Fishing questions

[wingtime]

I just did more reading, and I guess I have to buy non stainless circle hooks? Can someone give me a link to what that is so I know what to buy when I go to the store?

Yup if your reef fishing you need to have circle hooks that will corrode, venting tool, and a de-hooker.  

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/Discard%20Mortality%20FAQ.pdf

[Circle Hooked]

The majority of circle hooks for sale are no stainless, I've been using Eagle Claws for awhile now and the work great plus their made in the USA.

[fmaster360]

If the fish isn't listed in the quick regulations I got printed from the FWC site, then is there any limit or guidance on bag limit?

[seabob4]

If the fish isn't listed in the quick regulations I got printed from the FWC site, then is there any limit or guidance on bag limit?

Unlimited ladyfish!!!    

[Capt. Bob]

And if you like hush puppies, there's no limit on the fabulous Hardhead Catfish.

Just be careful not to end up like this.  
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH6n-1anfxo

[fmaster360]

I had an ok time on Tuesday when I went out. I caught a bunch of small fish, but nothing really great besides 2 black sea bass. One was close to 14", and one was 10". My fillet job was horrific, and left me about 4 bites. Which, were delicious. Anyway, I caught the sea bass on some chopped up green backs. I DID catch a 20" lady fish that was freaking HUGE! And I cut that up too. I used a sabiki rig to catch fish from a marker buoy, and then just drove around looking for good spots. I tried to find stuff around 30' deep, but I really don't know what I'm doing. How can I learn how to find a good bottom for fishing big fish? I think the heaviest fish I've ever caught is about 3lbs, and even if I can't keep it, I just want to catch something bigger this coming week. Any help is appreciated!

[Capt Matt]

Go to a local tackle store and buy a Florida sportsman fishing hot spots chart, or go back on the FWC website finding your counties reefs .  These will give you GPS numbers to wrecks, reefs and hot spots. Don't count on these numbers being perfect but they usually put you close enough to find the good bottom relief with your sonar. Once you find the good bottom drop a marker buoy then anchor up or drift over it. Sure a lot of these spots get hammered but while out going between these GPS marks troll and keep your eye on your sonar for your own honey holes.
Good luck
Capt Matt

[seabob4]

To me, there are a few keys, basically having to do with structure.  Structure can come in many forms, weather it's a reef offshore or a drop off or ledge in the bay.  Predator fish are basically lazy when it comes to feeding, so they use current to their advantage, as well as ambush spots.  Take for instance a grass flat adjacent to a deeper channel, say with a depth change of 6' or so within a couple feet from that flat.  Predator fish will hang along that ledge wall just waiting for little bait fish (remember, think of the grass flats as fish nurseries) to swim out...easy meal.

Another tactic is narrow passes in between islands or keys.  Water naturally passes between them when tides are going in or out, but because the passageway narrows, the movement of water speeds up in these passes.  That movement carries with it small baitfish, crustaceans, creatures too small to overcome the tidal current.  Snook are famous for this, just suspending in the current waiting for dinner to be brought to them.  Down in Sarasota/Bradenton,  Longboat Pass, in between the north end of Longboat Key and the south end of Anna Maria Island is famous for this.  On an incoming tide, you can catch a snook on every cast just tossing a shrimp into the current and letting the current do the work...

Offshore, you need reefs, usually man made.  The gulf bottom around here is just...flat.  Nothing for baitfish or smaller fish to orient to, to get protection, to get a food source.  So, get the coordinates of reefs and you'll find fish.  There, the problem is getting your bait down to the bottom for grouper or snapper before the grunts or bonitos get it...

But really, structure is the key, just as it is with largemouth bass fishing.  Be it a point, drop off, ledge, pot hole, channel, rip rap, whatever...and a good FF...

[fmaster360]

cool. Thanks guys. what's the best way to set up a marker buoy to throw off when I go over the spot?

[Blue Agave]

These work great,

http://www.americanbandit.com/cart/inde ... ff7573d35e

[Capt Matt]

My marker is a gallon bleach bottle with twine and a heavy lead weight.
In a pinch I have used a water bottle, fishing line and lead sinkers. keep the line only a few feet longer than the depth of the water so the marker stays straight up and down.
SeaBob is right about structure being the key both inshore and offshore
Capt Matt

[fmaster360]

What kind of speed are you going when trying to find good spots?

[Capt Matt]

roughly a 4-5 knot troll, pulling deep diving stretch 25 plugs between spots
Capt Matt