The Delights of Sportsfishing

On warm weather spring getaways fishing can be a great way to get out on the water and do a little something different. Sportfishing can be a very rewarding activity if it is done correctly the first time. After the first outing on the high seas, the rest is normally smooth sailing. First, find a local saltwater fishing club or a lodge. You can typically find ads for these in a phonebook, by word of mouth, or on some forums online. However, be prepared to cough up a fair amount of money, as charters can cost up to $150 per person. Next, call the company and find out what kind of boats they have available for day or half day rental. When fishing in a group, a 35-foot boat should do just fine.

Depending on the target species, types of bait can vary greatly. Try your luck with cut mackerel or pogies, available at most local bait shops. If going fishing without a guide, you will definitely have to get your hands dirty preparing bait. The preparation of cut bait is fairly simple. All you have to do is cut a baitfish into three or four pieces depending on the size of the target species. Next, put a hook into the piece of bait so that the hook goes around the spine of the fish. Remember to put a weight of about 1 ounce on the line about 2 feet closer to the rod tip than the bait. Recommended line strength is about 30 pound test.

A major part of the sportfishing experience is not in the fishing, but the interaction with fellow fishermen out on the water. The two most important parts of etiquette on the open ocean are to wave to every boat that passes by (as the “crew” of that boat will probably wave, as well) and to never cross another fisherman’s line. This is the biggest rule in any type of fishing. Some ways to fit into the sportfishing community are not only to use words that probably don’t come up in everyday, landlubber conversation, but also to take your catch to a weigh station and get good pictures of your proud catch. Only take your catch to a weigh station if you are sure it is legal. Be sure to check the regulations on sportfishing in your state before you go out fishing, and bring a ruler.
Some words to keep in mind when talking to friends, bait shop owners, and the boat rental company people are girth (the circumference of a fish around the belly), circle hook (a fishing hook with a bent tip that allows the fish to be hooked without a hookset), hookset (the motion of yanking the fishing rod back towards you when you think you have a bite that gets the hook embedded in the fish’s mouth and able to catch), and the various parts of a boat and fishing equipment.

Probably the most important aspect of all fishing is the conservation of the fish population and habitat. This means to clean up after yourself by not leaving various pieces of fishing tackle such as weights, hooks and line around the area where you fish. This is where the state regulations come into play. If too many fish of one species or one age are harvested, the entire species will be pushed to the brink of extinction. Once again, never take home fish that are either too small or protected in your area. If you follow all of these rules and keep this advice in mind, sportfishing will probably turn into a lifelong passion.

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