Undoubtedly, you’ll find more opportunity as you head further south during the colder months. What fish bite best in the winter, however, really does depend on geography.

In the Northeast, there is little inshore action to speak of from late December through early spring. Anglers will need to entertain themselves with offshore trips for bottom feeders like ling, scup, black sea bass and tile fish. These fish are often caught aboard charter or open boats that can reach favored deep-water wrecks that may be 30 to 50 miles offshore. Southeast Coast anglers, enjoy easy access to inshore species like redfish, southern flounder, sea trout and sheepshead. In Florida, the Keys and around to the Gulf Coast, piscators can score well right through the dead of winter. With a host of species including snook, redfish, sea trout, snapper, grouper and sheepshead on inshore flats, around mangroves, marshes, and rock walls.

No matter what you consider to be the best fish to catch in January, February and March, the main keys to muscling in on the action are likely to be similar. You’ll want to concentrate efforts in the warmest water you can find for the areas you intend to fish. Slow down your presentation, and scale down the size of lures and baits.

The most important thing to keep in mind for consistent winter-time inshore action is to be aware of temperature trends.

Fish are cold-blooded and their metabolism slows as water temperature drops. This causes them to feed lethargically and simply seem disinterested in doing battle if the temperature drop is sharp or prolonged. It’s amazing the positive influence even a degree or two of can have on the propensity of fish to feed. Get two or three consecutive days of warming weather and the upswing in action can really be significant. It makes sense then to concentrate efforts as much as possible during warming trends since they heat up the water.

Conversely, a sharp cold snap often has the opposite effect, shutting down the bite. Even during dropping temperatures, though, there are still options on the inshore scene. Areas protected from wind tend to stay a little warmer than those that are fully exposed. Places with moderate current may run a degree or two warmer than nearby waters that are pushing harder. Mud bottoms, being dark in color, heat up more quickly than surrounding waters. Deep holes or channels adjacent to flats allow fish to easily slide into deeper water to escape a fresh chill. The fish will return to the shallows as they once again begin to warm.

Note, too, that because their metabolisms have slowed, most fish species tend to prefer smaller baits and lures during the winter months.

They are also less willing to expend effort chasing down fast-moving lures. For these reasons, live shrimp often catch better than fast-moving lures with a lot of wiggle action during the winter months. If you would rather still throw lures, however, scale down the size and slow your retrieve. On the coldest days, you might even want to simply drag a small hair jig, grub or swimbait slowly across the bottom to trigger more strikes.

Of course, you’ll need to pick your days carefully if you fish in an area where winter weather is significantly cold. You might also consider having a de-icer for your boat in such situations. Keep the possibility of rapidly changing weather in mind and file a float plan with someone you trust.

Sun-screen, polarized sunglasses and UV protective clothing are all just as necessary on winter-time fishing adventures as they are in the summer to avoid sun damage to your body. Even though the temperature may be cold, those bright, sunny winter days can be harsh on your skin. Don’t forget to dress for warmth and comfort throughout the trip since it’s hard to detect the often-subtle feel of winter bites if your fingers are frozen. With more layers, be sure to wear a properly fitted life jacket and know what to expect if you do fall in the water, and how to react if it happens. The Sea Tow Foundation has more cold water tips to help you plan accordingly for a successful day on the water.

Unmatched Membership Benefits

Sea Tow membership goes beyond 24/7 on-water assistance and members receive the most comprehensive benefits available. Membership includes a full suite of services for every boat you own or rent. Learn more about our membership options today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use our service locator or call our Customer Care Team at 800-4-SEATOW.

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the thirst for knowledge evolves into a life-long pursuit of attaining master angler status, the irony being that the game can never be fully mastered.

If you’re a beginner, take the time to understand topics such as the influence of tidal movement, matching the hatch, using fish-finding electronics, and which bait or lures are best. Take solace if new to the game, even the kings and queens of the sport are humbled from time to time – a primary trigger that keeps them coming back for more.

But what exactly are the qualities of a good fisherman? The list is headed by a strong desire to learn everything possible about the quarry. The drive to test newly acquired skills, and a serious attention to small details. Keep in mind that patience is indeed a virtue when it comes to fishing for there’s simply no way to learn everything all at once.

Some tips for beginning fishermen:

Keep Things Simple: Truth be told, you only need minimal gear to get going on this adventure. Most anglers start out with either a basic spinning rod and reel combo for casting situations or a conventional set-up for bottom fishing. If you’re not sure what these fishing outfits are, take a trip to the local tackle shop. Staff can suggest a fishing setup that includes a few select lures or bait-fishing rigs, tailored specifically to both your skill level and local options.

Learn First Hand: Ask if you can tag along on a trip with a fishing friend or relative because nothing beats learning from someone with first-hand experience at the game. If you don’t have a friend that fishes, hop aboard an open boat or hire a guide or charter skipper to take you out. The captain or crew will provide personal instruction on how to best tempt, hook and land the fish you seek. If you’re lucky they may even show you a couple of local fishing hot spots.

Know Your Knots: You’ll also need to learn a few fishing knots before heading out, and read up a bit on how to find fish to help get yourself started.

Follow the Rules: When it comes to releasing fish, catch, photograph and release (CPR) is the rule to follow. Be careful to avoid any spines or teeth, hold your catch with wet hands and without using a rag. Handle it as little as possible, and get it right back in the drink.

A good rule of thumb is to keep fish out of the water no longer than you can hold your breath.

With a little practice, that leaves just enough time to unhook your quarry and snap a quick photo or two.

Check Local Regulations: As for keeping fish, check local regulations as to size and creel limits, as well as fishing licenses or permits needed. If you plan to keep some fish for dinner, you’ll want to research caring for your catch as well. Keep in mind, that you don’t have to keep everything you catch. In fact, the fewer you bring home, the more you’ll need to go fishing to restock. That, believed by many veteran anglers, is a trade that’s hard to pass up.

Keep Your Catch Fresh: Most species last about one week in the refrigerator before it should be moved to the freezer. Those that are frozen can be eaten for up to a year or so but generally taste best over the first six months.

Fishing Gear Checklist

Fishing essentials vary based on a wide variety of factors including the species targeted, fishing locations, and size of the catch. At a basic minimum, carry the following items on most fishing trips:

• Rod and reel
• Tackle box
• Lures and/or bait
• Sinkers and/or floats (bobbers)
• Swivels and quick-connect snaps
• Appropriately sized hooks
• Landing net or gaff
• Pliers, hook-out or forceps for removing hooks
• Wire cutters
• Cooler and ice
• Rags
• Sunblock
• Polarized sunglasses and brimmed hat
• Water or liquids for hydration
• Cell phone or VHS

How can Sea Tow help?

Sea Tow Captains work harder and smarter to keep you boating, which is why 25% of service calls are resolved without towing. Have questions about navigating a tricky channel? Who is a good guide to fish a new area with? Call us. Worry less and boat more knowing that Sea Tow is standing by 24/7.

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If you plan to fish with a guide, of course, you’ll be covered since they provide everything you need. For less formal fishing around the resort, marina, or at a local beach, however, a two-piece 7-ft spinning rod spooled with a 30-lb test braid and a very basic tackle box should keep you in the game.

With lures and terminal gear, the goal should be to carry just enough to fill a small tackle box. Start with a couple of small tins. These work from a boat or the beach and catch nearly every predator that swims. They cast a mile, can be jigged vertically or ripped just beneath the surface. Virtually indestructible, the AVA 007 and 27 – with bare hooks instead of tube tails – are good choices as is a 2-oz Hopkin’s Shorty. Carry at least two of each.

Capt. Johnston McCurry

Bucktails are another all-purpose selection.

Use these to probe the bottom or to work areas with strong currents such as bridge abutments and inlets. Two or three each in sizes, ½-oz and 1-oz, should do the job. White is a universal color that catches fish under just about any condition. To tip your bucktails, use fresh-caught fish strips or pack a jar of Fat Cow trailers in white or red. If you favor Berkley Gulp! grab it after arriving at your destination to avoid juices possibly leaking in transit – and give the remainder away before heading home. The shrimp pattern seems to be a southern favorite. Either Gulp! or live shrimp can also be fished using a ¼ to ½-oz plain jighead.

A solid set of soft-plastic swimbaits is also a good idea. Storm Wildeye Shad and Tsunami in the 4-in size are easy to use and bring consistent results. Chuck them as far out as possible and retrieve them at slow, medium, or fast speeds until you find a winner. Panther Martin’s Big Fin is another excellent choice. It has a thin profile – and it’s weedless. Use the 1-oz size in shallow water and the 2-oz size in deeper water or fast currents. White and chartreuse patterns work well as does all black – an absolutely evil pattern for night fishing around bridges and other structures.

Capt. Todd Pence

A few additional fishing tips before heading off on that dream winter vacation:

● Southern waters teem with toothy critters including barracuda, jacks and various shark species so bring wire leaders to limit cut-offs. A 10-in length of size #2 wire leader (~20-lb test) will defeat the dentures of most inshore predators while not spooking discerning species like grouper and snapper.

● Shallow waters are often crystal-clear and fish feeding in them can be exceptionally wary. Use fluorocarbon leaders when targeting bonefish, permit, redfish, sea trout or other small-toothed, flats and tidal creek favorites. Fluorocarbon leaders virtually vanish in the water and greatly increase hook-up ratios.

● Choose polarized sunglasses that wrap around the sides of your face for optimal glare reduction. When looking for fish in shallow water, watch for dark shadows moving across the bottom instead of trying to spot actual fish. A high sun makes spotting shadows easier so there’s less need for a daybreak start.

● Find time to fish the bridges (where allowed). The waters around them sport tarpon and snook. Novice anglers favor popular hot spots during the day – sharpies return after dark when bigger fish come out to play.

Photos courtesy of Captain Experiences.

How can Sea Tow help?

Sea Tow Captains work harder and smarter to keep you boating, which is why 25% of service calls are resolved without towing. Have questions about navigating a tricky channel? Who is a good guide to fish a new area with? Call us. Worry less and boat more knowing that Sea Tow is standing by 24/7.

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The Uni Knot:  for line to spool

The Double Uni Knot:  for Joining Two Lines

The Improved Clinch Knot: For Simple Like to Tackle

Knowing a variety of fishing knots just might help you catch the big one! If you’re looking to learn even more check out this guide from our friends at TakeMeFishing.org.

sea tow will keep you fishing

Whether you fish inshore or offshore, our captains are standing by to help keep you fishing. Sea Tow has been the premier leader in on-water boating assistance since 1983. With Sea Tow, you pay one annual rate and receive the most comprehensive member benefits available. Membership includes a full suite of on-water assistance services for every boat you own, rent, bareboat charter, lease or borrow. Learn more about our membership options today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use our service locator or call our Customer Care Center at 800-4-SEATOW.

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Points: Raised shore points that slide out into the water often extend far from shore. Work the slope to sample various water depths and bottom types without investing extra travel time. Points often produce mixed-bag catches including bass, walleye, trout and muskie.

Coves: Push to the back to discover quiet water dotted with docks, retaining walls, swim rafts, etc. Quietly pull within a short cast of any hard structure to tempt bass, pike and assorted panfish.

Weedy Flats: Novice anglers often pass up weedy stretches, but experts know big bass and pike lurk in the subaqueous tunnels beneath the canopy. Use a weedless worm, creature bait or punch jig here to tempt bass and pike – or break out a flyrod and panfish popper to tangle with slab bluegills and pumpkinseed sunfish in small breaks between the mats.

Eddies: Areas where the bottom drops off or the current is deflected, such as around bridge abutments, are havens for predatory species looking to ambush baitfish in the current. Work drop-off edges for bass, walleye and big trout. Fish stinky bait on the bottom for Mr. Whiskers (catfish).

Unmatched Membership Benefits

Sea Tow membership goes beyond 24/7 on-water assistance and members receive the most comprehensive benefits available. Membership includes a full suite of services for every boat you own or rent. Learn more about our membership options today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use our service locator or call our Customer Care Team at 800-4-SEATOW.

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Don’t Think Too Much

It amazes me how anglers new to ice fishing bee-line to the middle of a frozen lake expecting to find the fish gathered in a nice, tight school. As with any other time of the year, different kinds of fish seek out different kinds of structures. Bass will still be found around submerged logs and man-made structures. Pike will likely suspend along the edge of shoal waters. Yellow perch, walleye, and trout tend to cruise level stretches beside points. Bluegill, pumpkinseed, or crappies frequently gather a short swim from the mouth of a shallow cove or expansive flat.

The point being, don’t discard everything you already know about a lake when it comes to ice fishing. Expect the fish to locate slightly deeper but still close to waters that delivered in the spring and fall.

A good rule of thumb on smaller waters, especially, is to drill where you would position your boat if you were casting toward the shore.

Quiet Can Be Key

Ice may seem like a terrific sound barrier but loud conversation and banging gear can shut down the bite in a hurry. If fishing close to home, try drilling a few ice fishing holes at lunchtime and returning to fish them an hour or two before dark. That way, you can quietly scoop each hole open and be ready to go by prime time.

No Shadows

As you figure out where to prospect, keep the moving shadows to a minimum. Position ice fishing holes in areas where the snow has built up enough to prevent your shadow from penetrating the frozen surface. If you play the sun right, you can drill a hole so that your shadow falls onto snow behind you while your lure is working clear ice ahead. Trout, yellow perch, walleye, and crappies seem especially fond of snowy shadow lines.

Load Up The Bait

The standard theory on ice fishing baits and lures is to go small. This is because fish are cold-blooded and their metabolism slows considerably in cold water.

With less need to feed, your wintertime quarry is likely to strike softly and favor tiny jigs or small shiners.

I’ve strayed from this conventional wisdom and begun baiting up a 1/16- or 1/32-ounce Northland Forage Minnow Spoon, KastMaster or tear drop jig with as many wax worms as I can fit on the hooks. This way of baiting up is called a “Medusa” presentation because of all those wiggling ends. The flash of the jig draws the biggest fish over for a look and when they see that knob of bait, the feeding instinct outweighs all caution.

Keep It Safe

“Safety first” is the ice fishing mantra. Four inches of ice is the minimum on which to venture. Be aware that areas around inflows, outflows, and standing structures are easily compromised. Fishing with a buddy is a good idea, but be sure to spread apart to disperse your weight. Dress for the elements and wear a life jacket under your snowsuit. Pro tip – keep a screwdriver or ice pick in each pocket to help you crawl back onto solid ice if you fall through.

Cold as it may be, the ice fishing season runs short and sweet. It’s only a matter of weeks before you’ll contemplate unwrapping your boat and heading back out into open water.

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Make sure you get them started off on the right foot!

Rather than go for the big splash, start with a simple, clear plastic box. Keep it to the vital fishing items rather than a hundred different pieces that probably will never be used. Be sure to look for models that have a waterproof seal and secure latching top. The beauty of a small, clear tackle box is that it’s easy to handle. It also allows a view of its contents without having to flip open the lid.

In terms of putting together that first box, though, keep things simple and age appropriate.

For freshwater, include a couple of floats, a small pack of split shots, and several hooks. Think about the sizes and styles your youngster will need most often. Also consider two or three easy-to-use lures that work where he or she will generally fish. You might also provide a nail clipper for cutting line and a small, set of pliers for removing hooks from the catch.

The same basic theory holds for saltwater fishing. Start with a few hooks of appropriate size and style, some lightweight sinkers or split shots, and a couple of small floats. For lures, include a pair of small diamond jigs since they work just about anywhere, a ½- to ¾-ounce white bucktail, a 2- 4-inch soft-plastic swimbait, and, perhaps, a small popper to work up some topwater action.

While this won’t cover all the bases for your budding fishing partner, it’s a great way to get them started. That, and a bit of time spent together on the water, can be a terrific formula for hooking the next generation on your favorite pastime.

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Well, that’s partially true. The problem is that a lot of lures are area and/or species-specific. The best choices of these for your angling crew are discovered with a trip to a local tackle shop. Simply ask the salesman to guide you to a choice or two that match up well with local species and conditions. Many anglers have a favorite tackle shop or marina where they check in regularly. Chances are good that someone on staff will even know your angler’s preference. Problem solved.

How do you know which lures – and which colors – to pick out then?

Fortunately, there are some lure types that have a nearly universal appeal. The simple bucktail, for example, is a hook embedded in a lead head jig and finished with either a deer hair or synthetic hair imitation tail. Because of their size, shape, and weight range, bucktails can be worked at any depth for virtually any kind of predatory fish. Think summer flounder on the bottom to pelagic surface feeders like mahi mahi. A ¾ or 1-oz., white or chartreuse Spro Bucktail jig is a gift just about any angler can use. The jigs are tied cleanly, cast well, and catch well. Tipped with a red or white Fat Cow 3-1/2-inch Eel Tail Jig Strip for extra action, they will catch nearly any predatory fish that swims.

A solid set of soft-plastic swimbaits is another can’t miss fishing gift. Panther Martin makes a weedless, slim-bodied lure called the Big Fin 3-in-1 Paddletail Weedless Swimbait. Buy the 1-ounce size for anglers whofavor shallow, inshore waters and the 2-ounce size for those who go deeper. White and chartreuse patterns will work well, as will all black – an absolutely evil pattern for night fishing around bridges and other snook structure. Storm WildEye Swim Shads are also easy to use and bring consistent results. As with the Big Fins, simply cast them out and retrieve at slow, medium or fast speeds until you find a winner. The four-inch size is a perennial winner.

Some anglers really like a challenge and for them, topwater fishing often produces the biggest thrill.

To tackle this gift, consider the Tactical Anglers Crossover Stalker. It will bring just about any aggressive saltwater feeder right to the surface in response to a simple side-to-side (walk-the-dog) retrieve across the surface. Big stripers, redfish, and snook seem especially drawn to this lure.

There’s no better way to load up with lures that will work in hometown waters than by taking a trip to the nearest tackle shop. If you prefer to shop online, however, any of the above options are sure to bring both smiles and tight lines.

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When bass, blues, snook, reds or even tuna blitz on the surface, there is no way more challenging or fun to tempt them than casting surface poppers. Big fish crashing the surface make your heart pump faster, your brow sweat, and your mind race. In short, they make you feel like a kid again!

How do you use fishing poppers?

Essentially, you cast out into the middle of some surface-breaking mayhem. Then, bring the lure back to the boat using repeated short jerks of the rod while continuing to reel. The idea is to get the lure’s face to kick up a splash while the tail end wiggles like frantic baitfish trying to escape. It sounds more complicated than it actually is. Once you’ve seen it done and given it a couple of tries, most anglers quickly get the hang of things.

There’s no denying that having a few tricks up your sleeve can lead to greater success, especially during the fall run. With that in mind, here are several tips for more hook-up when tossing these big, splashy fish magnets.

• Provoke Reaction Strikes: Vary the retrieve in clear water so predators can’t get a good look at your lure. Add direction changes to each retrieve or “walk the dog” for added chaos. Bounce the rod tip from side to side with each crank of the handle.
• Repeat the Sequence: Predatory fish often miss on initial strikes in rough or discolored water. Repeating the popping sequence helps them to zero in on the target. Rather than randomly or chaotically popping the lure across the surface, use a straight retrieve with a cadence that is easy to anticipate: pop, pop, pop, for example, or pop, pause, pop, pause and repeat.
• Work your lure quickly for speedy predators like bluefish. Fish slower for fish with larger, more rounded bodies like stripers, redfish, and snook.
• Wait for it! Don’t be quick setting the hook when fish explode on poppers. Delay your strike a split-second so your quarry can fully engulf the lure and turn away. That will position the hooks to dig in deep and help keep your prize from becoming unbuttoned. A quick count of two or three after seeing the strike is all that’s needed to significantly increase your hook-up rate.
• Keep in mind that topwater blitzes are most likely to occur around daybreak and dusk, although they can repeat over and over again at predictable tidal stages in select locations. Keep a log of each blitz and you may be able to find reliable action. The first two hours of an ebbing tide at the mouth of an inlet, for example, is a classic blitz scenario.
• Diving birds are a tell-tale sign of surface-feeding predators. Watch for clouds of terns, gulls, and pelicans in a panic. If the fish are feeding on the surface, those birds will be diving with abandon. Keeping a pair of binoculars on board to scan the horizon can be a really big help.
• Lastly – and most importantly – don’t gun your engine to race to the fish. Although these surface eruptions may make predatory species appear as though they have thrown all caution to the wind, the sound of a vessel roaring up alongside the school can quickly put them down. When you see surface activity – or even diving birds – ease over at just above idle, cut the engine, then use the current and wind to drift into casting range.

MEMBER BENEFITS BEYOND 24/7 TOWING

As the premier leader in on-water boating assistance, Sea Tow members receive the most comprehensive benefits available. Membership includes a full suite of on-water assistance services for every boat you own or rent. Learn more about our membership options today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use our service locator or call our Customer Care Team at 800-4-SEATOW.

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Called “fluke” from New Jersey north and simply “flounder” further south, this tasty flatfish hits the inshore scene hard when small baitfish like sand eels, spearing, peanut bunker, bay anchovies or pilchards make the scene. The biggest summer flounder – those weighing 8 pounds or more – are also called doormats in recognition of their rug-like shape and appearance. Blessed with the ability to change their basic brown color patterns to match the sea floor, they lie in wait for a passing baitfish to scurry past and then pounce on the prey with an aggressive quickness that belies their simple appearance.

Summer flatties can be ravenous at times and downright frustrating to pin down at others. Still, they are an everyman’s fish in every sense of the word. Available in both inshore bay and ocean waters, they are generally aggregable, numerous enough to offer a reasonable chance at taking a few home on most trips, and they provide some of the best table fares to be hauled from the deep blue sea.

Long-time friends Ann and Matt Martin first turned us on to Fish Francese years ago, passing along a recipe for chicken that they liked for fluke. My wife, Felicia, has naturally modified the original recipe over time, culminating in what may be our favorite way to enjoy the tasty summer flattie.

While excellent for fluke, this recipe also works well with winter flounder, sea bass, grouper, sheepshead and other white or light-fleshed species that you might normally consider for a fish fry.

This recipe is less involved than the number of ingredients and steps suggest. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of linguini, gemelli, penne or similar pasta
• 1.5–2 lbs. fluke or similar fillets cut into 4-inch long pieces
• 1 cup unbleached white flour
• 3 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Old Bay or other seafood seasoning to taste
• 2-3 lemons; 1 cut into thin slices with seeds removed. Reserve other(s) for juicing
• 2-3 tbsp. butter
• 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
• ¾ cup light white wine
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup fish/seafood stock or clam juice (substitute an additional cup of chicken stock if you don’t have these)
• 1 cup pasta water
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley
• Capers

 Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta according to directions, reducing cooking time by 1 minute. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta is cooking, set up one shallow bowl with the flour and one for the eggs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and add Old Bay or other seafood seasoning to your liking.
3. Preheat a large cast iron skillet or another large pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp. each of butter and olive oil.
4. Cook lemon slices for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Set aside.
5. Lower heat to medium. Add another tbsp. each of butter and olive oil to pan. Just before placing the fish in the pan, dredge first in the flour and then in the egg. Cook each piece for 2-3 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until golden and slightly brown. You may need to add additional olive oil and butter to pan as you cook more fish.
6. Keep the cooked fish warm by covering it with foil as you cook the remainder of the fish.
7. After all the fish is cooked, deglaze the pan with wine and add the stock(s) plus the juice of 1-2 lemons, depending on your taste. Reduce for 10-12 minutes. Since you will be serving the fish over the pasta, add the reserved 1 cup of pasta water if you like more saucy, moist pasta.
8. Toss ½ of the liquid over the pasta with the grated Parmesan cheese and some parsley. Keep the pasta warm.
9. Put the fish in the remaining reduced liquid and cook for 5-7 minutes on low heat, covered.
10. Place the fish over the pasta and pour the remaining liquid over. Place the cooked lemon slices, capers, and chopped parsley over the fish.
11. Serve with your favorite seasonal roasted vegetable like asparagus or broccoli, or with a simple salad.

Note: Unlike baking, cooking is not an exact science. Readers are encouraged to adjust and modify this recipe to their own tastes. More recipes by Felicia Scocozza can be found at www.outdoortom.com.

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The basic premise is really simple.

“The goal is to excite seriously large surface-feeding predators with a large popper in the hopes of getting them to gobble a surface popper or streamer fly,” explains Catalano. “The key is to remove the hooks from the surface plug. That way, even if a monster fish crushes the lure, you can still pull it away. If that happens two or three times, the fish can become seemingly crazed with rage.”

As one angler continues to retrieve the hookless popper on a spinning rod, the second angler casts the fly as the chase comes into range. Frustrated with being unable to hold onto the lure, big fish lash out at the fly.

To be sure, this technique is a really basic trick – but it is amazingly successful at connecting youngsters and novice fly-rodders with some real tackle busters. While most popular with fly-casters, the procedure can also be employed with spinning gear by throwing a hookless popper and then following it up with a large soft-plastic jerk bait along the lines of a 10-inch Hogy lure.

The old bait and switch; give it a try next time you have a novice angler aboard who needs a confidence boost. You’ll be amazed at the results!

MEMBER BENEFITS BEYOND 24/7 TOWING

As the premier leader in on-water boating assistance, Sea Tow members receive the most comprehensive benefits available. Membership includes a full suite of on-water assistance services for every boat you own, rent lease or bareboat charter. Learn more about our membership options today. To find the Sea Tow closest to you, use our service locator or call our Customer Care Team at 800-4-SEATOW.

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