[tony6789 (OP)]

this is probably a really duhhhhh question but havent humans played trickery for hundreds of years with catching fish? why havent the fish gotten smarter with what they bite? sure weve got better/ more realistic lures, but a worm on a hook? really how many generations of fish does it take to realize worms dont belong in water?

[CliffordK]

I do think many fish get smarter with age.

However, fish are born from eggs, and the parents have little to do with rearing the young.  Some will even eat their own young.  With some types of salmon, the adults die after laying and fertilizing the eggs. 

So, despite fish often being found in schools, they loose a lot of generational information.

Genetically learning to choose to avoid a fish hook is a complicated task.  However, some net fishing operations have bred smaller fish that can escape the nets.

Worms (or maggots and such) may occasionally fall into the water, especially in heavy rain storms where dirt is being washed into the river, or worms crawl to the surface to avoid drowning.  Nonetheless, they appear to be a juicy tidbit of raw meat.  Especially good if they are wiggling a bit.  Movement and flashes of light from a lure can grab the attention of fish who might choose to taste it.  This may be considered survival feeding reactions.

[redreed]

Lool, I don;t think they'll ever realize it. ^