Circle Hooks Ahoy

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:16:00 +0000

Oh yea tips to catch more fish, yea, yea I remember. You might not think some of my other tips the most important, but they are the ones that insure you and your children will be fishing tomorrow and beyond.

Okay, on to the good stuff…Use circle hooks. Better for the fish and better for you. The one thing that you must adjust when using circle hooks is the snatch and jerk technique. DO NOT DO IT. You simply real up the fish the hook slides to the corner of his mouth and he’s caught. Sounds simple right? When you are use to snatching the rod and pulling back quick to “set” the hook, it is tough to get use to not snatching it.

However that is what you must do. Most of the time just the slight rocking of the boat is enough to hook the fish. This is excellent for kids they actually catch fish they didn’t know were there.

Stay Sharp!

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:14:55 +0000

Keep your Hooks sharp. More fish have been lost because the hook did not penetrate than anything else. First he’s there then he’s not. Sharpen the hook it is very easy and I guarantee you it will make a difference. Try to avoid steel files first time it gets wet it is done throw it away. Many stores carry diamond hones and that’s the best I know of.

john@crazyfishguy.com

Leads to Better Catches!

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:14:26 +0000

You should use a leader that is right for the clarity of the water. It also must be right for the type of fish you are looking for. If you are fishing for Kings using 40 pound test mono leader would not be considered real smart if you want to get any fish to the boat. A steel leader will get more fish to the boat. If you are fishing for AJ’s 60 or 80 might be in order depending on the size of the fish. They seem to be there but don’t seem to be hitting like they should, reduce the size of the leader and loosen the drag you’ll catch a lot more fish. Many times especially in clear water you can see fish but they aren’t hitting. That is a prime time to use a lighter longer leader and a smaller hook.

Keep an eye on your leader if it shows any signs of chaffing replace it. Chafing does two things it increases visibility and weakens the line. Fluorocarbon line is more expensive but in my opinion is well worth the added expense. As the fishing season moves on towards fall from spring and summer the fish seem to get more and more leader shy. Lighter you can go with your tackle the better your fishing will be and the more skill you will develop.

john@crazyfishguy.com

Sinkers and Swivels

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:13:52 +0000

A good thing to remember is the smaller the sinker usually the better you are. The sinker is to get your line down to the bottom. Too much sinker gets you down to the bottom but makes you fight the sinker instead of the fish. When the fish is not at the bottom but running somewhere in the middle a sinker will hold live bait down to keep them where the fish are.

Swivels are a must do. Swivels keep your line from getting all twisted up. Allows you a better feel for the fish and keeps the line from getting kinks and knots as your bait swims around.

john@crazyfishguy.com

Venting

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:13:11 +0000

Vent the fish before returning them to the water. It is now state law in Florida to carry a venting tool on your boat. Venting the fish allows 85% of the fish returned to survive when returned to the water. It keeps them from flopping around on the surface until they die. When you return a fish the water it can be caught again when they are bigger and better table fare. Less dead fish means more fish to catch. It is best to vent the fish as quickly as possible with a minimum of handling. If the fish’s stomach is in or coming out of the fish’s mouth, do not attempt to push it back into the fish’s body. Expelling the swim bladder gases will allow the stomach to return to its normal position within a few hours. Hold the fish gently but firmly on its side and insert the venting tool at a 45-degree angle approximately one to two inches back from the base of the pectoral fin. Only insert the tool deep enough to release the gases — do not skewer the fish. The sound of the escaping gas is audible and deflation is noticeable. If a fish is extremely bloated, use your free hand to exert gentle pressure on the fish’s abdomen to aid deflation. The fish’s stomach should not be punctured. Return the fish to the water as soon as possible. If necessary, revive it by holding the fish with the head pointed downward and moving the fish back and forth to pass water over the gills until the fish is able to swim unassisted.

john@crazyfishguy.com