Pirates Cove Marina

Camouflage – Can They See You?

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Camouflaging yourself should be an important component for every fishing trip. Tackle shops always have a large selection of hunting clothing and most anglers typically ignore this significant collection.

There are several areas of camouflage that anglers should keep in mind when fishing from a bridge or structure. Most fish have tremendous eyesight and other senses that will warn them that danger is close. Anglers should keep this in mind when planning their next fishing trip, selecting a location or what prey they plan to target.

Clothing is the first line of camouflage. Wearing a contrasting shirt color against either a bright or cloudy day can warn the fish that a foreign or danger is present. (The picture shows an angler with a light blue shirt against a light blue sky)

Anglers should match the clothing colors to mimic the background.  If the sky is a bright blue, your shirt color should blue, trying to match the background sky. Similarly, if there is an overcast day, your shirt color should match as close to the background as possible. In this case, your clothing should be pale or light grey.

When fishing on a bank or other structure, the angler’s movement is also important component of camouflaging. Trees or other vertical structures do not move erratically unless there is a weather condition. Fish sense the surrounding conditions, so they will know what is unnatural. So anglers should limit their movement to a minimum.

Noise and unusual sounds that are not standard in a location, such as dropping gear, banging rods against railings or other such noises put up a warning. So minimal noise, movement of gear or even loud voices can be felt for some distance under the water.

Being stealth and using good camouflaging techniques will give you a significant advantage.

Additionally, these tips can also be incorporated when fishing on the water.

So next time you visit your neighborhood tackle shop, look a little closer in the camouflage section. You might just find the ticket to help improve your catches.

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony

Preparation is One Important Key

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There are many unique conditions an angler must consider when fishing in the Florida Keys.  And whether you are an experienced or a novice angler, or fishing in a familiar location or a strange one or even targeting a prey you have caught before, there are several keys you need to consider to even marginally achieve success.

Preparation is one of the many steps to a successful fishing strategy. And one of the key steps of this strategy is to know your prey and their comfort zone or environment. And how outside influences affect them.img_6246

Most fish species don’t achieve longevity or size by being fooled easily. Their environment is one of familiarity. And any unusual or unnatural condition raises a concern for their safety.

All natural underwater environments contain certain sounds and vibrations. These sounds can originate from structure, feeding activities, travel of other aquatic and non-aquatic sources or just a natural flow of above ground vibrations from greenspaces or surface encumbrances.

So the anglers first step of preparation is to know how each of the discussed conditions affect the species you’re targeting in their underwater environment.

Anglers should also know feeding patterns, temperature preferences, travel highways and how tidal changes affect your target.

One component not discussed but must be considered: How will your presence affect your prey when fishing from the shore or boat?

Most anglers just grab a rod and bait bucket and head to the nearest bridge or pier and expect a great catch. Sometimes this works but others times especially in aggressively fished areas where your prey is wise to anything unusual, preparation is the key.

Tackle shops are a great resource. But the best strategy is to study your prey and develop a comprehensive strategy. It will definitely improve your catches.

A good friend once told me, “More fish are caught the night before”.

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony

When Fishing is Slow so Think Positive

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Fishing is a little slow on my “outer banks” this time of year, so I thought I would share one of my favorite sayings:

Standing on a river bank or sitting in a boat with a fishing pole has been the stuff of philosophy as much as it has been of stand-up comedy. While today’s high-tech boater may use special lures – perhaps even a fish finder – for fishing, one thing that hasn’t changed from the days of cane poles and the lowly worm: There is no guarantees a fisherman will actually catch a fish.

Author Unknown

But no truer statement

Until next time – Tightlines. Capt. Tony