InTheBite

I Always Like A Red Head—Is Lure Color Important?

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rod hayes lures

By Peter B Wright

How important is the color of a lure to a billfish, a tuna, or any other large pelagic game fish?

For fish, especially those living in shallow water or staying near the surface, color vision can be hugely important for many species, including everything from small bait fish to giant marlin and tuna.

Consider mahi-mahi, almost certainly they would never have developed their outstanding coloration if they were not also gifted with color vision. This is a major part of what makes them, and all those gorgeous little tropical fish often collected and found in glass tanks and aquariums, so special.

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Learning the Ropes: Passing Knowledge Down to the Next Generation

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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…]

How to Handle Being the Guy Who Screws Up

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marlin jumping in water

By Alexandra Stark

If there is one thing about fishing that is for sure, it’s that not everything will always go your way—even if you are the best captain, crewman or angler in the world. But what if the thing that goes south on you happens on the biggest of stages, with millions of dollars on the line? What do you do if you are the guy who missed the gaff shot on a world record blue? How about if you’re the guy that San Cocho’s the biggest white marlin you’ve ever seen in the White Marlin Open?

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The Fine Art of Live Baiting

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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.

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Fostering a Prosperous Captain-Owner Relationship

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captain on bridge of boat

By Captain Kevin Deerman

I’m certain the glaring reason that many of us chose this profession was for the opportunity to fish and travel to new and different locations. Though we must always be ready to deal with unexpected obstacles, fishing and traveling should be the easiest and most welcomed qualities of the job.

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Child’s Play: An Expert’s Approach to Fishing with Kids

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fin gaddy with his two sons on the qualifier

Fin Gaddy with his twin sons on the Qualifier. Photo courtesy Fin Gaddy

Photos and Story by Scott Kerrigan

For those passionate about fishing, ensuring that your kids enjoy time on the water is a very important—some might say life-altering—consideration. For those who make a living as charter or private boat captains, creating a kid-friendly fishing environment is that much more important. The difference between creating a lifelong angler and a kid that will never fish again can be something as simple as making sure that the tackle and the target species are age-appropriate.

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Blue Marlin Fishing Chronicles—Captain Mike Lemon

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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!

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November Brings Anglers Back to Panama’s Tropic Star Lodge

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Fish Caught at Tropic Star Lodge

Photo courtesy Tropic Star Lodge

 

Friday, November 20, 2020—This year has consisted of many challenges, and for anglers around the world, one of them has been having to put international fishing plans on hold. Outfitters of all shapes and sizes have had to turn guests away due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the world-renowned Tropic Star Lodge was no exception. Tides turned in Mid-November though, when the Tropic Star team were able to fire up boat engines, dust off tackle boxes, and welcome back exuberant anglers to reap the rewards that the
8-month-untouched waters of Piñas Bay had to offer.

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Considering a Career in the Captain’s Chair? Know This

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boat captain steering boat

By Captain Kevin Deerman

Running a sportfishing operation is a great way to make a living doing what we love to do. As captains, we get to fish and travel to new places, making many new friends along the way. As glamorous as this may sound, it also comes with many sacrifices. It can be tough on relationships whether it be with wives or girlfriends or family and friends. We spend a lot of time away from home, and even when we are home, we have no set 9-5 days or weekends off. For anyone out there thinking of pursuing a career as a sportfishing captain, here are a few things that may be helpful to know as you plan your future.

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The Best and Worst Fish of My Life

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Captain Ricky Wheeler and mate Stephen Bowen

By Keith Bowen

During the 2017 WMO, I fished with Capt. Ricky Wheeler on the Exile 65 Paul Mann out of The Canyon Club Marina in Cape May, NJ. After a classic crashing teaser bite, a plug was pitched on an 80W standup combo and it was ‘game on’ with a decent sized Blue Marlin. I quickly got in my Smitty Built harness and got ready for a fight. Between fishing in Costa Rica and New Jersey, I had caught about 20 Blue Marlin in the past but after one jump, it was clear this was my biggest to date. Everyone was extremely excited during the controlled chaos as there had not yet been a blue weighed in and we were in the right Calcutta’s.

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