fishing reports 2025

crankbait2009 reply :

hey all

when deciding to go fishing, do you check local fishing reports to see how the fishing is forecasted for the day or do you just pack up and go fishing?

smdono reply :

For my freshwater fishing I don't find a need for a fishing report but will take a look once in a while to see what other people are doing/catching and where. But for Saltwater, I will always check the reports and tides

senile1 reply :

I'll look at fishing reports periodically but the information in them is usually a few days to a week old so it may not apply. This information receives minimal emphasis in planning my day.

crankbait2009 reply :

i usually go to weather.com and there is a spot on there where you can typ ein your zip code and it will give you a rough estimate of fishing conditions. i have been basing my fishing trips off that. not sure how accurate it is though :

ring fry reply :

I put 'yes' but 'sometimes' would be a lot better answer for me. If I go to a familiar lake I rarely check them, but if I go to a new lake I'll find all the information I can. I look at local reports, previous years reports, tournament results, seasonal articles and any thing else I can find out about the lake.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

Never, i will check the weather and that is all! I will find out what they are biting on when i get there. ;D

Dock Master reply :

Every chance I get I will look at the fishing reports.

They help me out a lot.

Busy reply :

I never check when I'm just fishing local areas. I'll go out in the worst conditions and the best conditions. Sometimes the 'worst' conditions are surprisingly more productive than you'd think.

If I'm planning on taking a weekend trip or trying a new lake a few hours away I'll get all the information I can. Found a decent bass lake this year not too far away from looking over catfish indexes. Went there for catfish and found a lot of bass too.

cabullwinkle reply :

I never check the fishing reports. You gotta put your time in, even if the bite is weaker than normal. It makes those fish much more appreciated. Also, by going out there more often and actually study the fish you are going to be a better angler. Knowing why a fish doesn't bite is just as important as knowing why they bite, if that makes sense.

Sam reply :

after checking the weather, I pack up and go.

Big Bait Fishing reply :

i put ''no'' , but i did when i went to this weekend to a lake i never fished before . i really only check if im going catfishing . i read the report this weekend and they said they were catching good sized cats there , hah , they were all between 1-2 # !!! it was ridiculus :-? needless to say i won't trust the ''reports'' anymore , i think it's better to talk to someone , wish i had

SirSnookalot reply :

Only check tide ,that determines what species I am going to target.

Checking the wind determines what gear I'm going to take. 20 mph and under I' take 7'6 rods, over 20 I prefer 7'.

RoLo reply :

I stopped reading fishing reports decades ago.

It's important to understand that most fishing reports are NOT provided by disinterested third-parties, and we all need to eat.

Years back, I happened to be in a sports shop when an angler weighed in a largemouth bass (very common back then).

The bass tipped the scales over 4 pounds and every local publication raved about the excellent fishing on lake-X,

where bass to 5 lbs were reportedly common (that same angler was named).

More recently, I was buying live minnows one January from a local bait dealer, and asked the proprietor

how the fishing has been on Lake Toho. He told me excitedly that fishermen were hammering big bass yesterday on Toho.

Well, he failed the test because I happened to be on Lake Toho "yesterday". Not only was the fishing Dead Slow,

but except for the same old crappie fleets and a couple of airboats, the lake was practically void of bass anglers.

Roger

senile1 reply :

Quote

I stopped reading fishing reports decades ago.

It's important to understand that most fishing reports are NOT provided by disinterested third-parties, and we all need to eat.

Years back, I happened to be in a sports shop when an angler weighed in a largemouth bass (very common back then).

The bass tipped the scales over 4 pounds and every local publication raved about the excellent fishing on lake-X,

where bass to 5 lbs were reportedly common (that same angler was named).

More recently, I was buying live minnows one January from a local bait dealer, and asked the proprietor

how the fishing has been on Lake Toho. He told me excitedly that fishermen were hammering big bass yesterday on Toho.

Well, he failed the test because I happened to be on Lake Toho "yesterday". Not only was the fishing Dead Slow,

but except for the same old crappie fleets and a couple of airboats, the lake was practically void of bass anglers.

Roger

This has been my experience as well. I'll look at the reports as I mentioned in a previous post, but I don't put much trust in them.

tritz18 reply :

Quote
after checking the weather, I pack up and go.

DixieAngler reply :

I'd say when I'm fishing freshwater I look at reports about 50% of the time. Depends on the season because certain seasons have more variations than others, at least in these parts; if I'm going out three days in a row I only look at the report once because it's not bound to change. Usually a glance at the weather is all I require.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

I do but only for saltwater fishing no sense in fishing the wrong tide and wrong time of day for them,Saltwater fish are very picky up here if people say they are catching them at night thats it .No way your gonna go out mid day or mornin and catch anything.And its a definite plus to know what bait to use

Bernie Mac reply :

Nope just go and fish...unless it's going to rain like morton salt or not feeling to good...

avid reply :

I'm going fishing no matter what the report says, but they are always fun to read and sometimes downright informative.

CWB reply :

I didn't vote because there was no option for sometimes, which is what I do.

swilly78 reply :

Not a big fan personally, i find them to be inacurate.

NasTMcfingas reply :

No, I just check weather report and go. They've never seem to help me any.

Catt reply :

One must keep in mind that fishing reports are history lessons and along with fishing logs neither should be ignored completely.

It has been said history repeats its self

bilgerat reply :

Fishing reports are like the financial guys on tv with their 'hot tips' ; by the time it's broadcast, it's old news. Fishing conditions can change within 30 minutes.

cart7t reply :

Absolutely.

As long as they're no more than a couple days old.

I'm much more interested in water levels, surface temps and water clarity than I am in what supposedly the fish are biting on.

SirSnookalot reply :

There are reports and then there are real reports. Most reports on tv or radio are from bait & tackle stores and/or guides, each has something they want to sell you.

I get word of mouth reports from actual fisherman either by email or forums. As many know I'm a primarily saltwater fisherman and on one of my forums guys/gals share info and exactly where they are fishing, right down to the blade of grass they are standing on.

Any report that is 24 hours old may no longer be up to date anymore.

George Welcome reply :

Quote
There are reports and then there are real reports. Most reports on tv or radio are from bait & tackle stores and/or guides, each has something they want to sell you.

So basically what you are saying is: guides are included in your list of people who have no integrity.

I use every resource available to me and that includes reports. If you don't you're just plain naive and foolish.

fishfordollars reply :

I check them, but don't put a lot of stock in them. I am more interested in the weather, lake levels(Rising or falling), are they generating, water color, and time of year. Actually the most important thing to me is the depth of the inside and outside grassline. That is what helps me the most.

J-B reply :

Quote

Quote
after checking the weather, I pack up and go.

x2

Big Phish reply :

I don't really bother with online reports but I always find somebody loading or unloading when I'm putting the kayak in the water and find out what's working...if anything.

Folshen reply :

I look at them occasionally but they don't have any bearing on if I go out or not.

Bean Counter reply :

I fish whenever I can find the time. I might look at a report to see what has been working, but it has no bearing on whether I fish or not.

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