Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at...

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1 Fishing for Wahoo & Dolphin Presented by Tom Putnam [email protected] marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com Hosted by Bob Fowler [email protected] (850) 708-1317

Transcript of Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at...

Page 1: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Fishing for Wahoo & Dolphin Presented by

Tom Putnam

[email protected]

marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com

Hosted by

Bob Fowler

[email protected]

(850) 708-1317

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Dolphin •Family Coryphaenidae, DOLPHINS Coryphaena hippurus Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail. Where found: OFFSHORE in warm waters. Size: common to 30 pounds. *Florida Record: 77 lbs, 12 oz.

*World Record: 87 lbs. Costa Rica Remarks: one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years; swimming speed is estimated at 50 knots; spawns in warm ocean currents throughout much of the year; young found in sargassum weed; feeds on flying fish and squid.

•Legal Limit = none in Gulf Waters

•Bag Limit = 10 Not to exceed 60 per vessel

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Wahoo Family: SCOMBRIDAE Wahoo Acauthocybium solanderi

Description: body slender; elongate jaws form a pointed beak; dark bluish above, with about 30 dark wavy bars; whitish below 1st dorsal fin long and low, with 21 to 27 spines; no gill rakers.

Where found: offshore Gulfstream; bluewater

Size: to 83 inches and 183 lbs.

*Florida Record: 136 lbs

*World Record: 158.8 lb Baja, California, Mexico / 139 Marathon

Remarks: an important game fish, renowned for its tremendous runs and shifts of direction; usually not in schools; caught with trolling bait and artificial lures on flatlines

Legal Limit = None

Bag Limit = 2 per day

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Blackfin Tuna Family Scombridae also called Bermuda tuna, Blackfinned Albacore

Blackfin Tuna Thunnus atlanticus

Description: The pectoral fins reach to somewhere between the twelfth dorsal spine and the origin of the second dorsal fin but they never extend beyond the second dorsal fin as in the albacore. There is a total of 19-25 (usually 21-23) gill rakers on the first arch (15-19 are on the lower limb), which is fewer than in any other species of Thunnus. The finlets are uniformly dark, without a touch of the bright lemon yellow usually present in those of other tunas. Light bars alternate with light spots on the lower flanks.

Where found: OFFSHORE of all Florida coasts

Size: common 10 to 50 lbs.

*Florida Record: 45.8 lb

*World Record: 45.8 lb Key West, FL

Remarks: May strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked. Wild fight is characterized by several sizzling runs, usually at or near the surface. One of the fastest of all game fish.

Legal Limit = none

Bag Limit = none

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Yellowfin Tuna Yellowfin Tuna Megalops atlanticus

Description: Distinguishing the Yellowfin Tuna from the Blackfin or Bigeye is sometimes difficult as many visual features are similar. Finlets of the Yellowfin are yellow, trimmed in black and gold stripe along side. Light underside always shows spots and/or wavy lines. Second dorsal and anal fins of very large individuals are elongated and lunate--a feature not found on any other Tuna

Where found: OFFSHORE of all Florida coasts Size: common 10 to 50 lbs. *Florida Record: 230 lbs.

*World Record: 388 Reuvillagigedo Islands Remarks: May strike a surface bait in spectacular, greyhounding fashion, but seldom jumps after being hooked. Wild fight is characterized by several sizzling runs, usually at or near the surface. One of the fastest of all game fish.

Legal Limit = 27” fork length + Highly migratory species permit

Bag Limit = 3 per person

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Tuna

• World Record

– Blackfin 45.5 lb Key West, FL

– Bluefin 1,496 lb Nova Scotia Canada

– Skip Jack 45 lb Baja

– Yellowfin 388 Reuvillagigedo Islands

– Little Bonita 35 Algeria

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Swordfish Family Xiphiidae, SWORDFISHES - Xiphias gladius

Description: color of back variable, black, grayish blue, brown, metallic purple, or bronze; sides dusky; underbelly dirty white; long, flat, sword-like upper jaw; lacks scales, teeth, and pelvic fins; single keel on each side of body in front of tail; first dorsal fin high, rigid and short; large eyes.

Where found: OFFSHORE species worldwide in temperate & tropic waters; known to frequent depths of 400 to 500 fathoms; also has been seen basking at the surface.

Size: once averaged 200 lbs but overharvest has reduced size of commercially caught swordfish to average of 48”.

*Florida Record: 612 lbs., 12 oz. Key Largo

*World Record: 1182 lbs. MarronIquique, Chile.

Remarks: large swordfish are all females, males seldom exceeding 200 lbs; except when spawning, females believed to prefer water cooler than that favored by males; feeds on squid, octopus, and pelagic fishes of all kinds.

Legal Limit = 47” lower jaw to tail fork length, 29” cleithrum to keel length, or 33 lbs. dressed weight

Bag Limit = 1 per harvester or 3 per vessel (whichever is less)

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Where are We Going to Fish

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License Required

• Permits 888- USA-TUNA

– Highly migratory permit

– Required for all Tuna (except Blackfin),

Marlin, Swordfish and some sharks

– Not Required for Wahoo or Dolphin

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IGFA Rules

• Tournaments Circle Hook Rule

– Circle hooks required in all tournaments

• Why Circle Hooks

– More hooks up in jaw

– Greater survival possibility

– Less gut hooked fish

• Rig most bait with circle hooks

• Bridal rig the most popular

J Hook

Circle Hook

Circle hook

definition:

Generally round

in shape & point

900 to hook

shank

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Spinning vs. Conventional

Best for casting

Poor leverage, limited drag

Best leverage

Best drag, poor casting

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2 Speed vs. 1 Speed vs. High

Efficiency Gearing

High efficiency gearing allows

for best of both worlds – easy

cranking like low speed & fast

retrieval like high speed 2 Speed reels give extra

leverage in low gear high

speed to pick up line fast

when approaching fish

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Rod Harnesses & Belts Shoulder harnesses are

easiest to use but put

extra pressure on

shoulders & lower back

Kidney

harnesses

lowers

pressure to

hips & thighs

where more

strength exist

Both allows the angler to release rod to relax hands

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Curved vs. Straight Butt

Curved butts increase lift when fighting fish who sound

(goes deep) however, for surface fights low angle

reduces rod bent and benefits.

Vertical

Lift

Less

Lift

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Rod Guides

Roller vs. Standard vs. Ceramic Guides

• Roller greater for high speed drag stripping if working – requires maintenance

• Ceramic – easy to use, dissipates heat

– many types

– very little or impossible to grove

– Silicone Carbide/Zoronico

• Standard – least favorite, wears easy, builds up heat that harms line

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Leader

• Wind-ons

• Double line

• Fluorocarbon

• Line Color

• Super Braid

• IGFA Rules

– Max 30’ leader

– Max 30’ double line

– Combined leader

double line max 40’

40’

Max 30’

Leader

Max 30’

Double Line

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Top Shot

• Fill reel ¾ with Dacron/Super Braid – finish

off with mono

• Best of all worlds

– Stretch when fish strikes but when there is

lots of line out low stretch & with super braid

low water drag but still stretches like shock

cord to keep line tight when fish jumps or runs

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Drag Settings High

• Full spool max fighting drag 30% of line test

max total drag 33% of line test

• When line spool diameter is ½ drag is twice

amount as line goes out smaller diameter drag

increase

• Use max drag when fish is close to the boat to

help control the fish.

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Super Braid vs. Mono

Mono

•Reasonable priced

•Able to stretch

•Multiple colors

•Has memory

Braid

•Zero Stretch

•Small Diameter

•No memory

•Can not color, coat

only not able to die

•Pricey

•Very durable

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Leaders

•Mono – low visibility has stretch, easy to bite off by

teethy fish

•Single strand stainless steel wire – Small diameter

– Stiff – very visible

– Able to twist, no knots, no sleeves teethy fish resistant

•Stainless Steel Cable – Stiff – more strands the more flexible –

very visible

– Requires sleeves – teethy fish resistant

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Fluorocarbon

• Great Leader

– High abrasion resistance

– Stiffer

– Larger Diameter

– Same density as water

– Carbon fleck stops light transmittal

– Has UV inhibitors – last longer in sun

– Very slick, passes through guides easily

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Baits

• Ballyhoo

• Mullet

• Spanish Mackerel

• Blue Runner

• Flying Fish

• Small Dolphin

• Small Bonita

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Vertical Jigging

• Around Oil Rigs

• Jigging for Tuna

around rigs work

well

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Natural vs. Artificial

• Artificial last long time & works

better at high speeds

• Higher speed allows more ground to be covered

• Natural Baits works better at

slower speed & fish will strike

bait multiple times

• Once bait fish are located prefer slower speeds with natural baits

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Lures

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How to Size a Hook

• Hook gap should be same

or greater diameter as lure

head.

• The bottom of the hook

should hang just past the

end of the skirt.

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Sleeves Barrel vs. Compression

• Best to tie all mono

under 80lb

• 80lb-125lb can tie or

crimp

• 150lb & up best to

crimp

• Remember when

crimping use a mono

sleeve & compression

style crimper

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Tie vs. Crimp • Best to tie all mono under 80lb

• 80lb-125lb can tie or crimp

• 150lb & up best to crimp

• Remember when crimping use a mono sleeve

& compression style crimper

• Barrell sleeve Mono sleeve

• When a Barrell sleeve is crimped only limited

contact with the surface of mono. Mono

sleeves compress all around mono for more

contact and holding power.

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Twisting Single Strand Wire

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Popular Knots

Bimini Twist

Offshore Swivel Knot

Loop to Loop

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Preserve Your Catch

• Be Sure to be able to Ice well

• Fish Bags allow for easy storage of a large fish

• Summer heat will spoil fish fast

• Make sure you are able to ice your catch well

• Many boats fish boxes are not well insulated

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What to Look For

• Fish tend to not travel through abrupt temperature changes – they will move along the change

• Water Temperature Change – watch temperature guage

• Color Change will help show where temperature change exist

• Temperature changes can be found along tide lines and tide rips

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Gathering of Birds

• Great way to

help find bait.

• Fish will circle

bait forcing the

bait school to

the surface for

easy pray for

birds.

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Finding Bait

• Keep Fish Finder to

Look for Bait

• Bait will not always be

on the surface

• Fish finder is an easy

way to spot bait schools

Page 36: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Sample Analysis

• Satellite Reports - roffs.com

Page 37: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Bait Placement

• Lure and bait placement should be on the front of the boat wake.

• Allows lures to stay on the surface to catch air.

• Also allows fish to strike without head coming out of the water.

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Swordfish Night

• Hydro Glow light fish in to bring

bait fish around the boat

• Fish in 150-250 fathoms

• Night Fish 50’-100’ down

• Daytime-drift fish on bottom

• Swordfish

– Most daylight hours on bottom

– Night hours on surface

Page 39: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Pointed Nose Lures

• Best for higher speed 8-15

mph moves very little

• Least water resistant

• Less side to side movement

• Less bubble effects

Page 40: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Blunt Nose Heavy

• Blunt nose lures for

slower speeds 5-9 mph

– Tend to move less

– Leaves a visible bubble

trail

Page 41: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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How to Hook a Fish • Drop Back using an outrigger clip

• Fish strikes clip then releases line creates drop

back like bait has been killed

• Wait for fish to pick up bait and give time to get

entire bait in his mouth.

• Reel line tight as fast as possible

• When line is tight JERK very hard to set hook

• If line doesn’t become tight free spool in hopes

fish will return.

Page 42: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Use of Birds

Use best on longest lines

Helps keep lures/baits

on the surface

Page 43: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Use Live Bait • Bridal Rig

– Popular with live bait allows bait to swim free –

fish have to swallow bait head first because of

baits fins

– Has become popular way to rig baits with circle

hooks

Page 44: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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Ballyhoo

• 3-9’ leader. #7-12 single

strand wire

• Bally very popular at mid

speed, 5-9 mph

• Easy to rig and more durable

than other baits like cigar

minnows.

Page 45: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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High Speed Trolling

• Great for Wahoo

• What Speed – 10-14mph

• Wire vs. Super Braid

– Wire helps sink bait to reach fish otherwise missed

monol (single strand) old way multi-strand more

popular now but difficult to use. Small wire fibers,

breaks & dangerous. Planers don’t work well speed

produces to much water drag & stress on tackle.

– Super Braid – same small diameter as wire but extra

weight is needed to get lures/bait down

– Easier to work with – lighter and more fun to use

Page 46: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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High Speed Trolling Leads

Allows anglers to fish at

high speeds 10-14 mph &

get bait 10’ – 30’ down

16-48 oz.

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Kites

• Becoming very

popular for sport

fishing for Tuna

• Using a kite allows

your bait to remain at

a greater distance

from the boat & keeps

bait on the surface of

the water

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Future Classes

• July 14th – Kayak Fishing, Scalloping & Water Activities

• August 11th – Surf Fishing

• September 8th – King Mackerel Fishing

• October 13th – Flounder and Fall Bay Fishing

• November 10th – Hands on Rigging

Page 50: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

MEETINGS

Next Meeting Schedule

June 18 - 22, 2012

Hilton

2225 N. Lois Ave.

Tampa, FL 33607

August 20 - 24, 2012

Astor Crowne Plaza

739 Canal Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Gulf Of Mexico Fishery

Management Council Meeting

Schedule 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100

Tampa, Florida 33607 USA

Toll Free: 888-833-1844

Email: [email protected]

gulfcouncil.org

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MEETINGS

Next Meeting:

June 27-28, 2012

West Palm

Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission

Farris Bryant Building

620 S. Meridian St.

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

(850) 488-4676

Saltwater Regulations

myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/

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Page 52: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

Follow us on Facebook

• www.facebook.com/halfhitchtackle

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Fishing Newsletter

Visit www.halfhitch.com select Fishing Club and sign up for the Half Hitch Fishing Newsletter

By registering your email you will stay informed about what's going on in the fishing industry and receive notification of special buys, seminars and tournament information.

Email Address: ___________________

Page 54: Fishing for Wahoo & DolphinNatural vs. Artificial • Artificial last long time & works better at high speeds • Higher speed allows more ground to be covered • Natural Baits works

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How to Measure

• Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.

• Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish,

King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano