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HOF TIPS – May. 08
CAST NET CARE
A good cast net can make the difference between a day of fishing
and a day of catching. Keeping your net in good condition will keep
you ready to catch plenty of live baits, so don’t neglect
the cleaning. After a few trips, prepare a net conditioning bath
by adding a cap of fabric softener to a 5-gallon bucket and then
filling the bucket with water. Mix the liquids, drop in your net
and let it sit for an hour. Remove the net, lightly rinse it
with a garden hose and hang it up to dry. The net’s monofilament
mesh will absorb the softener and become supple. This yields better
casting and extends the net’s useful life. Rinsing a net after
each use prevents grimy buildup, while storing your net in a covered
bucket minimizes sun damage. Also, hanging your net high enough
for the leads to dangle will stretch it out, tighten the mesh and
make you need less bulky when you hold it.
TEACHING KIDS
Introducing children to fishing is one of the sport’s greatest
joys. However, you must take the right approach so kids absorb the
lessons comfortably. Age generally determines attention span, with
younger children running out of patience quickly. Don’t plan
marathon fishing trips for young ones, rather, keep it short and
full of action. Reeling in game fish is great, but you can also
keep keeps into the program by letting them help with the bait catching
operation. Let them work a sabiki rod and scoop up live baitfish
captured with a cast net. If they want to play around the bait well,
let them do whatever keeps them focused on some element of fishing.
When it comes time to catch something bigger, don’t get too
caught up in adult level targets. Take whatever opportunities come
your way and remember that pinfish, ladyfish and jacks are almost
always willing to bite. Remember, only positive experiences will
create the kind of memories the bring kids back to fishing. Whether
that means investing in some kid-sized rods and reels or simply
slowing down and letting your young guests enjoy the day at their
pace, your efforts will go a long way toward instilling a love for
this sport.
THE “FRONT” SIDE OF KINGFISHING
When late spring cold fronts push into an area, expect a significant
impact on kingfishing. This migratory species passes through the
central Gulf region during spring and fall, but exactly where you’ll
find them depends largely on the weather. Big kings like to chase
baitfish along the beach and over shallow structure, but when cold
fronts bring windy conditions and declining temperatures, the water
turns murky and cooler. This pushes the fish offshore in search
of more comfortable conditions. Baitfish schools, which attract
kingfish are the first to leave, but kings won’t stick around
when there’s no food, so if you’re not marking bait
pods deep, or spotting them at the surface, keep pushing farther
offshore until you find clear, warm water with plenty of food. Once
a front passes, allow a couple of days for the near shore waters
to settle enough for kings to return.
DAY SCHEDULING
Inshore waters often offer multiple opportunities but don’t
expect to catch your snook, redfish and trout slam in one spot.
It can happen, but you’re better off putting together a plan
that addresses each one separately. Set up your day based on factors
such as tides, sunshine, clouds, water clarity and your launch site.
Where you start affects your running times and that should help
you determine where you fish and in what order. Snook are generally
best in the morning, while redfish do well on the turn of the tide
in late morning. Trout usually prefer deeper water over grass and
they’ll eat best on a moving tide. Spend time the night before
your trip and establish a plan that enables you to hit the right
spots at the right time.
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