Tips For Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing from the dock or in shallow water is all well and good, but what if you want to take your angling game to the next level? Deep sea fishing is its own beast, requiring you to have a fishing boat that’s suitable for the endeavor, as well as the right gear and the proper knowledge to bag the catches you want.
As your local fishing boat headquarters, Yankee Boating Center in Lake George, New York, has all the tips you need for a successful deep sea fishing outing.
Get Outfitted With The Proper Gear
You’ll need to start out by gathering up everything you’re going to need on your trip. When fishing on the Atlantic, you’ll want to be prepared for any eventuality, particularly cold temperatures or bad weather. You will inevitably get wet, but layering up appropriately can help reduce this risk.
A waterproof outer layer and tall boots with good tread (to keep you from slipping around the deck) over thinner layers of clothing should keep you nice and warm and reasonably dry. Thick wool socks repel water to a degree and are insulating. A pair of gloves with insulation will keep your fingers from freezing. The layers you wear can be wool or polyester, so long as they can wick sweat away from your body. You can always add or remove layers as needed, and it’s advisable to pack some extra clothes to change into if you get soaked.
You will also need a first-aid kit stocked with bandages, medications and ointments to treat minor illnesses and injuries, some sunscreen and sunglasses, water and food, a compass, your GPS unit, a map of the area, an emergency radio and signal flares. Letting someone back on shore know where you’re going and how long you’ll be out will help them to direct rescue crews to you more expediently.
Figure Out Where The Fish Are Biting
Different species of fish will linger in different parts of the water. For example, tuna like to swim with dolphins, so if you see dolphins, chances are good that you’ll find tuna amongst them. Fishing by towers, lighthouses and rock formations will net you lots of catches since these are places where fish like to hide. Don’t be afraid to weigh anchor and move your boat to a new spot if you’re not getting anything. You can also invest in a fish finder to help you locate fish.
Seek Out The Right Bait & Tackle
It’s important to have the right tools to get the fish you want to catch. Shop for deep-sea specific tackle, like a 6’ medium-heavy bottom rod and a heavy-duty baitcaster reel to help you keep control of bigger fish. Worms won’t be very useful bait for open ocean fish; you’ll need minnows, squid and shrimp instead. We recommend using circle hooks since they catch more fish and make it easier to release fish you don’t want.
Buy The Right Fishing Boat
Of course, we can’t talk about deep sea fishing without discussing what boat you’ll need! Those flat-bottom skiffs you might use on inland waterways are no match for the chop you’ll find on the open ocean. Offshore boats are significantly larger than their bay fishing or lake fishing counterparts, usually constructed with a deep-V hull, a powerful engine and more space on board. That extra room generally allows for an enclosed cabin with a head (bathroom), galley (kitchen) and sleeping berths for overnight excursions, and it provides a welcome respite from windy, rainy weather.
Visit our Lake George location to check out our full stock of new and used fishing boats for sale. You can also stop into our marina and boat rental center on the lake! Yankee Boating Center proudly serves the city of Clayton, New York.