While you have probably heard the phrase that you worst day spent fishing is always better than your best day spent at work, ocean fishing is even more fun. The great thing about fishing in the ocean is that you never know what you might catch.
There are all kinds of sea bass, perch, trout, flounders, groupers, herring, sharks, eels, rock fish, and various other fish too numerous to mention. Plus, they are all great fighters, sometimes taking more than 20 minutes of hard work and skill to reel them in. If you love going on ocean fishing trips, use these tips to help make your time on the sea more enjoyable.
Prepare The Night Before Going Offshore
Depending on where you go ocean fishing, if you go out in a boat where there are giant ocean swells, you run the risk of getting sea sick. This is a horrible affliction of nausea and vomiting that ends immediately when you return to shore.
However, most people can avoid getting sick by keeping their focus on the horizon so that their eyes and inner ears agree on the motion caused by the waves. The absolute worse thing you can do is concentrate on something inside your boat, like baiting hooks, undoing tangles and tying lines. When your eyes think that you’re not moving, but your inner ear balancing system says otherwise, then you get sick.
Be sure that you take the time to tie all of your fishing knots, lures, and bait hooks the night before so you don’t get sick and save time while out at sea. There are also non-drowsy sea sick pills you can take that my prevent you from becoming sick. If you know you’re prone to seasickness, take the pills ahead of time.
Stop At The Local Bait Shop
Fisherman always need some kind of bait, but sometimes you have plenty of it from near your home or job. But you should still take the time to stop at the local bait seller near your launching ramp before you go deep sea fishing to find out where the fish are biting and which bait they’re attracted to.
You’ll find this information could make the difference between catching dozens of large salmon or only catching one rockfish instead. Fish congregate in certain areas and eat specific foods at different times. Knowing what’s working can help a lot. You should also take a quick walk up and down the dock before you leave and to see who has caught what and how. Ask a few questions and congratulate them on their fine catch.
You should also know what type of fish you’re after and stick to that type of fishing. Salmon usually go after herring being trolled, while rockfish and halibut feed on the bottom. You can’t fish both ways at the same time so pick one method and stick to it. You still may catch one or two of a different species, but your main focus should be clear.
Your ocean fishing trips should be fun and enjoyable for you and your fishing buddies. By taking the time to prepare the day before, you will catch far more fish, get sick less often, and be safer on your ocean adventure.