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Slant vs. Cupped Head: Action Makes the Difference

April 6, 2021 By InTheBite Editor Leave a Comment

Oz Prowler Cupped Head
Oz Prowler Cupped Head
Slant Head
Slant Head

By Capt. Bart Miller

In early 2018, sportfishing legend Capt. Bart “Black Bart” Miller passed away. Bart left behind a lure company bearing his name and a list of marlin fishing feats that will likely never be duplicated. Miller was a veritable legend in the sportfishing industry and InTheBite is proud to have published some of Miller’s perspective. Here, from the archives, is one such piece.

As far back as I can remember, lure designs were very basic: bullet-shaped heads and slant heads. Slant heads fell into two categories, one being a tube-shaped head with a slant nose; the other being a cylinder-shaped, tapered head with a dished out nose. The dished-out shape was [Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, General News, Tackle Tips, Techniques Tagged With: Black Bart Lures, cupped head lure, slant head lure, Trolling Lures

How to Drop Back to Billfish—How Marlin and Sailfish Really Feed

March 17, 2021 By InTheBite Editor

By Peter B. Wright

The family of “true” billfish includes all the species called marlin, all the sailfish (which are split into the Atlantic and Pacific species with the Pacific sailfish also being found in the Indian Ocean) and several species of spearfish. Swordfish are commonly grouped with these billfish of the Istiophoridae family, but they are technically the sole member of the family Xiphiidae.

All of these fish are part of the teleost group, which are known as bony fishes and are closely related. With the sole exception of the swordfish, billfish vary only slightly in how the different species capture and kill their prey. I am about to explain why the common myth that all billfish use their bill as a sword, or a club, to kill their prey is not correct!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, Techniques Tagged With: back drop to billfish, billfishing, Fishing Tips, hooking billfish, live bait fishing, Offshore Fishing

Capt. Bart Miller—His Take on Lure Hook-Up

March 16, 2021 By InTheBite Editor

In early 2018, sportfishing legend Capt. Bart “Black Bart” Miller passed away. Bart left behind a lure company bearing his name and a list of marlin fishing feats that will likely never be duplicated. Miller was a veritable legend in the sportfishing industry and InTheBite is proud to have published some of Miller’s perspective. Here, from the archives, is one such piece.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Tackle, Techniques Tagged With: Bart Miller, Black Bart, hook rig, Tackle Tips, Trolling

Setting Up and Using Game Chairs

January 21, 2021 By InTheBite Digital Editor

fighting fish from game chair

This photo illustrates the proper foot placement on the footrest, hand positioning on the reel, and the use of the bucket harness to create the torque necessary for exerting force on a fish.

The following article was forwarded to InTheBite by Frank Murray, of Murray Brothers Originals. An expert in the construction and use of fighting chairs in heavy tackle situations, Murray came across the article which was originally published in New Zealand. As Murray describes the piece, “I came across it a number of years ago and was pretty impressed. For one, it is something that I should have done. Secondly, the breakdown is about 99 percent correct.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, Techniques Tagged With: Fighting Chairs, frank murray, game chairs, new zealand game fishing, Offshore Fishing

Dredge Pulling Tricks from the Pros

January 13, 2021 By InTheBite Editor

angler with dredge

Photo courtesy Pepper Ailor

By Ric Burnley

The first time I saw a marlin dredge I had two thoughts. First: that looks ridiculous. Second: that looks awesome! At first, 40 rigged mullet dangling from a web-work of bars and leader looks like a cluster FUBAR waiting to happen. Put the dredge in the water, and dozens of swirling and flashing baits look like a school of bait on the run. Fish cannot resist.

Many anglers had the same experience when they first saw a dredge. We caught up with five pros to find out how they use dredges now, and how they plan to use them in the future.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, Tackle Tips, Techniques Tagged With: artificial baits, Bayliss, Dredge Baits, Dredging, natural baits, pulling tricks, Trolling

InTheBite Editors’ Top Story Picks for 2020

December 21, 2020 By InTheBite Digital Editor

As we say goodbye to 2020 and look to 2021 with hope and excitement for new things to come, we can’t do this without looking back at the significant stories of the year. Our editors curated the top five stories that had a significant impact for us and our readers. These are the features that motivated, educated and took us away to wide open waters for the time we were reading. We hope you enjoy.

1. How the New Texas State Record Came to Be

820 bluefin tuna hanging from Pelican Rest scale in texas

In a very direct sense, the pending new Texas state record bluefin tuna was a victim of the coronavirus.

Whether or not fish can actually catch this disease, who the hell knows, but the trip that resulted in greasing the biggest bluefin in the history of the Lone Star State was the result of being cooped up in the house awaiting the virus to run its course. Captain Robert Nichols, who runs the Rock Mama, a 55’ Hatteras based out of Galveston, Texas was gracious enough to tell us all about this fish of a lifetime.

Read more…

2. Two-Minute Warning: Pay Scale

two guys exchanging moneySo many times, I’m asked about how much a captain should get paid. Sometimes, I’m asked by the captain and sometimes I’m asked by the owners. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason on what a captain should or shouldn’t make.

Back in the day, there was an unwritten rule that a captain should make a grand per foot. I don’t know who came up with that…but it was ignorant.

Read More…

3. The 2019 Captains of the Year

The InTheBiteCaptain of the Year Cup presented by Hatteras is the world’s foremost competition for professional sportfishermen. The world’s only quantifiable metric for comparing the tournament success of captains, winning an InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is a major achievement. The Cup is composed of five divisions that span the sportfishing world: East Coast, Florida, Gulf Coast, Hawaii and International.

We look back on the 2019 winners who pushed past challenges, beat the odds and showed us what it takes to be the best.

Read More…

4. Steering You Straight: The Scoop on Steering

What type of steering system do you have? While most sportfish crew would answer hydraulic, there are many variables today that differentiate the design, components and operation of a vessel’s steering system. Learning about your boat’s system can assist when it comes time for maintenance, ordering repair parts and performing bleeding (more about this later).

Read More…

5. Four Captains, 20 Tips for Better Live Bait Fishing

Live bait is both the best bait and the worst bait. Nothing entices a fish to bite better than a wriggling and writhing forage fish dangling from the hook. Nothing gives anglers more trouble than catching, keeping and rigging livies. That’s right, you can’t live with live bait, and you can’t win without.

Read More…

Filed Under: Adventures, Featured Stories, Fishing, Records, Techniques, Tournaments Tagged With: 2019 captain of the year, Bluefin Tuna, boat steering, live baiting, tuna record

Ballyhoo Tackle Tip from the Eight Eights in the Dominican Republic

December 17, 2020 By InTheBite Digital Editor

bait box

While traveling in the Dominican Republic, Eight Eights Mate Miguel Santana demonstrated his quick and easy set-up when it comes to rigging his DR ballyhoo.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Caribbean, Featured Stories, Fishing, Techniques Tagged With: ballyhoo bait, ballyhoo rig, ballyhoo tackle, Dominican Republic, eight eights

Learning the Ropes: Passing Knowledge Down to the Next Generation

December 16, 2020 By InTheBite Digital Editor

mate on boat tower

By Dale Wills

Most of today’s captains earned their shot at the helm only after spending years working under the watchful eyes of veteran skippers. Each of those mentors had certain techniques and practices that were passed down to the younger generation, things that formed the foundation of their careers as professional mariners. So what are some of the individual practices, habits and distinctions that are being passed down by the veteran captains today to the future captains of tomorrow? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Advice, Boats, Featured Stories, Fishing, Operations, Techniques Tagged With: boat handling, capt kevin deerman, capt scott 'fraz' murie, fishing lessons, Offshore Fishing

The Fine Art of Live Baiting

December 7, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

man live baiting fish

Captain Wade Richardson’s long time mate Herbie deploys this bite-sized treat. Perfect for a black, a blue, sailfish, dorado, roosterfish or cubera.

By Elliott Stark

Live baiting is founded on a very simple biological concept. Since the very first time two fish swam in the ocean, the big ones have been trying to eat the little ones. In spite of the simplicity of the precept, live bait fishermen represent one of fishing’s most secret of societies. Fine tuning their presentations, crafting marlin bites that are as intimate as they are spectacular, the captains who have perfected the fine art of live baiting have long been viewed as secretive and mysterious.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, Techniques Tagged With: live baiting, live baiting marlin, Offshore Fishing, tuna tubes

Blue Marlin Fishing Chronicles—Captain Mike Lemon

November 30, 2020 By InTheBite Editor

fishing off back of boatDescribing fishing as long periods of boredom followed by frantic seconds of action was probably first written by a blue marlin fisherman. Who in their right mind enjoys riding around the deep blue ocean for hours on end, happy with just one encounter of the ocean’s apex predator—the blue marlin? Imagine yourself in the cockpit of a sportfisher looking aft at a boat wake and prop wash; lures and teasers bubbling for hours with no encounters. It’s boring!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Fishing, Techniques Tagged With: blue marlin release, Captain Mike Lemon, catch and release, north drop spread, Offshore Fishing

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News

  • The Evolution of the Captain of the Year—The Championship of Sportfishing

    The Evolution of the Captain of the Year—The Championship of Sportfishing

    The InTheBite Captain of the Year Cup is the championship of sportfishing. The Cup is the world’s only quantifiable way to recognize the tournament success of professional sportfishermen. Comprised of 90-sanctioned events that span the world, there is nothing else like it. Winning an InTheBite Captain of the Year Award is a major achievement. From the winners to the Cup’s... [Read More...]

  • Fish Mapping: Now Available on Simrad & Furuno

    Fish Mapping: Now Available on Simrad & Furuno

    SiriusXM Marine’s Fish Mapping service is now available on Simrad and Furuno displays!  Whether you’re competing in a tournament, out fishing for fun, or taking clients on a charter trip, Fish Mapping provides the information you need to help get you to the spots where fish are most likely to be located, saving you time and fuel.  In addition to all... [Read More...]

  • Champion's Cup & COTY Updates

    Champion's Cup & COTY Updates

    Champion's Cup Update April 19, 2021 Team Lunatico's 63' Titan Effie Mae is moving up in the ranks for both the Champion's Cup and Captain of the Year with their first place win during this weekend's White Marlin Roundup. The win awarded them a full 500 points putting them neck and neck with Uno Mas within the Champion's Cup International Division... [Read More...]

  • New Texas State Record Bluefin Tuna Weighing 876 Pounds

    New Texas State Record Bluefin Tuna Weighing 876 Pounds

    Friday, April 16, 2021, Thomas J. Hilton, www.HiltonsOffshore.com—A week ago last year in early April 2020, 4 Texas boats with Hilton's subscribers aboard each landed a bluefin tuna weighing between 599 pounds to 820 pounds (new Texas state record). They were landed off of surface structures shown on www.HiltonsOffshore.com. Sea surface water temperature is critical this time of year, with fish... [Read More...]

  • NavNet TZtouch from Furuno

    NavNet TZtouch from Furuno

    If you missed the Palm Beach International Boat Show or didn't make it by the Furuno tent then check out the video below to see what was on display and to learn a little more about the Furuno products. Braden Shoemaker, Furuno SE Regional Manager, breaks down the different NavNet TZtouch systems and what they can offer on your next... [Read More...]

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