Over 70% of our planet is ocean, and these challenging waters are full of surprises. If you ask me, everyone should be thinking about venturing offshore at least once in their life—especially if you like angling! The game changes significantly when you head offshore fishing. The environment, species, techniques, and equipment required for success are unique as you venture into the deep.
But what technically counts as offshore? What makes this fishing so unique? Getting started as a beginner isn’t easy and it’s a good idea to spend time with experienced professionals to beat the learning curve. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a head start! In this article, I’ll cover the broad spectrum of offshore fishing species, the top techniques, and everything that makes it a thrilling experience.
What makes offshore fishing distinct?
You’ll find some overlap between inshore and offshore species, especially the pelagic species that travel long distances. But the main difference with offshore fishing is that you’ll be casting your line more than a couple of miles away from the shoreline.
While inshore fisheries are a short ride away from land, with small boats being able to make the trip, you’ll need a bigger vessel to get offshore. That means a more powerful motor, more fuel capacity, and deeper hulls to punch through big waters.
The baits and general approach are often more geared towards covering ground to find fish as well. This means teasing and running very visible rigs across a swath of the ocean. It’s a game of big space that requires experience and strategy to find and land the fish in the open ocean. Beyond that, navigation and boating in this environment call for serious skills and top-notch equipment.
Top Offshore Species to Target
The first thing on most anglers’ minds is what are they going to catch. As I already mentioned, there are plenty of surprises out there. So much so that the list of fish you can catch offshore is almost endless! I’ll focus on some of the most common and popular fish to pursue offshore, especially around the US.
Although offshore fishing is most often associated with deep waters, you can encounter reefs and structure a long way from any dry land, too. This opens the door to many species you might also find inshore—but they’ll usually be much, much bigger! Let’s start with them…
Reef Fish
Offshore reefs and areas with structure are hotbeds of activity. Amberjack, Snapper, Barracuda, Triggerfish, Grouper, and many other prized species hover around reefs. Anytime you find structure, stay put and put in some time. Numerous species frequent these areas and they can be highly productive. Try bottom fishing for the best results, compared to the usual trolling techniques you’ll employ. But more on that later!
Striped Bass
Inshore Striped Bass runs are a ton of fun, as they allow you to catch these fish from beaches and small boats pretty regularly. They’re even available in some stocked lakes across the US. But did you know you can also find them offshore? In deeper waters, you’ll face less angling pressure along with good odds of finding some really big specimens.
Redfish
Another popular inshore fish, Redfish are also found in offshore waters every year. They grow to incredible sizes offshore and feed near structures in deep waters. It’s not an easy game but it certainly is fun when you connect. The chance of a prized “Bull” Red on the end of your line is definitely worth it!
Tuna
If ever there were a fish that needed no introduction, it’s Tuna. Wherever there’s Tuna, there are anglers! And their main playground is the deep blue. Bluefin, Yellowfin, Big Eye, Blackfin, and Albacore, are all prized for a variety of reasons. They fight hard, have exceptional meat for sashimi, sushi, and cooking, and they’re flat-out fun to catch. If you want to test the abilities of your tackle, go find a big Tuna.
Marlin
One of the greatest pelagic species out there, Marlin steal the show wherever they are. Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin are all among the most magnificent looking and hardest-fighting fish around, with the smaller White Marlin not lagging far behind. Their impressive bills, dazzling colors, lightning-quick speed, and ability to obliterate tackle make for a serious rodeo when you hook one.
Sailfish
Another member of the Billfish family, Sailfish share a similar profile to Marlin. Their body is the same, they still have the long bill, and some incredible fighting power. But they also boast a sail-like dorsal fin (hence their name), which is simply awe-inspiring. If you’re fishing offshore in temperate sections of the Pacific, Indian Ocean, or Atlantic Ocean, Sailfish are a common species to pursue.
Sharks
Don’t underestimate the power of Sharks! Many varieties of Shark lurk around structures like offshore reefs where other fish congregate. They often show up when you hook a different species and they’ll make attempts to steal your catch. This is a good time to change tactics and pursue the Sharks themselves. Blue and Mako will most likely be your offshore rivals, but there are plenty more species out there.
Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
Found inshore and offshore, Mahi Mahi are colorful and powerful. They’re among the most photogenic fish out there and make for great table fare, too! They have a wide distribution, with populations in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, with strong showings in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. They’ll eat pretty much everything, so try dragging any bait or lure behind your boat and you may find a Mahi.
Wahoo
Among the fastest fish in the ocean, Wahoo aren’t as visible or targeted as other pelagic species. Often referred to as the world’s “most popular bycatch,” I suggest you target them in their own right. When they show up, you better hold on tight! Wahoo are built like rockets and they aren’t afraid to chase down a fast trolling rig.
Common Offshore Fishing Techniques
The number of ways to rig baits and lures is exceptional but you really only need a few to get started. Offshore fishing techniques aren’t overly complex. Finding fish is half the battle, and rigging for success is the other half. Sometimes the fish will be crashing bait on the surface, while other times they’ll be lurking deeper down. Let’s take a closer look at how to catch them!
Trolling
Trolling is all about the depth and speed when fishing offshore. It effectively means dragging bait or lures behind a moving vessel. You can cover ground or make repeat runs over schools after finding the fish. Planers are excellent for setting and maintaining depths, as are downriggers. When chasing Marlin and Sailfish, trolling with surface rigs can create some of the most visible action in all of saltwater fishing.
Bottom Fishing
Along reefs and wrecks, dropping bait to the bottom is a great way to find fish. You might catch a giant Grouper or a delicious Snapper, along with a number of other exciting and delicious fish. Bottom fishing can turn up some wildcard species and it’s a consistent and productive way to fish when you’re able to reach the seafloor.
Drift Fishing
If you let the boat catch a nice drift, you can suspend bait or try some vertical jigging. Drifting while you fish catches the natural current and it’s highly productive when fish are cruising in the area. If you find them scattered on the fish finder and trolling is too aggressive, opt for drifting.
Cast and Retrieve
When the action is red hot, you can simply cast and retrieve. Look for birds to find schools of fish that are crashing bait, get on them, cut the motor, and start your cast and retrieve sequence. You can catch Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and many other species this way when they’re on fire.
Where to Go Offshore Fishing
The ocean is a big place and most of it lies in an offshore area. That leaves a lot of room for fishing. That being said, there are some notable fisheries that are high on the priority list of every serious offshore angler.
Florida is a hotspot in the US, where you’ll find plenty of great places to explore in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Head up the Atlantic coast, and North and South Carolina boast excellent offshore opportunities with some very robust Tuna and Sailfish populations. Meanwhile, in the Gulf, Alabama’s reef system is impressive, while Venice, LA, is a great starting point for reaching the depths.
The entire Pacific coastline boasts strong offshore locations, with Tuna ranging from Oregon south. There are a ton of great places in Southern California and much more southbound in Latin America. Guatemala is a Sailfish paradise, while Costa Rica and Panamá have great fishing off both their Caribbean and Pacific coastlines.
Offshore Fishing Regulations
Regulations vary significantly according to the region and country that manages the waters you’re fishing. In the US, some species and fisheries fall under federal management, while others lie within state jurisdictions. That means that bag and size limits, along with rules surrounding catch and release, will vary from place to place.
You may also need a fishing license. Some states and countries require it, others don’t, while many have differing rules depending on whether you’re fishing solo or with a registered charter. Always research and know where you stand before fishing and keeping anything.
Additional Tips for Beginners
Getting into offshore fishing isn’t something that happens overnight. The best way to get started is by learning how to rig. Practice your knots, and rig lures and hooks at home. Go on a few charter trips and learn from experienced captains. You really need to understand how to navigate offshore and follow the best safety practices.
Take any chance possible to fish with others and absorb everything you can. When you break into the community, other anglers will definitely be willing to help. Just don’t ask for their secret spots!
Offshore Fishing Is Calling You!
Now that you have a primer, it’s time to head offshore and catch some fish! Sometimes it takes a crew, so make some fishing friends and hit the water. You won’t find a place where fish move faster and fight harder than the deep blue sea. An offshore fishing experience is truly unique and you’ll be coming back for more—I’m sure!
How did you get into offshore fishing? Maybe you’re thinking of upping your game and trying it for the first time? Either way, we’d love to hear your story in the comments below!
The post How to Go Offshore Fishing: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
https://ift.tt/trwYnke
0 Comments
Enregistrer un commentaire