| Deep sea fishing is an exciting experience, where | | | | wahoo will all eagerly take these baits. |
| you're far out in the ocean and it's just you, the boat, | | | | Always make sure you have your baits prepared |
| and the fish. There are lots of deep sea fishing | | | | before applying sunscreen, or else make sure you've |
| grounds scattered around the world's oceans. If you're | | | | washed your hands with non-scented soap and water |
| keen to give it a try, a deep sea fishing excursion is | | | | first. It's important to minimize handling of the baits, and |
| probably best done through a charter. | | | | try to only use good quality bait. Avoid bait with scales |
| The equipment used for deep sea fishing is quite | | | | missing or that had red spots around the nose. If you |
| specific, and needs to be very heavy duty, including the | | | | want to save yourself some money, you can often |
| rods and reels. A single reel needs to hold as much as | | | | find good deep sea fishing baits around fishing cleaning |
| 300 yards of line, and the line will need to be between | | | | tables, bridges, markers and docks. Keep an eye on |
| 12 and 30 pound-test, according the fish species you're | | | | the seabirds and you'll get a clue where to find bait. If |
| targeting. If you're inexperienced, it's best if you use the | | | | they've found bait, they fly in tight circles and dive |
| 30-pound test-line. More skilled anglers will find a 12 | | | | down to get it. Pelicans that dive and immediately lift |
| pound-test line a great deal more challenging. It's also | | | | their heads have found herring or pilchards. |
| important to make sure your rod, reel and line are all | | | | When it comes to gear, your destination plays a big |
| balanced in size. Your hook should be sized between | | | | part in determining what you need. One thing is |
| 3.0 and 6.0. You should tie your leaders to a double line, | | | | standard though - take rain gear to protect yourself in |
| and they need to be between 10 and 15 feet long. | | | | inclement weather. Always ask the charter company |
| They should also be between 30 and 50 pound-test. | | | | what you should bring when you first book the deep |
| One of the best things about deep sea fishing is the | | | | sea fishing excursion. Quite often they'll give you a list, |
| huge range of fish you can target, including cod, | | | | which makes it easier to remember everything you |
| haddock, wolf fish, Pollock, halibut, tuna, cusk, shark, | | | | need. |
| swordfish, sailfish, marlin, rockfish, dorado and wahoo. If | | | | It's a good idea to ask around for referrals when |
| you want a good all round bait for deep sea fishing, | | | | choosing a charter company. Make sure they have |
| then use live ballyhoo. Some of the larger baits you | | | | the proper permits and insurance, and are well |
| might like to try include speedos, googleyes, blue | | | | respected. It's best if they have been licensed for at |
| runners, cut bait, dead bait rigs and lures, although live | | | | least two years, and check their references. If at any |
| bait is usually considered the best. You should always | | | | stage they seem reluctant to provide credentials, |
| aim to present your fish with natural prey when you're | | | | move on. Don't feel embarrassed to ask for proof of |
| choosing your bait. So for the best bait, use smaller fish | | | | insurance, licensing and bonds. Also make sure they |
| like herring, pilchards, sand perch, threadfin, lugworms, | | | | have sufficient safety equipment and are fully |
| mackerel, hermit crabs, mussels, squid, shrimp, mullets | | | | bondable. |
| and sandeel. Kingfish, snapper, grouper, tuna and | | | | |