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INVENTORY and "BOAT OF THE WEEK"  

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FISHING TIPS

August in Florida can get a bit warm during the day. Consider fishing early in the morning and in the evenings. Midday breaks to rest, nap and recharge are popular this time of year.

This is a good time of year for shark fishing. Use a 3 foot wire leader and handle the fish carefully if you're going to release it. Use a good de-hooking tool.

Tarpon action off the beach has been red hot lately. Look for bait schools or traveling pods. Live bait has been the most effective but the fly rodders are reporting good results, especially early in the morning.

April is one of the best times of the year to fish Florida waters. This week's tip is 'GO FISH!". Even better is if you can take a youngster with you. A kid holding a fishing rod doesn't have time to hold something that will get them in trouble.

Part of the spring tune-up for your equipment should focus on your rods. Run a piece of scrap fabric thru the eyes of all your rods. The more sheer the fabric the better. Carefully sand and polish away any rough spots you find on a rod eyelet. The slightest roughness on the inside of a rod eyelet will fray your line.

With spring just around the corner this is a great time to respool reels and have them serviced. When having your reel serviced be sure to have the drags checked carefully. You might want to check your castnet, trolling motor and tackle also. Bait is start to show up and warmer water temps are not too far distant in the future.

Now that winter (a relative term in Florida...) is here, targeting structures becomes even more important. Docks and deep water canals can be very productive areas. Most folks overlook working the center of a deep water canal. This can be some prime area due to the more stable water temperatures associated with deeper water. A 1/4 ounce jig tipped with shrimp can be very effective. Remember to work it slow and deep and hang on. While this technique usually produces trout and sheephead, you never know when something bigger might be laying near the bottom.

You can some times use low winter tides and colder weather to your advantage. During a spell of cool weather keep checking the forecast. The first bright sunny day after a cold spell can result in good fishing. The fish will move onto the flats to sun and warm themselves. A stealthy approach and delicate presentation will help under these conditions. Try the deep holes and drop offs during the morning and move to flats as the day warms up. A rising tide in the afternoon can be a big help. Vary the speed of your retrieves. If you're not getting any bites then odds are you are working your lure too fast.

Winter fishing presents a different set of conditions. One advantage of fishing from a boat is the ability to carry extra equipment. Always carry a jacket for warmth and rain gear. Hypothermia can sneak up on you. Also remember to drink plenty of fluids.

Do you use braided line on your spinning reels? After making a cast, close the bail by hand instead of just cranking the handle. This will reduce the amount of line twist and knots.

With summer's heat fully here the need to adjust your fishing is here. Take a break from the midday heat. Increased water temps, brighter sunlight and increased boat traffic are all typical of summer and all tend to drive the fish deeper. This makes low light fishing a better choice. Try being on the water first thing in the morning. Fishing into the evening after a late afternoon launch can also be productive. Double check your the lights on your boat and make sure you are familiar with the area before operating your boat during darkness.

When fishing next to the mangroves don't be shy about putting your bait, lure or fly as close as you can to the shore. Fish lay up under the roots. Expect to lose some terminal tackle from time to time from misaimed casts. It's all part of the process and a good reason to carry several extra rods already rigged up.

The regulations about handling and boating (now a no-no) for tarpon and goliath grouper have changed. Be sure you know the latest.

Next time you see a bargain bin sale at the tackle store pick up a big spool of the cheapest 10 - 20 pound monofilament you can find. Use this to practice tying knots while watching TV. Next time you go fishing you can dazzle your friends by tying a Bimini like a pro. If you ever re-spool your reels save the old line to do this with also. Old fly line should always be saved for teaching youngsters and beginners how to tie knots.

Summer time heat can be hard on bait. Throw a few pieces of ice in your live well from time to time to keep bait healthy longer.

The cork handle on a favorite rod can be made to look like new with some gentle washing with warm water and mild soap. An old toothbrush is especially useful for this task. Once the cork has completely dried you can use 600 grit sandpaper to make the cork look new. Use the sandpaper sparingly.

Occasionally run a scrap piece of a fine cloth material around the inside of the guides on your rods. A scrap of old pantyhose or silk or a silk like material works well. If the material snags at all then be sure to remove the burr from the inside of your line guide. A nick too small to see can be detected using this method and any nick at all will fray your line.

Learn how to properly sharpen a hook. Keep your hooks sharp and your percentage of hookups will increase.

Check your line occasionally while fishing by running the last 18” above the hook back and forth several times between your thumb and index finger. If you feel any frays, kinks, or knots, cut the line above the problem spot and retie it to the hook or lure.

Many anglers believe in the saying "Soft crabs during a full moon." They are basing this on a belief that crabs shed their shells during a full moon.

The most important thing about refilling your spinning reel is to not overfill it. If, when you open the bail, the line "jumps" off the spool, you are over filled.

"When sight fishing to moving fish always 'lead' them enough so that your fly, or lure, lands ahead of them with enough time to sink to the proper level"

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Send email to sales@familyboatingcenters.com OR CALL (813) 884-1395.        Last modified: August 12, 2008