AS SEEN IN THE SEPT/OCT 2005 ISSUE

Attend a seminar and walk away a winner.
Local pros and accomplished experts are eager to reveal precisely where to find your favorite species and exactly how to connect with ‘em.

Regardless if you’re a shallow water fanatic or hardcore blue-water guru, collectively anglers of all breeds have something in common, we all strive for knowledge. We read magazines, books and periodicals, and all of us are guilty of spending a Sunday morning every now & then closely studying Flip, Marc or Jim’s every move in the hopes of picking up a valuable tip or two.

 Along with the vast amount of information provided by these popular forms of media and their host of colorful characters, attending a live, hands-on seminar is an exceptional way to really comprehend the messages being portrayed.

Educational seminars of all sorts are constantly held at fishing clubs, boat shows, tackle shops and outdoor exhibitions up and down the entire State. Most are free while some charge a nominal fee to help compensate for minor expenses. Either way, it’s time and money well spent.

Personally, I’ve been privileged and feel extremely honored to have hosted more seminars than I can remember. I’ve preached to audiences at the largest boat shows and most prestigious clubs. At one time or another, I’ve discussed just about every inshore or offshore topic to anyone willing to listen and learn. I’ve actually been told public speaking is one of my fortes’. I guess that makes sense since I take pride in passing along useful tidbits that help saltwater anglers be more successful in their perspective endeavors.

Clearly understanding the value of seminars, I’ve hosted countless and still make it a point to sit in on as many as I can. ‘Til this day I enjoy listening to and learning from local experts and accomplished anglers regardless of which species or specific topic they’re discussing. The way I look at it, if I walk away having learnt just one new tip, trick or technique, the time and effort was well spent.

You may be thinking to yourself, “Heck, I already know everything I need to know. Why in the world should I go out of my way to listen to what somebody else has to say?” If that’s the case, would you happen to be looking for an employment opportunity? 

It’s the angler who believes they know it all that’s just plain foolish. I don’t care what your experience level, saltwater angling is a continuously evolving, diversified sport with new baits, gear and techniques constantly being discovered. And since we all know there is no single ‘one’ way to approach any of our brilliant adversaries and since every angler has his or her preferred tackle, rigging techniques, favorite baits and so forth, gaining as much knowledge from as many reliable sources as possible helps us all piece the puzzle together. Compiling all the information permits us to draw our own conclusions of what approach will work best under any given circumstance. 
 

For the sake of argument, let’s use swordfishing as an example. Are you aware there are 37 different ways to affix a 16-ounce bank sinker to your line? Every broadbill angler I’ve ever had the privilege of visiting the Gulf Stream with has his or her preferred method of rigging, and their own make-sense reasoning for everything they do. Most are successful at accomplishing the same task, but each captain’s technique is a little different then the next. That doesn’t make one right or wrong, it just proves that there is in fact more than one way to skin a cat.

Over the years I’ve made it a point to compile as much info as I can from as many sources as I can and come up with tactics and techniques that work best for me. The point I am trying to make is that it never hurts to listen and learn, regardless of what you do with the info.

The same theory applies to seminars. Most are not designed as ‘right to the letter instructional courses,’ but rather speeches describing what tips, tricks, and tactics work for that particular captain or crew under any given circumstance and why. No one says you have to rig or fish exactly the same way or use that exact bait, but rather all of the compiled info should be taken into consideration and applied to your own methods.

I should mention; whenever attending a seminar, if you don’t clearly understand the message the speaker is trying to get across, don’t hesitate with questions. Take it from someone who is most often in front of the crowd. Seminar speakers appreciate inquiries. It allows us an invitation to elaborate even further on particular subjects or topics. Plus it tells us you’re listening and paying close attention.

An experienced seminar host will have a knack of holding your attention and should be more than happy to answer any questions during his/her speech and/or immediately afterwards. If you are not crystal clear on a particular tip, trick, or technique, ask the speaker to elaborate. The other attendees will also appreciate you did. I would also suggest bringing along a small pad and writing utensil. Any innovative info you hear along the way can be jotted down so you can refer back for a quick refresher course anytime down the line. 

With the fall/winter boat show season rapidly approaching, there is no better time to increase your knowledge. Most of these events host an extensive seminar series and all are free with your paid admission. I would highly recommend scheduling the time to attend a few seminars pertaining to your preferred species or methods. The valuable info you will learn will undoubtedly help you increase your overall score regardless of where or how often you indulge in the pursuit. Sit in a seminar and Get Hooked Up!

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