90% of the other anglers there.
It aint rocket science, it's just a lot of time invested that gives them that edge on tournament day. So sure, it looks like a handful do that little bit better than most, but how many days do they fish that lake compared to the rest? I don't buy that 10% are just better fisherman, I think it's 10% are way more dedicated and devoted and have time available to devote to it that means they catch consistently more in hard conditions.
It's like someone once said, the best baseball pitcher the world has ever seen is driving a garbage truck in Des Moines. He just never had the circumstances in his life to be able to develop his talent.
scaleface reply :
I dont know how accurate the 90 to 10 ratio is but there is a certain percentage who dont catch much at all . Fishing is just not their thing and they are just out relaxing for a day . I saw three two hundred lb plus men in a 14 foot jon boat yesterday having a good old time , bobbers out in the middle of the lake , making all kinds of noise . I doubt very much if they caught anything more than a few little sunfish .
UPSmallie reply :
I'd say accurate. When bank fishing pretty much anywhere, I rarely see anyone not bait-fishing. Artificials fan-casted over water outproduce their live bait at least 8-1.
fissure_man reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 10:21 PM, UPSmallie said:I'd say accurate. When bank fishing pretty much anywhere, I rarely see anyone not bait-fishing. Artificials fan-casted over water outproduce their live bait at least 8-1.
Using your numbers, say there are 9 bait anglers and 1 fishing artificials… Artificial guy catches 8, bait anglers (collectively) catch 9.
10% of anglers caught 47% of the fish
The artificial guy would’ve had to catch another 73 fish to bring his catch up to 90% of the total that day.
Choporoz reply :
I'm alternatively entertained and maddened....it's like watching the evening news....lots of folks arguing meaningless 'statistical estimates'....with no data and no sense of affecting variables
WRB reply :
The 90-10 ratio is a metaphor. I don't recall where I first read that 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish, may have been Jason Lucas, but it doesn't mater.
We tend put all fisherman into 1 category, bass anglers. Bass anglers make a small % of the recreational fisherman. I don't know if it's 10% overall, I am sure someone will correct it, the point is not everyone on the water is a knowledgeable and skilled bass angler and at least 1/2 of the recreational anglers could care less about specially catching bass. Unless it's a bass tournament most anglers rarely catch any bass, among the skilled anglers the top 10% catch the majority of the fish they are seeking.
If you watch or participate in bass tournaments the top 10 always catch more bass then the rest of the field on that particular event.
Midwest finesse tactics have no impact of my bass fishing success, there are several equally very effective finesse presentations to rely on if catching numbers of bass is the goal.
Tom
UPSmallie reply :
On 8/10/2017 at 11:13 PM, fissure_man said:
Using your numbers, say there are 9 bait anglers and 1 fishing artificials… Artificial guy catches 8, bait anglers (collectively) catch 9.
10% of anglers caught 47% of the fish
The artificial guy would’ve had to catch another 73 fish to bring his catch up to 90% of the total that day.
Alright alright you got me there, but what if I told you the fish the bait fishermen were catching were non-gamefish species such as catfish and drum, while the one fishing artificials catches the pike and smallmouth? All still fish, but it'd be a matter of preference. I see your point though. Bait-fishermen do have their day from time to time.
WIGuide reply :
Personally, I think it's pretty accurate. Those people who are really hardcore into fishing tend to associate with others that are as well, so when we think of others who fish is skewed because our perception is based mostly on them. We tend to forget about the thousands and thousands of anglers who aren't hardcore, nor do they care to be.
sully420 reply :
100% of the time good Anglers are thinking about fishing. Do your find yourself on any random day looking at the weather conditions and thinking how would I approach this day of fishing. On a cloudy windy day do you think I could really get them on a spinner bait today. On a sunny day do you ever think wow I wonder what lake has the best mats to punch.
earthworm77 reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 1:03 PM, WRB said:90% of the bass are located in 10% of the water may still be true.
What us the % of skilled bass anglers verses all anglers who fish? 10% is still a good rule of thumb!
Tom
The problem is that most guys who fish THINK they are one of the skilled guys and usually they aren't. It is an ego thing.
scaleface reply :
On 8/11/2017 at 6:10 AM, earthworm77 said:The problem is that most guys who fish THINK they are one of the skilled guys and usually they aren't. It is an ego thing.
I'm in the top 90 per cent .
david in va reply :
Well I will say 10% of the BASS fishermen catch 90% of the Bass, and 90% of the Bass fishermen buy 99% of the tackle. That should remove all doubt
Jeff H reply :
What's this all about anyway?
Seems rather trivial.
On 8/11/2017 at 6:10 AM, earthworm77 said:The problem is that most guys who fish THINK they are one of the skilled guys and usually they aren't. It is an ego thing.
Hell, not me. I'm worthless with a fishing rod but I enjoy it anyway.
Yeajray231 reply :
I don't think that "thinking you're skilled" is a "problem" anyway lol.
earthworm77 reply :
On 8/11/2017 at 9:20 AM, Yeajray231 said:I don't think that "thinking you're skilled" is a "problem" anyway lol.
It certainly would skew the 10% thing.
MichaelCopeland reply :
On 8/9/2017 at 8:50 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:I'm guessing 90% of anglers exaggerate how many fish they caught and most of the remaining 10% exaggerate the size. So what? For me it does not matter which percentage I'm in - if I catch a few bass I'm good with my ranking!
I totally agree. I could care less about a percentage. My catch rate has actually gone up though. Makes me happy. That's what I care about and having fun being at the lake or pond. Catching bass makes it even better!
scaleface reply :
Some people like catching but not fishing , which is ok . So they dont work hard at it give up and go do something more productive . They are normal . Us bass addicts are the weird ones .
joe chum reply :
From where I live when it comes to bass fishing there isn't many anglers targeting bass and many have the mentality that bass are garbage fish. Most of these people are the elitist stillwater trout flyfisher. I usually see one or two anglers on average targeting bass on the lakes I fish so it's hard to get read how others are doing in regards to size and numbers caught.
I have done alot of flyfishing for four different species of Pacific Salmon for over 30 years. Alot of times there is a concentration of anglers in a small area and from what I seen most of the time 10% of the flyfishers do catch 90% of the fish.
Sword of the Lord reply :
I'll have my 1 to 3 fish days, and I'll have my 20+ fish days, but 90% of the time it seems like I sit at around 10, a few dinks, a few decent ones, a few good ones. Hardly seems to change. Other people fishing at the same time could be getting nothing, or they could be catching them cast after cast, but I always sit right there in a never changing mark. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's frustrating.
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