Florida Fishing Techniques
Live
Chumming |
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Capt. Rob utilizes the latest tackle and techniques
to pursue a variety of game fish. Outriggers, downriggers, kites, planers, wire
line, teasers and circle hooks are all part of the arsenal that may be employed
during the day.
 Live
chumming is a great way to get fish stirred up and hungry. Having a large live-well
enables Capt. Rob to acquire and retain large amounts of live baits. When live
chumming, small pilchards or menhaden are cast netted in the area, once at the
"hot spot" these "livies" are tactically tossed overboard
thus creating an easy feeding opportunity for any "sportster" in the
area. The action can at times be fast and furious and total mayhem can occur when
everyone is hooked up and there are still 50 fish swimming around under the boat
looking for a free meal!
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Kite
Fishing |
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 The
use of a fishing kite is an awesome, specialized technique that employs the use
of a special rod and reel, release clips and a kite. The kite is sent in the air
attached to rod designed for the task. Once the kite is flying high, live baits
such as goggle eye or blue runners are hooked or bridled behind the head and then
the lines set in release clips attached to the kite outfit and then suspended
off the kite-line. As the kite is let out further, it'll carry the baits out away
from the boat. Keeping the bait near the surface is paramount, the leader and
all terminal tackle are suspended in the air, keeping them out of site of weary
gamefish. The strike at times can be slow and deliberate as a sailfish or dolphin
inspect the bait, other times a wahoo or "smoker" kingfish or tuna will
violently attack the bait, "skyrocketing" out of the water. All of the
action takes place in full view of the boat.
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Trolling |
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Trolling with artificials is the best way to
cover water and locate feeding fish. Weed lines, rips, floating debris and birds
are good signs that fish are in the area. Once a productive area is located, out
go the natural baits. Ballyhoo, bonito strips and mullet are preferred trolling
baits once feeding fish are located. Slow trolling live baits is a productive
method for the larger, weary and less aggressive fish. Trolling, then live baiting
is deadly and efficient one-two-punch combination and is the goal of many offshore
anglers
When wahoo, dolphin and tuna are the target. High speed trolling remains one
of the most productive techniques. The use of wire-line or high speed planers
allows one to present the baits below the surface where bull dolphin and the tiger-like
wahoo lurk. |
Teasers,
Circle Hooks &
Braided Lines |
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The use of teasers to attract gamefish close
to the boat has gained great popularity in recent years. The fish-like teasers
rigged in a series are fished behind the boat. Ballyhoo, squid or mullet look-
a-likes will skip and swim behind the prop-wash and attract everything from marlin
to cobia to within casting distance of the boat.
Circle hooks were at one time considered to be a fad, now are attached to the
end of even the savviest of anglers lines. Most "pros" have switched
over to using circle hooks to assure a solid hook up and prevent causing injury
by gut hooking any fish. facilitating a safe and easy release. The trick is not
is set the hook, just let the line come tight and start reeling. The design of
the hook does all the work.
A relatively new technique perfected by local pros is the use of lightweight
braided lines to deep drop jig and worm combos for large deepwater fish such as
grouper, amberjack and snapper. Braided line in the 20-30lbs class has the diameter
of 8-10lbs monofilament and has little or no stretch. The small diameter line
is less water resistant and will allow a 4-8oz. jig to penetrate the depths to
600 feet. The no stretch factor will account for greater sensitivity and feel,
even the lightest strike can be detected. This combination of the two have given
many anglers the confidence and capability the catch the giants of the deep without
the use of heavy lead weights and electric reels. |
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