By: Ian P Stuart
There is nothing like being out on the open sea with the wind in your hair and the sea breeze bathing your face while you battle to land the “big one”. It’s a heart-racing, thrilling adventure available throughout the oceans of the world. Are you interested? Sure you are. A good starting point is choosing a charter. Other tips for having the adventure of your life are listed below.
Finding a Charter
A personal recommendation is a good way to begin. Ask to see their credentials, including proof of insurance and bonds. They must also have the proper permits and the correct type and amount of safety equipment. Look for a company with a good reputation that has been licensed for at least two years. Ask them for references and then consult those references.
If a charter company refuses or even seems reluctant to provide you with any of this information, walk away.
The Right Equipment
Deep sea fishing gear needs to be heavy duty, strong enough to handle the strain that fighting a big fish puts on the rod and reel. Reels should hold 300 yards of 12 to 30 pound test fishing line, depending on the fish you’re going after. For beginners, it’s best to go with 30 pound test line.
If you’re more experienced, a 12 pound test line will give you a greater challenge. Be sure that your rod, reel and fishing line are compatible and balanced regarding size. You’ll need 10 to 15 foot long leaders of 30 to 50 pound test line. Tie the leaders to a double line and use hooks that are range from 3.0 to 6.0 in size.
The Right Bait for the Right Fish
The ocean offers a wide variety of fish, including haddock, wolf fish, tuna, shark, marlin, rockfish and wahoo. Ballyhoo is good all-purpose bait, but the best way to attract your big game is to use bait they naturally eat.
Kingfish, wahoo, snapper and grouper love to feed on small fish like herring, sand perch, threadfin hermit crabs and lugworms. Larger baits can include cut bait, dead bait rigs and lures, speedos, googleyes and blue runners.
Finding, Choosing and Handling Bait
If you’re buying bait, make sure that there are no red spots around the nose. Also, avoid bait that’s lost some of its scales. To save money, track seabirds and watch where they scoop up a snack. If you see them fly in tight circles then dive, you’re in the right spot. Bait can also be found around bridges, docks, markers and fish cleaning tables.
Never handle your bait any more than you must to get it ready for the trip. Don’t apply sunscreen until after the bait is ready, unless you first wash your hands with water and non-scented soap.
Time to Pack
Everything’s set and you’re ready to start packing. Protective rain gear should top the list. Check with the charter company when you book your trip for exactly what you need to bring. Let the adventure begin!
Whether you want to learn about deep sea fishing or any other kind of fishing, fishingrodstips.com is the place for you. Here you will find techniques and strategies that have not been discussed anywhere. Read these, internalize them and practice them to gain expertise in fishing.
