Reading water · 2 min read
Color tells you where you can see
Color tells you where you can see. This bank job is about water clear enough to see a boot. Do it while you can still see what your hands are doing.
Do it in order
The sequence is short. Match the leader and the distance to what you can actually see. Leave the rest of the kit closed. A second method, started halfway, turns one check into a tangle.
The usual miss
The miss is fishing a long fine leader in water the color of tea. When that shows up, stop and go back to the first step. Do not pile another knot or another lure on a step you skipped.
You are done when your setup matches the visibility in front of you. If that is not true, the fish is not the problem yet.
Next time you set up water clear enough to see a boot, repeat the same sequence instead of improving it from memory. A "Reading water" note stays useful when it is smaller than the tackle box.
A bank note, not a forecast or a rule sheet. Check the local regulations before you fish.