Cold weather requires different fishing methods for warmer water. To catch fish, find areas slightly higher than surrounding areas, such as natural springs or coves. Spring-fed waters on outgoing tides pull warm waters out of rivers, while keys along east-west and northern shorelines provide cozy fishing spots. Patience is key, as low and slow lures can be rewarding, resembling a freshwater crappie bite.
Dredge fishing is a popular method for catching billfish, including sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, white marlin, striped marlin, and tuna. However, the dredge pulley setup is crucial for deploying and retrieving dredges without causing stress on the tackle. Modern dredges, made of stainless steel or titanium, can pull various artificial lures and dead baits.
Dolphin fishing is a simple offshore fishing endeavor that requires quality products and minimal equipment. The most effective baits are live bait and chunks, which can be used with fresh or live lures. The choice of rig depends on the moon phase and the fish's appetite. Pilchards, herring, and juvenile blue runners are ideal for dolphin, with smaller rigs being ideal. A sabiki rig is recommended for catching juvenile blue runners.
Rigging trolling lures is a subjective aspect of big game fishing, with the best big game fishermen using specific lures designed by specific craftsmen. Head shapes, skirting materials, and the overlap in brands like Big T, Black Bart, Moyes, and Joe Yee are crucial factors in determining the final product.
Trolling lures for saltwater fishing can be categorized into skirted lures, swimming plugs, and stick baits. These lures are designed to mimic the appearance of specific fish, with a bib or lip on the front that forces it down into the water column. The vibration created by the lure attracts fish to strike. The rigging technique for swimming plugs is based on the fish's size and power.
Winter bass fishing is the best due to cold water driving largemouth bass to hard targets like rock, bridges, or wood. Utilizing a Lowrance structure scanning and expanding the view on the Lowrance side scan about 60-80 feet can help locate key targets. Hard targets are darker in color and are often found in rock or stumpy bottom areas. During winter, bass will suspend for safety around cover and feed as needed.
Puppy drum are a popular winter species for table and junior anglers due to their delicious, easy-to-catch, and tasty meat. They are found in bays, lagoons, and river mouths along the Gulf of Mexico and east Atlantic coastline. As they mature, they move to deeper waters for spawning, but are often wormy and not suitable for consumption beyond the mid-20 inch range.
Tripletail FADs are often seen in stone crab season, spotted around pilings, channel markers, and crab buoys. They are finer-eating fish with firm white meat, similar to grouper of snapper. They feed on bait fish and crustaceans attracted to algae on long-standing structures. Longer, grimier objects attract more algae and sea life, making them a stealthy predator.
Fishing temperature charts help catch fish by focusing on areas with high water temperature and locating productive waters. Offshore fishing is complex and requires a macro view and smaller search. Satellite charting services can help track movements and data points, allowing for predictions of future fishing locations. Understanding the learning curve and interpreting imagery is crucial for success in the ever-changing ocean world.
Seth Horne, founder, producer, and lead instructor at In The Spread, is involved in all aspects of the sport fishing videos. The company began with simple lure rigging videos in 2005, which became the highest rated and most viewed on the Marlin Magazine website. Horne sought out the best fishermen to share their expertise on film, aiming to provide a one-stop shop for fishermen interested in pure learning.
Altimetry fishing involves focusing on upwelling areas, where the ocean surface is higher or lower, using satellite charts to measure the height of the ocean. Smart fishermen use satellite-based services to identify productive areas, saving time and money. Ocean currents transport nutrients and life, creating food chains. Upwellings attract larger fish, while downwellings attract smaller bait fish.
The sheepshead fish, also known as the striped bandit, is a popular wintertime inshore fishing species along the southern Atlantic coast. They eat oysters, clams, barnacles, and crustaceans, making them difficult to catch. They spawn during the cooler months, with larger fish being more prevalent during December-February. Aim for larger fish for better meat.
The author, a southeastern US native, started fishing in Louisiana for yellowfin tuna. He grew hooked on the sport and wanted to share his knowledge with others. He developed the idea for In The Spread fishing videos during his time in the Bahamas, aiming to provide hard core instructional content for public consumption.
Chunking for yellowfin tuna can be challenging but requires understanding the fish's behavior and the right size leader. Different fishermen use different strategies, including open water and man-made structures like oil platforms and deep water trawl boats. Yellowfin tuna are voracious feeders, so understanding their feeding habits is crucial for success in this expensive endeavor.
Fall bass fishing involves focusing on working boat houses, as they are often hidden under the sun. To be successful, find the correct depth and separate boat houses. Practiced skills and a good judgment of depth are crucial for successful fishing. Fishing under boat houses can be challenging, but it's essential to fish where the fish are.
Live bait for muskie fishing is effective, especially in the fall/winter season. However, some argue it's unfair due to gut hooking. To avoid this, muskie anglers use two hooking systems: a quick strike rig, which prevents gut hooking musky, and a circle hook rig for safe hook-ups. Large baits like gizzard shad, bullhead catfish, and suckers are suitable for deep water lakes.
Big swordfish are unpredictable and difficult to handle, even for the best anglers. Miscalculations can cost you the fish of a lifetime. To catch giant swordfish, watch for signs like movement on the rod tip, a bow over the surface, or a standoff between the fish and the hook. Be prepared to catch giant swordfish and be prepared for unpredictable situations.
In The Spread offers freshwater fishing videos for those interested in big fish, largemouth bass, musky, catfish, and giants. The videos focus on planning, confidence, and patience to catch trophy fish. The team of experienced fishermen shares their knowledge, aiming to help users land fish of a lifetime. Fishing is a time-consuming and costly endeavor, so it's essential to spend wisely.
Rigging offshore trolling lures involves considering design factors like head shape, skirt, and weight. Learners should seek out successful fishermen to learn how to rig lures. Videos can provide a first-person experience and help visualize the multi-step process. By talking to successful fishermen, one can learn how to rig lures and ensure they produce bites.
Northern musky anglers are in full musky mode as summer winds down, with musky fishing season closing by the end of November in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Collins River near McMinnville TN offers a long fall season with low temperatures and clear water. September is a great time for musky fishing, with September rains providing better fishing conditions. Musky live bait and weed beds are common in shallow, weedy areas.
