We finally got our boat this year. Been out a couple of times and brought home a smelly skunk each time. I’ve read books and this site and more books. I think I’ve got information overload. How did you go from a wannabe to a real fisherman?
One, don’t be discouraged. Its not at all easy at first until you get a feel for what is going on out there (ie: spots, tides, lunar, etc.) Takes awhile until it makes much sense.
I started out with a Hot Spots map and hit A LOT of spots and spent alot of time on the water. I learned not to spend alot of time in one spot unless you know fish will be there at a certain time in the tide cycle. If they aren’t there in 20 minutes, they generally aren’t there. Move on.
Not sure what you are fishing with (ie: artificials, carolina rig, corks), but I found one of the best methods for me was a 1/4 oz. plain lead jig head with a mud minnow hooked to it. You can fan cast them and work them REAL slow along the bottom. Work them WITH the current, not against it. Fish are opportunist, and they’ll face into the current waiting for an easy meal to drift their way!
I feel the mud minnow/jig combo helped me find fish easier, which in turn allowed inshore fishing to slowly make sense to me. You can also soak a carolina rig while you are there with mullet, menhaden or shrimp.
Get a tide log and take notes. Note where, when and how you fished, what times and what tide cycle. Note your failures as well as your success so you don’t make the same mistakes over and over. This too will help you get a pulse for whats going on out there.
Attend some in-shore seminars at a local tackle shop. Its generally a guide telling you how to fish, and he’d look mighty foolish if he was wrong! They usually hang around and you can ask them some more specific questions while you have time with them.
Finally, if you are near a Hadrell’s or Chas. Angler, walk in, tell them you are clueless and need help, and let them help you. They make their living off of successful fisherman, not frustrated ones. They are a WEALTH of info and they have all the stuff you need right there to rig you up. If you can, support them with your dollar. They sell quality fishing equipment, because the last thing they need is someone being di
Real fisherman? What would make you happy? I’m not trying to be funny. There are many kinds of fish and many ideas of what is a “good” fishing trip.
I always feel like I had a great day each time I’m on a boat.
Some don’t.
18’ CC w/ 115 Yami
Tell us about the boat.
That’s the way Vinman! And I’m with PeaPod, tell us about your boat.
Seafox 187CC
Any trip you come back with your butt is a good trip, fish in a cooler is a definite bonus, put in your time, listen when you should and always right down all your trip info in a logbook. I’m a great meat fisherman in NJ, down here I’m a monkey fn a football, still tryin
shut up and listen…you might learn something
Thanks for the advice. I personally have a great time on the water. I just feel bad about not putting my dad on the fish yet. Not sure why I feel like it’s my responsibility. We’ve got a 2006 20’ CC Pathfinder. We wanted something that we could fish inshore and sometimes take out to the jetties. I’ve started the fishing journal and we plan on going to the local fishing club meeting held in Park West. Unfortunately next month’s meeting doesn’t work out for us.
My go to rig is a plain jig head with a mm aimlessly bounced on the bottom while the second pole is Carolina rigged also with a mm soaking on the bottom. I guess my definition of a good fisherman is someone that’s not surprised when something actually gets hooked. I’m still learning, so I’m still eager. My ultimate goal is to be good enough to be able to put my boys on the fish. They’re only 3 so I’ve got some time I guess. We’re headed out Saturday though. Wish me luck.
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
A lot of wisdom in vinmans post. Nothing beats time on the water. 5 trips? Hell it took me a year to begin to get a clue. A key for me was to slow down the presentation
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
VERY nice boat you got there…top of the line!!!..as far as the fishing…keep reading on here and keep trying…Put time and more time on the water and you will learn!!!
livin life one day at a time!!!
2006 Seafox172
05 Mercury90hp(saltwater)
One other thing, have 4-5 DIFFERENT places in mind when you go. If creek mouth isn’t working, try dock, then oyster rake, etc. If what you’re doing doesn’t work, sometimes punt and do something you normally wouldn’t.
Vinman
19.5 Triumph, 115 HP Honda
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
I know your frustrations Punishment. I’m in the same boat as you (no pun intended)… My fiance and I bought our first boat end of last year. We’ve spent several trips drowning MM and shrimp, and always seem to catch a whole lot of nothing.
I would like to thank all you seasoned guys that are so willing to offer up advice to newbies like us!
I come from the fresh water fishing side of things, so all the info that you guys share about saltware is VERY much appreciated.
what vinman said. Also, if you are fishing w your dad throw differnt baits to help you pattern the fish. may have one of you throw a mm on a jig head and the other a shrimp on a cork. i always keep a top water rod, a jig head rod, a bottom rig rod and a cork rod rigged and ready to go. actually, i keep another one w a flutter hook and jerk shad ready too.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
In your log, be sure to keep track of weather fronts and moon cycles. I seem to do better before a front vs after, and do better w/ moving water vs slack tide.
Didn’t think about weather fronts. Still trying to understand the moon cycles thing.
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
Very nice post. I too am a newbie(first post)and have struggled to figure things out. Vinman had some excellent advice, as did the others. It’s refreshing to see people helping the new guys to the area. Keep up the nice work.
When i look back at what i have learned since i moved here almost two years ago its amazing. this site will help alot, but time on the water is where it all comes together. Remember, staying confident is a big part of fishing.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
I agree with everyone who has spoken. I took my dad out probably 15 times before we caught a good fish (other than whiting). I acutally put an ultra ultra light rod in the boat each time so at the end of the day we could throw a little shrimp on the bottom and have fun with a whiting. Now it seems that I can go out and catch something each time. Its all about confidence too. If you know you can catch fish you try new things and mix things up which teach you now methods, and things to look for. Good luck to you my friend. You will get it soon.
“My fish served a whole lunchon. Your fish look like a munchkin”
167 Ranger Cayman
Yamaha 115
“Hydrophilic”
2007 Toyota Tundra TRD 5.7L V8
GO PIRATES!
There is a lot of sage advice in this thread. I can personally attest to what Vinman and Salthunter said as they have both taken me out and shown me the ropes. While I am far from the fisherman I want to be, I feel a lot more confident every time I go out. Be patient and enjoy the fact that you are graced with the opportunity to spend time in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Man I envy all you folks that live down there.
Well, if all else fails we toss the net off the dock to get ready to suck at shrimping. 
Lots of good advice here though. Gotta grab one of those hot spot maps and a fish ruler. Optimistic that I’ll need it this weekend.
Inshore Fishing Season 3: Where the fishies be?
quote:What I usually see is that if a guy asks for help and explains what efforts he has put in then, people are always eager to get him to the next step. But, is someone just post, "what bait should I use" or "any suggestions for where I should fish" they get little help. And unfortunately, the person may have been putting in a lot of time on the water and not really asking for a free ride. It's usually just in the way the request for help is written. P4G's post seemed pretty sincere.
Originally posted by ontheflyVery nice post. I too am a newbie(first post)and have struggled to figure things out. Vinman had some excellent advice, as did the others. It’s refreshing to see people helping the new guys to the area. Keep up the nice work.
So, I guess I should add something helpful now? Ummm…
Wear plenty os sun screen. 
Everything else is pretty well covered.