Saltwater Fishing

Mr. Gaff Man - Pro's Tips

Proper gaffing techniques lead to more fish in the box. Yet, you'd be surprised at the number of quality fish lost due to poor gaffing technique. While they won't readily admit it, even the most seaso…

New Gulf Reef Fish Gear Requirements

By adopting just a few simple habits, recreational anglers will greatly increase the chances that the fish they catch and release will survive, meaning each and every saltwater angler can positively i…

Hurrican Preparedness

Can you believe it? Hurricane season is once again upon us, and if you own a boat now is the time to start preparing for the unthinkable. It doesn't matter whether you store your most prized possessio…

Split-Tail Sensation

Start by acquiring the freshest bait possible. If you cannot catch your own, frozen individuals will suffice – stay away from packages that appear to have freezer-burn, as these baits will most likely…

Combat Corrosion

When replacing hardware, properly seal screws and bolts with a high-quality marine compound. Periodically check the wiring on your vessel for nicks or damaged sections. If you find any corrosion pee…

Bust Your Bait: 7 Top Tips

Live bait is king! It doesn’t matter where around the peninsula you ply your craft, live bait certainly plays a key role in every angler’s success. Without question there is always a place and time fo…

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Make sure seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing. Make sure pressure gauges or indicators read in the operable range. (CO2 extinguishers do not have gauges and instead must meet a mini…

ABC’s of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A Fire Ordinary Combustibles (anything that burns and leaves ash)…

Underwater Lights

Due to the heat that may develop, underwater lights should only be illuminated when your vessel is in the water. Consult with your boat manufacturer to see if they have any reservations about the hull…

Restoring and Upgrading Your Boat

While much of the country seems to be mired in a lot of gloom and doom about the economy, one thing's for certain: The fish don't care one bit. Blue marlin will still snap off St. Thomas this summer; …

Good Boaters Carry a Spare

In my mind, self-sufficiency represents the single greatest character trait missing from the general American populace today. Society lives with the attitude that if they screw up somehow, someone wil…

Re-rigging Outriggers

Outriggers are critical fishing gear for trolling that -- unlike rods, reels and lures -- are part of the boat. The easiest way to think of them is as a system consisting of three main parts: mounting…

When Wind is Your Friend

The wind is blowing and you’re boating. Should you retreat for calmer waters? If it’s choppy but safe, no. Experts say fish are easiest to find along shores taking the full brunt of the breeze. Here’s…

Snag-Free Fishing

With the right amount of tension on the line, say just enough to hold it taut, and with the rod pointed up to about 45 degrees, pull the line like a banjo string and let it slap back against the rod. …

Best Boat Names

You can get a little insight into the psyche of a fisherman by the boat he owns and runs. Here are some boat names to ponder, with some poignant thoughts about each handle.…

Keeping Live Bait...Alive

Nothing catches fish like live bait, the trick is to keep it healthy." …

What is the Best Fishing Bait?

There is such an assortment of bait that it is difficult to recommend any particular color, size, or type as the best. There are more than a thousand good baits on the market. All will catch fish at s…

What You Need To Know About Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

If fishing is your hobby, protective eyewear is a must. As your eyes are one of the most delicate organs in the body, you should protect them from the sun's damaging rays as well as from intrusive ele…

How to Find a Fishing Guide

Need help finding that perfect fishing spot or landing the big one? A fishing guide might be the perfect solution. Follow these tips to find a fishing guide that's right for you.…

Deep Sea Fishing Tips

Deep sea fishing is a wonderful and extremely enjoyable activity. Here are some tips that will make your saltwater fishing adventure even better.…

Things to Know About Fishing Charter

Recreation is an essential factor in the life of every human being. The anglers or the fishermen represent the largest single group of recreational seekers, and have a decided advantage over the other…

A New Era: Fish the Aggregate

Upper Gulf Coast anglers are countering tightening restrictions by finding creative ways to deck their daily limits of a variety of legal fish. By John E. Phillips…

DIY: Handy Under-Hatch Tool and Fly Stowage

Small, easily-misplaced items like hook removers, fishing and/or split-ring pliers, and hook sharpeners can be kept organized and quickly accessed if you stow them on the underside of a hatch. The onl…

DIY: No-Mess Baitfish De-Hooker

Capt. George Warren of the Charger out of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, came up with this simple yet foolproof way of taking baitfish off a rig without having to touch either the hooks or the fish.…

Recreational Fishermen Can Actively Help Manage California’s Coasts

Have you ever heard of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA)? No. Well, you’re not alone—70% of Californians don’t know what it is. The MLPA is legislation passed in 1999 to “sustain, conserve and …

The Puget Sound Partnership and An Action Agenda for Puget Sound

It was in the early 1920’s that local shellfish growers noticed pollution in Puget Sound. Since then, there have been several sporadic efforts at the state and federal level to control pollution. In 2…

Northwest Salmon Derby Series grows to 14 derbies in 2008

There‘s no better way to get out on the water and enjoy some of Washington’s “good news” on salmon fishing than the Northwest Salmon Derby Series. Directed by the Northwest Marine Trade Association, a…

Fall Lay-Up

Nothing is harder on your boat than neglect, and neglect is exactly what recreational boats are subjected to when cold weather settles in. But proper lay-up techniques can minimize the ill effects win…

Saltwater Fishing Tips: Boating Information for Saltwater Fishing

Are you new to saltwater fishing? Just getting started with your boating adventures? Check out these basic saltwater fishing tips for beginners: Practice makes perfect As a first step towards perfecti…

Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Tackle Guide - Fishing Tips

Fishing tackle is used to get your bait or lure to the fish. You don’t need a lot of equipment to begin fishing. In fact, it’s a good idea to begin with basic, simple tackle. So here are the basics. Y…

Best Times for Saltwater & Freshwater Fishing - Fishing Tips

Experienced anglers will tell you that there are "best" times to fish. These "best times" can be related to the amount of sunlight, to warming trends, to depth at which fish are found...…

Where Do Fish Live?

To catch fish the angler must first locate them. Fish are found nearly everywhere there is water with enough food, oxygen and cover. Near your home there should be a body of water that has fish living…

Saltwater Fish - Chinook Salmon

Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, inside the mouth and gums, black, small spots on upper back and tail, 15 - 17 rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Coho Salmon

Smaller than Chinook. Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, inside of mouth black and gums between teeth gray, small spots on upper tail, 13-15 rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Pink Salmon

Large hump on the back of mature males. Both males and females have large, oblong or oval spots on both the upper and lower portion of their tail and very small scales.…

Saltwater Fish - Chum Salmon

Silvery and has no distinct black spots, though it may have fine black speckling on the upper sides and back. Breeding males of the species have large, bared teeth,…

Saltwater Fish - Steelhead

Steelhead is a name given to rainbow trout that live in the Great Lakes. Rainbow trout are native to the Pacific Ocean along North America and to rivers and other fresh waters of North America west of…

Saltwater Fish - Spanish Mackerel

Back is green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line. The front of dorsal fin is black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail.…

Saltwater Fish - Shad

A large member of the herring family with green or greenish blue on the back and silvery sides, white underneath (colors darken when fish enters fresh water to spawn). The belly with sharp scales, or …

Saltwater Fish - Tarpon

Silver in color, with large heavy scales, tubular body, large uptilted mouth with protruding lower jaw. The last ray of the single dorsal fin is extended into a long filament.…

Saltwater Fishing - Albacore Tuna Profile & Fishing Tips

Fusiform body, dark blue or grey above and on fins, light grey below. A series of 7 to 8 dorsal finlets are yellowish, 7 to 8 anal finlets are silvery or dusky.…

Saltwater Fish - Bluefin Tuna

Fusiform body, robust, dark blue or black above and silvery white below with alternating pale lines and light dots.…

Saltwater Fish - King Mackerel

The king’s back is iridescent bluish green; sides silvery. A streamlined body with tapered head; no black pigment on front of dorsal fin; lateral line starts high and drops sharply below the second do…

Saltwater Fish - Red Snapper

Brick red on its head and upper body, whitish silver below; long rectangular snout, and brilliant red eyes.…

Saltwater Fish - Pompano

Greenish gray on back, shading to silvery sides. Fish living in dark waters showing gold on throat, pelvic, and anal fins. The anal fin begins slightly behind the second dorsal. …

Saltwater Fishing - Atlantic Salmon Fishing Tips & Info

Two dorsal fins including one adipose fin, a narrow pointed tongue with four to six small teeth, dark pectoral fins, forked tail, and nine rays in anal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Sailfish

Dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally with a silvery white underbelly; the upper jaw is elongated into a spear.…

Saltwater Fish - White Marlin

The body is dark blue to chocolate brown, shading to silvery white on the underbelly; noticeable spots on dorsal fin.…

Saltwater Fish - Bonefish

Silvery color with bluish or greenish back; slender, round body; long, conical snout, aiming downward and overhanging the lower jaw. Dark streaks between scales on the upper half of the body and faint…

Saltwater Fish - Cobia

Long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw. Dark lateral stripe extends through the eye to the tail. First dorsal fin has 7 to 9 free spines. When young, has conspicu…

Saltwater Fish - Dolphin

Bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with the capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors. The body tapers sharply from head to tail with irregular blue or gold…

Saltwater Fish - Black Drum

Largest member of the Drum family. High arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored body with large scales in adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars.…

Saltwater Fish - Red Drum

Member of the croaker family with large reddish scales on their upper body and a blunt snout. Chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail…

Saltwater Fish - Sand Seatrout

Pale body color, yellow above, silver to white below; one or two prominent canine teeth usually at the tip of the upper jaw. Inside of mouth is yellow; no well-defined black spots on back; 10 to 12 so…

Saltwater Fish - Spotted Seatrout

Specs have a streamlined body, dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below. Numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and tail; bl…

Saltwater Fish - Weakfish

Dark olive or blue-green back; sides covered in tones of blue, purple, lavender, gold and copper. Irregular diagonal rows of vaguely-defined dark spots appear above the lateral line.…

Saltwater Fish - Striped Bass

Striped bass is a silvery fish that gets its name from the seven or eight dark, continuous stripes along the side of its compressed body.…

Saltwater Fish - Flounder

Flounder have flat bodies with both eyes facing up. They are light to dark olive brown, marked with diffused dark blotches and spots on its back, undersides are white.…

Saltwater Fish - Blue Marlin

Cobalt blue on top shading to silvery white on bottom; upper jaw elongated to form a spear; dorsal fin pointed at front end; pectoral fin and anal fin pointed; lateral line reticulated (interwoven lik…

Saltwater Fish - Black Sea Bass

Typically large-mouthed, bottom dwellers that are bluish black in color with light spots that form longitudinal stripes.…

Saltwater Fish - Bluefish

Blue or greenish blue on the back, sides silvery; mouth large; teeth prominent, sharp, and compressed. The dorsal and anal fins are nearly the same size; scales are small; lateral line is almost strai…

Saltwater Fish - Croaker

Chin with 3-5 pairs of small barbells and 5 pores. Caudal fins are double concave. Body is elongate and somewhat compressed with a deeply notched dorsal finwith 10 spines in the anterior portion and 1…

Saltwater Fish - Halibut

In the Pacific, from Washington State north to Alaska including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Neah Bay, Sekiu, and Port Angeles. Also native to temperate waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean, where it …

Tips for Saltwater Fishing - Amberjack Fish Profile & Info

Distinctive olive-colored bar from the snout through the eye, to the beginning of the dorsal fin and a broad amber-colored strip running horizontally, along the flanks.…

Saltwater Fishing Tactics: Overview

Before catching fish, anglers must locate them. Much of North America is within a day’s drive of the oceans, an estuary, or some other marine environment. You can find fish nearly anywhere there is fo…

Saltwater Fishing Boat Accessories: Baitwells, Livewells, Rod Holders, Trolling Motors and Fishfinders

Fishing in saltwater can be as simple as standing on pier or the edge of a bay or ocean and tossing out a line with a baited hook. But, using the right kind of boat equipped with the right gear, can g…

Selecting Your Saltwater Fishing Gear: Fishing Rods, Fishing Reels, Natural and Artificial Bait

Some 15 million Americans list saltwater fishing as one of their preferred recreational activities.In some respects, saltwater is a misnomer; marine might be a better term... Many of this country’s fi…

Boating is Affordable

Boating is affordable and there’s a boat for every age, lifestyle and budget. Most people don’t realize how affordable boating is: in some instances, you can buy a brand new boat financed for around…

Tips on Buying from a Certified Dealer

Marine Industry Certified Dealers have earned a reputation for taking good care of their customers. In fact, to become certified a dealership must meet independently verified high standards in everyth…

Selecting Your Freshwater Fishing Gear: Fishing Rods, Fishing Reels, Natural Bait and Artificial Bait

With nearly 45 million Americans listing fishing as their preferred leisure activity, recreational anglers outnumber participants in most other outdoor sports. Successful anglers mix patience, skill, …

Saltwater Fishing Boats

From spending quality time with friends and family to enjoying the health benefits of outdoor exercise, saltwater fishing offers a myriad of rewards for recreational boaters. The in-depth boating info…

Sport Fishing Boats: Find a Fishing Boat

Trying to find a fishing boat that’s ideal for catching big game fish? Sport fishing boats are the high-performance answer to your needs. Designed to make fishing as convenient as possible, these fish…

Fishing Boats Overview: Fly Fishing Boats

What are important things to look for in a fly fishing boat? Flat-bottomed jon boats are one of the most common types of fly fishing boats. Inexpensive and easy to maintain, these simple boats are fa…

Ten Tips for Clean and Green Boating

Follow these easy top 10 tips for clean and green boating.…

What’cha Eating? Bait Matrix

The most popular game fish are salmon, trout, bass, and pike in freshwater, but choosing bait to hook these fish is a very personal matter. Fishing baits usually weigh from 1/4 to three ounces. The mo…

Big Choices: The Basics of Big-Game Fishing Equiptment

Big-game fishing essentially didn’t exist until the advent of the motorboat. In 1898, C.F. Holder took a 183-pound bluefin tuna from a boat off Santa Catalina Island, California and inadvertently crea…

Plotter/Nautical Chart Plotters

When you’re out boating on unfamiliar waters, you really should have the official navigational charts (maps for the water) for that particular body of water. …

Fire Extinguishers

The law requires fire extinguishers for most boats—a good idea, if there’s anything on your boat that could possibly burn. Read on to find out which extinguishers you should have on hand and what othe…

First Aid Supplies

As much as we try to be careful, accidents can happen while we’re boating—usually miles away from professional medical care. That’s why it’s important to have a well-equipped first aid kit on board, a…

Echo Sounders

One of the great mysteries of boating is wondering what lies beneath us, between the water and the bottom. An echo sounder can help us in our exploration of the world below the depths.…

Sun Protection

Being on the water’s all about sun and fun, isn’t it? As they say, you can have too much of a good thing—and it’s all too easy to soak up more sun than you should’ve.…

Electronics/Fishfinders

One of the great mysteries of boating is wondering what lurks beneath the waves—more specifically, how deep is the water, where are the submerged rocks, and where are the fish? …

30 Secret Fishing Tips

10 All-purpose tips, 10 Bass Tips, 5 Saltwater tips and 5 Fishing with Kids Tips…

Fishing with Kids

So you are going to take some kids fishing! Maybe they are yours, or those of a relative or friend. Either as an angler or interested adult, you want these kids to have fun.…

Codes of Angling Ethics

Ethics cannot be dictated. They develop with time, experience, and interaction with others. The following code is offered as a guideline to increase awareness and encourage discussion.…

27 Ways To Tell If You're A Fishing Fanatic

You reason that a 90 percent chance of severe thunderstorms actually means that there is a 10 percent chance of having really excellent fishing weather. Your mailbox is a giant fiberglass bass. Yo…

Boat Buyer Guide: Tips on How to Buy a Boat

Plan ahead… There are a lot of choices. Allow enough time to explore many different types of boats, and several different brands within each category… This is a big investment that will change your li…

Fighting A Fish

You listened to the bait shop guy and bought his equipment, so in return he offers a hot spot to try. After a couple of casts, you feel a strike and set the hook. The reel screams, and you're hooked u…

Saltwater Fishing

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