Some Tips On Deep Sea Fishing At Night
June 30, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
Deep sea fishing is an enjoyed activity by many. The sun, sea and the adrenaline of adventure makes a perfect day for such kind of activity. However, for very experienced fishermen, they would advice you that if you really want to get a good catch, it would be best for you to start fishing 2 hours after sunset or 2 hours even before sunrise.
This is why most experienced fishermen would rather have a night trip than a day trip. However, due to the difference of environment during night fishing, if you are new to this kind of setting, then there are certain things that you should know to make your night trip a successful one.
Getting Started
Although it may seem difficult, waking up in the wee hours of the day is still possible. Additionally, you can always get the help of an alarm clock to be your wake-up call. There are some other preparations too that should be done other than being able to wake up, like preparing your bait.
It would be the best if you have already set up everything you need and have some wet-bait ready even half an hour before sun rise. It is important to remember that anchoring and cooking the bait should be finished by the time sunset arrives. This is due to the reason that cooking through your night fishing could be very dangerous. Plus, your bait should beable to cool off before you can use it.
The Logic Behind It
The logic behind all these waking up early and preparations is that fish usually feed shallower around times like this. Thus, they are easier to catch, since they’re only about 30 feet below the water’s surface. In fact, according to experts, twilight minutes are very productive especially if you’re fishing for a living.
Where’s The Light At?
If you really want to have good results at the fastest time possible, whether it be you are fishing in fresh or salt water, try fishing around piers, which have some lights. This is because fish are very attracted to light beams that pass through the water surface in different sea depths. In general, fishing excursions usually have a very happy ending when held around lights on piers or buoys.
Use Something Large
It is also important that you use very large dry or wet flies, nymphs, and oversized streamers, if you are really interested in getting a lot of catch of those active feeders out there.
In fact, night-feeding can be easier for you when your bait is that large enough for the fish to locate. Additionally, you should remember to draw your baits gradually along the surface of the water with a jerking motion. Doing this would help attract some trout. Nevertheless, you should also bring some extra live bait and always keep the lure inside your water or boat, safely contained.
See The Signs
During night fishing, you should always try to be on guard for some signs that feeding fish are in the area. Take note that at this time, you’ll be able to hear them feeding themselves even before you see their splashes or swirls in the water. Don’t forget to chuck in your lure, as soon as possible and once you hear them breaking the surface, into the spot that you think they are in.
Additionally, you should try making repeated casts anywhere that you think they may be circulating, since fish have some trouble in locating lures during the night.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Deep Sea Fishing Trip
June 25, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
Deep Sea Fishing is one amazing experience that can be a very memorable one for you and your fishing mates. However, it is an activity that is often not maximized. What most people don’t know is that there is much more to deep sea fishing than fishing itself. It’s really sad that trips like these are often not maximized.
To not commit such a common mistake, here are some of the ways that you can maximize your deep sea fishing trip to make it an even more momentous and enjoyable one!
Understand The Signs
Enjoying the sea itself and the wildlife around you is often overlooked by deep sea trippers. Try to be watchful of what nature around you is telling you. If you can see birds, like gulls or other sea birds that are hovering over a specific area of water, then heed on it.
There is a big probability that there are smaller fishes usually used by fishermen as bait somewhere in that area. This could imply that there is yet another big probability that there would be bigger fishes beneath that area of water. Try following these simple hints and indications and for sure you’d be having a catch in no time!
Be Watchful
You may also want to be on the watch for snooks during your trip. Try to look under ledges since this is one of their favourite hiding places. In fact, they have a similar behaviours and habits with bass.
If It’s A Full Moon, Do It The Crab Way
During full moons, crabs usually shed off their skins. So if you’ll be deep sea fishing on a full moon night, you could try making use of soft crab imitations as your bait. Doing this would definitely entice the stripers from their hiding places to go look out for the crabs.
Want Some Tuna? Get A Dolphin!
If you’ll be fishing out for tuna, especially yellowfins, one good way to locate them is follow where the dolphins are. Tuna usually school with dolphins, which is why if ever you see dolphins there is a really big probability that some tuna school would not be that far away.
However, it is vital to take note that you should be careful not to land on a dolphin even by accident, because dolphins are protected species, which should be treated with some respect.
Don’t Go Solo
Let’s face it, going solo with any kind of activity is not that always fun. This is just the same with deep sea fishing. So, if you really want to make something out of your trip, such as priceless memories and enjoyable moments, then you should try spending the trip with some friends or family.
Battle Sea Sickness
If you have sea sickness or motion sickness, then a fishing trip can be a not so enjoyable activity for you. However, you should not let this hamper you from enjoying such great experience. That is why you should battle it.
If this is your problem, try looking at the horizon. It might sound ironic and silly, but you should try to stay up on deck as long as you can; doing this can make it easier for you to adjust with the boat’s motion. Additionally, staying away from fumes is advisable, since they could make you feel even worse.
Essentials To Know For A Fun-filled Deep Sea Fishing Trip
June 21, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
If it’s your first time to go for a deep sea fishing trip, there are some essential things to know to make it a fun-filled and successful one. Here are some of the key points when having a deep sea fishing trip.
Overlooked Things To Bring
For sure fishing equipment, food and clothing are the ones that are always remembered by people to bring on a deep sea fishing trip. However, there’s still some other stuff that a lot of people overlook bringing with them to a trip.
One good example would be a cooler. Bringing one with some ice, icepacks or even frozen water bottles are very important, since this is what you’ll use to retain the freshness of your catch and keep it cold.
Another one would be spare cash. Other than being vital for emergencies, you would need this just in case you get the biggest fish and you would have to get in on the pool. You also need this for mate tipping purposes for providing you help throughout your excursion.
Also seasickness medicine would be important too. Dramamine is one effective solution for that problem. For those who are already used to boats, this kind of problem may seldom be encountered. However, it would still be beneficial if you pack a small first aid kit. Try to bring band-Aids, stomach medicine, tissues, and disinfectants in the kit, just so in case minor injuries occur during the trip.
Best Locations For A Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Some of the best locations to have a deep sea fishing trip are: Bodega Bay and San Diego in California; Wildwood, or Cape May in New Jersey; Boston and Cape Cod in Massachusetts; Daytona Beach, Destin, Key West and Miami in Florida; Freeport, Galveston and Port Aransas in Texas; Gloucester in Maine; Ocean City in Maryland; and Point Pleasant in New Jersey.
These spots can give you a variety of fish to catch. They also offer you different views and experiences with nature. Each spot can have their own pro’s and con’s, however, one thing’s for sure they are great deep sea fishing spots!
General Deep Sea Fishing Overview
In general, a deep-sea fishing trip could last about four to eight hours, or more depending on how long you want it to be. You can arrange trips with your charter or party boast in the morning or afternoon. In fact, if you have a special occasion, you can even schedule evening trips. You can also do this if you’re the night owl type that might not be back to shore even until wee hours of the morning.
If you’re having one of these late night trips, especially during the colder months bringing a thermos that is full to the brim with steaming tea, hot chocolate or coffee would be a great way to keep yourselves alert and warm during the trip.
Freebies On The Side
The great thing with deep sea fishing is that sometimes you can get freebies on the side. Other than the adventure of being out in the waters, you may be graced with the appearance of some dolphins too. There are cases in which you can also have a glimpse of sea birds that are chasing each other playfully. However, the situation would not always be like this, since factors like location, weather, time of the day and how many people you are with on your boat could affect whether you’d see such blessings.
A Deep Sea Fishing Family Guide
June 16, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
Deep sea fishing is one great activity that a lot of families enjoy. It’s something that can give you and your family momentous experiences and priceless memories that can last for a lifetime. The family bonding experience with nature at hand is simply indescribable.
If you’re new to this sport and wonderful past time, there are some things that you should know before you go on with your deep sea fishing trip. It is indeed one big adventure for you and your family. However, you should consider some things first to make your trip a successful one. Other than not forgetting to bring your camera, for those momentous snapshots, here are some things that you have to think about before even making some plans.
Judgment Time: Are They Capable?
First off, you should take a realistic look at your family’s abilities and age. Let’s face it, you can’t really maximize a deep sea fishing trip if you’re kids are still infants or toddlers. If you’re deciding on what kind of excursion to have, deliberating on these kinds of factors are important too.
In case you’ll be getting the service of a charter boat, this would play an important factor too, since most boat companies have set age limits. Generally, age limits start at about eight years old. You should understand that companies set these kinds of rules to guarantee safety on your part.
Additionally, you should consider the duration of how long you’d want to be on water. Most inexperienced fishermen would usually prefer half-day trips, so that it wouldn’t be that stressful and still be enjoyable for the whole family. On the other hand, lifelong and expert anglers would definitely want to have overnight trips. However, regardless of how long or short you have been fishing, you should still remember your family’s physical comfort would affect the trip’s overall enjoyment. Factors such as attitude and age play important roles on how can your family adjust with a temporary boat life.
Be Distance Conscious
Another important consideration is how far away your target fishing location is from your home. The packages that you may encounter can vary greatly, depending on the company. This means the provisions that they’ll give to you on the boat would also differ. If you will be travelling a huge distance just to fish, you might be more interested in availing packages that are all inclusive, which provides you with everything you’d need for the trip.
However, packages like these are usually hard to find, and of course, they are way more expensive than those for average day trip packages. An average package usually provides you bait and tackle. But if you’ll need a license, some packages already include it, while some can charge you extra for the cost.
Know The Terms
Generally, boats would ask you to bring your own hats, sunglasses, clothing, sun block, medications for motion sickness and everything else that you think is important to bring. Make sure that you are clothed appropriately with a number of warm layers, since it would be colder when you’re on water than being on shore.
Also, most of the day trip packages would ask you to bring your own food. If this is the case, you should plan accordingly. Try to pack items that are easy on your stomach, just in case that waters will be rough.
Deep Sea Fishing: Tips On Conserving Your Catch
June 6, 2010 by Lyle Holmes · Leave a Comment
So what is it exactly that you do with the fish you catch? For some, they abide the philosophy of keeping enough for their meal and releasing the rest. The best fish would be the freshest ones. Even though you’re not into cooking them yourselves, a lot of local restaurants can offer you preparations for a fresh catch meal. Sitting down on a meal of fish that you just caught would be the perfect ending for one great fishing day. Most consider it to be one of the most satisfying things to do that anyone can accomplish!
Why Conserve?
Fish is a renewable resource. Thus, proper management and techniques are needed to ensure their survival and the abundance of the resource for the future generations. In fact, overfished stocks would require years of regulatory actions and monitoring to restore its fishery level into one that is self-sufficient and self-sustaining.
Additionally, for every year that passes, there seems to be more restrictions in regards to the recreational bags. Even size limits are imposed. All of these due to the occurrence of overfishing which is in consequence of improved technology.
The Solution
Practicing the habit of catch and release is actually one of the ways in which recreational anglers like you could help ensure the health and prosperity of the future fisheries. In this way, you can also guarantee everybody’s opportunity to have a fun day of deep sea fishing that is concluded with a scrumptious and satisfying meal.
Here are some of the ways in which you can help ensure survival of the fish that you release and get some satisfaction by returning your catch to its environment.
Get Your Tackle Right
First off you should make sure that your tackle matches the fish you’re targeting. Although it may not seem obvious, doing this can ensure its safety once you release it back into the waters. If your tackle is too light, it would be exhausted by the moment you land it. Thus due to its exhaustion, it could be a very easy target for predators when release it back to the waters; since it couldn’t swim that fast anymore.
Customize Your Hook
Customizing your hook is yet another way to conserve your catch. By simply using a pair of pliers, you can mash down your hook’s barb. Doing this would enable you for an easier release of the catch and better safety on its side. Another great addition to the terminal tackle you’ll be doing would be circle hooks. When the catch swallows the hook, all you have to do is cut the line closely as you can to your hook, then release your catch as quickly as you can.
Don’t Suffocate It
As much as possible, while releasing your catch leave it in the water. If there is no choice but to handle it out of the water, then be sure that you wet your hands. You should do this to reduce the removal of its protective slime layer that covers it. The removal of this layer can make your catch susceptible to disease once it goes back to the waters.
Hold It Right
Handling the fish is important too. You should make sure that you don’t grab it in its gills or eyes, since these are very sensitive areas that fish need for survival.