8 Tips for Gaffing a Fish Offshore and Getting that Monster into the Boat

Boca Grande fishing charters explain how to use this common tool for getting your trophy catch out of the water

If you’re fishing for larger offshore species like Wahoo, Dolphin or Marlin off Boca Grande, you’ll probably want to keep a couple to filet, take home and cook up. Boating smaller fish like a Red Drum, Trout or some other inshore species is relatively easy – just reel the fish in and either scoop it up with a net or lift it into the boat.

However, if you’re reeling in large gamefish, you’ll need to use what’s called a gaff to hook the fish and lift it into the boat.

You’ve probably seen videos on a fishing TV show or online of a couple of anglers gaffing a large Tuna or Wahoo and think “Gee, that doesn’t look very hard.” Once you’re out on the water though, you’ll soon learn why it’s more difficult than you initially think. The seas are rocking and rolling and the fish is thrashing about.

7 Common Courtesies All Hilton Head Fishing Charters Ask Their Customers to Observe

While always “following the rules” can get a bit dull in some areas of life, there are certain common courtesies that anglers need to keep in mind when on a fishing charter.

The charter boat captain has a myriad of laws and regulations he needs to follow. For anglers, any official rules are rather minimal.

However, that doesn’t mean you can just come on board and do as you please…you wouldn’t go into a restaurant and start pounding your fists on the table, right?

7 Tips for Having an Amazing Fly Fishing Trip in Bradenton

You may be thinking that fly fishing is only for mountain streams and not the sunny waters around Bradenton, Terra Ceia Bay and Tampa Bay. Fly fishing though is an increasingly popular way to get close to saltwater trout, redfish and other species found in the flats.

In one way, fly fishing isn’t much different than traditional spinning reels – it’s just another way to get your bait to the fish. However, fly fishing gets you closer to the fish feeding along mangroves and grassy flats. While you can cast a spinner reel much farther, fly fishing allows you to spot fish beforehand rather than randomly casting your bait.

Fly fishing though can be quite technical, and not every angler is successful. The best fly fishermen always prepare.

Continue reading for 7 tips on how to make a fly fishing trip in Bradenton and Anna Maria Island a success.

8 Species you’re NOT Allowed to Keep on a Port Canaveral Fishing Charter

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) establishes and enforces size and catch limits for a variety of fish species inhabiting the waters off Port Canaveral and within the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem. Some species have strict bag limits and can only be legally caught during certain times of the year.