Fishing Fish and Fishing Birds

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Sep 25, 2006

When we see a group of birds, especially gulls, wheeling above the water in a particular spot and diving, we know they've found a school of fish but what we can't see is the drama unfolding under the surface of the water. Some fishers know from long experience that where the birds are is not where the big fish are - here's what's happening down below.

When large fish, the game fish that fishers are after, find a school of small fish (bait fish) to prey on, the game fish tend to circle around to keep the school together. Meanwhile, they take what they can by coming in from below. The crowded panicked bait fish move closer to the surface of the water to avoid the menace below them, eventually coming all the way to the top and spreading out under the surface in all directions. Though this may make it harder for the big fish to catch them, it exposes them to fishing birds in the air above.

Now the birds get in on the action, diving on and eating the small fish that are trying to escape the game fish. The game fish, meanwhile, finding it too hard to catch bait fish that are so dispersed, leave the feasting to the birds and go in search of other prey. The seasoned human fisher watching where the birds are feeding has to figure out which way the game fish are headed to take advantage of the clue. It's called "fishing the birds," or "working the birds."

The best time to fish the birds may be approaching in your area if gulls are staying close to shore in anticipation of winter weather. Even if you're not a fisher, try to figure out which way the game fish went. Future actions of fishing birds may prove you right or wrong.

Have you ever fished the birds? Start a discussion.

Sources:

Bacon, Capt. David. Work the Birds Working the Fish

Garrison, Ronnie. Fishing the Birds