Most beginners think they need better gear to catch more fish. Wrong. The #1 mistake is fishing the wrong depth.

Fish aren't evenly spread through the water column — they sit at specific depths based on temperature, oxygen, and food. Cast a lure across the surface all day and you'll miss fish sitting 6 feet down.

Quick fix that works for any beginner:

• Start shallow, then go deeper. Make a few casts letting your lure sit near the surface, then progressively count it down deeper ("1-Mississippi, 2-Mississippi...") before reeling in.

• Whichever depth gets a bite, stay there. Fish often school at the same depth. If you get one hit at a 5-count, keep fishing that depth.

• Early morning and dusk = shallower fish. Midday sun = fish move deeper to cooler water.

This one adjustment will put you on more fish than any $200 rod upgrade. Try it on your next trip and let me know how it goes 👇