19
January

Practice catch and release

Today with regulations on catch limits. It is more than ever important to get the fish safely back in the water unharmed. This is your future catch. Let’s make sure we have one. Using a Dehooker is easy and works fast. Just a twist of the wrist and your fish is back in the water. They come in all shapes and sizes. If you want to unhook a toothy fish, use a type with a longer shaft. When fishing the Dehooker should be with your bait. It should be very handy. Dehookers can be found in just about any Bait and Tackle shop. For the handy angler making a Dehooker is easy. Handles can be made of wood, plastic, round or square. Find the shape that works for you. Shafts should be non corrosion metal. Make up a comfortable handle and drill a hole in the center, three quarters of the way through. The diameter of the hole should be the same size as the shaft. A tight fit. Put the shaft into a vice and bend the end. Using a box wrench will help make the bend smooth and easy. Keep in mind the shaft material should stay smooth. Any sharp portions along the shaft will cut or damage your fishing line. On the portion of the shaft that will be glued into the handle, using a file, put some groves in the shaft. This will help give the handle more bite in the handle. Glue the shaft into the handle. Five minute epoxy works best. Finish the Handle with the elements in mind.

Tight lines, Jim

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19
January

The Charter boat

Once you find a Charter service or Guide service that works for you, you will stick with them year after year. There are many out there. The key is to find the better ones, the very best. You can get anyone with a six pack Captains license to take you for a boat ride. That is if you have money to burn. The best Captains are generation born. They don’t have another job. There full time Fisherman. Fishing is there life. This is the type of Captain that creates life experiences. In this day and age internet reports are plentiful. You can see Captains writing reports every day. The best are going to put you on the fish. The best will take you to the trophy fish. You can tell the best by there equipment. With this in mind don’t expect to fly into town and book this Service. The best dates are long gone so plan ahead. If you are from out of town the Captain would be the best source for local information. As the best live and fish in there area.

Most charters are six packs, meaning one to six anglers the captain and a mate. The last few years the cost of the trips has risen, mostly due to the cost of fuel. Expect to lay out in excess of one hundred dollars per angler. Remember this is a premium service and we are looking for the life experience. Charter services or Guides are also field testers of the industry. You can expect the Latest and very best the Tackle industry has to offer. Rods and Reels will be top shelf and or custom made. The best bait and its presentation. These Captains will take you to there spots, generation spots. He takes the tide, current, temperature, weather, moon phase, electronics and the charters history to carve you out a life experience.

Tight lines, Jim

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19
January

Fishing the shadow line

Whether you’re fishing during the day or night the bridge will have a shadow line. During the daylight the sun will cast a shadow line. At night the moon or the bridge lights cast a shadow line. The current passing thru the bridge pilings creates turbulence. The passing bait fish gets pushed around by the turbulence. The predator is in the shadow line just down current. Predators use this line and the turbulence to there advantage. They feed on the bait fish as they pass thru the shadow line. Present your bait in the same manner as the local bait fish. Cast up current swim the bait thru the turbulence into the strike zone. If using artificial bait. Match the hatch. Keep your presentation the same size and color as the Local bait fish. Keep in mind if you get a pick up the bridge pilings could work to your catches advantage by braking off the line. Anticipate this move to get your strikes down current away from the pilings. Some areas along the bridge will produce better than others. Move around try different areas. If an area was good earlier try it again later after it quiets down. The fishing may produce better at different stages of the tide. Boat traffic will reduce the productivity. Try fishing when the boat traffic is light. At night be noticeable and safe.

Tight lines, Jim

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30
December

Blackin Blackfish

Ingredients: Serving size blackfish filets and unsalted butter

 
Rub:

5 parts paprika
1 part ground dried oregano
1 part ground dried thyme
1 part cayenne pepper
½ part finely ground black pepper
½ part finely ground white pepper
½ part garlic powder

 
Mix dry rub ingredients together. I have a used spice container with the ingredients taped to the container in parts so I can make up any size batch needed. Keep remaining dry rub in a sealed container in a cool dry place.

I wrap my filets in paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Brush filets lightly with unsalted butter, apply rub to all sides. Put filets in an
air-tight container or plastic bag, refrigerate one hour minimum.

Cooking: In a large skillet on medium high heat add 3 tablespoons
of unsalted butter. As butter starts to boil add filets. Do not burn the butter;
turn down the heat so it’s hot but not smokin. Cook 3 to 5 minutes each side depending on thickness. Fish will flake easy when done. Remove to serving tray. Drizzle with remaining skillet butter.

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29
December

Party boat

For the beginner the Party boat or Open boat is the way to go. For the experience angler it could serve as a means to fish on a day the wind and seas are too much for a smaller day boat. It could be a sun setting trip after work, fishing with club members and friends. No fish cleaning or boat washing. The Captain and mates fish every day, some times more than once a day. They keep track of the catch being targeted. Let the Captain take the wheel and put you on the fish. Let the mates provide you with bait, tackle if you decide not to bring your own as well as assistance and expertise on your fishing trip. Fishing everyday mates can answer just about any question you may have on your day. This will take the pressure of you so you can concentrate on catching fish, enjoying your party, and the surroundings. In
most cases this will be a good size boat which takes the seas if any easy. Giving you something else you don’t have to do or be concerned about. Sit back and enjoy the ride to your fishing spot. You will want to bring a camera on this day. Being on the water you will find some interesting shots. When you least expect it a life experience will just appear make sure you are ready. On the way to your hot spot the mates will be busy getting you set up. At this time you should be familiar with the rules of the trip and the safety equipment aboard. Dress is important for the trip. Plan your dress for the weather. Hats, sunglass and sunscreen on the water are important as the rays of the sun on the water are stronger. No need to finish with sunburn. For those in the north a jacket, windbreaker is a good idea. Once the fishing or catching gets started the boats deck may get slick. The mate may need to run the hose on it. Ware appropriate foot ware. A good angler will always bring a rag. You can tie it on the rail next to your rod holder. You will find some anglers hanging it from there belt. One of the keys to catching fish on a party boat is fresh bait; don’t let your bait get washed out. If your bait is washed out and the angler next to you has fresh bait he is going to catch your fish. So keep changing that bait. Hopefully you will be catching fish non stop, but incase the catching slows, keep the bait fresh. If your bottom fishing make sure your bait is on the bottom. As the current gets stronger you may need more lead to hold bottom. When you hook a fish keep turning the handle and give the mate a “Fish on” call. He will net or gaff your catch. He will also size your fish. Today most of the fish we target have regulations as to there size. If your catch is a keeper the mate will set you up with a bucket or keep it for you. Pool fish; after leaving the dock the mate will ask you if you would like to join in on the pool for the heaviest fish caught. The heaver fish will be hung from a balance beam to see the heaviest catch. The angler of this fish is the winner of the pool and the money collected. In some cases the winnings could pay for your trip. On the ride back to the dock the mate may clean your catch otherwise back at the dock. Any way the mates work hard, as with your waiter or waitress take care of them as they did for your day on the water.

Tight lines, Jim

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28
December

The Go Bag

Make up a bag that has what you would need for a fishing and boating day. Start with a good life jacket. The inflatable jackets pack very well. Keep safe ware your life jacket at least in
the high seas days, or tough inlets. The inflatable jackets are quick, easy and comfortable to ware. Put one on. A first aid kit can save the day. It can be simple. You can pick up the day type and it will come in a reseal able type bag, making it easy to pack. Look it over, make sure it has what you would need on a day. Otherwise add and personalize it. Sea sick pills, patches and or
acupressure bands are an important addition. If the seas pick up not having them can ruin a day. Some one will always need them. These days most of us rely on electronics to find our way around on the water. Having these units gives the ability to venture to new areas. Weather can pop up unexpected. In the case of an equipment break down a hand held GPS unit could save the day. These battery units start at around a hundred dollars. Set up the unit with major points in your ventured path. Marking inlets, harbors and main channels will get you from at least the seas to a safer body of water. Having a hand held
unit in your go bag you can log in a fishing honey hole and transfer it to your main unit later. Some party boat, charter boats have rules from using GPS units on board their boats. A small flash light, always helpful. Pick a flash light that uses the same size battery as the GPS. Extra batteries to full proof any battery need between your light and GPS unit. Pack a Swiss army type tool, something small but effective in most scenario. Have the basic survival needs always ready and in good order. You can add needed items to your bag on the day. Keep the basic Go bag always ready for any trip.

Tight lines, Jim

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28
December

Best Beginner Fishing Combo

Unlike your grandfathers fishing rods today’s equipment is lighter and more sensitive. The conventional rod setup also called a boat rod is easer to master and will hold more line, making the conventional set up good for boat fishing. The spinning setup after mastering the casting is a better all around combo. Casting from the shore, dock, or boat you will find the spinner is going to do the job. For an all around set up a seven foot spinning combo would make a good choice. It will provide the casting ability from a dock or boat as well as medium to light
bottom fishing. Look for rods with a line weight between twelve and twenty five pounds. Rods with a power or rod weight of medium to medium light. The action of the rod should be fast. Most rods have the rod specifications on the rod blank. Better rods will be lighter and more sensitive.

Reel sizes are determined by the line capacity. A fishing reel with a line capacity for twelve pound test mono between 195 and 260 yards would make a good match for your rod. Better reels are made of better materials. Choose a combo that can stand up to the elements over time. Saltwater is hard on combos. Fishing line comes in many sizes and types. The lighter line cast easer but brakes easy. Start with line test between twelve and twenty pound. Putting the line on the reel sometimes is best left to
the pros. If you buy your setup from a Tackle shop have them professionally wind the line on your reel. Winding the line incorrect will cause difficulty in casting down the road. Before you start fishing set the drag pressure on the reel. Locate the drag knob and tighten. The drag pressure should be one third
the line test. The drag pressure for this combo would be between four and six pounds. You should be able to pull the line by hand from the reel when the drag is set. After you finish your fishing trip tighten the drag knob, rinse the rod and reel with fresh water. Backing off on the drag knob removing the drag pressure when stored is a good idea. Keep moving parts lubed with a drop or two of good quality reel oil. Have your reel serviced once a year. Store your setup in a safe place like a rod rack. This way it’s ready to go on your next day of fishing.

Tight lines, Jim

2 comments

11
May

Jim Berton

My first fishing trip was before the age of three with Uncle Eddie, Uncle Joe, and Dad. We they were looking to buy a boat together with my grandfather and were doing sea trials. They were wooden cabin type inboards and we steamed the Jones Beach area. Eventually they purchase a twenty-one foot Lures. Grandpa had a house on the water in Freeport where the Lures docked. There was   a building at the dock with bait, tackle, beer, soda and all the boating stuff, along with a cleaning table at the dock.

The fishing trips I remember were; the long ocean ride to the Acid waters for bass and blues. And the very short ride to the marches in the bay for flounder.

The things I remember most about the flounder trips; grandpa
handing my brother and I a bucket to fill with mussels. The walk for mussels was at the end of the street a few houses down where we pulled them from the banks edge. It didn’t take long to fill the bucket. When we returned to the boat it was geared up and ready to board. The ride thru the canals to the marches was short. We anchored-up, chummed and proceeded to catch flounder. We always had a contest for the first triple header. I remember the fishing spot was out of site of boat traffic and we didn’t need a GPS to find it. When the garbage can was full we pulled anchor and headed back to the house. Cleaning the fish was easy, as we were taught to eat flounder on the bone.

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