Capt. Bill Buckland, Fisherman’s Center
Supplies Needed: L-Bar, 250 lb mono, 11/0 circle hooks, three-way swivel, deep drop gang rig and sash weight.
Tackle Tips: Removable Inline Planer System
By Tommy Greene, Owner, Custom Rod and Reel, Lighthouse Point, Florida
Planer fishing is an effective way to target wahoo. Traditional systems utilize a planer that is permanently fixed to the line. In this case, the angler reels the swivel to the rod tip before handlining the wahoo and 75’ of leader to the boat. This tip makes the planer removable, allowing the angler to reel the planer to the rod tip, easily remove it and reel the fish and leader to the boat—no more handlining.
LP Level Wind Storage
Although they are seemingly indestructible, Lindgren-Pitman’s SV-1200 and SV-2400 electric reels shouldn’t be neglected altogether. You generally only need to rinse thoroughly with water to wash away salt and grime. Sometimes soap is in order, but the one-piece aluminum frame is anodized to prevent corrosion so there’s never a need for harsh cleaners.
Tackle Tips: Two Sharpies are Better than One
By Capt. Tucker Colquhoun
Speed is everything when it comes to tournament fishing. One of the easiest, most simple ways to insure your baits are positioned quickly is to mark your lines with a Sharpie marker. Capt. Tucker Colquhoun likes to add a second color marker into the mix to distinguish between short and long rigger positions. In this case, red color is used for short, and the long rigger position is black color. Regardless of different rods being rotated through the cockpit positions, each angler can easily position a bait by looking for a specific color.
DIY Teak Deck Sanding with Captain Tyler Andresen
Capt. Tyler Andresen using a 6” Festool sander with 60-grit sandpaper on the deck.
By Dale Wills
“I’m sanding my own teak to save the boss money,” says Capt. Andresen from the deck of the 78-foot Rybovich and Sons Persistence. For a captain new to the luxury of teak decks, a DIY attempt at sanding them without a little guidance and know-how can easily turn into a big mistake. If that happens, do what most uber sportfishing captains decide to do and grab your iPhone, search Yelp for a highly rated sub-contractor and continue on with your other boat duties.
Tackle Tips: DIY Outrigger Tune Up
This image demonstrates a simple fix to tightening a spreader bar stud.
By Dale Wills
Coastal Riggings President Brendon Ziemba, along with his brother Preston, have been specializing in outrigger installation, repair and maintenance for 25 years. Before watching Brendon get into his work, I had no idea an outrigger could be broken down into so many different parts. Watching them disassemble, service and reassemble a pair of 3-spreader outriggers was an education. While my intent here is to offer some quality advice on keeping your outriggers tuned, I don’t advise any of you to perform a full service yourself. There are too many intricacies and nuances to remember. Check out the video on our website, and I think you will agree.
Dredge Pulling Tricks from the Pros
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.
How to Tie a Better Snell Knot
The earliest known inhabitants of the Pacific crafted eyeless hooks from bone and shell with impressive elegance and ingenuity. A variation of the primitive methods employed in lashing hooks to line, the snell knot is widely favored across global fisheries. Creative anglers keen on advancing their collection of skills continue to perfect the craft with the latest iterations preventing tackle failure at traditional breaking points.
Blood Lines—Perfecting the Fishing Knot
By Steve Dougherty
Excited for the dawn of each day, as fishermen we’re always innovating and adapting rigging techniques to beat fish with the greatest efficiency and consistency. Whether we are catching bait or blue marlin, advancements in tackle and technology continue to offer an unfair advantage. Yet considering the many variables we have no control over, tying reliable knots and creating fortified connections rests at our very own fingertips.
Tying a Double Cinch Knot
By Capt. Danny Forde
Here is a proven big game offshore knot used by some of the best crews on the circuit. It’s simple and easy to tie and provides 100-percent strength. All you’ll need is a snap swivel and fishing line, that’s it.
