Deep Sea Fishing For Big Game Fish for Beginners and experts alike is your Introduction to Intense Fun. Saltwater big game fishing offshore is extremely popular worldwide. Deep Sea Fishing big game fish for beginners and experts alike now with the emergence of technology and modern techniques it is considered to be one of the best sports on offer to get started in or continue to enjoy annually.
Especially if you are looking to experience something truly and uniquely thrilling and challenging that will create long lasting lifetime memories. You should definitely consider deep sea fishing for big game fish if you are an adventure lover, enjoy fresh air, the sun, and the Salt Water in the Great Outdoors. Beginner or not, lets get started.
Preparing to Deep Sea Fish out on the Open Sea
Deep Sea Fishing Big Game Fish Tips For Beginners
Well Start by carry along the proper equipment with you to play it safe to begin with. Preparation is key, the proper safety equipment, radios, marine weather checks, and letting someone know where you are headed and when you plan on returning. Simple yes, but a lot of people still do not follow these life saving tips.
Check the Weather
Make sure you consult a professional weather service before choosing the fishing spot for big game fish deep sea fishing offshore. It’s best to plan your trip when the sea is calm. Realize that when on and especially in the sea, you are now at the bottom of the food chain. Please be careful if you plan on taking a dip and know the waters your in. If your with a guide you will be okay especially if fishing for sharks, your guide will keep you out of the water.
Do not Panic
If this if your very first time going out on a trip for deep sea fishing big game fish, you might get bit nervous if fishing alone without a guide or on a charter. This sport is adventurous but also life threatening so try not to panic in any situation if one does happen to arise. It probably wont, but be calm in any event. The best quality for being a successful deep sea fisher is to overcome your fear and remain calm the same as boating in general. Keep your boat tuned up and professionally maintained. Keep extra vital fluids on board like engine oil and gear lube etc.
Fish With a Buddy or Professional Guide when Big Game Fishing
Unless you have experienced deep sea fishing and boating out on the ocean a couple of times, its recommended not to plan and go on this trip alone. Take someone on whom you could rely and has the knowledge of controlling unwanted situations and has boated and/or gone deep sea fishing out on the ocean before just to show you the ropes.
Going on a deep sea fishing trip is a great way to explore your capability of overcoming fear. If you think that this is something according to your taste, you should definitely go for it. First make sure your boat is tuned up and in good shape. As long as your boat is sound, we can then check out this list.
[wps_accordion style=”standard”][wps_accordion_item title=’Must Have Safety Equipment ‘ open=’no’ icon=’caret’ ]flotation devices, flares, air horns, bailing bucket, life line, blanket, radio, batteries, sunscreen, snacks and fresh water to drink[/wps_accordion_item][/wps_accordion]
If you got all those then you should be good to go and fully prepared. Don’t forget an oar or two, just in case, a proper anchor that will hold your boat in place and your off. OOPs… no wait a minute, turn the boat back around; what about fishing lures and bait?
[wps_note size=”21″ background=”#fae588″ color=”#333333″ radius=”3″]This sport sounds exciting for sure but just like any other thrilling and adventuresome sport in the world, deep sea fishing does have some risks involved. There’s a set of guidelines you should follow in order to keep safe because deep sea fishing has on occasion become fatal. The reason for deaths occurring? Improper and or lack of safety equipment and weather[/wps_note]
Fishing Baits For Big Game Fish Offshore
The first step for deep sea fishing and catching the big game fish offshore is to buy the right type of fish food. You must be aware of what type of fish specie not only are you targeting but also that you will find at any particular spot. This obviously requires some research because you don’t want to be trapped out in a school of sharks unless you brought some big chunks of meat along you can use to fish for the big game sharks.
Second step is to plan the techniques you will use to catch these fish you are targeting and stick to that plan. Often times it gets frustratingly difficult and you end up thinking that you are doing something wrong. Just know that it requires some time, patience and confidence in yourself. The end results of big game fish deep sea fishing would be worth all the effort you put into it. Just work the baits and lures until you catch something.
I learned a long time ago that sometimes you have to improvise. Perhaps the fish you want are not the fish that are in that area at the moment. Is there a school of bluefish in the area? Change your gear, gear down and fish for them. Better to catch whats running in your area and have fun then using some baits to catch a monster game fish that is not even in the area at the time.
Therefore a wide selection of lures in different sizes and color types is recommended. If somethings not working switch it up and dont waste time fooling around. A stubborn fisherman becomes a cranky bored and fishless fisherman. lol…
Types of Big Game Fishing Offshore
Shark Dangerous Big Game Fish Deep Sea Fishing Favorite
The more adventurous offshore big game fishermen will definitely be shooting for a shark as a major test of their skills. Tracking, luring, and pulling in sharks is no easy feat. There are over 250 species out there, with some as small as a few feet long, to the giants that measure over 50 feet. Sharks are found in mainly warm waters.
Bull sharks, for example, are aggressive hunters that are easy to find in shallow parts of the ocean or brackish waters. Don’t try to fish up a shark unless you’ve already had experience catching large, heavy fish. Make sure your gear will hold up. Heavy lines and heavy rods and reels with lubricant to keep that line cooled down. Yes use water….
Marlin Big Game Fish Fishing Offshore
Another challenging species of big game fish, marlins are elusive and strong creatures that can be found in tropical waters of the gulfs, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. You can expect marlins to range in length of 10-14 feet, weighing 200-400 pounds. Marlins are similar to sharks, in that you will most commonly find them by themselves, rarely in large groups. Marlin can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, so you’re going to need to be very patient and diligent if you want to catch one. Have fun getting it into the boat without a winch or a crane.
Swordfish Big Game Deep Sea Fishing
Marlins and swordfish are often confused with each other, but there is one thing that you should remember to distinguish them: there’s multiple species of marlin, however, there’s only one big game species of swordfish. They share commonalities in sizes and habitats, but they can also occupy colder waters in some parts of the world. Swordfish in the Pacific grow the largest, reaching 14 feet long and over 1,000 pounds. Yup, watch your back hauling in one of these giant big game fish, but great big game fishing for beginners to get you hooked for a lifetime.
Grouper Awesome Big Game Fishing
A good starting point for amateur deep sea fishermen, grouper are found nearly everywhere along the coast running from Florida to South America. There are over 100 species of grouper and can range in size from a few feet long to up to 12 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds. A true big game fishing trophy for experienced and beginning fisherman alike. Reel in one of these deep sea giants and you will know what fishing is all about.
Red grouper are some of the most sought after fish, they are in danger of over fishing for food. You have to be aware of the local catch limits. Red grouper are known for their beautiful red color, mixed with white spots and brown scales. If your rod is still in good shape after the Marlin and Sword fishing trips you might be able to land one of these whoppers as well. Make sure and bring along a spare rod just in case.
Tuna Is a Great way to Start Big Game Fishing
This is an intermediate fish that will provide a good challenge for any fisherman. Tuna can grow up to be 7 feet long and weigh up 500 pounds, on average. The largest ever recorded was 21 feet long and over 1,600 pounds, just to give you an idea of how much they can grow.
Don’t let their large size fool you, though, tuna fish can swim very fast, easily hitting speeds of 20-40 mph. Because of their strength and dexterity, it’s not uncommon for the fish to jerk fishing poles out from the initial bite. Did I mention they are delicious as well? Yup, just don’t eat one caught near Japan especially near the nuclear meltdown site.
Bluefish Not a Huge Big Game Fish But Be Careful
These little fish are beautiful, slim, and effective swimmers that are fun to catch and tasty to eat. They can grow up to 45 inches and up to 25 pounds in weight. They can be found best in deep waters, but can also show up at or near the shore. They congregate during summer and up until early winter.
They will migrate from north to south, following the Atlantic coastline. This makes bluefish a bit easier to catch, since they will appear in large numbers and gather around in pockets where the warm waters are and there is an abundant and present food source to munch on.
Bluefish are most popular around Rhode Island and Florida, between each of their major migration periods. You need to be careful when catching bluefish, as they have razor-sharp teeth and a viscous bite; if you’re not paying attention you could easily lose a finger. Or a toe, watch that fish when you put him on the bottom of the boat to flop around.
Saltwater Fish Species Deep Sea Fishing Favorites
What are the Favorite Species when it comes to deep sea fishing in general?
The most popular big and small game fish some are only caught offshore, others surf fishing, and some both. These are some of the popular surf fishing and offshore deep sea fishing species fished for which include both big game fish and smaller game fish:
- Marlin
- Tuna
- Swordfish
- Sharks
- Bluefish
- Grouper
- Cobia
- Barracuda
- Halibut
- Mackeral
- Sheepshead
Deep Sea Fishing the Pacific Mackerel Great for Beginners
The pacific mackerel, or scomber japonicus, is a very common sportfishing prey for a few reasons. One is that they are pretty easy to catch, so beginner anglers can get some good hands-on practice out on the water. Another is that they are delicious to humans, and even more so to larger game. Mackerel (fresh, frozen, or cut) makes for some extremely effective chum and has been a key tool in some quite impressive ocean fishing catches over time. Also known as greenbacks, mac’s, and big mac’s, any fisherman can catch one of these guys.
Hotspots for Mackerel Fishing
Mackerel are found in many regions of the world, especially around the northern and southern Americas, from the Gulf of Alaska all the way down to Mexico and the Banderas Bay. In the United States, one of the biggest hot spots for mackerel fishing is California.
The piers of Santa Cruz, the coastal town of Monterey, Redondo Sportfishing Pier, and many more all attract thousands of explorative saltwater fishermen every year to take a trip out and catch some tasty fillets. These pelagic fish are easy to spot.
Mackerel can be identified by their long, slender bodies, and the space between their dorsal fins. The coloration is usually green with white and blue towards the belly, and they often have irregular spots and dark stripes along their backs.
Mackerel Fish Size
The sizes vary as with any fish, but they tend to be no larger than 20 inches in length, with some exceptional mac’s growing up to 25 inches. They will weigh around 4-5 pounds and yield a pretty small (but effective) cut of meat. With that in mind, remember to get your hands on at least three if you want to make a meal out of them!
How to catch Mackerel
To catch mackerel, the best bait to use is live anchovies, end of story. These fish can’t get enough anchovies, and since they travel in schools, attracting a large pack of them leads to a nearly guaranteed catch. As far as gear goes, a single 6-2 hook will suffice since this fish is fairly small.
A very low weight is necessary, usually a little twist-on sinker will do the trick depending on location and weather conditions. Multi-hook leaders can also be successful, sometimes allowing an angler to get his or her hands on several fish in one reel if the technique is successfully initiated.
If the basic hooking is not proving successful, another good way to catch mackerel saltwater fish is to attach some live bait to a high/low leader and cast it out with some extra weight. Allow this to sink to the bottom, then retrieve it slowly. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find yourself reeling in two or three mac’s using this tip.
Mackerel Fish Taste
Those who say they dislike the fishy old mackerel probably just don’t know how to cook it. The most common mistake people make is throwing mackerel in a hot, oily pan. This will only intensify the salty flavor; what you want to do is bake them in the oven, allowing the natural fats to steep the meat and never adding extra oil. Basic seasoning and sometimes lemon juice are all you really need to bring out the flavor and create a delicious meal.
Fun fact: mackerel are cannibalistic. If anchovies aren’t working to bait them to your fishing boat, try attaching a fresh, bloody strip of mackerel onto your hook and see what happens. Now, it’s time to get out on the water and make it happen. Good luck, saltwater ocean fishing angler!
Big Game Fishing for Elusive Mahi-Mahi Dolphin Fish
The mahi-mahi, commonly dubbed the dolphinfish, is a big and gorgeous ray-finned fish of the coryphaena genus which dwells at shallow water levels and can be found in tropical and subtropical waters all over the world. No need for deep sea fishing these beauties. They are said to be elusive but delicious by senior anglers, and they are an enjoyable game prey if you have some time and energy to spare looking for them in more shallow areas with structure.
In the Hawaiian language, mahimahi translates to ‘very strong.’ The name dolphinfish can be misleading; these greenish-yellowish creatures are a type of fish, and are not related to the dolphin, which is an aquatic mammal. Mahi-mahi have slim bodies and long dorsal fins which stretch nearly from head to talk. The bright coloration is one of the qualities that really makes these saltwater fish stand out: green, blue, and gold are its signature colors.
Throughout the 3-5 year life cycle of a dolphin fish, they tend to change colors, going through hues of the stated colors before finally reaching a dim, pale yellow upon the end of their existence. Males and females look fairly similar, but the teller is in their foreheads.
The male dolphin fish can be seen with an impressive and protruding forehead, while the females are smaller with rounded heads. The sizes of these fish vary, but the average size tends to be between 20-30 pounds (although some exceptional mahi-mahi have weighed in at an astounding 45+ pounds!)
The dolphinfish is a highly sought out saltwater fish by recreational sportfishers. The quality of meat combined with the beautiful sight makes for an exciting fishing trip. Mahi-mahi can be found in the Western coast of the Americas, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico, certain areas of the Atlantic, throughout the Caribbean Sea, south of China, and many other tropical places.
“The best way to find [dolphinfish,]” says expert angler Jacob Rodriguez, “is to look near free-floating debris in large tropical bodies of water.” Any kinds of large plastic or wooden miscellania, as well as fish buoys, will often attract the attention of these guys since they like to stay near structure. Another big teller is if there are birds circling above or around the area. These signs all point to a great fishing day.
As far as gear goes, 30 to 50 pound deep sea fishing gear will serve well when aiming to catch these fish. A classic bait-and-switch technique will usually suffice; throwing sardines or some plain old chum into the target area will send the mahi-mahis into a frenzy of appetite. At this stage in the trip, one would want to throw the fly into the center of the action and wait for a bite.
Obviously with the beautiful scales of these fish, they are not hard to miss. Be prepared to put up a fight as mahi-mahis like to jump and pull, but they are not too large so the reeling process shouldn’t be too difficult for an experienced fisherman.
Additionally, some countries’ fishing population like to use the classic harpoon technique to catch these beautiful salt water tropical dolphinfish, but this is more of an expert level game and can lead to different degrees of success.
While mahi-mahi are delicious, they have also been overfished in the past and should be treated respectfully. One or two is plenty for a delightful meal. Mahi-mahi is often served lightly salted and peppered, and sometimes with mashed potatoes or rice. No matter your preference, you’re sure to be blown away by the results. Happy fishing!
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