I read and hear the term ‘fishy water’ quite often, indeed I’m guilty of having used it myself but what constitutes ‘fishy water’?

We all have our own perceptions I guess. When I turn up at the beach and look at the sea I have a feeling, or instinct that says “i want to fish there” or perhaps “that doesnt look very good”.

Is it based on experience? Eg: we have caught fish in these sort of water conditions before, so our instinct says ‘fish here’.

Is it based on something else? For the most part I can personally dismiss the experience theory, as I have caught fish in rubbish looking water before, and missed out completely when fishing in (what I thought) was good looking water in equal measures.

Is it based on the species being sought? I personally have caught bigger snapper in dirty water than in clean.

Taking known locations and history out of the equation, I wonder if our perception of fishy water (or not) would be different. For example, if you were visiting an unknown beach and area and had no knowledge of its previous fishing history.

Is fishy water a myth, or can it only be designated as such, on the way home? 🙂

Good water? – nope – too clean too calm

Good water? – yes

Good water? – not necessarily – but dusk adds hope

Good water? – yes, not that it looks much

Good water? – nope – absolutely dead

Good water? – nope – absolutely dead

Good water? – nope – absolutely dead

Good water? – maybe for certain species

Good water? – nope – absolutely dead