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When thinking about Florida saltwater fishing, redfish is probably the first species to come to mind. Especially along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on the western border of Florida, saltwater fishing is based around the population of redfish.
While many people are of the belief that redfish tend to disappear during the cold of winter, this is actually a time when you can catch more of them with a little diligence, since fewer anglers are out looking for them. The redfish will simply move from the inshore flats to river and creek mouths and may actually travel miles up the freshwater river alleys, leaving their saltwater habitats behind for the season in search of warmer temperatures.
One place where Florida saltwater fishing for redfish flourishes in the winter months is at oyster bars. Apalachicola Bay is the heart of fishing on the west coast, and here you'll find a number of oyster bars, including Dry Bar, the largest one in the bay. One thing you really must be aware of, however, is that you'll need a shallow boat to fish the area properly, and it is best to do so during high tide to avoid bottoming out.
You may also want to study the surrounding area for landmarks prior to going out because, especially with the changes to the landscape due to the recent hurricanes, you may have difficulty finding your way out and back.
Florida saltwater fishing near the sandbar can help to find not only redfish but also trout now that some of the sandbars have been moved or broken apart. The same can be said of oyster bars that are covered over and sunken wrecks that were moved and shattered. While these movements have made it difficult for knowledgeable anglers to resume Florida saltwater fishing as before, the bits and pieces of these old locations have resettled, creating new homes for saltwater fish.
The Dry Bar, mentioned above, was affected little by the hurricanes and remains much as it was previously, making it a popular spot both for anglers and for fish that know they will find the shelter they desire here.
During the winter, Florida saltwater fishing for reds is best if you follow the trend into the shallow bay where the water is warmer and up into the Apalachicola River, where redfish hang out during the cold months (not that Florida is ever really freezing, but waters do tend to get much cooler in the winter, causing the fish migration). There are over 150 oyster bars in the bay, so you can rest assured that, with a little patience and perseverance, you are certain to locate a few reds, even in the winter time.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on Florida saltwater fishing here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Eggertsen
Photo Source: Florida Fisherman
When angling for bottom fish, grouper fishing is the most popular sport fishing in the western hemisphere. Because there are so many different types of grouper, fishing for them can be good all the way from the New England states, through the Gulf of Mexico, and down to Brazil. You'll find red, yellowfin, black, gag, and Warsaw grouper to choose from along many coastal regions, and it's rare that there is no abundance of the species. However, beware of the strength and cunning of these fish.
First, you must know a little about bottom fishing, and then plentiful grouper fishing opportunities will follow. Start with a fifty-pound test monofilament line. This will handle just about any grouper that you can possibly encounter. Anything larger becomes a hassle and is also a bit too visible to your target fish. Use a terminal tackle - a sinker, leader, and hook configured with a bank sinker on the end of the leader and a 12-inch-long loop tied abut 18 inches up from there onto which the hook is tied.
When grouper fishing, it is also wise to understand the habits of the grouper. These fish are commonly found around bottom structures of almost any kind, though they do have preferences, especially in certain areas. For example, in southern Florida, grouper fishing will be most productive around the tropical coral reefs. In the northern shores of the state, you'll find grouper in and around bottom ledges, as well as in artificial reefs and wreckage. The like shelter and a place to hide, and though you might think differently because of their name, grouper are very solitary fish, especially the larger ones.
Though you might find that grouper fishing can be accomplished through waiting for the fish to chase the bait, this is most often not the best tactic. Grouper prefer to ambush their prey as it passes over their hiding places. Because the grouper can change its coloration to match the hues of its surroundings, much like a chameleon, they blend in easily and have an advantage over unsuspecting prey. However, their tendency to rush the bait makes grouper fishing a simple task in terms of hooking a fish, though a bit difficult in terms of actually landing the catch.
Grouper fishing is best accomplished by using bait that is natural to the grouper's feeding habits. In open waters, grouper feed on other smaller fish, crabs, crawfish, other small crustaceans, and squid. Most of the time, you will find grouper waiting in a hole or under a ledge until an easy catch comes by, at which time they will attack, eat quickly, and return to the shelter. Free-lining live bait, straight bottom fishing, and slow trolling are the most successful approaches to grouper fishing, with trolling being the best option for the Gulf of Mexico.
Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on grouper fishing here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Eggertsen
With the new moon approaching on January 15, 07:11, I decided to post an article regarding fishing and moon phases. Enjoy.
Many anglers overlook the phases of the moon and the way that these phases affect the behavior of the fish. It's free and easy to pay a little bit of attention to the phases of the moon and then use this information to your advantage. In this article I'm going to discuss a little about this subject, so you have a better understanding of how you can use the moon to your advantage when it comes to fishing.
Understanding how fish adapt to changes in their environment allows an angler to better predict a fishes' movement and feeding. Finding out when a fish is feeding is what we're interested in, because that's when you have the best chance of catching said fish. You may know that almost all saltwater fishermen check the tides before they head out fishing. And it’s a great strategy because the tides do impact fishing, especially saltwater fishing. You do realize what causes the tides to change, don't you? That's right, the moon. The gravitational pull of the moon not only impacts the changing tides but is also pushing against some part of the earth at all times. Since water is more easily moved than the ground, water is lifted up towards the moon causing the tides to change. How high the high tide will rise, and how low the low tide may go is largely determined by the position of the moon.
The actual period of this entire cycle is 29.5 days. The cause of the phases below relate to the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. The problem with many of the moon phase charts, which can be found in any hunting and fishing magazine, is the fact that they overcomplicate all of this stuff and make you feel as if you have to have an engineering degree from Harvard to use them! Most anglers rarely find any consistent correlation to their success in these magazines. I'm going to show you how simple all of this information can really be, once you understand it.
The 2 phases of the moon that we as anglers really need to concern ourselves with is the New Moon and the Full Moon. The New Moon phase is when the moon isn't actually visible, and the Full Moon is well a full moon (when the moon is entirely visible). The most important times are the three to four day period that coincides with either the Full or New Moon. That is, the three to four day period around which these two phases of the Moon occur. These are the 2 times during the month when the fish will be most active.
This article gives you a very basic understanding of the phases of the moon and how those phases affect fishing, although it's definitely enough information to get you started. Not only started, but catching more fish as well. Simply focusing your fishing efforts on the three or four days around which either a full or new moon occur will have a dramatic effect on your catch rates.
