Location is very important. If you don’t get any nibbles or see anything jump, try moving to a different spot.

Time of day and patience are key. Sometimes you’ll get bite after bite, and then the next time at the same spot, nothing.

Also try switching up your bait if it’s not working, but you think there are fish there, as they can be picky eaters. Using shiny lures seems to work well.

Never underestimate the effectiveness of giving the line a little jiggle as you reel it in to simulate live prey.

I like to bring gloves to protect my hands from sharp fins (some can cut the shit out of you easily), as well as pliers to remove the hook as quickly and painlessly as possible.