Many people consider a fly fishing cast with tight loops the perfect cast, but I have been in many situations, especially in the saltwater where a wide loop is actually preferred. In this episode, I explain those scenarios, and we talk about how to throw a wide loop that is effective and accurate.
Read MoreHave you ever attempted to catch a Grand Slam? Do you want to in the future? Well I recently was filming an episode for Saltwater Experience and we set out to catch a Grand Slam (Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish). I realized that it would make a great How 2 Tuesday.
The thing about a Grand Slam is that it can be intimidating as it is often talked up to be the greatest angling accomplishment. Though it is tricky and difficult, it is also possible and shouldn’t deter you from going out there and trying to achieve it…
So some things to consider are firstly that you will need to be disciplined to accomplish your goal even if something unexpected happens. For example, you might go to catch tarpon first and get it in the first 15 minutes. However it might also be some of the best tarpon fishing you’ve ever seen and you’d be tempted to stay out there for another 2 hours enjoying it… That’s the trick, you have to be willing to leave that fishing to go find the Bonefish and Permit and be aware that you might not catch the other two species.
Also whether you are the angler or guide you need to plan out how you are going to approach the three species. Will you leave the tarpon for last? What if it gets cloudy after you catch the first two species? Tarpon are the best when it’s cloudy. But tarpon break you off quite a bit… What if you catch Tarpon and Permit and leave Bonefish last? Bonefish are easily spooked…
So there are a lot of things to consider and it is tricky, but it is certainly possible and we actually achieve the Grand Slam on the Saltwater Experience episode. If you have any further questions or future podcast topics let me know: podcast@saltwaterexperience.com
Read MoreThis week on How 2 Tuesday, I answer a commonly asked question about how to protect yourself from the sun. As a fishing guide, the sun is one of the most dangerous factors. It could possibly be even more dangerous to anglers who wait all year for their trip and spent most of their time inside. It is crucial to your health AND to the success of your trip that you protect yourself in the sun. I go over how to best protect yourself from the sun while out on the boat. The gear I use has improved over time like the hooded shirt I like by Huk (www.hukgear.com) and is made with sun protective materials to protect you even further. We tackle the question of sunscreen vs. no sunscreen, and more. I have worn a BUFF (www.buffusa.com) for years out on the boat and it has become a necessity for fighting the sun in the Florida Keys. How do you stay protected from the sun? Shoot me a text and let me know. 305-930-7346
Read More“It’s better to be known as a fast learner than a know it all”
That is a quote that Capt. Sam Milazzo heard when he was young, and has taken that as motivation to always be learning. Sam is one of the best guides in the keys because of his constant desire to learn. He is a seasoned vet now and is still learning every day. Sam talks about why he thinks this way in the podcast and how you can even learn from bad advice, and people doing things the wrong way.
Read MoreLast week I had the chance to go fishing with Capt. Sam Milazzo and we were trying to trick spooky yellowtails by getting our baits lower in the water column, but without adding lead. Sam likes to belly-hook his baits and that helps them to swim deeper. We were able to use this technique to catch some yellowtails and blackfin tuna.
Check out Sam’s description on this podcast to see how you might incorporate this into your fishing.
Read MoreSam Mallino joins the podcast this week to tell us how to properly hook a sailfish. Sam recently broke the keys sailfish record, catching 76 in one day. So Sam obviously has a lot of experience with catching sailfish. He goes over what hook he uses and how to properly set that hook. Be sure to check out this episode so that you will have the most success with sailfish!
Read MoreBouncer gives some excellent advice including: Use a hand scale every time Point the rod directly at the scale and pull back until the drag slips at 20% of the breaking strength Use the scale to observe how the drag changes as your customers or friends pull on the line and bend the rod Practice so much that you can know exactly how hard the angler is pulling by the bend in the rod.
Read MoreThis week, Capt. Justin Napior joins the podcast this week to tell us one of his tricks that he uses to prolong the life of his trailers and keep them generally rust free. A great point that he brings up is that your trailer goes through the most wear and tear while it’s sitting at the boat ramp, covered in saltwater and baking in the sun. Justin just takes an extra minute to spray down his trailer with fresh water, and he has seen the difference from personal experience of how much longer his trailers are lasting. If there is a hose at the ramp, that is easy but tune in to hear what Justin does at places without fresh water. If you want to book a trip with Justin, be sure to check out his website, https://www.backcountryculture.com/
Read MoreCapt. Justin Napior joins the podcast today to talk about lure selection when you are fishing with artificial lures. Justin thinks that a lot of people overcomplicate their lure selection, and he goes through his go-to picks and why you should have confidence in your lures, instead of constantly changing it up. If you want to book a trip with Justin, visit https://www.backcountryculture.com/
Read MoreJonathan Moss of Captain’s Log joins the podcast today to tell us how to have success catching black drum. He goes over a few different techniques that he uses. We discuss where to fish, what bait to use, and what gear you need as well. You can click the links below to see all of the gear that you will need.
Light Setup:
Rod: https://bit.ly/AvidInshore7
Reel: https://bit.ly/BGM3000
Line: https://bit.ly/JBraid20
Heavy Setup:
Rod: https://bit.ly/AvidInshore8
Reel: https://bit.ly/Certate8000
Line: https://bit.ly/JBraid50
Book a charter with Jonathan: https://www.gocastaway.com/
Watch Captain’s Log on WAYPOINT: https://waypointtv.com/captains-log
Read MoreThe debate of auto closing your bail and manually closing it is always a hot topic in the fishing industry, but Capt. Jonathan Moss of Captains Log TV joins us for How 2 Tuesday to tell us why he ALWAYS recommends closing the bail manually. He breaks down all of the benefits and explains how you will have much more control over your lure, and can cut out all of the extra slack in your line by controlling the reel and closing it manually. If you liked this episode with Jonathan, be sure to subscribe because tomorrow our full length show with him goes live!
Read MoreMichael Lawrence joins the podcast today to talk about Florida’s water issues and how you can help, even if you don’t live in Florida. Michael lives in Kentucky, but loves to fish in Florida and wanted to make a difference. Michael texted me with his ideas so I decided to have him on the podcast to let everyone know. Check out this episode to find out how you can help, because Florida NEEDS YOUR HELP. If Michael can help support the state of Florida from outside the state, so can you!
Do you have ideas like Michael’s? Text me at 305-930-7346 and let me know.
Read MoreMontana and other states are experiencing record heat and Hoot Owl restrictions are starting to go into effect both voluntary and Mandatory. In this episode, we discuss what that means, the history of where hoot owl came from, and why you should abide by these restrictions as a responsible trout angler. Are you making it out west this summer to fish? Text me and let me know (305) 930-7346
If you want to be a part of Mindset Monday, be sure to text “MINDSET” to (305) 930-7346
Read MoreWhen fishing consistently, especially if you are a guide, it is super important to journal. The advantages of this is that you save yourself from forgetting a spot, and you might be able to plan vacations due to your journal about what the conditions were like when the fishing was on. I am a huge advocate for journalling about where and when you found some fish and being able to track them down over and over again because you wrote it down.
Read MoreIt’s not the biggest or the most - success as a fishing guide is not that you catch the biggest or the most fish. The most important thing you can do is showing your customers a good time. Give them a great experience, this means that they will return to you. That is then how you have a successful business. Have happy customers.
Read MoreThis week we are talking about how a guide can quickly figure out their angler’s fishing capabilities to give them the best and most successful day on the water. Now if you are not a guide yourself, don’t write this episode off. We also dig into how you as an angler can best communicate to your guide your skill level. In this episode we go into what the guide needs to look for and know from the client to deliver the best and most successful day on the water. Do you have an idea for a future How 2 Tuesday? Shoot me a text and let me know. (305) 930-7346
If you want to be a part of Mindset Monday, be sure to text “MINDSET” to (305) 930-7346
Read MoreFor this week’s How 2 Tuesday, we’re talking about how you can win a fishing vacation at the beautiful Hawks Cay resort in the Florida Keys! All you have to do is go to http://tackledirect.tv and click on the giveaway for the full information. Along with a free vacation at Hawks Cay and a trip with Saltwater Experience guides, you’ll also win prizes from Huk, Yeti, Tackle Direct, Lowrance, St. Croix, Daiwa, Lithium Pros, and more. You’re not going to want to miss this giveaway!
If you want to be a part of Mindset Monday, be sure to text “MINDSET” to (305) 930-7346
Read MoreIf you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been in Hawaii the past two weeks. Since I haven’t had the chance to record a new How 2 Tuesday, I wanted to bring back our first ever How 2 Tuesday, which is also one of my favorites. In this episode we go over some great drills and techniques that you can practice to improve your fly casting, especially in the saltwater. Use some of these practices and you will be much more effective on the water and also make it much easier for your guide to put you on good fish.
Read MoreThis week on How 2 Tuesday we are talking about how to keep your shrimp alive overnight. If you want to be out on the water before the bait shop opens, or if you just want to save some money and not waste shrimp, I’ve got a few tips in this episode that will help you keep your shrimp alive and healthy for multiple days straight. Having an aerator, air stone, and something for the shrimp to hold onto are some of the keys for making this happen. Be sure to listen to the podcast for the full details.
Read MoreLefty Kreh made the 50% rule for leaders and I use it all the time. A 9ft leader is kind of standard. There is a very simple formula, the one made by Lefty. 4+2+1+2=9 4.5+6+3+1.5+3=13.5 We start with 50 and taper down to 15. We start 4ft of 50lb, 2ft of 30lb, 1ft of 25lb then double the last distance of 2ft of 15lb. Listen to me walk through it or here’s a video where I explain it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8vEd7NY53E
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