AS SEEN IN THE 2004 SUMMER ISSUE

More so today then ever before, women are taking advantage of outdoor pursuits for their own pleasure. Women are no longer joining their male counterparts in outdoor activities just to spend more time with them. Females of all ages are becoming more active and adventurous then ever before and no where is this truer than in the angling world.
 

I recently joined a group of lady anglers to venture out for an offshore fishing trip with Captain Joe Schulten, owner of Outriggers Sport Fishing Charters. Joe operates the Anna Leah, whose home base is in Marina Jacks in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. I had no trouble convincing Captain Joe to accept my reservation. After all, it’s been proven that female anglers are not only a pleasure to have on board but they usually end up catching more fish than their male counterparts as they have a desire to learn.

We agreed on leaving the dock at 7:00 am and much to Joe’s surprise, we were all on time. Upon arrival, we noticed not one, but both of Joe’s mates. Both Charlie and Chris graciously volunteered to accompany us on this trip. As we left the dock, we felt comfortable knowing we were in great hands and we’re looking forward to a wonderful day on the water.

We settled into our seats for the scenic ride to the fishing grounds and admired the hazy sights of the slowly fading shoreline. The dazzling play of light on the water, the solitude, the beauty of the sun rising and the sea birds above embedded a picturesque scene we will soon not forget. Earnest Hemmingway once wrote “I do not know of anything other than fishing that can give a person more enjoyment through life”. At that moment, we all agreed.

After loading up with baitfish, the Anna Leah was ready to fish. Our first attempt consisted of a technique called slow trolling. The crew indicated this was a great way to see if any fish wanted to come out and play. They mentioned slow trolling is probably the most effective means of covering the largest area in the shortest amount of time in your search for actively feeding fish. While we were trolling along, the crew instructed us to keep our eyes peeled for birds working in the distance. Birds dive into large piles of baitfish that get driven to the surface by the feeding fish below.

With-in minutes, showering bait fish could soon be seen flickering all over the surface. Our anticipation grew as the crew told us when baitfish are near, bigger fish are often close by. We approached the edge of a large pod of bait and within only seconds, slam! We were hooked up! The Captain made sure to point out that you should never run through the middle of bait but rather stay on the outside edges. The rod arched toward the water as the fish began stripping line. “What is it?” someone shouted. Captain Joe quickly responded “I don’t know yet, could be a barracuda, bonito, cobia or perhaps even a kingfish”. One thing was for sure, this fish was fighting like crazy. A few minutes into the battle we all were able to get our first glimpse at the silhouette below. “It’s an LT, a local name for a bonito”, the captain shouted. These feisty fish are loads of fun but unfortunately not too good for the diner table. I quickly came to realize our offshore adventure had only just begun.

We proceeded to catch several other bonito. I made a promise to myself before the trip that I’d be the designated photographer and allow all the other ladies to do all the fishing. After watching the flurry, I did all I could to keep my promise. It’s not easy to take the back seat when you enjoy fishing as much as I do, though I did manage to keep my promise.
 
Next on the agenda was searching for some hungry kingfish. Arriving at the next destination, we quickly got our baits in the water and once again and much to our delight, one of the rods quickly bet over. The mates assured us this was our first kingfish! Kingfish are sometimes referred to as the king of speed, and for good reason.  After only a few more minutes of chumming a second rod bowed and we were again treated with a super charged run. This particular battle was short lived as our kingfish unfortunately met his demise by getting eaten by a huge barracuda.

 The furious fishing continued. There was no doubt the kingfish were there and they were biting! Captain Joe, along with Charlie and Chris patiently took the time to educate us as to proper tactics and techniques. A final count revealed seven kings on ice. Unique about the experience was witnessing the larger barracuda eating the smaller predatory fish. The crew said this was a very common occurrence when fishing offshore, one that we don’t see very often when closer to home. That’s the lure of fishing. You just never know what you will see. Just because certain fish are biting one day, does not mean they will be biting the next. Gamefish are constantly moving and conditions constantly change. Fishing keeps you guessing, this makes the sport a welcomed challenge.

After a short lunch break, cobias were our next target. It didn’t take long for Captain Joe to spot an unsuspectingly cobia. Evidently cobia have an annoying habit of parading around the boat, regardless if they’re hungry or not. Charlie mentioned cobia could be finicky eaters but that wasn’t the case today. Captain Joe instructed him to throw a Mirrorlure at the cruising fish. Captain Joe must have known what he was talking about as the hook up was instantaneous. One of the ladies quickly grabbed the rod and the battle began. Cobia are famous for rapid direction changes with sharp turns and strong runs. After ten minutes our third species of the day was landed. We had caught bonito, kingfish and now a cobia.

As you can see ladies, offshore fishing is very exciting as you just never know what you may run into out there. Each and everyday promises to be different. The next time you’re looking for an adventure with lots of action, leave all the guys at the dock and book an offshore trip with a few of your girlfriends.

Prepare yourself ahead of time before venturing offshore. Do some research on the captain and the boat you select. All offshore charter boats should have a rest room of some sort onboard and all need to have the required safety, navigational and communication equipment. Prior to booking your trip, ask for references and call them. Make sure the boat is registered, insured and has all the proper licenses and documentation. Captain Joe and his crew were very cordial and very patient, thus making everyone feel at ease with zero pressure. The Anna Leah was immaculate and all the tackle and accessories we’re up to standards. All did everything in their power to insure we had fun, and we did.

You definitely have to feel comfortable with your captain in order to enjoy your fishing experience. No one wants to hire a guide that yells and screams all day. Make sure your crew is aware of your wants and needs before climbing aboard their vessel. It’s too late once your 20 miles offshore to realize you may have chartered the wrong boat. The captain and mate(s) are there to help you enjoy the best possible experience. It’s how they make their living. The crew should want your repeat business. If the service provided equals or exceeds your expectation, thank them with a gratuity.

When heading offshore, your cell phones may lose signal rather quickly, so plan the day accordingly. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, it would be wise to take preventive medication prior to leaving the dock. Heading offshore does require some endurance and adaptability. Overall though, I am sure after you step off the boat from spending the entire day with your closest friends, the first words out of your mouth will be “when are we doing this again?”

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