Fishing

In the ever-continuing race to find new, improved ways of catching our prized bass, many already well-known methods are right before our eyes yet overlooked.

One of these effective tricks of the trade is the good old, easy to use Rat-L-Trap. The very lure that every angler already has in among their fishing gear.

Rat-L-Traps happen to be the best-selling fishing lures in all of America and this is for a very good reason. Time after time, these traps are efficient and reliable in successfully catching fish.

Fishermen everywhere have at one point or another used the Rat-L-Trap as it is a common staple among the tackle boxes of many generations before them who very likely taught them how to fish. Every angler of any kind of experience is familiar with this fishing lure.

This lure can be used in a few different ways. The standard chunk and reel method is probably the most common form of utilizing it. This is when you simply toss it out into the water and reel it in rather quickly, all the while hoping to be caught by a lingering fish.

If this method doesn’t seem to work, try slowing your technique a little so that the bait is allowed to go a litter bit deeper. Many times this is all it takes to get more bites. You can also incorporate a yo-yo retrieve along the edge of any creek channels and any secondary points when the fish don’t seem very active.

Cast your lure out, letting it fall to the lake bed. Once it is resting there, swiftly lift up a few feet and stop. This will ensure that the bait is able to tumble back down, imitating a dying or wounded baitfish.

This reenactment of a rather easy-to-catch mean will even inspire a fish that is not feeding to take the bait simply because it doesn’t want to pass up the opportunity.
   
Rat-L-Traps are available in many colors, styles and sizes. While some are sparkly, others come affixed with spinners or plastic bills on them so that they can dive even deeper.

Some Rat-L-Traps suspend and some even float. This can make choosing which one will be best for you rather difficult at times. In this instance, just stick with the basic half ounce chrome version with either a gold or black back. This will especially be great for sunny days when the chrome reflects in the sunlight.

Deep sea fishing can pose a great deal of danger to the fearless crews that take on these waters in sometimes extremely rough situations. Fishing in unpredictable circumstances calls for exceptional teamwork and rigid protocol that every deep sea angler can learn from.

• Careful seamanship begins at the dock before the boat even leaves anywhere, particularly in rough weather. Captains that are experienced with these conditions already know to first secure any and all doors and cabinets within the cabin as well as anything else that might be tossed about.
• Of course, preparing and maintaining the boat for the sea is always a necessity, however, it is also critical to be aware of where the fish are most likely to be. Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Service is a forecasting service that can help anglers in being aware of any changes in temperature or currents so you can troll the waters in your advantage.
• When you are trolling in water that is, be sure that the way you are presenting your bait is conducive to the current weather and environment at the time. If you are working in choppy water or oversized waves, you will need to use a chugger head and ballyhoo. In more extreme conditions, use a flathead so that you will be sure your fishing lure does not surface.
• Rougher water will always mean that your trolling spreads are going to be different. In big oceans, be sure that your bait is somewhat near your boat as this will ensure it does not travel farther out so that you can more easily feel the bites of the fish.
• In rough water, fish will find it a bit more difficult to see. This means it will be more difficult for them to spot your hook or leader as well. Be sure you have the appropriate fishing tackle for these sorts of conditions. The good thing is that stormy water means the fish are not as easily spooked as well.
• Track your waves in the same way that you would imagine a fish would track waves. In order to use up less physical energy while they hunt, they will usually try and tail down the sea with the waves, feeding the entire stretch of the way.
• Be aware of everything around you as strong winds can easily carry your fishing line right off of your fishing reel. Being that the crew on the boat will be the ones responsible for the bait, you will need to keep your own eye on your fishing gear in order to make sure it is operating effectively.

Fishing in the deep sea can often mean rough and dangerous fishing conditions that require special techniques and teamwork while fishing. Below are some critical deep sea fishing tips that are incorporated into every successful deep sea fishing practice in order to ensure that a person's fishing experience is both safe and productive.

• Conscientious seamanship starts before the boat even leaves the dock, especially if you are setting out into rough conditions. Responsible, experienced captains will never head out into big waves without first securing the door latches, loose fishing gear and cabinets within the cabin.

• Although proper preparation of the boat itself is incredibly important, it is also imperative to know where the fish will be. In these cases, a service such as Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service is useful for determining current edge and any changes in temperature so that you can troll along with the waves.

• When trolling in rougher water, your trolling presentation should be appropriate for the conditions. If the water is choppy as opposed to rolling waves, try incorporating a chugger head and ballyhoo. If the water is rougher, you will want to use a flathead to ensure your lure stays in the water.

• Rough water means that trolling spreads will usually differ. In larger seas, troll with your bait somewhat closer to the fishing boat. This will prevent them from blowing farther out and it will also be easier to feel bites.

• When the water is rather rough, the fish will actually have a challenging time even seeing your hooks and leaders. Because of this, it is necessary that you use the correct fishing tackle that is heavy enough for these conditions. Since rough waters will mean fish aren’t as easily spooked, stepping it up on your tackle could prove beneficial.

• Track your waves in the same manner that a fish might. When the water is rough, tuna and billfish will tail down sea so that they can cover more ground while wasting less physical energy. As they do this, they will also be looking for food.

• Always be aware of your surroundings. Winds that are strong have the ability to carry line right off of fishing reels. Since the crew watches the bait and the captains are responsible for navigating the waves, you need to be sure that your fishing gear is in proper working order. Your rods should be free spooled and in their holders at all times.

Yankee fishing expeditions are known for traveling to such great fishing locations as Jeffrey’s Ledge and Stellwagen Bank. Over 60 years of fishing experience helps to take you to the very best spots for deep sea fishing so that you can be sure to have one of the most memorable fishing experiences of your life.

Our collection of fishing vessels has specifically been designed to offer the very best fishing accommodations that you will find anywhere. Our captains are full-blooded fishermen with a unique sense of where the very best fishing locations are at any given time.

Since we have so much collective experience in our outfit, it is no wonder that we have originated deep sea fishing for parties in Gloucester.

Gloucester is found right in between the southern Stellwagen Band and the northern Jeffrey’s Ledge. It just so happens that one of the richest feeding grounds in the world is Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary.

Here, we have the freedom to travel to any place that we feel is a potentially successful fishing spot which is something that places like Plymouth, Boston, Newburyport, and Cape Cod don’t have the luxury of doing.

These local waters have been explored by our captains and anglers for over 60 years. Having the advantage of the most experienced employees, many of our captains have been employed with us for over 20 years.

If we didn’t have so much fun together on our fishing trips, this may not have been the case. We love what we do here, and we know how to make your deep sea fishing experience unforgettable.

Our boats are spacious with plenty of room and deck space for each guest. While other people may have converted other smaller boats into party fishing vessels, our boats have enough room for spacious bathrooms, booths inside the cabins—complete with a snack shop, and we have just finished completing re-powering our vessels with larger engines for quicker, more reliable service.

You can be sure that your deep sea fishing trip with us and our seasoned captains will be not only of the highest quality, but of the utmost safety as well as our safety records are still unmatched by any other company on the ocean.

Regardless of what your deep sea fishing tips and expectations are, you will not be disappointed with what we have to offer as we can tailor your trip to your specific needs. If you are a beginning angler, adventurer, or avid fishermen give us a call and we will give you the trip of a lifetime.

One of the most coveted fish in all of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, and particularly the Fort Lauderdale area is the King Mackerel. Not many people are aware that these prized fish are also part of the tuna family.

Regarded as a regal and great deep sea species, the King Mackerel is a streamlined and slender looking fish that is incredibly agile and fast beneath the water. These fish are commonly located both near the shore as well as offshore. They are rather commonly found anywhere from North Carolina all the way to Brazil. It is a good idea to catch up on your deep sea fishing tips before heading out to pursue this species.

King Mackerel are migrating and schooling fish that spend the colder winter months in Southern Florida. During the summer and spring months, the fish migrate towards more northern waters.

These carnivores are constantly feeding as they are rather skilled in catching their prey at lightening fast speeds and using their powerful jaws and razor sharp teeth to attack. The live bait that you would typically want to use when fishing for King Mackerel are Ribbon Fish, Blue Runner, Hard Tail, Goggleye, and Herring.

The range for Kings when trolling is usually depths between 70 and 200 feet. However, the ideal depth for a charter fishing boat on the look out for Mackerel is between 100 and 120 feet.

Artificial bait that is effective in catching these monsters is what is called a sea witch combined with a Bonito strip. The use of a planer and a 40 foot long shot cord will also be rather successful when fishing the waters of Southern Florida. On days when you can not make it out to sea, try some great free fishing games to stay sharp on your skills and knowledge.

A Fort Lauderdale deep sea fishing expedition using live bait will ensure your best possible chance of catching many different kinds of species of fish. You could be reeling in anything from Mahi-Mahi to Wahoo to Sailfish and Cobia in addition to Mackerel. A seven foot leader is always best to use when fishing with live bait. The sharp teeth of the mackerel will not be able to bite through this wire. Even so, an extra stinger rig or wire is necessary in order to attach to the lead hook and secure the back of the bait.

Kingfish caught off of the shores of Ft. Lauderdale are known for chopping the live bait they are feeding off right in half. The stinger rig will increase your chances of hooking the Mackerel in this situation. A great place to begin your hunt for King Mackerel is near any structure in the water, as structures tend to be homes to all kinds of baitfish.

Back when buzzbaits became all the rage, many anglers were able to effectively familiarize themselves with these lures in order to reel in some rather large trophy fish.

But simply tying one on and casting a buzzbait out is not going to be enough to become a master at fishing with these pieces of tackle. As with any lure, the keys to maximizing the powers of buzzbaits are the techniques that you learn in order to make them effective.

By now, bass have pretty much seen every kind of buzzbait there is to offer. However, the trick to utilizing them effectively is to use different baits than most other fishermen tend to use and at very different times.

For example, try heading out to begin fishing around 10 p.m., when everyone else is leaving the lake, and leave the lake yourself before everyone else arrives. Begin by working with a larger buzzbait in black. It should also have a black plastic paddle tail and trailer hook. If this lure doesn’t get a reaction in the usual locations, reel in and head for more open, flat waters where greener vegetation is likely to be found.

Try to situate yourself in water that is between one and two feet deep and start by bass fishing the area as if you were cutting a piece of pie with many casts in a steady motion. Alternate your cadence by inserting small hops or jumps when the steadier technique is not producing any bites.

If you have done this and still not caught at least a five pound bass within an hour, try switching to a smaller double buzz and change your color from black to red, this time without a trailer. This is typically either a 1/8oz to 1/4oz bait. Now use a spinning rod equipped with a swivel in order to reduce the risk of the line twisting.

As for the line, you should be using a braided 40 lb test such as Power Pro on either a composite or glass rod. Once you feel a bite, hesitate just a beat longer before you set the hook.

If for some reason you are still not having any luck, switch to either a chatterbait or a Deps Buzzjet, working them as fast as you can at the very surface of the water.

Many companies offer quality buzzbaits to choose from. Most of these baits will catch the attention of your bass. You can purchase buzzbaits in any sporting goods or tackle stores, however you will find that the selection to choose from is rather simple as many anglers no longer use buzzbait.

On days when you can not make it outdoors, try out some online fishing games to practice your skills.

More and more every year, anglers old and young from all over are flocking to experience deep sea fishing in the waters of Sea Isle in New Jersey.

Since the fishing opportunities here are almost available all year round, all you have to do in order to secure yourself a memorable fishing trip is choose which time works best for you and charter your boat.

Here you will find all kinds of fish: striped bass, blue fish, weakfish, and fluke. You can even choose to fish right from the surf with a surprising amount of success.

However, if you want a shot at catching some real big fish, then you will need to be out in the water where the big boys are. Choose from fishing boats that offer half days to three-quarter days and even all-day trips lasting as long as 23 hours.

It all depends on what kind of fish you are out there to catch and how adventurous you are willing to get in order to reel them in.

Landing a large fish isn’t always about the strength and size of the fish but the skill and technique that is involved with catching these monsters.

Bluefish can get as large as 15 pounds and will definitely put in a great struggle. You can catch these fighters either by bait fishing or jigging. The crew on your boat will even help you with the other details like filleting and cleaning.

Be sure to bring your own snacks and food on your trip as well as anything you might want like sunglasses or suntan lotion. Don’t forget to bring a camera as you will want to be able to prove to everyone what you caught.

It may also be necessary to bring a cooler in order to store all of the tasty fish that you catch.

If you are looking for even more excitement, then consider fishing for the larger critters like tuna. These fish can range anywhere from 25 to over 100 pounds. They are relentless fighters that will have you leaving your boat with an experience you will never forget.

You can embark on fishing journeys in the deep sea that will take you through the night until dawn. You can rent your fishing gear if you don’t want to bring your own, and even the bait will be provided by the outfit that you choose to take you on your adventure.

Whether you are looking to spend a solo getaway here at Sea Isle or bring your entire family, there is something for everyone here at this New Jersey fishing spot.

So when you are not playing fishing games, this is a trip you will remember.

Trout are typical dinner favorites for many salt water anglers, There are a few types of trout and all of them are good fried, blackened or grilled and are quite easy to catch when the time is right.  So when is the time right?  Depending on your location they can actually be quite easy to catch.  A very popular game fish in the Texas Gulf Coast is the speckled trout.  These fish can reach up a maximum size of about 16 pounds and in the right setting you can really thrive fishing under the lights.  Another popular fish is the Sand Trout, a lot smaller than the speckled trout the sand trout is typically no more than 1 to 2 pounds on average and no more than 10 to 12 inches.  Due to the delicacy of the fish there is no size or bag limit on the sand trout, so you can catch as many as your ice chest can hold.  Be very careful when unhooking the ones you are not keeping they are very sensitive creatures and extra care must be taken in order to prevent seriously damaging the fish. When you catch the right waters at the right time you can really fill up your ice chest. My advice do not catch more than you can clean in one day. Trout typically do not freeze very well, the more time they spend frozen their delicate meat turns to mush. So I highly recommend a catch and clean approach with these fish.

So you want to catch some trout?  By far the best technique I have come across is fishing at night, under the lights on a pier in calmer waters especially inshore during spawning seasons.  Honestly the lights can set you up so nice that in some cases it doesn't matter what kind of set up you have. But based on my experiences the best approach is a light set up with a floater and some live bait.  The last outing I had on a canal connected to West Bay in Galveston Texas at one point in the night I was catching them about every 5 seconds.  I would catch one, put it in then ice chest, hook my bait, cast it and less than 5 seconds the floater is under water.  A few times they struck as soon as the bait hit the water, it was so easy it almost felt like cheating.  But we ended up going home with an ice chest full of trout and Sunday dinner sure was good. When fishing for trout, under the lights is definitely the way to go.

-Jefferson D. Powell

Holy Carp! They're Leaping

Yeah, there's a movie coming out with big, scary, giant Piranha and ooooh, we're going to be all scared, depending on how convincing the build-up music happens to be, to go in the water or even on our boats. 

It's Hollywood magic and everyone knows, there's really nothing to fear. Or is there? There happens to be an ecological danger every bit as dangerous: The Asian Carp.

(Author's note: the above article is an excerpt from the book - "Sports Fans are Crazy" )