In most cases, a jumping fish will reflexively bite at anything that comes close to its mouth – whether that’s a baited hook or just a passing bug – so there’s certainly a chance of getting bit if you’re standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, if you’re using live bait then it’s generally best to wait until the fish is calm and back in the water before trying to reel it in.
When a fish jumps out of the water, it creates an air-bubble curtain around its body that makes it harder for predators below to see it. The disturbance caused by the jumping fish also alerts other fish in the area to the presence of danger. In addition, when a fish jumps out of the water, it dries off its body and scales, making it harder for parasites to attach.
It really depends on the individual fish and what it is feeding on. In general, however, fish tend to be more aggressive when they are feeding and will often strike at their prey even if it is swimming away from them. So in most cases, you’re more likely to get a bite from a jumping fish than one that is just swimming around.
Other types of fish, like catfish or bass, are known to jump out of the water as a way of escaping predators. In either case, it’s usually safe to assume that a fish is biting if it’s jumping out of the water.
Please login or Register to submit your answer