Does Noise or Talking Scare Fish?

Be quiet or you’ll scare the fish. How many times have you heard that? But is it true or is it a myth?

Yes and no, according to fishing pro Tom Redington.

Since sound doesn’t travel well between air and water, loud talking or screaming will be barely noticeable to the fish underwater. They won’t get spooked or scared.

However, sound that occurs underwater is loud and travels fast. So jumping up and down in a boat, especially an aluminum boat, is loud and can spook the fish. Even dropping pliers in the bottom of the boat can scare fish.

12 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this article, I have always heard that my entire life. I think
    My husband still believes the old adage, though. He just rolled his eyes, with an exasperated sigh.

  2. If someone is telling you to be quiet while fishing, they probably just want to fish in silence. Some people want to get lost in their own thoughts while fishing. It’s relaxing to listen to the lapping of the water against the boat, hearing the birds, listening to the wind. Talking just ruins the atmosphere. So be glad that whoever your fishing with wants to enjoy the silence with you!

    • I told this to my 4 year old because he kept talking. At that age they Don’t know how to be quiet and some times silence is nice.

    • My dog’s bark pretty loudly so I was worried that they were scaring the fish in my aquarium good to know

  3. to me, socializing is an important part of a successful fishing trip. I would hate to have to fish all day in silence as I have occasionally have done with a non-social person. No second trips in my boat! If you can’t socialize while fishing you need to quit both golfing and fishing together!

  4. I am Angar! The Screaming Hippie! I will shout all of your fish away! Mwahahahah! Neyehehhe!

  5. Dynamite makes a loud noise. But when it goes off the fish do not run away.
    Not all loud noises scare fish away.

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