Whiting, also called Gulf kingfish (not to be confused with the king mackerel kingfish), are a regular catch in the surf and near the mouths of some coastal bays. These fish don’t get very large, but they’re feisty and they
The Overlooked and Underappreciated Whiting Read More »
Most anglers think of tripletail as nearshore fish, and certainly, most are caught within sight of land. But these fish sometimes get swept far out into the Gulf by the currents, and no matter where you may be offshore, it’s
Tripletail Offshore Read More »
If you fish long enough, sooner or later you’ll catch a tagged fish. All kinds of different organizations, governmental agencies, and scientific outfits tag fish, and there are countless finned critters swimming around out there with a little bit of
What to Do When You Catch a Tagged Fish Read More »
Mahi-mahi are awesome oceanic fish – they’re plentiful and usually willing to bite, they taste great, they fight hard and make acrobatic leaps through the air, and few fish can hold a candle to them when it comes to how
Catch More Mahi-Mahi with SST Read More »
No one will deny the effectiveness of running a planer rod for kingfish. But sometimes you need to get exceedingly deep, and who wants to deal with all the hassle of using #4 or larger inline planers? And, who wants
Catching big black drum on a kayak is a hoot – those hefty bruisers take you for a serious sleigh ride, and few inshore fish grow as large as these drum. No, they won’t tail-walk and big black drum are
Nothing’s worse then arriving at a hotspot 15 minutes before the tide drops out, catching fish on several casts in a row, then watching the bite peter out to nothing. How long will you have to sit there and suffer
When it comes to soft plastics, there are about a million and one colors and color patterns to choose from. Of course, it’s no secret that many are made more to catch your eye at the tackle shop than they
Soft Plastic Lure Colors: Top Three Picks Read More »
It’s often said that 90-percent of the fish that get away are lost in the first few moments or the last few moments of the fight. Quite often that’s true. And while you can’t do much about those fish being
The End Game: Tips for Landing More Fish Read More »
There’s a whole lot of “information” out there on the internet about the difference between line stretch when it comes to braid vs. mono. Line manufacturers put out some info on this topic, too, but whenever a manufacturer is concerned
The Truth about Braid VS. Mono Line Stretch Read More »
As you folks undoubtedly know, usually I stick with how-to saltwater fishing posts. Since discovering this amazing smoked mackerel dip recipe, however, I just can’t resist sharing – it will literally turn your “regular” mackerel into the best Spanish mackerel
The Best Spanish Mackerel EVER Read More »
You’ve been on the ocean for hours without a single bite, when you spot it: a board, cargo net, or a refrigerator floating on the surface. Heck, it doesn’t mater what it is. If you see an item larger than
Tips for Better Bailing Read More »
Sheepshead – AKA convict fish, thanks to their black bars – are a great fighting fish that goes well on the dinnerplate, but they can also be a frustrating target. Recently, my son David schooled me on the sheeps and
Targeting Sheepshead from a Kayak Read More »
Sand fleas, or mole crabs as some folks call ’em, can be found wiggling in the sand at the edge of the surf and easily dug up by hand or scooped from the loose sand with a strainer. Why should
Fleas for Bait – Sand Fleas, That Is Read More »
What’s the ideal trolling speed for Spanish mackerel? Some guys swear by eight mph, others say 10 is best, and 12 is a favored marks by some. But truth be told, the “best” trolling speed isn’t any one speed at
Most anglers know to look for structure, but one form of structure that often gets ignored is ships. Naturally, ships on the move aren’t going to hold fish, or if they do, would be impossible to fish around anyway. Ships
Fishing Around Ships Read More »
If you’re willing to make the run to 500-plus feet of water (600 and change is better) you might just strike gold – golden tilefish, that is. Golden tilefish live on muddy bottom in deep waters, sometimes as deep as
Digging for Gold: Golden Tilefish Read More »
Some years ago I was in the cockpit of a sportfish with a guy who seemed to more or less know what he was doing, when another angler hooked up with a marlin. Always on the lookout to get cool
How to Bill a Billfish Read More »
SLOW-TROLLING FOR KING MACKEREL with live baits or rigged dead baits is incredibly effective, but these tactics require advanced planning and effort. You need to catch or buy the live baits, and/or buy and pre-rig the dead baits. What if
How to Catch King Mackerel on Spoons Read More »
Many offshore anglers may not realize it, but the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Now, those dolphin obviously aren’t going to push any fish towards your baits, but… When you see dolphin thrashing on the surface and
Can Dolphin Help You Catch More Fish? Read More »
