In the event that your trail cameras under $100 have not produced any images after a few days of being placed in the woods, you might as well go on a deep sea fishing expedition. Before embarking on a fishing expedition, make sure you have the proper medication on hand in case you become nauseous. The boat and fishing equipment that have been selected will prove to be extremely valuable on this trip. Also, don’t forget to check the weather forecast because fishing conditions can change in a matter of minutes depending on the weather.
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Be ready to get seasick
If you experience nausea and vomiting whenever you travel by car or train, there is a good chance that you are prone to motion sickness. It is possible that you will have a difficult time out on the open water, and there is no quick fix for this. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you do not spend the entire trip wishing you had stayed at home or wishing it would end sooner.
Taking anti-sickness or anti-nausea medications is an option, and there are some reasonably priced over-the-counter medications available.
A large meal, as well as alcoholic or carbonated beverages, should be avoided before embarking on a fishing expedition if your stomach is feeling unwell. It’s an unpleasant sensation at first, but you should become accustomed to it after a few trips. If you are still experiencing seasickness, try to divert your attention away from it by fully concentrating on the fishing activity, or you could learn some fishing tips from the boat’s crew to keep you occupied during the trip.
Not every boat is a good choice
If you or one of your fishing partners doesn’t have a boat, you will have to rent one. Keep in mind that the selected boat must resist tough conditions. In the open water, you might encounter bad weather and big waves so having the right boat is crucial for your safety.
If you intend to go far from shore and spend more time on this fishing trip, you might want to rent a fairly large boat. A small boat is good enough if you are going out for several hours, but for an extended period, you should look for a ship with comfortable seats and a cabin to have some rest in.
So don’t rush and rent the cheapest boat available as this might compromise your fishing trip. Even the large boats are affordable if you share the cost with your fishing friends.
Proper equipment pays off
Having the right fishing equipment is as important as having a boat to go fishing. Even if some of these pieces of equipment might seem pretentious, they will be really useful once you are in the open water. If the boat that you rented has GPS systems, fish finder, or nautical maps as part of its nautical gear, your fishing trip just got easier.
With a fish finder, you can determine the water depth and choose the best type of baits and lures for the fish you plan on catching.
If you are using a rented boat, check if it has equipment like rod holders or live wells. In general, these are included in the rental package but you should always double check. When inspecting the boat, make sure it has proper fishing seats as you don’t want to lose a big fish because of a faulty seat.
If you are looking for a big catch, you will have to spend some money on an appropriate fishing rod. Usually, the high quality offshore rods are made of graphite so they are lightweight and very resistant. You should pair this type of rod with a reel that has a lot of cranking torque so it will be easier for you to get into the boat a big catch.
If you want to be as prepared as possible, a downrigger is a useful equipment to have on your boat as you will be able to set the bait to the desired depth.
Unexpected captures
Of course, different fish species mix so there is a chance you will catch something else than what you came for. So when fishing offshore, pay attention to what species of fish are in that area so you don’t catch some unnecessary trophies.
As more experienced fishermen will tell you, dolphins and tuna generally share the same zones. If you are not familiar with the distinctions between dolphins and tuna, ask for a crew member to help you when you are in doubt. You should never catch a dolphin instead of a tuna since dolphin fishing is illegal.
However, you will get most of the fishing knowledge when actually fishing so don’t be afraid to ask questions or feel bad if you are the most inexperienced fisherman on the boat.
Shipwrecks or reefs are top locations
When fishing offshore, going around shipwrecks or reefs will pay off. Big masses of small fish can be found in these zones as they find plenty of food there. These small fish are the main course for the bigger captures you’ll be fishing for in open waters. By going around their hunting ground, the chance of getting an impressive fishing trophy is much higher.
Depending on your fishing location, there might not be shipwrecks or reefs but any type of underwater formation could house many types of fish so look out for rock formations or underwater valleys.
Using live bait could be the best option
When looking for a boat to rent, check if it has a live well. A live well is basically a big tank used to keep the live bait safely which you will definitely need if you want to go back home with a large fish.
You can get live bait from any local bait store or you can ask the boat owner to buy some bait as he/she is more experienced. If you forgot about the live bait, you can catch some while you are out at sea if you have enough time. This will add some extra fun to your fishing trip and will be cheaper than getting it from the store.
However, not all fish are attracted by the same bait so take some time before the fishing trip to do some research. This way, you will know what your catch prefers to eat so you can fill the live wells with something similar. For example, tuna is a big fan of mackerel, so make sure you have enough of it if you want to have a great photo from your fishing trip.
Try the artificial lures
Artificial lures used together with live bait is a great idea if you want to take home some fish. You can get them in all types of forms and sizes and some of them work better than others so make sure to have more options available. Depending on what fish species you intend to catch, you will need a different type of lure.
For example, heavier jigs will get the bait deeper into the water and quick moving lures are great for predator fish like marlins. If you want to have a better chance, drop the artificial lure while the boat is still moving. This way, it will look like a fresh target and you will cover a bigger area of water.
Weather conditions might change in a moment
It’s best to trust your instincts and return to the shore if you believe the weather conditions are becoming too rough or the water becomes too agitated as the waves grow larger and larger. You and your friends will be completely safe if you go fishing with a local fisherman on the majority of your trips, but you should always keep an eye on the weather and water conditions when you are out fishing.
When going on a deep sea fishing expedition, one of the most important skills to have is the ability to read the situation. Despite the fact that you will have a great time fishing with your friends, you should never underestimate the dangers of open water fishing.
Dropping the anchor is a good idea
Although it may seem counterintuitive, anchoring the boat periodically while the waters are calm can be beneficial because some fish, such as groupers and snapper, are not always attracted to dragged baits. When the boat comes to a complete stop, you have a fantastic opportunity to just sit back and relax, which is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fishing for salmon. Despite the fact that most people think of deep sea fishing as a never-ending battle between humans and fish, you should take time to relax and enjoy the adventure every now and then.