If this is your maiden voyage out to the open sea, you might have some fears. The ocean is large and holds many mysteries. Will a monster fish overpower you? Will you sail off the edge of the earth? These are questions for another day. For now, you should focus on a few tips and tricks for first-time offshore fishers so that you can bring home an impressive haul.
Check the Weather
No, not just because you’re not sure what to wear. (Answer: layers.) You don’t want to get caught in any nasty storms. Tide schedules are essential to your experience, too. Make sure you know what you’re heading into.
Read up on the Fish
Offshore fishing is an activity with a brand-new cast of characters for you. A trout is no marlin, so you’ll want to be ready for that coming at you. But more to the point, you’ll need a whole new set of skills and techniques. Start with learning how to land one type of fish, and you can build your repertoire from there.
Assemble Equipment
You don’t have to get fitted up with a whole shiny new set of gear. After all, you might decide not to go out again once you see the kraken. But you won’t have much luck with the trusty tackle you use at your usual fishing hole. Even the fishing lure you choose will depend on the best wavelength for your trolling depth. Ask your buddies your questions ahead of time, or you’ll end up relegated to fetching fresh beers for the luckier anglers.
Prepare Your Gear
Be ready to go before you set foot on the boat. If your rod is already rigged up with a bucktail, you can enjoy the ride and some camaraderie without fumbling with bait. While your fellow fishers are surely generous souls, they don’t want to spend the whole trip babysitting you.
Take It Easy
Now is not the time to play the odds by dipping an assortment of rods in the water. The best tip for first-time offshore fishers is to rein in your expectations. Don’t worry about landing the trophy fish right now. There’s a lot more to take in than wrestling with a wild catch. If you’re used to freshwater, you’ll learn that offshore fishing is a world-class adventure. Enjoy the moment.
