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Versus Country!
2008-03-21 18:37:00
Versus Country is back with Big Fish Madness, one of the biggest sportfishing event. And its bigger than ever! Big Fish Madness is a bracket-style tournament available on VERSUS Country where 32 of the toughest of the tough will face off until just one fish is left swimming, taking home the title of the “World’s Toughest Gamefish”. Voting is open on www.versus.com/madness until March 27th and the winner will be decided on air in four nights of the most spectacular fishing action on television, March 27/28 and April 3/4 during primetime on VERSUS Country.This should be a reel fun adventure. So tune in!
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Fly fishing rod weights
2008-02-23 03:13:00
Fly fishing rod weights - General guide1 - 3 weight * small flies * short casts4 weight * small to medium trout * small to medium flies * short to medium casts5 - 6 weight * excellent all around trout rod. * Handles small to larger flies * short to longer casts7 - 8 weight * long casts and windy conditions. * 7 weight is a great compromise sized rod for trout and light saltwater9 - 14 weight * large freshwater fish * salt water fishing * large flies * long casts in open areas.Choosing a fly fishing rodChoosing a fly rod to match your required fishing situation/s can be difficult at times, but there are some questions you can answer to make the decision easier.What type of fly fishing will you be doing?No one is going to argue with me when I tell them that a trout doesn't quite match the fight of a marlin or even a tuna. Before purchasing a fly rod think about what kind of fishing you will be doing with it the majority of the time. Whether i...
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Choosing the right fly line - tackle tips
2008-02-16 16:03:00
For new fly fishers choosing the right equipment can be a daunting task.Matching the rod and line weight is a key feature of a balanced fly fishing system and the foundation of good casting. Casting power comes from the relationship of line to rod. When you pick up the line from the water, the line "loads" the rod by adding enough weight to flex it fully. Then, with a properly timed cast, the flexed rod straightens out, driving the line foreword.Line taperTo help you cast more efficiently most fly lines are tapered. This taper varies in weight, diameter and thickness over the length of the line.There are five main types of taper, each to meet a specific purposeWeight-forward (WF) taperThese are the most popular and the best choice if you are a beginnerThe first 30 feet or so of line is heavier because of its tapered front endThe rest of the line is thinner and is known as the running lineThe weight-forward line helps with long casts and better precision even in windy conditionsBass ...
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Fishing 4cast
2008-02-01 02:19:00
I am not going to be able to get February's 4cast up for awhile, maybe 3-4 days, maybe more maybe less. Sorry about that delay. You can always go to www.gulffishing.com for the 4cast.Thanks for the continued support of my website.Alex
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Fishing report's tip
2008-02-01 01:26:00
Two tide days this weekend could make for some slow fishing, but the big negative low tide early in the morning and some warmer weather will consolidate and make fish hungry and could make for some great pothole action on the flats.
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Fishing Report for 1-4
2008-02-01 01:18:00
OFFSHOREAction for grouper has been scattered in the Gulf. Report s of keeper gags coming from southwest of Egmont Key in 80-feet of water for red grouper were noted, but gags were caught just north of the Ship’s Channel, north of Egmont as well in water half that depth. Water temperatures have been moderate with little extremes, holding in the low 60’s, and for grouper, that will help keep them from running to the deeper water to hang.The bait situation has gotten more difficult for guys looking for some Spanish sardines, threadfin herring, or whitebait. Pinfish have been about the most consistently available live bait. Frozen cigar minnow, squid, octopus, threadfins, and sardines should be in the cooler for a day’s trip. A visit to the bait shop for a couple dozen live shrimp might also be part of your bait stop. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two choices. A stop in most any of the deeper channels on your way out should be part of your bait gathering time. A light spin...
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All about tides
2008-01-20 02:27:00
Understanding the tides helps you know when to fish. Just like people, fish have active periods and rest periods. Unlike people, fish's actives are determined by the tides. The tide tells the fish when to be on the move for food and when to rest. Because fish don't have eyelids, they cannot close their eyes to rest. Instead, most species remain inactive during certain tides. Tides are up-and-down movements of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. As the tide rises and falls, water flows in and out of bays, feeding behavior in fish. Whereas tidal changes have little effect far offshore and are of no concern to anglers who venture there in boats, tides are of the utmost importance when fishing inshore waters. In most locations, the tide changes 4 times a day, resulting in 2 high tides and 2 low tides. Low tide occurs roughly 6 hours after high tide. At the end of each rising and falling tide, there is a period called 'slack tide', ...

Fishing Report for 18-21
2008-01-19 00:43:00
OFFSHORECapt. Jack Ryan out of CB Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key scored some nice mangrove snapper action this week while working water depths between 45 and 50-feet fishing out of Big Sarasota Pass. Ryan credited the heavy chumming he did for the gag grouper to 26-inches, red grouper, scamp, and numerous mangrove snapper. Live shrimp and pinfish were his baits of choice, freelined off the transom. Moving to the Barracuda Hole off Sarasota, Ryan reported catching a few kingfish and more snapper.West of Pinellas, 60-foot depths were holding white grunts, grouper, snapper, and triggerfish. Capt. Dave Zalewski of the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach targets triggers with a “snapper rig”, consisting of two 2/0 or smaller hooks with a 3-ounce sinker on the bottom.The weekend prognostication for the weather is not good for offshore, and a follow-up cold front arriving, perhaps by Saturday night could put the skids on your plans. If you do go, make sure your safety equipment is up to...
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Getting Started with fly fishing
2008-01-12 17:21:00
Fly fishing is a fishing technique that has been used for a very long time. In a nutshell fly fishing uses an artificial lure that looks like a real insect to lure the fish to bite. The success with this method of fishing has made fly fishing extremely popular in fishing circles and is ideal for you if you are just starting to fish.Your artificial fly floats on top of the water, mimicking the movement of a real bug, waiting for the fish to bite. Artificial flies come in many shapes and sizes. Dragonflies, grasshoppers, mayfly and stonefly are very popular. The flies look lifelike and can easily fool fish and most people. An alternative to the insect type is to use a lure that resembles eggs. Real eggs rise to the surface to hatch. The artificial eggs lure lies just below the surface of the water. You tend to catch more fish with these lures but it is a little harder than using regular fly fishing lures.You can use the fly fishing method in saltwater or freshwater. Commonly, in fresh...
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5 tips for Success
2008-01-11 00:41:00
5 Tips for Success “5 Tips for Success” is an article on how to improve your technique and knowledge on saltwater fishing.1. I hear too many people saying “Whenever you get a bite, automatically jerk it up, to get it hooked.” I can’t stress enough that is not true. When you get a bite, just wait ‘till you get some tension then jerk up. I say this because, the fish could be biting on the other side, where the hook isn’t, then all you’re doing is scaring your catch away. And if you get some tension and you miss it, don’t reel it in all the way, because the fish might still be interested in your bait. So this proves that fishing does take patience.2. Is Free lining good or is it bad? So many people have asked me that. And other people say what does “Free lining” even mean? Well free lining means to use no weight at all. I would suggest doing this if you are a wader or an inshore angler. I would say doing this because it presents the bait more naturally to the fish....

Fly fishing intro
2008-01-09 00:11:00
Here is a fly fishing introduction. What I am talking about in this article will be the Pros. and Cons. of fly fishing. I hope you like it! Please click on the read more link...Fly fishing, as a beginner.Fly fishing has there up and down’s. And it does take time to master. As most angler’s would say, there is a lot more skill in it than just plain ‘ol fishing. The casting is different, the ‘bait’ is different, the line is different, and almost everything is different. Except for catching the big one. I would say fly fishing is more challenging, because of how you have to present the fly. I will go into the Pros. And Cons. And getting over the learning curve.Pros:Some of the pros I would say are: more challenging, more exhilarating, don’t have to change the bait as much, and in my opinion more fun! Of course fly fishing takes an ‘acquired taste’, meaning you don’t just automatically like it. I though I was going to automatically love it, and my after my first lesso...
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Fly fishing! ;)
2008-01-08 02:52:00
I will be starting on a new section just about saltwater fly fishing. Some of the things will include; Tips, flies, casting, techniques and more. I just took fly fishing up 2 weeks ago and so I am still learning just like you. So what ever I learn I will post on here...I might create another blog just on fly tying. As I also am going to take a class on fly tying. So this will be another reason for you to visit my blog! ;) Don't worry I will post that I updated a fly pattern whenever I learn one. I will post how-to pictures on this site. And I might also post youtube videos. Don't expect this blog to be up for about a month. As it will be 'under construction.'And If you have any questions/comments or suggestions please shoot me an email. I would love suggestions for topics either on saltwater fly fishing or just regular fishing. (Fishing 4idiots) And I will probably post my first fly fishing post within a few days. And I will also do something with regular S.Fishing. (Saltwater...
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Read more link...
2008-01-06 04:01:00
I have finally got the read more link widget working. What it does is it puts the first paragraph on the home page. Then if you want to read the rest you will have to click on the read more link. I removed all the other stuff to find the read more link. But some of the posts you won't have to press the read more link because of the shortness. If you have any questions shoot me an email or leave me a comment. Thanks a lot!Alex
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More tips part 3!
2007-12-31 01:15:00
Remember the the 'random tips' chapter posts? Well here is the last part of it. :)Sight FishingWhen fishing the flats always make sure to look for tailing fish in shallow water. Most of the time you can spot these fish before you catch them.Deep Sea fishing tipNext time anybody goes out deep sea fishing do this it works. Take a coke can and cut a strip out about 1/2 in wide and 4 inches long pop a hole in it and have the deckhands slip it on your line and then tie your hook. You guessed it a spinner but when you are a few miles out this works. My dad and I were selling these on the boat for a 1.00 because nobody could figure out what they were.....lol. But we caught more fish than anyone so next time you go take this tip and bring the Icy Hot b/c you will need it that night.bottom baits bottom feeders can't resist these powersbaits sandworms, squid, sand eel, clams and other shellfish Trolling tip When you locate a school of fish while trolling, slow down while y...
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Fishing Log
2007-12-28 14:19:00
Keeping a fishing log is like putting a giant jigsaw puzzle together. One piece of the puzzle doesn’t give much to go on. Fishing is not an exact science, but the more information you have at hand, based on past experience, the better equipped you are to consistently find fish that are feeding. Anglers can learn much from logging their catch data and other pertinent information about their fishing trips. Useful information might include, but not be limited to barometric pressure-- steady, high-rising, low- falling, etc., tide levels in feet and tenths of feet, plus tide direction, i.e., incoming, changing, out-going, etc., moon phases, wind direction and velocity, cloud cover, i.e., overcast, cloudy, sunny, etc., fish caught and where, on what time of the tide, water temperature, water clarity, and more. Perhaps the best tool for maintaining your log is the use of the Florida Sportsman Fishing Planner. This has the tides and moon phases on the planner, and all you need to add are ...

Winter Solstice
2007-12-22 02:23:00
Winter strike zones shrink as water temperatures drop. The colder the water for most species, the smaller the strike zone, making it even more important for an “in your face” presentation. Baitfish continually swim, with brief periods of stopping. The problem with most baitfish imitations is that they only look natural when they’re moving. As soon as they’re stopped, they sink to the bottom and lay on their sides…not so with a shrimp. In nature, shrimp sit on the bottom, bury in the mud or grass, and basically do nothing. They’re not swimming most the time like most baitfish, but do drift with the current. Artificial shrimp, like those from DOA Lures can mimic this crustacean to the letter. This bait can stay in the strike zone as long as desired, giving fish an opportunity to eat it. Some new suspending baitfish imitations like the Rapala Twitchin’ Rap and the MirrOlure MirrOdine and MirrOminnow can be worked slowly enough and “hover” in the water column for a sim...
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Hooks Part 5
2007-12-19 23:08:00
Buying, Handling, and Sharpening HooksHooks are sold in bulk packages of from 10 to a hundred hooks or more, or in packages of 4 to 6 snelled hooks. Leave the hooks in the package until you need them, to keep them safe and neat and to keep the points from becoming dull. Packages of snelled hooks fit nicely in a tackle box. Keep them there, and don't let them get in a tangled mess. The quality of a fishhook can be determined by its finish. Inexpensive hooks have a 'blued' finish and are made from carbon steel. They are used primarily for freshwater fishing and should be avoided for use on saltwater. Saltwater fishing requires materials with greater resistance to corrosion, such as nickel- or bronze-plated alloys or stainless steel. These cost slightly more than carbon steel hooks, but not too much more. Even among the superior alloys, there are differences. Hooks made from drawn wire are less expensive but not as strong as forged hooks. Better hooks last longer and retain their s...
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Hooks Part 4
2007-12-19 22:56:00
Shank CharacteristicsJ hooks are manufactured with short or long shanks. Long-shank hooks are used for sharp-toothed fish, such as bluefish and mackerel, allowing the fish to bite the shank and not the leader. They are also used for fish that suck in their food, such as winter flounder. The long shank makes removing the hook easier. A long-shank hook provides room for the bait to be placed along the shank, which makes for better presentation of the bait and in most cases ensures that the bait will not fall off. A worm or fish can be stretched out along the whole length of the shank, looking much more natural than if it were curled around the bend of the hook. Short-shank hooks are used with smaller pieces of cut bait or shrimp, because the hook can be more effectively hidden within the bait. Short-shank hooks take up little space in the tackle box and can be easily removed from smaller fish that do not inhale their food. Some J hooks have bait barbs on the shank, which prevent th...
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Hooks Part 3
2007-12-16 03:48:00
Sorry for the lateness for the post. Well here it is hope you enjoy!!If you're accustomed to J hooks, using circle hooks involves some adjustment. Instead of setting the hook by sharply pulling back on the rod, apply steady pressure on the line, bringing it in evenly and slowly. Avoid jerking the rod to prevent pulling the hook from the fish's mouth. Packaged snelled hooks have monofilament or wire leader attached. The strength of the leader can range from 3o-to-80 pound test and above, and leader length varies considerably. The leader has a loop at the end opposite the hook, making tying on quick and easy. Snelled hooks are available in J and C hooks. Some anglers snell their own hooks, buying their hooks in bulk, and the leader material separately. Although snelling a hook takes a little longer, it's not difficult. (See under TOC 'Knots' for a website on how to tie a snell.) Most fishing lures have one or more sets of treble, or 3-pointed, hooks. These range in size from...
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Listen Now button.
2007-12-13 02:48:00
Remember me saying awhile back on my post Little Changes, about the Odiogo button? Well I finally got it up and running. I explained what it does clearly on my post, Little Changes, but I will just briefly refresh your memory.Pretty much it is a text-to-speech widget. Just press Listen Now, and it should start playing. It will go through the intro, then it will literally read the post to you. I felt like installing this because it looked cool. Also I have been posting some long articles and thought it would be handy if you wanted it to read to you while you read along with it. And like I said on my previous post, you can download it as a mp3 to 'take along' with you on your Ipod or mp3 player. Read Little Changes on how to do that. If and when you press the Listen Now and says 'Sorry, this article is not available yet' then do fret it will be up to date soon. Check back within the hour.Also I will be making one more change by the time Christmas comes, or a little bit after. And...
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Hooks Part 2
2007-12-13 01:44:00
Hook SizeFishhook size is designated numerically. Below a certain size, the lager the number, the small the hook. A number 10 hook, therefore, is smaller than a number 4 hook of the same style. Hooks larger than the number 1 use a different system, however. A number followed by a slash and a zero indicates a large hook, and the numbers increase with the hook size. Thus, a number 5/0 hook is lager than a 2/0 hook, which is larger than a number 10 hook. The thickness of the hook in any given size should also be considered. A thin hook will penetrate more easily than a thick hook. If you're having trouble setting the hook, chances are that the hook is too thick for the targeted species, so use a thinner hook of the same size.Hook DesignsThere are 3 basic hook designs: conventional J hooks; circle, or C, hooks; and and treble hooks. J and C hooks are used primarily with bait; treble hooks are found on most saltwater plugs and lures. J and C hooks are available as snelled hooks of j...
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Hooks part 1.
2007-12-11 00:23:00
When you're fishing on salt water, you never know what species of fish you may encounter. You might be fishing for Fluke and get a bluefish. If you have a decent assortment of hooks in your tackle box, it's a small mater to change your terminal rig to "accommodate" the bluefish. Hooks are chosen according to the size and species of fish targeted the type of bait used, and the method of fishing. There is no formula for selecting the right hook because there are many variables, including the size of the fish's mouth, its strength as a swimmer, its method of fighting, and the way it goes about grabbing bait. But as a rule of thumb, the larger the fish, the larger the hook. Most anglers do just fine with a few hooks of different sizes that are appropriate to the most common species of fish in the area where they're fishing. Don't be shy about asking at the tackle shop what kinds of hook work well.Hook SelectionConsider the size of the fish's mouth when selecting a hook. The fish h...
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Chumming Part 2
2007-12-07 02:14:00
How To ChumChum pots are available in many sizes. Most have lead ends so the pot will sink quickly and large-mesh screened sides to allow the chum to pass through easily. After Chum is placed in the pot, strong but lightweight line is attached to the eyelet, the pot is lowered to the desired depth, and the line is secured to a cleat on the boat or a piling on a pier. Mesh bags are messier to use but work just as effectively. Some anglers place several sinkers in the bottom of the bag to keep it upright when it's hanging in the water column or resting on the bottom. To keep fish within a close radius of a boat, some anglers use 2 pots or bags-one at the stern and one at the bow.Shake the chum pot at intervals, or bounce it on the bottom to loosen the contents and allow them to flow freely. Maintain a constant slick to keep the fish within hook distance. Once you've started chumming, don't slack off and allow the slick to disperse. If you're fishing with a buddy, share the work. P...
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Controlled Depth
2007-12-07 01:56:00
Controlled depth fishing with lures is a method of getting baits at the same level fish are holding. Because the water column can be a very broad range, fishing somewhere in between the top and bottom might require special equipment. Downriggers are the most precise tools to lower baits to a given level. Planers, depending on the size and line diameter used to pull them, will also take baits below the surface within a certain depth range for each size planer. Covering the water column with a variety of lures fished at different depths is a sure way to locate fish. It gives you the opportunity to present your lures to more fish. That will ultimately help you catch more fish.
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Chumming Part 1
2007-12-06 00:30:00
Chum is ground-up fish or fish entrails and other delightful morsels that are deposited into the water to release a scent that attracts most fish. Chum is the consistency of chunky soup and moves easily with the current. It can be used when fishing with live or dead natural bait, flies, or artificial lures at almost any depth. It's most often used when fishing from a stationary location, such as an anchored boat or pier, but you can chum from a drifting boat. For certain species of fish, chumming is essential to success. Chum is placed in a chum pot or mesh bag (like an onion bag), which is lowered over the side of the boat to any depth or directly on the bottom. The chum particles seep through the holes in the pot of the bag and are dispersed by the current, creating an oily, smelly slick that attracts fish to the vicinity. Loose chum can also be ladled over the side of a drifting or an anchored boat to create a slick nearer to the surface to the top-feeding species. Chum is av...
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Leader. Why it's important.
2007-12-04 02:18:00
A leader is a length of monofilament of fluorocarbon line or flexible wire positioned between the main line and hook or lure. A leader can serve 2 purposes: prevent line-shy fish from seeing the more visible main line, and prevent sharp-toothed fish from biting the line in 2. Monofilament leaders are usually between 1 and 3 feel long; most wire leaders range from 6 to 24 inches. Monofilament and fluorocarbon leaders usually have a greater pound-test rating than the main line. A swivel should be used between the leader and the main line to keep the main line from twisting. Because of its transparency, fluorocarbon leader is best for particularly line-shy fish, such as albacore and bonito. Black flexible wire leader is also almost invisible and is effective for sharp-toothed fish, such as mackerel, bluefish, and barracuda. If a wire leader becomes kinked when you're fighting a fish, it has been seriously weakened and should be replaced.
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How to use a plug
2007-12-02 13:20:00
I just was asked how to use a plug and thought might as well put it on here also.How to use a plugThe size of the lure you use is determined by the size and shape of the baitfish in the area. The size of the lure often determines the size of the fish you catch. If you're using a 3-inch plug and you're catching average-size fish, use the next larger size of the same style of lure to tempt larger predator fish lurking nearby. Always keep the plug moving, and make it look like a struggling or injured baitfish doing its best to get away from the predator you're after. Vary the retrieval speed from one cast to the next, and even during a single retrieve. Some anglers apply a frequent, quick, stop-and-go reeling technique in addition to short or long jerks of the rod tip to vary the lure's performance. Don't let the lure remain stationary for more than a few seconds or allow it to go too slowly: that will give predators a chance to take a long, hard look at the lure, and then they ...
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Honeymoon Island
2007-12-01 17:58:00
Today we started out on the first Causeway bridge leading out to Honeymoon Island , but we had no luck. So we went to Honeymoon Island, and caught a few things. Nothing too big. But 2 decent size ones. We used live shrimp, Gulp Shrimp, and Gulp Sardines. I would rate the performance like this; 1-Gulp Shrimp, 2-Live shrimp, 3-Gulp Sardines. Today wasn't the best day we had, but can't say we didn't catch nothing. Take a look at the pictures. Thanks! Speckled Trout Sand Seatrout Sand SeatroutSpeckled Trout

56 Fishing Tips Part 4
2007-11-30 01:54:00
When Fishing ...35.) Always wait and extra second, or until you feel a lot of pressure, before reeling in.36.) When trying to free a line that is hung up on the bottom, don't attempt to pull the line with your hand. Instead, wrap the line around the outside of the reel or around the real seat of the rod at least 3 times, then yank. You will either pull the line free from the bottom or break the line, but at least you'll prevent injuring your fingers or hand.37.) To prevent slack line above the water from developing into a "belly" under windy conditions, keep the tip of the rod low and pointed toward the water. This will let you feel a strike more readily.38.) If a fish manages to foul the line on structure, slacken the line and wait until the fish swims out again, possibly freeing the line. Attempting to force the fish out by reeling in will likely result in a broken line, a lots fish-which may remain hook to the structure by the fouled line.39.) When fishing in the surf, set the r...
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56 Fishing Tips Part 3
2007-11-29 03:17:00
Bait And Chum25.) Use ground-up bunker for chum; it also makes excellent bait if sliced. You can cut it or use it whole for striped bass, bluefish, or other predator fish.26.) Keep live saltwater baitfish away from fresh water to keep them alive--DUH27.) When fishing for large predator fish, don't overlook whole live natural sandworms or bloodworms. They are productive throughout the fishing season28.) To find the predators that chase baitfish, check the protected areas of inlets and jetties where baitfish seek shelter from storms and wait until the surf calms down.29.) Use whole squid or squid cut into small strips; squid is among the best baits to use for predator fish.30.) Use chum whenever you're fishing for bottom-dwelling fish.31.) When fishing with natural bait, if you feel a fish but fail to hook it, reel in and rebait the hook if necessary.32.) Use only name-brand fishing line. Bargain-priced line and unknown brands often fail at the worst possible moment.33.) When monofi...
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