The Jackplate is one of those specialized pieces of boating equipment that comes into play in our corner of the world. Talk to an angler in Seattle or Savannah and they probably won’t even know what a jackplate is. But […]
Do You Need a New Jackplate? Read More »
There are always tons of new fishfinders and chartplotters hitting the market, but usually they come from a handful of big companies. If none of the offerings from those companies is exactly what you want, you’re out of luck. Not this time—there’s
New Fishfinder-Chartplotter: Si-Tex SVS 460 and 560 Read More »
Every boat has a hull, a power source (even if it’s you, with a paddle) and some form of deck. Beyond that, there’s no common denominator. All boats are different, some radically so. But no matter whether you’re talking about
5 Indispensible Items You Need Aboard Your Boat Read More »
This was a great year for firsts, with me and my sons: they caught their first marlin, they experienced their first over-nighter offshore, and they got their first boat. Yes, their first boat. Now, some folks may feel that 14
The Boys First Boat Read More »
There’s a chill in the air these days, and although most of us probably won’t have to deal with snow and ice, freeze damage can still be an issue for boaters. The very nature of boats – they don’t just
Winter is Coming – Is Your Boat Ready? Read More »
As usual this year, my benefactors at boats.com sent me to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. And also as usual, it was a crazy scene full of uber-expensive yachts, luxury machines, and watercraft as varied as mini-subs and hovercraft.
News from the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Read More »
It’s a common issue for us boaters: we need to wear polarized sunglasses, or the glare off the water just about burns out our retinas. But if we wear polarized sunglasses, every time we try to look at the fishfinder or chartplotter screen
Polarization Problems? New Sunglasses Have the Answer Read More »
Mahi-mahi fishing can get quite chaotic, and when we were shooting the third episode of Got Bait? the chaos was just plain out of control. The dang fish tried to eat our underwater fish-cam. We had double, triple, and even
THEY ATE THE FISH-CAM – Got Bait? III is Mahi-Mahi Mayhem Read More »
I end up testing a lot of pontoon boats for boats.com, and though they aren’t exactly my own personal cup of tea, they do have a lot of redeeming features. In fact, if I had a house on a protected
A Day with the New Evinrude G2 200-hp Outboard Read More »
Whether you’re an angler or a hunter or a cruiser, with all kinds of boating, electronics failure is always a threat. Fishfinders, GPS units, VHF radios, and radar can all go haywire, and usually, at the very worst time possible.
Three Marine Electronics Snafus (And how to prevent them). Read More »
If you’re a dad, you know that sometimes, you just can’t keep yourself from bragging about your kids. Well, sorry folks, but I just can’t help but let a little fatherly pride drive this blog, today. You’ll know why, as
White Marlin, and Unmitigated Bragging Read More »
I get this question all the time: I want to take my boat offshore, maybe even far enough to encounter pelagics like marlin, but I’m not sure it’s big enough. What do you think is the minimum size, for taking
Is Your Boat Big Enough for Offshore? Read More »
If you fish in saltwater regularly, sooner or later you’ll encounter sharks. Maybe even on purpose – there’s no denying the thrill of catching one of these wild beasts. And if it’ a mako or a thresher, you might even want to
Handling Sharks on Boats Read More »
Which is better when you’re trying to catch striped bass: live baits, or soft plastic lures? The bait-versus-lures debate is an old one, which we first addressed with regards to flounder fishing, in the pilot for a new series called Got Bait?
Bait vs. Lures Take II – Which is Best for Striped Bass? Read More »
Trolling is an effective way to catch fish, but it could be a lot more effective for a lot of anglers. Why? Because it isn’t quite as simple as it seems – how you outfit and run your boat has
Five Tips for Trolling Read More »
If you like fishing with live baits, you’re constantly looking to keep those baits in good condition, right? And, this can be a tall order. Poorly-designed livewells, over-crowding, and extended time in captivity can all take a toll on those
Keeping Live Baits Lively Read More »
Do you know your boat’s most efficient cruise? It’s surprising how few boaters can tell you, off the top of their head, what cruising speed is the best on their own boat. Truth be told, most of us simply go
Most Efficient Cruise: Save Fuel By Running the Boat Right Read More »
I write this with a foggy mind, and a sore body – the night before last, I took my sons on their first overnighter on the ocean. If you’ve never tried an overnight fishing trip on the ocean, trust me,
Overnighting on the Ocean Read More »
Whether we fish for bass in lakes, redfish in bays, or flounder in the inlets, most of us own outboard boats. So when we talk about powerplants on this blog, outboards rule the roost. But some Texans run boats that eclipse
Pod Drives: Are They Right for You? Read More »
Sure, it’s an age-old question, which is why we set out to settle it on our new fishing show, Got Bait? I say “our” new show because it features me and my boys, Max and David. We grab an expert angler
Which is Better: Bait or Lures? Here’s the Proof. Read More »
