Saltwater Fishing for Blue Fin Trevally

If you want to expand your saltwater fishing horizons, try the Bluefin Trevally. The Bluefin is the most beautiful of all the jacks and trevallys. Like the Big Eye trevally it is not often targeted by anglers but should be. They are found along rocky shorelines in close proximity to sandy patches of water. They are tough fighters, perhaps pound for pound the toughest of ALL jacks and trevallys and are fun to catch.

Description: The body of the Bluefin trevally is deeper than other jacks and trevallys and it's head slants towards a pointed snout. Its basic body color is silvery to blue with yellow highlights often with small black spots on its body and head. Throughout its body there are many irredescent, almost flourescent bright blue dots, blotches and patches. The same brilliant blue coloring also highlights the fins and tail of this fish. An average Bluefin trevally would be 10 pounds or so. The IGFA All-tackle record is 23 pounds 14 ounces.

Fishing Techniques: These fish are not only strong, but smart and will quite often head to the rocks which is a typical characteristic of most trevallys. By Boat: These fish are most often caught on small boats which are capable of getting in close to and maneuvering around rocky shorelines particularly areas with large protruding boulders. These fish can be caught by pitching live bait in amongst these rocks but most are caught by casting top water lures. Occasionally they will hit a "Rapala" type lure in these same areas. Surf Fishing: Along rocky shorelines Bluefin trevally are caught almost exclusively with top water lures particularly Klassic poppers and similar types slowly retrieved along the surface amongst the rocks, without any twitching, jerking etc. Fly Fishing: Try using 2/0 popper-type flies around large protruding rocks as well as sardine pattern streamers.

Edibility & Cleaning: Bluefin trevally are probably the best eating of the trevallys but not in the same class and the Yellowtail jack or Almaco jack. Fillet a Bluefin as you would any other similar type fish. Bleeding of the fish upon capture will take away most of the gamy flavor.

Saltwater Fishing for Bonefish

Bonefish are native to the Caribbean, but are particularly plentiful just off the coast of the Exuma Islands. The immaculate sandy flats of the Exumas provide the ideal location for this sport, as bonefish keep to shallow muddy and sandy flats when digging for food. Parts of the south-east side of the island are known to have some particularly good spots. Bonefish are usually caught for the sport and spirit of the chase; they are not particularly known to be so great-tasting. In fact, bonefish are said to have the most fight per pound of any other fish!

Fly fishers flock to the islands of the Bahamas every year to experience the challenge and adventure of Exuma bonefishing. Bonefish are silvery in color and are very fast-moving; it is not uncommon to see three or four enthusiastic fishermen splashing merrily through the shallow waters, rods in hand, to chase down a school, which can reach up to approximately 300 fish. A bonefish can streak up to 25 miles per hour in order to evade sharks, barracudas, and of course, energetic fishermen! An average bonefish weighs between 4 and 6 pounds, but can reach up to a whopping 19 pounds. Although bonefishing is popular in any season, the months of May to July are said to be particularly exceptional for this spirited sport.

Exuma bonefishing
Bonefishing is not your typical fishing expedition by any means. Exuma has many resources and facilities where visitors, whether amateur or pro, can visit to learn the techniques of bonefishing and seek aid from experienced and enthusiastic guides. Most guides on the island have grown up in the area and are well-versed in the movements of this slippery, silvery fish. It is important to rig up your rod straight away while your guide prepares the boat; you definitely do not want to be caught unprepared as a school of bonefish swiftly heads your way. If the tides are high, you can expect to be fishing in creeks and mangrove shorelines, as Exuma bonefishing is tide-dependent. Depending on the weather and seasonal changes, the average number of bonefish schools sighted per day in Exuma is 40 to 400, while the average number of fish caught per day is between 3 and 45.

Essentials for Eager Bonefishers

Fly rods
Reels with plenty of backing (150-200 yards)
Spare flylines
Leader material/tippets
Flies (Gotchas, Christmas Island Specials, Charlies)
Pliers/clippers/hook sharpener
Wading shoes
Wading pack
Fly tying kit
Sunglasses, hat & sunscreen
Water bottle
Light rain gear

Whether you have the craving for an exhilarating fishing experience or just want to try something new and different, Exuma bonefishing is the ideal choice. It is definitely not a passive activity and can be enjoyable for the whole family. Hooking your first bonefish is a unique and fulfilling experience that may have you adopting the sport full-time. As any local bonefisherman will tell you, there is nothing as exciting as casting your line out into that azure sea and waiting in anticipation for that impending thrill of the chase. The avid bonefisher is always scanning, anticipating, and moving in order to hook their next big one.

Saltwater Fishing: An Equipment Overview

Saltwater fishing is an exciting and rewarding sport but one which requires a not significant amount of equipment. A basic overview of what's required can be found below.

First off, you will need a good rod and reel. It is best if the rod and reel are rust free and have been washed with fresh water after every use. You will also need proper bait. Many experienced fisherman track bait fish, and catch it with a cast net by chumming the water. There are also a lot of lures and rigs that can be used to catch a variety of species. We recommend you buy a written guide or make extensive use of Google if you're unfamiliar with these things.

A prepared fisherman should always carry a knife and a net to aid in the catch. Even if the fish will not be kept, these items are still vital to the fishing process and will be used quite often.

You should always carry extra fishing line and hooks with you, as the skilled saltwater angler knows that quite often something other than a fish is hooked and the line will snap. Depending on the type of fishing you are doing, there are a variety of components that can go on your line -- most of which should be found in your lure box. A lure box is a vital piece of equipment to have when saltwater fishing, and it should contain all of your weights, hooks, bobbers, and extra line.

If you are fishing from a boat, there are several other pieces of equipment that could be of great use. A depth finder is a crucial piece of equipment, as the ocean's waters can hide hazards or often become shallow with no warning. A depth finder will warn you when the water is getting too shallow and will also often alert you to schools of fish below.

If you do reach shallow waters but still want to fish in them, then a trolling motor would be a smart choice to install on a boat. A trolling motor will allow some flat bottomed fishing boats to move through water as shallow as eight to twelve inches and will not scare the fish away since it is so quiet.

There is an abundance of saltwater fishing equipment out there. These items will help you get started and on your way to hooking some fish, but we recommend that you do some more research if you're really serious about the sport. You should always be prepared and make sure you have the required safety items needed when fishing. Most states have laws demanding mandatory items to be kept on all vessels, so make sure you are complying with your states’ laws before getting out on the water.

Saltwater Fishing for Dorado

Saltwater fishing for Dorado is the number one sport fish sought by anglers who trek to the southern Baja triangle of East Cape, San Jose del Cabo, and Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Dorado, also know as mahi-mahi and the dolphin fish (no relation to the dolphin family), are prized by nearly 95% of all anglers who fish in the area followed by Marlin at 80%. According to the survey, about 350,000 people fished the area in 2007 where they spent 633 million dollars. The industry as a whole produced 1.1 billion in revenue and creates about 25,000 jobs.

Dorado average about 15 to 28 pounds and any catch over 39 pounds is considered exceptional. They put up a hard fight and feature blunt, high foreheads and dorsal fins that extend almost the entire length of their bodies. They are further distinguished by an array of bright colors, including gold on the sides and bright blue and greens on theirs sides and back.

Mahi-mahi is a popular menu item and has almost a steak like texture. They have a mild flavor that adds to their popularity as a saltwater fishing target.

The Dorado is becoming more difficult to catch as commercial harvests are depleting the species. 85% of those surveyed said they would be more likely to come back if commercial fishing of dolphin fish was restricted or stopped all together.

According to Mexico law, dorado are strictly relegated to saltwater sport fishing but an increase activity of illegal commercial longlineing and netting are a grave concern in the Sea of Cortez. Recently, nearly 16 tons of illegally obtained dorado were seized off the coast Baja California Sur, Mexico. Three boats were seized said to be owned by the Mexican mafia.

The Right Rig

When it comes to salt water fishing, the way you present your bait can make all the difference in a productive day on the beach and a day when you come home with your stringer empty. Because it is important that you use the right saltwater fishing rigs, a guide for every angler is an invaluable asset.

Many saltwater fish feed on the bottom, so it is important to be able to put the bait right there. One good presentation, and one of the most commonly used of all saltwater fishing rigs, is the paternosters. The main objective with a paternoster is to be sure the bait rests on the floor of the sea. Put a swivel between a couple of beads. These swivels allow the rig to roll in the dips and holes more readily.

If you shorten your snood, you will find that the fish hook themselves more easily. If the fish are biting that way, you are good to go, but if you find them off the bite, just switch to a longer snood for a more natural presentation. If tangling becomes a problem, try a weaker line on the snood. It will allow the hook to come free if it really gets hung up on something. Just be aware that using a boom keeps the tangles down, but it also makes the presentation less natural and keeps you from casting as far.

If you are fishing for a more reluctant fish such as bass, you can run ledgers, and keep the fish from feeling the resistance other rigs create. The down side to running ledgers is that they snag very easily, and that being said…when you snap a snood, you can wind up losing the whole rig. So, if you want to run a ledger, it is best to do it where the bottom is clear. Running ledgers allows the bait to present naturally on the bottom of the sea bed.

Many other rigs keep the bait dangling above the bottom, making it look less natural and putting fish off the bite. You can use a double 4 fold blood knot or a leader knot to tie on your snood, but use a bead to keep it from moving past the swivel or lead. You might want to alter the second rig by attaching your sinker with weaker line if you are fishing on rough ground using short casts.

A pennel rig is basically just two hooks on a snood. The first hook is a little bigger than the second usually. Be sure to make the hook size match the bait size, and the bait size should match the fish size as always. The second hook will make all the difference when you are primarily fishing for large fish, but the waters are rich with smaller panfish as well.

Blue Marlin Fishing - Catching the Holy Grail

Saltwater fishing for Blue Marlin are considered the holy grail for sports saltwater fishermen. Known for putting up a tremendous fight when hooked, these rare marine monsters will take the wind out of your sails when hooking them. Their meat is considered a delicacy, particularly in Japan, where it is served raw as sashimi. Although not currently endangered, conservationists worry that they are being unsustainably fished, particularly in the Atlantic.

The strikingly beautiful blue marlin is the largest of the Atlantic marlins and one of the biggest fish in the world. Females, which are significantly larger than males, can reach 14 feet in length and weigh more than 1,985 pounds. Average sizes tend to be in the range of 11 feet and 200 to 400 pounds.

Native to the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, blue marlins are among the most recognizable of all fish. They are cobalt-blue on top and silvery-white below, with a pronounced dorsal fin and a long, lethal spear-shaped upper jaw.

They are so-called blue-water fish, spending most of their lives far out at sea. They are also highly migratory, and will follow warm ocean currents for hundreds and even thousands of miles.

Blue marlins prefer the higher temperature of surface waters, feeding on mackerel and tuna, but will also dive deep to eat squid. They are among the fastest fish in the ocean, and use their spears to slash through dense schools, returning to eat their stunned and wounded victims.

Tuna Fishing Heating Up Off San Diego

Saltwater Fishing is heating up for Tuna fishing out of San Diego. The boat Condor was on a stop for 20 yellowfin tuna with more fish biting, while at least two other San Diego boats has over 50 yellowfin tuna per boat.

Overall the weekend has been exciting despite the weather. While most boats had slower fishing, the Pacific Queen found a kelp and caught 100 yellowfin tuna Saturday. The Condor had 100 mixed dorado, albacore, yellowfin tuna and yellowtail Saturday.

Tanner Bank has been producing good bluefin tuna fishing for 8- to 30-pound fish all week. The Freedom from 22nd St Landing in San Pedro had 80-plus bluefin tuna while the Outrider from the same landing had 17 bluefin tuna to 25 pounds, 35 bonito to 15 pounds and a lots of rockfish.

Private boater Don Baker from Long Beach was out on Thursday with a group of friends trying for yellowfin tuna and dorado. They connected with a great catch of 16 Yellowfin tuna and three large dorado fishing east of Santa Catalina Island near the 209 and 181 banks. The keys to tuna fishing were finding porpoises and using a 2-ounce sinker to get down to the tuna.

Catalina continues to produce sporadic yellowtail catches, while coastal fishing remains hit and miss for calico bass, sand bass, yellowtail, bonito and barracuda.