How Fish See

Diagram of a Fish's Vision

Fish can see more clearly under water because they have binocular and monocular vision. Binocular vision allows fish to focus with both eyes, so they can easily spot food directly in front and above their feeding station. Monocular vision allows fish to use one eye to span 180°, but a 30° blind spot behind them reduces the actual range to 150°.

Even with this wide field of vision, their line of sight is not as sharp at right angles to their eyes, and that is why you often see them turn to their right or left to inspect a potential food source.

If there’s one flaw in their vision it’s the blind spot directly in front of their noses. Strikes may occur in this zone, but a poor hookups or a complete miss will usually result. The saying, “Put it right on their noses,” is only valid up to the point of their blind spot.