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Tackle & Maintenance Tips

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Kite Fishing Weighted Slip Float

11Courtesy of Captain Scott Fawcett(2016 Florida Division Captain of the Year)Off the Chain Charters, 32-foot ContenderSkill Level: Annotation 2019 12 23 110026  

Here Capt. Scott Fawcett shares one of his live bait kite fishing tips. This rig, using a float, a 3/8-ounce sinker and a section of a rubber band placed below your wind-on leader (as pictured), helps Captain Fawcett in a couple different ways. First, his anglers can simply wind the leader to the rod tip to make an official catch (no need to have a deckhand touch the leader). Most importantly, for a charter boat with varying angler skills, you can use this set up for releasing fish but also allow the angler to keep reeling if you are going to harvest a fish (see dolphin catch). The float will slide down the leader via the rod tip guide.

Chamois Storage

22Courtesy of Capt. Tucker ColquhounHuntress, 74-foot TributeSkill Level: Annotation 2019 12 23 110026

Tired of a dry, stiff and crispy chamois? Here Captain Tucker shares two simple options he utilizes to avoid this. Get a couple Chamois covers made. Covers keep the chamois covered and compact, helping to keep it wet longer. When you dont have a cover, use rubber bands! The inside layers will stay wet.

Converting Braid Drags to Mono Drags

drag washersCourtesy of Bill BucklandSkill Level: Annotation 2019 12 23 110026

Many of today reels the latest Shimano Talica 20, 25 and 50s, are mostly designed with heavy braid drags. This can create problems for anglers using mono. Bill Buckland, the owner of Buckland Fisherman Center, helps his customers by converting the reels to mono-friendly drags. In one easy step Buckland drag washer modification provides smoother drag pressure for mono. Check out the two-minute video at inthebite.com. Contact Bill Buckland Ph: 1-800-765-RODS or 561-252-9444.

Chafe Guards

33Courtesy of Capt. Tucker ColquhounHuntress, 74-foot TributeSkill Level: Annotation 2019 12 23 110026

While walking down a dock in Galveston, Texas (Pelican Rest to be exact), Capt. Tucker admired the chafe gear being used to protect the Pretty Work sportfish. The chafe gear is dense foam pipe insulation slid over the stern lines.

Aft Facing Displays

aft displayCapt. Kevin DeermanDraggin Up, 74-foot VikingSkill Level: Annotation 2019 12 12 090056

Materials needed: Garmin GMI 20 or other marine instrument display, NMEA drop cable and T-connector to hook into the network, Starboard, Fiberglass or similar mounting panel. While in the process of installing new electronics, I had a suggestion from Capt. Ryan Doxey on the Over Ride. He recommended locating an extra display to show rudder angle in the aft end of the hardtop teaser box (like he did on his boat). It a great idea if you have space so you can glance up while backing on a fish and instantly see where your rudders are. We took Captain Ryan advice and went a step further. My boss decided to go ahead and add a couple more displays for water temperature and speed. Wanted: Boat Maintenance Tips Send us your best tips and techniques ([email protected]).