big fish is so close

Question
so i had been fishing for trout and all the sudden i see a huge
one right about 5 yards away.so i toss my bait in very
carefully.and wiggle it inches from the fish.i continue doing so
for 5 miniutes and the fish barely moved so i just left.what was
up with the fish?

Answer
Matt,
This is quite similar to what happens when site fishing for bass, which is done at spawning time.  In many cases you don't come up with a fish, which makes it a big gamble when fishing a tournament.

As for the fish you had, which was a trout, I've run into this myself.  Anything can spook them from the bait, including an odor that they don't like, or if something doesn't seem natural to them.  Fish are funny critters, as we all know.

I know this doesn't give you a definite answer, but as a general rule fish that I see setting still, and not moving for a lure/bait, are extremely difficult to catch.

If you have any futher questions about this or any other fishing related subjects please get in touch.

Best of fishing,
Dan