Amazing Flounder Fishing Strategies
If you are looking for an adventurous fishing trip, flounder fishing may be the best recipe for you. Catching flounder is best accomplished in deep, cool waters.
This means angling out in the cooler weather of late fall and winter months, when being out on the ocean isn’t quite as pleasant as it is during the warm summer breezes. The real secret to catching them, then, is to target the right areas and work swiftly and efficiently.
If you go out between September and November, you’ll find flounder in their natural migration period, moving to the deeper waters and settling into the sandy bottoms of the areas around 20 and 30 miles from the shoreline.
Once they’ve settled, winter fishing can become productive out in the deep waters. Flounder tend to settle near any natural structures and around artificial reefs and wreckage, taking shelter in these surroundings. If you have the stamina to withstand the cold winds in these waters during the winter, fishing like spearfishermen can be quite productive.
In fact, catching flounder in the colder months is the most productive time, since they tend to shy away from warmer waters and stick to cooler temperatures.
This is why flounder fishing is scarce in the Florida area. In fact, it is only during summer months, when the waters to the south in the ocean become too warm, that flounder migrate north into the creeks and rivers, where the waters remain somewhat cooler.
Some of the best tackle for getting flounder to bite includes a seven-foot casting rod with a small bait casting reel, using 14-pound test line. This is small enough to remain invisible to the flounder but large enough to support a big catch or a bite by a larger species that may grab the bait as you set off on your flounder journey.
One of the best baits to use is finger mullet, usually most effective between three to four inches long. If they are any smaller, they aren’t big enough to stay on a hook, and larger ones are typically a bit too large for smaller flounder to catch hold. If you can’t find finger mullet, try mud minnows or even live shrimp (used with a jig head). Should you be unable to find any of this live bait, use a pink or red grub tail on a jig head to best attract flounder.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/flounder-fishing.html for more information on flounder fishing.
Making the Most of Your Tuna Fishing Excursion
There are several steps you should take to prepare for tuna fishing trips before heading out to the coastline. If you carry through with the correct steps, you can easily guarantee a successful trip with lots of large specimens biting your hook and joining the collection in your boat. Prior to hitting the waters, you should gather the recent fish counts in various locations, determine the best location for tuna fishing right now, and evaluate the statistics of that area.
You’ll want to know the current surface temperatures of the waters you intend to visit for your tuna fishing, and you should also check the overall weather conditions, since this will affect the temperament of the water. The internet can be a quick, unlimited source of divulged information that will assist you in making your tuna fishing decisions. However, you can also get some general information from a phone call to a sportfishing location, though not nearly as much as you would on the web.
When you head out on your tuna fishing excursion, you should be sure to pay attention to what others on the water are doing. If you notice that there is a general area where several anglers have congregated, chances are you’ll find a large school there and have a great return upon casting your line within the same general area. Tuna fishing involves a lot of trolling, and some anglers will opt for a W pattern. This would include the use of 2 long on each outrigger, 2 short on the flat lines, and the longest line down the center. You may want to try tuna fishing with a diving plug on at least one of the short lines, maybe in a flatline clip. Cedar plugs and swimbaits are great for the long center line, while the rest of the lines can be rigged with feathers.
The rigging of the swimbait is a critical part of tuna fishing because, in order to have it track correctly with the rest of the lines at the required 7-9 miles per hour to make the rest of the lines work, you have to have it set up properly. Try using a 2.5 ounce jig had with an ultra-sharp hook. Add a 5-6 inch swimbait, running your jig head through it with care. If you are tuna fishing in low light, try a dark bait, switching to a lighter color in daylight. Use 4-5 feet of 60 pound leader line that is topped with a barrel swivel. Once you’ve set this up, it will perform properly at your trolling speed with the rest of the lines you’ve rigged.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/tuna-fishing.html for more information on tuna fishing.
Texas Saltwater Fishing Tips
If you are looking for a coastline that you can travel for some of the best opportunity that water can offer, Texas saltwater fishing is what you’ve been looking for. The Gulf of Mexico along the Texas coast yields several opportunities for the ultimate in saltwater fishing excursions, with no disappointments to visitors, regardless of the season.
Corpus Christi, Rockport, Fulton, Port Aransas, Copano Bay, Goose Island State Park, and San Antonio Bay are just a few of the many destinations that make Texas fishing some of the best in the nation.
Rockport is located just to the north of Corpus Christi and is a small village that is often spoken of as the best fishing location on the coast. Saltwater angling here centers around redfish, though these are not the only prizes you can find in the fruitful waters in town.
Look for some of the largest and most plentiful speckled trout, as well as flounder, that you’ll find across the entire coast of Texas. Fishing here will yield more fish than you can handle on any given day. Note, however, that saltwater fishing in Rockport can be difficult for a newcomer without some sort of guide who is familiar with the various (and numerous) grass flats and shallow reefs that litter the coastline of this small town.
Fulton is considered the sister city of Rockport and also offers abundant fishing of the same persuasion. One of the real draws of these towns for avid fishermen is the welcoming they can expect from the local community.
Because these towns are know for their ability to produce excellent Texas fishing, they are anxious to share their quaint facilities with avid anglers who come to check out their fishing village and stay to appreciate the 40’s era accommodations (bed and breakfasts and fishing cottages are popular, though full service hotels are also available).
Other areas along the Texas coast that are excellent for saltwater fishing include Corpus Christi, just south of the Rockport/Fulton area, which produces much of the same fishing results as these two smaller towns, and Port Aransas.
Aransas Bay is also known for it prime Texas saltwater fishing industry, and you’ll find that tournaments are hosted here frequently. Everything from redfish fishing to deep sea fishing for shark and larger species has become a popular pursuit in the Port Aransas area, and anglers visit the area from all parts of the United States to take part in Texas fishing activities in the area.
It’s become a favored location simply to get together with anglers of similar interests and spend a few days out in the Gulf together, telling fishing stories and reeling in prize-winning fish.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/texas-saltwater-fishing.html for more information on texas saltwater fishing.
The Grouper Fishing Tactics That Work Best
When angling for bottom fish, grouper fishing is the most popular sport fishing in the western hemisphere. Because there are so many different types of grouper, fishing for them can be good all the way from the New England states, through the Gulf of Mexico, and down to Brazil. You’ll find red, yellowfin, black, gag, and Warsaw grouper to choose from along many coastal regions, and it’s rare that there is no abundance of the species. However, beware of the strength and cunning of these fish.
First, you must know a little about bottom fishing, and then plentiful grouper fishing opportunities will follow. Start with a fifty-pound test monofilament line. This will handle just about any grouper that you can possibly encounter. Anything larger becomes a hassle and is also a bit too visible to your target fish. Use a terminal tackle - a sinker, leader, and hook configured with a bank sinker on the end of the leader and a 12-inch-long loop tied abut 18 inches up from there onto which the hook is tied.
When grouper fishing, it is also wise to understand the habits of the grouper. These fish are commonly found around bottom structures of almost any kind, though they do have preferences, especially in certain areas. For example, in southern Florida, grouper fishing will be most productive around the tropical coral reefs. In the northern shores of the state, you’ll find grouper in and around bottom ledges, as well as in artificial reefs and wreckage. The like shelter and a place to hide, and though you might think differently because of their name, grouper are very solitary fish, especially the larger ones.
Though you might find that grouper fishing can be accomplished through waiting for the fish to chase the bait, this is most often not the best tactic. Grouper prefer to ambush their prey as it passes over their hiding places. Because the grouper can change its coloration to match the hues of its surroundings, much like a chameleon, they blend in easily and have an advantage over unsuspecting prey. However, their tendency to rush the bait makes grouper fishing a simple task in terms of hooking a fish, though a bit difficult in terms of actually landing the catch.
Grouper fishing is best accomplished by using bait that is natural to the grouper’s feeding habits. In open waters, grouper feed on other smaller fish, crabs, crawfish, other small crustaceans, and squid. Most of the time, you will find grouper waiting in a hole or under a ledge until an easy catch comes by, at which time they will attack, eat quickly, and return to the shelter. Free-lining live bait, straight bottom fishing, and slow trolling are the most successful approaches to grouper fishing, with trolling being the best option for the Gulf of Mexico.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/grouper-fishing.html for more information on grouper fishing.
The Limitations of New Jersey Saltwater Fishing
As with many states where there are strict limits on the hunting and fishing of endangered species, there are a number of regulations imposed on New Jersey saltwater fishing. There are limitations on the way that people are allowed to fish, what they are allowed to fish for, and the size limits of those particular species that are allowed to be caught. There are even rules in regards to fish preparation fishing in New Jersey.
The first rule of thumb to remember is that fishing in New Jersey is limited to angling - the act of using hand line or rod and line to take, catch, or kill any fish - unless otherwise noted by state law. An exception is spear fishing, though this must be done with the spear or harpoon completely submerged below the water, and the fisherman is responsible for assuring that the target fish is within size regulations.
Anyone fishing in New Jersey by any other means is in violation of the law. It is also illegal to filet any fish while at sea, unless a Special Filet Permit has been acquired by a party boat or similar vessel. This helps to assure that size limitations are adhered to in proper order.
There are some species that are prohibited from being taken in New Jersey. Saltwater fishing regulations state that it is against the law to take, possess, land, purchase, or sell Atlantic or shortnosed sturgeon, as well as several types of shark, including whale sharks, sand tiger sharks and big eye sand tiger sharks, basking sharks, and white sharks.
It is also strictly prohibited to intentionally hurt or kill sea turtles (an endangered species) or any marine mammals, as well as to possess them, as though keeping them as pets.
While you are limited on the types of fish you can angle for, that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of species for which you can fish. Black sea bass are open for fishing year round, and the only limit is that they must measure at least 12 inches from the snout to the central portion of the tail, not including the tail filaments.
Bluefish are also legal to catch in Jersey, if you fish only between June 16 and August 7 and do not take more than 15 bluefish per day. Should you carry a commercial bluefish permit, the 15-fish catch limit doesn’t apply.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/new-jersey-saltwater-fishing.html for more information on New Jersey saltwater fishing.
Super Saltwater Jigs For Almost Any Species
For a new fisherman who doesn’t have years of experience, it can be difficult to walk into a fishing specialty store and ask about equipment. One of the most confusing aspects of the entire tackle box could be saltwater jigs.
There are so many different kinds of jigs that, when the store clerk begins rattling on about the use of bucktail jigs for weakfish, diamond jigs for whiting, and so on and so forth, your head will probably start to spin. Rather than learning all the different jigs that are available, a novice angler should simply tell the clerk what type of fish he or she wants to catch and ask about the best jig for that particular application. Over time, you will come to know more about jigs than you ever would have thought possible, so you can start slow and build knowledge from there.
Saltwater jigs are not the only means by which you can expect to catch saltwater fish species. A jig is simply a type of lure you can use when you are not using live bait. Take note that, with saltwater species, live bait is always the best choice. However, jigs can be effective when used properly. For example, the striped bass is one very popular target for anglers, and these are fairly easy to lure in with artificial bait. Jigs work well with this species, as do metal squid, spinners, and spoons. You’ll find anglers all over New Jersey hunting for striped bass, and many times, live bait are not readily available, causing these fishermen to opt for jigs.
Using jigs is something that is learned most through practice. As you read about various rigging techniques, you’ll find there are probably more ways to rig up a jig than there are types of jigs, throwing you for another loop when you first start out. Studying up on one or two different ways to hook your jig in order to best lure in your catch can cover a multitude of different target species. Note that, often, saltwater fishing involves looking for fish on the bottom of the body of water, and there are one or two preferred ways to rig your line using saltwater jigs in order to best serve this application.
In other situations, such as fishing for whitefish, you’ll want to rig up your jigs to float them somewhere above the bottom, since this is not a bottom feeding species. Other times, you’ll be targeting shallow waters in the bays and along the coastline for species such as weakfish. In these cases, there are other ways to hook up your saltwater jigs.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/saltwater-jigs.html for more information on saltwater jigs.
The Best Georgia Saltwater Fishing
Georgia saltwater fishing takes off in May each year, when the water temperatures rise and several of the saltwater species gather in their migration back to the coast. All matter of fish are targeted during Georgia saltwater fishing season, ad speckled seatrout are no exception. In fact, these are probably some of the most sought after species in along the Georgia coastline, and the large number of them available makes them even more desirable to anglers not wishing to be greatly challenged.
Georgia fishing for speckled trout is best in the spring when water temperatures rise and they leave the rivers and creeks where they reside in deep holes the winter for the beaches to prepare for spawning. With speckled trout, the spawning season is prolonged, beginning in May and running through September. Water temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees are required, and eggs are usually laid in the waters near sandbars close to beach areas on sounds and creeks.
If you want to participate in Georgia fishing, you should begin with a trip to Christmas Creek on Cumberland Island, which is famous for spawning trout. Start during low tide, when the fish are easily found, and find a run-off along the beach. Use live shrimp or mud minnows or even 3 to 4 inch menhaden as bait. Use these baits under a float or on a fishfinder rig. Note that a 10-inch cork may work best because it will stand up high in the water and can easily be seen in the waves.
If live bait isn’t available when you choose to make your fishing excursion, speckled trout will also bite some artificial jigs, especially those about 3 or 4 inches in size and colored green, chartreuse, white, or even smoke. With these, use a - or 3/8 inch jighead for best results. You may find that the waves tend to tug on the line a lot with this method, but you’ll quickly learn the difference between this and a bite. Use a 7-9-foot limber rod when cork fishing for the best results.
Other species that are found during saltwater fishing season include tripletails. Look for these mainly off Jekyll Island, especially in May. These fish, also known as eddy fish, prefer to stay around piling and other strucure on the downcurrent or eddy side, where they can ambush any prey swimming by. A lot like freshwater bream, these fish can get up to a mean 30 pounds in size. They are very strong fish and can provide quite an exciting struggle when actually biting the line.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/georgia-saltwater-fishing.html for more information on Georgia saltwater fishing.
Saltwater Speckled Trout Fishing Advice
There are so many different saltwater species that you can fish for that you are never at a loss for the various choices of fish. However, whatever choice you make, you’ll want to know the best ways to target the species. One of the favored pastimes for many anglers is saltwater speckled trout fishing. When you start to look at the habits of these fish, you’ll find that seeking them out on a fishing excursion could actually be a very specialized sport.
First of all, speckled trout will lead you to underwater structure, even in the shallows. Like so many other saltwater species, trout like to position themselves near depressions, oyster beds, sandbars, and other structures (including drop-offs), even in the flats. Of course, they really prefer the drop-offs close to deep water or on the drop’s edge, especially if they can find a mangrove cover. You may also want to take your saltwater speckled trout fishing close to bridges, fallen trees, docked boats, jetties, and rock piles, as they tend to be hot spots for trout.
When you are fishing for big trout, you may want to consider wade fishing instead of taking a boat. These larger specimens often position themselves in the flats but are hard to sight cast, meaning you can rarely find them before they spot you. Therefore, fishing without a boat to warn them ahead of time gives you a bit more of an advantage. Also, it can be best at night because this is the time that trout typically feed. You’ll find less boat traffic and larger trout coming out of hiding after dark, so you may benefit from finding a lighted dock off which you can join into saltwater speckled trout fishing at night.
You’ll find from your trout fishing trips that these are lazy fish. They don’t like to work for a meal and will take advantage of opportunistic feeding. However, if you really want to attract a big trout, use big bait. Big trout are serious about big meals, and the giants of the waters have been known to attack a smaller trout that’s been caught while it’s being reeled in as though this was the bat. Use large, live baits for trout fishing, and you are guaranteed a good catch.
If you can find big trout in the winter, try saltwater speckled trout fishing with live baits like pinfish, yellow tail, and mullet along the shoreline in the mangroves near deep water. You are sure to find some large species craving a big meal here.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/saltwater-speckled-trout-fishing.html for more information on saltwater speckled trout fishing.
Finding Reliable Saltwater Fishing Reports
A lot of fishermen, especially those interested in fishing the open seas and coastlines, depend on saltwater fishing reports to get information on what species are poking up their heads in various areas of the country prior to embarking on their fishing expeditions. However, how do these anglers know where to look for the best fishing information? What reports are there to follow, and what areas do each of them cover? Here’s a look at some of the various online sources for saltwater fishing reports throughout the country.
For those looking for general information on species that are available and wish to search various forums, you can try reports on wmi.org. This particular site has a complete list of various areas that are posted by other anglers, reporting on the successful (and sometimes unsuccessful) fishing in their particular areas. Because it is such a popular place to post, you can find reports from most areas of the country on the specialized forum.
For those who prefer to search by type of fish sought after, you can visit Fintalk, where you’ll find listings of reports by fish species. Look for reports of swordfish, tuna, and wahoo in Venice or L.A. You’ll also find information on particular areas, such as Kona, Hawaii or Miami, Florida.
Most states, through their parks and wildlife services or other natural regulatory division, publish their own reports. For example, you can pay a visit to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division and find complete reports for various areas of the state. Other various states can be searched the same way, simply pulling up the state website and looking for saltwater fishing reports.
If you intend to go fishing in the northeastern New England area, you may want to check out reports at Noreast, where information specific to the fishing in this area can be found. For more generalized information on all sorts of areas, try Fishing Reporters, where hundreds of individuals post their own fishing experiences so that you get clear reports for the areas where they live. You can also find interesting information at FishReports and TidalFish. At this latter site, you’ll find articles touting the reports during various seasons for varying areas. For example, one article found here discussed the Virginia Chesapeake Bay weekly report in February, explaining that the chilly air and water temperatures of around 40 degrees were perfect for striped bass fishing. Reports in the northeast referred to expectations for spring, including thoughts of light tackle fishing and fly fishing. The site is also expanding to include reports for areas like North Carolina and Florida.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/saltwater-fishing-reports.html for more information on saltwater fishing reports.
Secrets Of Virginia Saltwater Fishing
Virginia saltwater fishing becomes more than just a pastime when May brings the spring weather back - it becomes a way of life. In the month of May, the anglers at and around Chesapeake bay begin to rejoice and congregate as the large game fish specimens begin to filter into the largest estuary in North America in numbers that seem like an impossibility. Most of the saltwater fishing anglers are looking to the south, where red and black drum are returning from winters in southern waters. However, there are still a number of individuals anxiously awaiting the migration of striped bass from the north to infuse the Bay with their great numbers.
Having just completed their yearly spawning rituals in the upper reaches of the Bay tributaries, this species return in mass quantities and sizes reaching 40 inches that make anglers giddy with anticipation. Of course, there are severe restrictions through the first six weeks of Virginia fishing for striped bass that make the early season difficult to comply with, considering the itchy feeling anglers get at the thought of reeling in a huge catch. From May 1st through the 15th, there is a Virginia fishing mandate on the stripers, limiting the catch to one fish per person with a minimum length of 32 inches. From the 16th through the 15th of June, the limit per person is two fish between 18 and 28 inches or one of this size accompanied by one fish at least 32 inches in length.
Fishing in Virginia in the early season is particularly good in the Smith Point area, located at the uppermost portion of Virginia’s western shore. This is a peninsula referred to as the Northern Neck, which is perfectly situated for the interception of the infuse of fish returning from the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers and Maryland’s bay waters after their spawning is completed. Interestingly enough, because of the setup of licenses for Virginia saltwater fishing and Maryland fishing, when the waters are cooler and striper don’t return to the southern waters as soon as normally expected, anglers from Virginia are allowed to fish the waters of Maryland, which are already quite productive in terms of quantity of striped bass available.
Trolling tends to be the most popular and productive method of saltwater fishing for striped bass, since they are moving rapidly and not holding in one place for long. Menhaden are the preferred bait, as well, and if fresh fish cannot be found, use lures that imitate these, including bucktails and spoons in similar sizes. Preferred coloring is white or chartreuse. You might first try the main shipping channel down the bay, where the water is warmer, trolling along the edges at staggered depths between the surface and twenty feet, though this is simply a suggestion and not a guarantee of productive Virginia saltwater fishing for stripers.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Go to http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/editorials/virginia-saltwater-fishing.html for more information on Virginia saltwater fishing.
