Offshore-How-To's Archives - Page 2 of 3

October 11, 201301025

Welcome Aboard!

“Good morning folks. Today we’ll be fishing a few reefs and wrecks about an hour away. We’ve had an excellent mingo bite over the last few days with s

October 10, 201301137

Amber Alert

Imagine a predator so strong and determined that even the most seasoned anglers are often brought to their knees after an intense battle. The culprit

October 9, 201301029

The Value of Local Knowledge

We’re all very fortunate to live in Florida. With well over 1,000 miles of coastline, hundreds of different species and so many exciting venues, there

October 7, 20130995

The Feel Factor

Florida is the undisputed fishing capital of the world, and with this bold statement comes a variety of venues and species to target. With such varian

September 20, 201301234

Snakes To Smokers

I admit it. I’m the type who likes to fiddle. Regardless of species or technique, I’m always experimenting with tackle and always trying to perfect my

September 4, 20130919

On The Line

I’m trailering my boat to Key West in preparation of a Dry Tortugas trip and want to make sure I abide by all of the species and gear regulations. How

August 16, 201301053

Top Dog

Competitive sport fishing is a difficult undertaking that tests anglers against game fish in a battle that requires skill, persistence, passion and te

July 31, 201301263

Balancing Act

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) fishing is the fastest growing sector within the marine industry and its rise to the top can be attributed to the growing t

July 30, 201301274

Cobia Killers

There is a reason spearos are drawn to the sea. There is something deeply ingrained in our psyche and DNA to hunt wild game and experience the thrill

July 29, 201302307

Out Of Bounds

The Gulf of Mexico may not feature lush coral gardens with crystal clear water that’s common in the Atlantic, but from Key West to Naples and beyond t

July 26, 201302801

Go Time For Gulf Grouper

Anglers in the Gulf have it pretty tough. Oil spills, red tide, a gradually sloping seafloor and ill-considered fishing regulations make it increasing

July 22, 201301452

Choose Your Weapon

One could argue that advancing technologies are changing recreational sport fishing as we know it, but one thing remains constant and will likely neve

July 22, 20130865

The Human Element

From coastal shallows to expansive blue water, treasured habitats and ecosystems around the world are under attack and threatened by a host of complex

July 19, 201303786

Simple Swimming Mullet

Mullet may appear apathetic as they lethargically meander along the water’s surface of inshore estuaries and canals, but rigged properly and these ent

July 18, 201301382

Fighting Dirty

I’ll admit that although I’m still a whippersnapper by some standards, I’m growing old of being young and reckless. At one time I was passionate and a

May 27, 20130778

Air Wars

When it comes to finding marine life in the open ocean, nothing sets the stage quite like a flock of seabirds carefully scanning and working the surfa

May 25, 20130943

Let Them Live

In 2003 I wrote an article for New Zealand Fishing News titled Tag or Bag. The article focused on when it is acceptable to boat billfish, but today th

May 24, 201301354

Sacrificial Offerings

The successful pursuit of blue water predators requires a fine understanding of numerous factors. When combined, these ingredients hopefully formulate

May 23, 201301395

Defiant Dolphin

Roaming tropical seas worldwide, dolphinfish represent the epitome of blue water sport fishing and alone drive tens of millions of dollars in tourism

May 22, 201301250

Tuna Fix

Of the many prized game fish found roaming the world’s seas, tuna are a universal favorite. Personally, I’ve made it a mission in life to capture ever

May 16, 201301091

Casting Call

Throwing a cast net is a necessary fundamental that many anglers learn as they climb the ranks of sport fishing. Those who perfect the tactic often ad

March 21, 201301334

Blissful Bycatch

Anglers know quite well that every trip doesn’t produce. There are always unforeseen circumstances and unexpected misadventures, interspersed with epi

March 19, 201301626

Cobia Killer

Come mid-March, anglers along the Panhandle have one thing on their minds—intercepting migrating cobia as they move westward along the crystal clear w

March 18, 201301358

Knot So Fast

If you fish a spinning reel with thin diameter braided fishing line, you will eventually have to deal with a wind knot, although wind isn’t always to

March 15, 20130985

Life On The Lookout

The life of a tiny baitfish is a difficult one, with nearly every predator that swims willing and capable of capitalizing on the easy meal. Small stat

February 2, 201301631

Steaking Wahoo

Although consistently finding and fooling brilliant game fish is enjoyable in its own right, another reward comes at the end of the day when you final

February 1, 201301057

Quest For The One

It was the first drop of a long anticipated day and our baited hooks were plummeting to the darkest depths where the most extreme predators have evolv

January 30, 20130941

Tortugas Tales 2012

Before I start raving about the do’s and don’ts for slaying stellar snapper, I’d like to personally thank the 35 anglers who joined Florida Sport Fish

January 25, 20130917

Super Spread

Kite fishing is a proven technique that can be utilized by anglers fishing from all types of vessels. While the approach requires specialized tackle,

January 24, 20130662

Lesson Learned

If you’ve never been skunked, shutout or whatever you call it, then you simply haven’t spent enough time on the water. Regardless if it’s inshore, on

January 22, 201301678

Quivering Quills

Although you can certainly blackout your livewell with a cast net, multiple hook quill rigs—often called sabiki rigs—acquire live bait in a more delic

January 2, 20130575

Hit Or Miss

I routinely fish with a light or medium action spinning outfit and have an issue with consistent casting accuracy. Sometimes my lure hooks to the left

November 27, 201201801

Wahoo Highway

The life many South Florida anglers live is a vicious circle complimented with a semi-unhealthy addiction to chasing migrating game fish. Summer month

November 23, 201201010

Tournament Tested

Circle-hooks aren’t new by any means, but offshore anglers who troll for pelagic game fish have been the slowest group to embrace the shape. No matter

November 21, 201201760

Tending Tides

Throughout every venue across the state the tide is an extremely important factor that has an incredible influence on your overall angling success. As

November 20, 201201048

The Usual Suspects

With a majority of anglers locked in the grips of another winter, tropical sportsmen in the Florida Keys live the good life celebrating Christmas in t

November 16, 201201256

Line Management

Some anglers are simply destined for failure. It is a sad reality, and a harsh one at that. You see, fishing fundamentals cannot be overlooked no matt

November 15, 20120588

Winter Wonderland

While many locals and transients call South Florida home due to the temperate conditions and lack of distinct seasons, there are parts of the state th

October 1, 20120931

The Big Picture

With populations of game fish collapsing worldwide and the demand for fresh seafood showing no signs of diminishing, major change is needed or the wor

September 28, 201201356

Elevation Revelation

Inshore and off, maximum visibility with a clear view of your surroundings is absolutely essential for safe navigation and successful fishing. We all

September 27, 201201804

Escape To The Bahamas

What awaits you on the other side is a tropical Mecca where angling dreams really come true. If it’s blue marlin you’re after, West End is the place.

September 26, 201201071

Clear For Takeoff

As summer turns to fall and prevailing sea breezes veer from southeast to northeast, an influx of southbound game fish seeking warmer water will inund

September 25, 201201096

Crack The Code

While the secret is out and many have cracked the code, South Florida’s daytime swordfishery continues to produce incredible results. And although the

September 24, 201202513

Black Sea Bass

Amy stopped and turned her head slightly, listening. “Hear that?” We were drifting along in 15 feet of water, casting for mackerel. Sure enough, the f

September 18, 20120994

Treasure Chest

Today’s complex fishing machines have advanced so far that they really do provide tournament competitors an unfair advantage. Many high-tech center co

September 14, 201201365

Follow The Leader

Listed on the periodic table of elements as Ti, Titanium is extracted from principal mineral ores and features 22 protons in the nucleus of a single a

July 27, 201201037

Shoot What You’ve Been Missing

With stringent regulations making it increasingly difficult to put together a solid catch and the blistering summer sun practically begging anglers to

July 26, 201201168

The Stealth Factor

Now that the blazing summer season is upon us, coastal waters are typically as calm as they are going to get with smooth seas and variable winds the n

July 23, 201201049

Magic Metals

It’s safe to say that metal jigs have been in existence for longer than most of us have been fishing. As a matter of fact, the good ole’ 4 oz. diamond

July 19, 20120948

Open For Business

Over the years I’ve had the good fortune of traveling to some of the most critically acclaimed angling destinations in the entire world. While I’ve ex

July 19, 20120885

Alive & Well

Mangrove snapper…gray snapper…black snapper…grovers…mangos…we don’t care what you call them. From the moment these fierce fish enter the aquatic

July 18, 20120663

Room To Run

In the heat of the battle anglers put serious strain on their tackle. Yet when it comes to failure, your rod and reel likely aren’t the main source of

July 17, 201201801

The Loop Current

Spanning a distance of approximately 600,000 square miles, the expansive Gulf of Mexico is one of the most diverse and critically acclaimed bodies of

July 16, 201204510

Balls Deep

Around the state, anglers both inshore and offshore employ widely diverse chumming techniques in the hopes of attracting inquisitive predators. Whethe

July 2, 20120338

Two Years Later

The explosion of BP’s Deepwater Horizon on April 20, 2010 resulted in an estimated 200 million gallons of crude oil polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Whil

June 7, 201201421

Crazy GTs

I cannot tell you how much I enjoy flying over from the United Kingdom to visit and fish in the United States. Your tarpon have put me on my knees aft

June 5, 20120604

Diesel Owners Save Big

The offshore pursuit of pelagic game fish is becoming more expensive with each passing summer. With an uncertain economy and the price of fuel climbin

May 28, 20120910

Call Me Crazy

One of the most inviting aspects of sport fishing is that it can be enjoyed on so many levels. Fishing is fishing and no matter what vessel you utiliz

May 28, 20120971

Red Snapper

Things sure have changed since my father, Captain Paul Nelson II, started charter fishing out of Ponce Inlet more than 50 years ago. In those days the

May 27, 20120822

Season To Taste

Inshore anglers have been capitalizing on the benefits of natural and artificial bait enhancements like scented gels, oils and sprays for many years.

May 24, 20120732

Eat or Be Eaten

Fast growing, short-lived predators that inhabit most of the world’s tropical seas, dolphin are gluttonous carnivores that at times feed with no remor

May 23, 201201417

Yellow Fever

As we left South Florida in our 40-knot wake I couldn’t help but smile, as I knew today had the potential to be one of those days. Like so many times

May 21, 201201271

Tail Whackers

By now you are probably well aware that ballyhoo are the most effective and versatile natural offshore offerings. You are probably also aware that the

May 15, 20120871

Supercharged Sensations

The effectiveness of targeting pelagic game fish with live offerings has been discussed at great lengths time and again, although there’s a whole lot

May 2, 201201084

The Write Stuff

In addition to field reporters and staffed editors, magazines rely heavily on freelance writers to deliver fresh and interesting content. Whether you

March 23, 201201252

Cape Canaveral’s Cobia Countdown

Aggressive and opportunistic, cobia are some of the ocean’s most formidable predators. Highly prized targets found roaming coastal waters around the e

March 20, 20120905

Gone With The Wind

If you’ve spent enough time on the water then you are well aware of the fact that flats fishing is forever interlocked with the wind. A part of life w

March 19, 201201284

Crucial Connections

It should come as no surprise that sharp hooks and strong knots are key components to successful days on the water. One of many knots used to attach h

January 27, 201201245

Nassau Grouper

Let me first start by saying that this is a true story about the exploitation of a precious commodity in the idyllic island chain of The Bahamas. Whil

January 25, 201201108

On The Brink

The weekend following Thanksgiving you’ll find Florida Sport Fishing aboard a legendary east coast party boat—Yankee Capts. We sponsor an annual 3-day

January 23, 201201421

Stop The Madness

Having lived along the coast of South Florida my entire life, it amazes me how I still get excited when sailfish begin to invade area waters. Every ti

January 19, 20120701

The Pink Prize

Mention red snapper, and perhaps no species across the Southeast evokes as much emotion. The reason this particular reef dweller is surrounded by cont

January 18, 201202267

Wicked Wahoo Whacker

Dedicated anglers have been fooling wahoo in The Bahamas for a few months now, but don’t lose hope if you haven’t been able to make the crossing. The

January 17, 20120732

Headboat Honor Roll

I recently asked myself exactly what it is that separates those who enjoy headboat fishing from those who really excel at it. The numbers don’t lie, a

January 16, 201201010

Squidzilla

Foul smelling, slimy, relatively durable and highly effective, squid are favored forage for almost every fish that swims in saltwater. While there are

January 3, 20120543

Can’t Get Enough

According to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, daily bag limits for recreational anglers fishing state waters are set for a 24-hour period

November 26, 201101113

The Other White Meat

On many occasions, anglers heading out on any of Florida’s well-equipped drift boats get stuck in a rut targeting coveted game fish while failing to r

November 21, 20110760

Baitfish Need Love Too!

Offshore anglers understand the importance of healthy live baits and often times make incredible sacrifices to acquire and care for them. Although liv

November 18, 20110781

Coming in Hot!

Florida’s billfish frenzy is once again in full-force and with the procession of winter cold fronts and coinciding baitfish migrations, anglers of all

November 17, 20110925

Plan B

With sailfish season upon us once again, anglers searching for supercharged spindlebeaks will be scouring near-shore waters in search of the perfect e

September 29, 201102750

Super Snapper: Patch Reef Style!

When the topic of reef fishing is brought up in conversation most anglers immediately think of bouncing sinkers in 100 feet or more. While large preda

September 28, 20110917

Fish Smarter | Not Harder

Often times anxious anglers frustrate matters and make their time on the water more complicated than it needs to be. Instead, make your angling advent

September 22, 201103867

Deep Water Destin

Known for its stunning white sand beaches and incredible fishing opportunities, Destin is a diamond in the rough along Florida’s Emerald Coast. While

September 21, 201101158

The Heaton Special

Successful offshore anglers have been reaping the rewards from dredge teasers for years. If you’re not already pulling these flashy enticements you’re

September 20, 20110897

Hooked For Life

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it should come as no surprise that state and federal regulations in the Gulf of Mexico require all recreationa

September 15, 20110673

How can I get a World Record?

With conservation more important than ever, the International Game Fish Association is proud to introduce a new category of world records that require

July 26, 201101260

Face to Face

Sport or savage, spearfishing is a proven technique that has been around since the beginning of time. Prehistoric cave drawings depict speared fish an

July 22, 20110833

Plastic Pursuits

With the growing popularity of kayak fishing, an increasing number of open-minded anglers are pushing the envelope by putting themselves in situations

July 20, 201103134

The Edge and Back

First off, if you don’t enjoy lengthy boat rides, move on. Fishing the edge of the shelf hours west of St. Petersburg requires big boats, taxing fuel

July 19, 20110955

Tips For Tails

Successful yellowtail fishing is not as easy as everyone makes it seem. Sure, any boater can drop anchor over just about any reef or wreck around the

July 18, 20110990

Strip Show

Broadbill swordfish are extraordinary game fish aided by specially adapted heat exchange organs able to increase the temperature of their brain and ey

May 25, 201101025

Blitz!

With summertime feeding patterns already unfolding in our near-coastal arenas, look no further than chaotic feeding frenzies to put the “sport” in spo

May 24, 201101490

Back to Basics

King mackerel are coastal pelagic game fish that excite near-shore anglers statewide. To target and catch these voracious predators with any level of

May 20, 20110780

Tales From The Top

Native Son’s Captain Art Sapp is leading the way among South Florida’s most successful tournament competitors. Florida Sport Fishing was granted a pri

May 19, 201101106

Pop Goes The Pelagic

Although dolphin aren’t the smartest fish in the ocean, at times they can be quite challenging to fool. And while we’ve been catching these great tast

May 6, 201101861

Everyone Dyes

There’s no arguing the fact that dedicated anglers are a quirky bunch. Willingly committing acts the general population would consider foolish and goi

February 11, 20110524

The Lunar Debate

By now I’m sure you’re fully aware moon phase plays a huge role in favor of and against saltwater anglers. But is the story the same for our landlocke

January 25, 201101070

SICK!

Unfortunately, shark fishing is one of the least appreciated and least respected of all forms of fishing—especially when you’re battling bloodthirsty

January 21, 201101219

Tag, You’re It!

Florida’s winter season means sailfish—and lots of them. Prime location along their natural migration route is part of the reason for such a high dens

November 22, 201001610

Paradise Hole

As any gambler knows, the odds are always in favor of the house. However, when you are trying your luck on the reefs and wrecks dotting the northern G

Offshore-How-To’s