AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2007 ISSUE

There is no question that sharks are the most misunderstood fish in the sea. With increasing popularity of Shark Week and other marine related TV broadcasts, sharks have gained the reputation of savage beasts hungry for blood. While this may be true to a certain degree, sharks are not out prowling for human flesh at our favorite coastal beaches. Most so-called “shark attacks” are simply a case of mistaken identity. They may be perfect eating machines, but the damage we cause them and their ecosystem heavily outweighs the damage they do to us.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2006 ISSUE

Dead-bait snapper rigs that get the job done! 

There is no question that a large percentage of the most commonly targeted species sought after statewide, are members of the snapper complex. Tasty, hard fighting, and often fairly easy to locate and catch during just about any month of the year, snapper simply rule! Yellowtail, lane, vermillion, mangrove, mutton, red, cubera, dog snapper, you name it, and a group of anglers somewhere around Florida are getting ready to go hunt them down. And while there are as many opinions as to the perfect snapper rig as there are different species of snapper, a few have time and again proven their effectiveness in a wide array of situations. Nevertheless, serious anglers can’t get complacent. 

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2006 ISSUE

With favorable weather patterns and calm sea conditions now prevailing, an increased number of midsize boaters will venture offshore into the Gulf Stream currents in search of a grueling brawl. While their chances of finding a fight under the cover of darkness are currently greater here in southeast Florida than anywhere else we know of, crucial elements to their success will still be careful preparation and proper execution, not to mention being well equipped with adequate tackle, accessories, and essential terminal gear.

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2006 ISSUE

In the shallow water world of backcountry angling where artificial lures reign supreme, proper presentation is everything! We all know that even a perfectly placed cast can quickly deteriorate from something as severe as an untimely flick of the wrist, or as subtle as a tiny blade of turtle grass clinging to the side of the lure. Either can deter an already shy fish from ever considering a serious commitment.

Perfecting the motions of proper casting and retrieval techniques when stalking the shallows while always keeping a close eye of your lure may in-fact take years to master, but even something as non-monumental as the knot you employ to connect your terminal gear can have a noticeable effect on your overall success.

AS SEEN IN THE FALL 2003 ISSUE

Throughout south Florida and the Bahamas, high speed trolling is recognized as one of the most productive methods for catching lightening fast wahoo. A swift trolling speed of over 12 knots helps avoid annoying strikes from lure destroying barracuda, which is definitely an added benefit when you’re dragging $100 or more in terminal tackle.

AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2007 ISSUE

AS SEEN IN THE JULY / AUGUST 2007 ISSUE

Dragging daisy chains as teasers to attract billfish and tuna when trolling is no big breakthrough. Neither is the idea of adding a lure or natural bait to the end of the daisy chain to give the teaser an even greater level of appeal. And while the practice of pulling daisy chains is certainly employed around the globe, it is, in fact, more popular in certain geographic regions.

When it comes to enticing trolling lures, nothing beats a seductive set of eyes!

With pleasant seas and summer-like conditions directly ahead of us, blue water battlers all around Florida’s 1200 miles of coastline are gearing up. We’re strategizing and planning our upcoming searches for rod-bending, drag-screaming action farther offshore. We’ll be looking for weed lines, floating debris, bird life, current rips, color changes, temperature breaks, concentrations of baitfish- any form of structure or life that could potentially attract and hold gaffer-size dolphin, powerful tuna, super fast wahoo and, of course, the always welcome surprise of a blue or white marlin.

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL '07 ISSUE

Go ahead; imagine with me for a moment. You’re methodically working your favorite shallow-water estuary looking to pick a fight. It’s late in the afternoon; the sun is slowly creeping down the distant horizon as the gentle, late spring breeze whisks away all your worries - perfect conditions for creating a little added commotion. Now is when you think to yourself, “What could possibly attract more attention than a noisy top-water plug chuggin’ across the otherwise serene surface...?”

AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB '07 ISSUE

Stroll through the overstocked aisles at your local tackle shop or flip through the pages of your favorite retailer’s catalog, and the choices in plastic stick-baits are nearly endless. Floating, suspending, sinking, bright colors, dark colors, natural finishes, fat baits, skinny baits- there are choices that perfectly mimic every baitfish species and for every scenario. Along with all of the different swimming actions and appearances, one cannot help but wonder if size, particularly length, makes that big of a difference as well. I mean, come on now, fish eat fish!

AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2006 ISSUE

When the topic of teasers is brought up in sailf ishing circles, one immediately pictures natural ballyhoo or split-tail mullet rigged in multiples of ten. Afterwards, visions bounce to traditional artif icial squid chains and the latest innovations in Mylar spreader bars and collapsible multiarm dredges.