Today’s shark anglers aren’t trying to kill sharks, they’re working with scientists to study them and to help save them. Sean Lawless (@the_lawless_tide) “It all comes from the movie Jaws,” says Big John McLean, a land-based shark fishing guide who specializes in connecting novice anglers with the notorious predators. “Whether people are local or they […]
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Trophy snook sustain the population, so a safe release will positively affect the local fishery in the future. George Poveromo A few years ago, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimated that the mortality rate for released snook caught on the Gulf coast was only 2.13 percent. The research is clear that carefully […]
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With sharp teeth and tails built for speed, smoker kings like this destroy all but the stoutest tackle. David A. Brown Special delivery: Sign up for the free Salt Water Sportsman email newsletter. Subscribe to Salt Water Sportsman magazine for $19 for 1 year and receive 4 bonus digital issues. We’ve all seen it. A guy pulling dead cigar […]
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A bonefish caught in the Outer Banks? It’s rare, but it does happen. North Carolina surf angler Tonya Pell with proof of her catch. Tonya Pell Tonya Pell was surf fishing the beaches of South Nags Head, North Carolina, in late October as part of her honeymoon when she caught a fish she didn’t recognize. […]
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Sailfish anglers in the South battle winter winds and waves for the best action of the year. Harry Hindmarsh Special delivery: Sign up for the free Salt Water Sportsman email newsletter. Subscribe to Salt Water Sportsman magazine for $19 for 1 year and receive 4 bonus digital issues. Successful live-bait sailfishing requires deep knowledge of this unique billfish’s migratory […]
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The author landed this golden trevally while fishing out of Mag Bay Lodge in Mexico. He was able to pedal in reverse to pull the fish away from structure. Jeffrey Fortuna, Courtesy of Hobie Okay, a kayak won’t always outfish a boat. If your thing is fishing blue water or rough inlets or running balls-to-the-wall […]
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Northeast striped bass can’t resist an eel. Artificials longer than a foot catch the trophies. George Poveromo Some 20 feet separated Cory Crochetiere and me aboard MARC VI while jigging for striped bass off Rhode Island this past July. Using identical tackle—Penn rods and Battle III 5000 reels, 20-pound Sufix 832 braid, 40-pound fluoro leader, […]
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Capt. John McMurray makes the case that anglers should research and find their own fishing spots, not spot-steal from captains. I get it man. Most of you are weekend-warriors. And I don’t say that in a derogatory way. You’ve got a real job slugging it 9 to 5, bringing home the bacon, paying the mortgage, […]
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Adding fresh line to your spinning reel often increases casting distance. File Photo Late one evening, a few years back, I was walking along the marina docks at Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, when I noticed a mate aboard one of the larger offshore fishing boats stripping the line off a well-used Shimano Tiagra. At […]
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A captain will do whatever it takes to get his anglers on fish such as tarpon, but anglers can take these steps to make the whole fishing day a breeze. Mike Conner If you are new to chartering a flats-fishing guide, maybe you’re wondering what the protocol is? Any shallow-water captain will thank you for […]
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Anglers can catch sailfish trolling or live-baiting. What’s your preferred choice? George Poveromo Outside of extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys (where live-baiting is widely practiced for sailfish), trolling natural baits, lures or both together is the best option. The reason why is because anglers must cover greater bottom expanses to find sailfish. Live-baiting […]
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A full trolling spread in a fishy area often trumps hightailing it to unknown waters. George Poveromo Special delivery: Sign up for the free Salt Water Sportsman email newsletter. Subscribe to Salt Water Sportsman magazine for $19 for 1 year and receive 4 bonus digital issues. The action certainly wasn’t fast, but Andy Newman, Michael Ferrari and I had […]
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If tuna are foaming at the surface, pitching a topwater popper into the melee often leads to an easy hookup. George Poveromo Pitch-baiting significantly ups the odds on catching gamefish attracted to your spread. Keep a bait ready on a rod rigged with monofilament line to absorb the shock of close strikes. When a fish […]
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