Deep Sea Fishing Tips
Deep sea fishing is an activity which can be incredibly enjoyable for the novice and the seasoned sportsman or sportswoman alike. Here’s a few tips to make your deep sea fishing trips even more fun.
1. Watch the signs
If you see birds, especially seagulls who are eating small fish which you would ordinarily use as bait. Then there is most likely larger fish (your quarry) below the surface. Flotsam should also be noted as a sign of larger fish. If you see large pieces of wood floating in the water, there’s a good chance that large fish and even dolphins may be nearby.
2. Stop, Snook and Listen
Fishing for snook is a lot like fishing for bass. Snook tend to be found near ledges, posts and rocks.
3. Crabs for full moon
During full moons, use soft crab imitations as your bait. This is the time when crabs will molt – and stripers know this and will be on the lookout.
4. If you’re looking for tuna, find the dolphins
Yellow-fin tuna can often be found schooling near dolphins. If you happen to see dolphins, the odds are good that tuna are also in the area.
5. Cut and Burn
If you are having difficulty cutting through a spider-wire braid, try burning through it instead, using a lighter or a match.
6. Good Reef
The best place to fish is near reefs since the prey of big game fish are the smaller fish who make reefs their home.
7. The Circle Hook
If you want to hook more fish, use a circle hook. Since these hooks have a small gap and a reverse point, they hook only on the lip, not the gut – so they’re better for the fish too, especially if you plan to catch and release.
8. Don’t have sea legs
Stay on deck and watch the horizon, not the water. Don’t breathe in the engine fumes if you can help it, this will only make your seasickness worse.
9. Anchors away
If your anchor gets stuck at the bottom, try attaching a float to it. Come back to it after the tide changes – your anchor should now be loosened.
10. Fish where the fish are
Fisherman sometimes think that thy should catch their live bait by reefs and then go on to deeper waters. Not think about this for a minute. If you are catching your live bait away from where you plan to go for game fish, what makes you think that the game fish will be where the bait fish aren’t? Fish where the fish are.