Deep Sea Fishing Tips For Beginners

Perhaps you have been a long time fisher, standing safely in the surf. Maybe you love the ocean and want to try something new and different. No matter what the reason, deep sea fishing is an exciting and adventurous sport.

Before you grab a rod and reel and set out to find a boat, there are some things to keep in mind. Follow some simple tips and your experience deep sea fishing will be safe and fun. To help get you out on the water, quicker, we have compiled a list of tips and hints for beginners.

Deep Sea Fishing Tips For Beginners

1. Have a professional with you

It is always a good idea to bring an expert along. Since this is new to you, an expert will help make sure that you are safe out on the water.

The professional you bring along can be a friend with a lot of experience, someone with their own boat, or it can be a person that you’ve hired to help you navigate the waters and show you the ropes. Don’t hesitate to hire someone, it is not as expensive as you think, and it is a good investment for getting the most out of your time on the water. Even though you may think that you can handle anything that the open water throws at you, keep in mind that conditions can change for the worse quite quickly. A professional will know exactly what needs to be done. As an added bonus, a professional can help you in finding the very best fishing spots and can show you what techniques work.

2.Use the right boat

Unless you own a boat that is appropriate for fishing offshore, you are going to have to rent or borrow one. Make sure that you use a boat that can handle any type of weather condition that may suddenly happen once you are out at sea; this includes large waves.  Choosing the right boat is essential.

If you’re planning on staying out for an extended period of time, which is quite common with deep sea fishing, you are going to want to get something that’s fairly large. A smaller boat is ok to use if you’re only going out for a few hours of the day, but anything longer and you should really aim for a boat with comfortable seating and a cabin to rest in.

3.Make sure you have the right equipment

Deep sea fishing requires you to have the right gear! It is a good idea to have on hand navigational gear such as a fish finder, GPS systems, and nautical maps. Having access to this equipment onboard can make your trip safer and increase your chances of a big catch.

You should also make sure that the boat you are renting has equipment like rod holders and livewells. These are usually included with the rental, but double check. You should also check to make sure you have suitable fishing seats, cranking outriggers, and an onboard grill if you are hoping to cook what you catch!

4.Use the right live bait

Live bait is usually the best way to attract the larger fish when you are offshore fishing. It is a good idea to make sure that your boat is equipped with multiple livewells, which will allow you to keep a variety of bait ready and ensure it stays fresh. A livewell is basically a large tank that is used onboard fishing vessels to store live bait safely.

You can also purchase live bait from any number of local bait shops and suppliers and easily bring it with you on your deep-sea fishing trip. But you also have the option to catch the bait yourself while you are out at sea. This method can be an extremely cost-efficient and effective.

5. Know how to properly anchor the boat

While you certainly can drag lures behind the boat and using live bait while deep sea fishing, don’t forget to occasionally anchor the boat so you can drop bait down while the waters are still. Remember, there are certain types of fish that may not necessarily be attracted to the dragged lured, such as grouper or snapper.

Anchoring the boat also gives you the chance to just sit back and relax, which is one of the most enjoyable parts about fishing.

If you do have access to a fish finder, then you will be able to calculate the depth below you. This information will help you to figure out what kinds of lures and baits will be best suited to the fish you’re hoping to catch.

Other tips

• Sea sickness-If you are prone to nausea and sea sickness, this might be tough for you. Make sure to take anti-nausea and anti- sea sickness medication to help.
• Be aware of conditions– It is always a good idea to be aware of the weather and sea conditions of the area you expect to be fishing in. Make sure to watch local reports. You should also trust your instinct.
• Know what you are fishing for- Make sure that you are only fishing what you intended to. This means you will need to discern the differences between fish. This is so that you do not catch too many of one type. Don’t worry, you will learn as you go.
• Use good artificial lures– Different fish are attracted to different lures. Make sure that you bring a wide variety with you for better chances of success. Usually artificial lures are dragged behind the boat, a process called trolling. This also helps you cover a larger area more easily.

Conclusion

Deep sea fishing is an exciting sport. It is a great way to spend time with friends, as well. Make sure that you have a professional with you the first few times you head out. Their expertise will be helpful from reading the weather conditions, to managing the boat, to knowing where to fish.

Once you are properly prepared with the right equipment and friends, you are ready for a great time deep sea fishing on the open seas.