Who's Spotting Who?
Tips to Avoid Being Seen

By Josh Kelley

We all love the idea of sight fishing; sneaking up on fish we can see right in front of us and actually watching them strike. Unfortunately, this style of fishing is a little more difficult than it sounds.

This is how it usually works. You are walking along the bank and see something surface in shallow water up ahead. You stand and stare for a minute to confirm that it is a fish and then a little longer to decide if it is one you'd like to catch. Of course it turns out to be a species you'd like to pull in and a large specimen at that. So now that you've spotted your prey, you start working yourself into position to skillfully deliver your lure to the fish. Then you get settled in and ready to cast. Only when you look up the fish is long gone, and only a fleeting silt trail is left behind to settle out in the shallow water. Next, of course, you curse yourself for spooking the fish, saying if only you had worn a different color shirt you'd have had quite a story to tell.

Well, lets not jump right to blaming it on the neon green Guns and Roses concert tee just yet. Instead, lets take some time to consider the chain of events leading up to your disappointment. When did the fish spot you? How did the fish spot you? If you were wearing a camouflage tee would that have really made a difference? The best place to start, before attempting to answer these questions, is the fish's eye itself. To avoid being seen, you must learn how it sees.

First of all the fish's vision underwater is much like a human's out of water. Meaning that a fish sees its environment much like we see our own. However, when a fish's vision is directed out of the water his vision is limited, much like our own vision is limited when we look into a body of water.

Note: This information is pertaining to the vision of fish in freshwater.

When a fish looks to the surface of the water there is a circle through which it can see out beyond the surface (this could include you on the bank), it is effectively the fish's "lens" to the outside world. Outside of this circle (approximately 98 degrees from the fish [Fig. 1 below] the fish will only see a reflection on the surface of what is underwater (in calm clear water this would be the bottom of the body of water). But, through this circle the fish can see horizontal and vertical in all directions [Fig. 2 below]. Think of this circle of vision as a crystal ball sitting atop the waters surface, or a periscope if you are more of a realist. This interpretation means that if you can see the fish, it could theoretically see you. However, that does not mean that it can see you well, necessarily, or that it will immediately identify you as a threat.

While this expansive vision from underneath may seem disappointing, don't lose heart. The fish's eye sees objects that are more directly overhead as larger (and likely more threatening) than those objects at a lower angle to the water, and farther way. This makes perfect sense, if you really think about it. Objects on the bank would blend together in a fish's view much more than a canoe nearly overhead. Of course the large canoe clearly visible overhead would be more threatening than a "moving tree" on the bank. Also important to remember are environmental factors like wind, water conditions, and a fish's depth. Wind creating a choppy water surface really messes up a fish's vision out of the water. As you have already realized, fish can't see as well in muddy water as in clear water. And a fish at a greater depth looking out has a wider "lens" to look through (due to the 98 angle), but has a lower resolution lens that presents a fuzzier picture, or at least a more distant picture of the bank. All of these detriments to the fish's vision deserve partial credit for much of our success as fishermen.

This information is kind of confusing and may mean little to the average fisherman. However, utilizing what little you know about a fish's vision out of the water can translate into success on the water. As a rule of thumb, leave your bright clothing at home and stay low to the bank or in an area that will disguise you as a piece of the landscape. Approach the water carefully and keep your distance as you walk the bank. If you can, stand next to or behind objects that will break up your profile while you fish. Cattails, brush piles, fallen logs, and other junk on the bank can be a big help here. Always remember that if you can spot them, they can spot you. That doesn't mean they will, but consider caution and careful consideration of the fish's eye as your sight fishing insurance.

As you've already learned, all of these suggestions become more or less important depending on the environmental conditions. If the body of water looks like chocolate milk and it's a windy day, you'll probably be okay fishing like a klutz. If the water is clear, calm, and shallow, you'd be well advised to consider the fish's eye. Do your homework and take care to consider the conditions before you approach the water. It's preparation that separates a guy holding a pole on the bank from a bank fisherman.

J. Kelley

Josh Kelley holds a B.S. In Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and runs a website called bankfisherman.com for the weekend warrior and average joe fisherman.