Fishing Articles
Freshwater Fishing
From the hatches from 2003-2010 that are currently producing many trophy-sized fish and how currently the Walleye harvested per hour was the 4th highest on record, and most catches were in the 15-24” range, well into the legal limit. This article will provide all the information for why your next Walleye destination needs to be Lake Erie.
You can rent out someone else’s house with Airbnb, call a ride at the click of a button with Uber, and order delivery from your favorite 5-star restaurant in seconds with Grubhub.
So, what’s the deal with fishing? What is it about the second most popular sport in the US that excludes us from cutting-edge tech?
On this episode of Sweetwater, Miles Burghoff and Joey Nania split up and work a few different areas in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida, seeking new bass territory along the way. Burghoff is joined by artist and professional bass fisherman Ted Lincoln who shares some of his strategies for coaxing up a bite in unfamiliar waters. Here we’ll share some of those conditions that the crew noticed about this particular fishery and how you can apply that knowledge to finding bass in your own fisheries at home.
Because there isn’t much seasonal variation in southern Florida, the lakes there do not follow the same patterns that most other fisheries do. But the fishing conditions absolutely change, albeit less predictably than other areas.
Tournament anglers don’t always fish in lakes or ponds that they are familiar with, so most will go to that body of water a week or so beforehand to do some reconnaissance. On this episode of Sweetwater, professional bass anglers Miles Burghoff and Joey Nania head down to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida to get in some practice and figure out the space in preparation for a tournament.
Fall is the best time of year for trout fishing, the low temps jolting the fish into greater activity than the hot summer months. And while spin-casting to these fish is certainly fun and challenging in its own ways, fly fishing adds an almost meditative quality to the experience. Many anglers love the idea of learning how to fly fish, but they’re not really sure where to start. It’s certainly not easy, after all, which is why HUK, the prominent fishing apparel company, put together this Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing.
Competition is one of the best ways to improve your skills in anything, and bass fishing is no exception. On this episode of Sweetwater, hosts Joey Nania and Miles Burghoff head out in two different directions in their Nitro boats on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Florida for some friendly competition. Using some standard tournament rules, the two competitive anglers test each other’s skills while giving us some of the best tips for fishing in a tournament.
“I don’t care how many times you dump a bass boat in the morning,” says Nania, “there’s still those jitters you get, that excitement, that nervous energy you get when you’re about to go fishing. And that just happens when you’re that passionate about something.” We’ll take a look at some of their techniques and insight on using frog baits to catch smallmouth bass. Here are 2 tips for frog baits.
“Why does the centerpin work?” His response: it works because it provides a natural drift. A centerpin looks like a large-diameter fly reel, but it has no drag, which allows it to spin freely on its axis (its “center pin”) forward and backward. Centerpin reels do have a clicker, but it is used for transporting the reel, and not for fishing.
In this episode of Sweetwater, hosts Joey Nania and Miles Burghoff spend a day fishing on Nickajack Lake to hit the late fall bass bite. After unhitching their Nitro boat off their B&W trailer hitch, they head out for a versatile day on the water with changing weather conditions forcing them to shift their strategies, acting as a great example of how an angler can adjust to stay with the fish.
In this episode of Sweetwater, Joey Nania takes his two sons, Zeke and Eli, fishing out on Lake Chickamauga. With two very excited young boys, Nania’s passion evident in them, it makes for an exciting and uniquely rewarding day for the Sweetwater host. Miles Burghoff joins Nania to talk about the importance of teaching kids to fish and some of the best ways to do that.
Offshore Fishing
Few outdoor TV shows have been as groundbreaking and influential as the legendary Spanish Fly, hosted by renowned guide Jose Wejebe. And now, after many years, Spanish Fly is coming on-demand to Waypoint Feb. 5th, 2021!
On this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger discuss the importance of having fresh live bait in the Keys and how you can ensure that you have it readily available at all times of the year.
Cobia are a great tasting fish that yield a lot of meat, give a good fight, and can be found all over the Florida Keys. We’ll get into some of the things that Tudor and Rowland observed about these fish and how to effectively catch them. Here’s everything you need to know about offshore cobia fishing.
Mutton snappers are a favorite of Scott Walker and Steve Rodger, hosts of Into the Blue. In this episode the two captains head just offshore from the Hawks Cay Resort to fish for muttons on a few of the wrecks out there. It’s an exciting episode with some good advice for any capable wreck angler. Here’s how Walker and Rodger like to catch mutton snappers on Florida wrecks.
In this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger meet up in Key Largo to do some wintertime sail-fishing, as well as to break in Walker’s new boat with a set of Yamaha XTO Offshore motors on the back. We’ll dive into some of their best practices for catching sailfish this time of year as well as how to properly break in a brand new motor.
Love it or hate it, sail-fishing can be one of the most exciting fights you’ll experience out on the water. In this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger chase Walker’s favorite species, giving their best advice for catching these elusive acrobats. “Sailfish is the premier game fish in the Florida Keys,” says a smiling Walker, “I’m possessed with catching them.”
In this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger head out in search of a blackfin bite off the coast of Duck Key near the Hawk’s Cay Resort and Marina. Armed to the teeth with all the tackle, rods, and bait they need, the pair is in for a great day on the water. Here are their top 4 tips for blackfin tuna fishing.
The August-September salmon run is a staple for Northwestern anglers longing for a hard fight and some of the most delicious and mild meat available beneath the waves. For anyone gearing up to bring home a load of salmon for the freezer, this excellent recipe for baked salmon from Lindner’s Angling Edge is a must-try. Featuring a “tasty lemon caper butter topping”, this dish will have your family and guests begging for you to get out on the water every season to bring home salmon for their new favorite meal.
Tuna are one of the tastiest and most frequently sought after saltwater game fish, and the blackfin is no exception. Lightning fast and strong fighters, blackfin tuna are a regular request from clients fishing in the Florida Keys. Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor head out with orders to bring some blackfin home to their families. Along the way, they give their best tips for how to catch these awesome fish in the Florida Keys on this episode of Saltwater Experience.
In this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker demonstrate how to set up your anchor line in a way that makes adaptation easier (with practice) as well as how to be courteous when you roll up to a spot with a group of boats already fishing there. Plus, Walker gives us his favorite mutton recipe for the grill.
It’s a brisk day in the Florida Keys as Captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker exit the marina of the Ocean’s Edge Resort in Rodger’s 36 Yellowfin on this episode of Into the Blue. “It was cold as all get out,” reflects Rodger, “it was probably 64 degrees, which in the Keys is about as cold as it gets. I’m wearing jeans, which doesn’t happen very often.” Today the pair is on their way out to the reef, ready for anything that might come their way but hoping to get into some yellowtail snappers or tuna. While some yellowtail certainly make their way onto a couple of their baits, another treasure of the keys is going to be much more prevalent today: kingfish. We’ll go into some of the strategies the two Into the Blue hosts used to prepare and adapt as they head out for a day on the reef.
If you’ve ever been out on the open ocean, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ve gazed over the side into the deep blue, straining your eyes to see just how far below the surface you can see, wondering what could possibly await hundreds or even thousands of feet down below the sparkling rays of sunlight. Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor sure have, and on this episode of Saltwater Experience they decided to see for themselves what they could haul out of that great, mysterious realm by using a technique called Deep Dropping.
.Nantucket Shoals is a vast area of shallow and constantly shifting bottom that extends 23 miles east and 40 miles southeast from Nantucket. Depths in this area can change from 100 feet to 5 feet over the length of a football field, creating tidal rips and breaking waves that have given the area its reputation as a ship graveyard. However, the same conditions that make Nantucket Shoals hazardous for boaters provide incredible habitat for gamefish.
If you’ve seen a striper attack a Doc, you’ll agree that the fish seems more motivated by anger than hunger, punishing the plug with its tail and snout before engulfing it.
The Gulf of Mexico is full of wonders, not the least of which are the schools of the normally elusive permit that congregate around wrecks in its green waters. In this episode of Into the Blue, captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker are back at it, starting off a brand new season with a day chasing permit in the Gulf.
The Gulf of Mexico is full of wonders, not the least of which are the schools of the normally elusive permit that congregate around wrecks in its green waters. In this episode of Into the Blue, captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker are back at it, starting off a brand new season with a day chasing permit in the Gulf.
In this episode of Saltwater Experience, Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor take a stab at sailfishing after hearing about a ton of incredible ballyhoo sprays in the deeper waters of Florida. Though the conditions aren’t quite right at first, keeping them inshore for the morning, they eventually improve enough that Tudor feels comfortable taking his bay boat out into the open sea. Once they’re out there, though, it’s a pretty incredible sight to see.
Yellow jacks are an unusual fish for the Florida Keys, and in this episode of Saltwater Experience captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor get into a pile of them using Tudor’s Motorguide trolling motor just off the shore from their resort. They’ve got a lot of insight into catching and cooking this elusive beauty.
Sometimes plan B becomes our primary objective before plan A even gets started. That was certainly the case in this episode of Into the Blue as Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger accidentally run across the most incredible seaweed line on their way to do some swordfishing. Within their first couple casts the captains discover that this patch is STUFFED with mahi-mahi, a feisty and delicious catch.
In this episode of Into the Blue, captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger try a more popular fishing hole, a well-known submarine wreck, in hopes of finally getting a big haul of blackfin tuna. It’s a satisfying day on the sea after their last couple outings were dogged by sharks. We’ll take a look at some of their advice for catching tuna as well as proper etiquette around other boats on a crowded day.
On this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker head out into the Gulf of Mexico to chase some skyrocketing kingfish brought in by a cold front. It’s a hairy situation with a storm bearing down on them, but these two know what they’re doing and are able to catch some great fish and get out of there before the storm hits.
When Captains Steve Rodger and Scott Walker head out swordfishing, they’re always prepared for anything. And anything, in this case, is Mahi-Mahi (commonly known as dolphin fish). “When we’re fishing for one specific thing, we’re always packed for something else, something a little greater,” says Rodger, “Whether it be some rigged up marlin lures or some live bait to drop to the bottom ...In the saltwater when you head out you need to have a plan of more than what you’re after. And that plan for me when we’re swordfishing is for mahi-mahi.”
In this episode of ‘Into the Blue’, experts Steve Rodger and Scott Walker sit down for a deep dive into some of their techniques for swordfishing. These two have spent their lives chasing all sorts of ocean game, and both agree that swordfish provides one of the best deep-sea fishing experiences. Together, these two full-time guides will walk us through 5 things you need to know to catch more swordfish.
Snapper fishing is a staple of the Florida Keys, and today our experts Scott Walker and Steve Rodger fire up the Mercury Marine motor and head out to catch some, then sit down to give us a rundown on the different types of snapper found in Florida, where to find them, what they like to eat, and how to bring them in.
Sharks hold a special place in popular culture as one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. In this episode of Saltwater Experience, Tom and Rich host special guest, and UFC champion, Matt Hughes and help him cross shark off his bucket list. Here are four basic rules they followed that set them up for a successful day with several sharks on the line.
To be fair, finding the fish is part of the greater challenge that makes fishing attractive to so many competitive anglers, but no one sets out in the morning hoping to burn up their full tank of gas jetting from spot to spot while they try to find the action. On the other hand, it feels like the best fisherman always manage to find the action. So how do the pros find those pockets of oases teeming with marine life in the middle of an otherwise (seemingly) empty ocean?
Veteran captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger of Into the Blue have caught countless tuna in their times as Captains and guides. In Episode 2: "The Tuna Difference." they offer tips and techniques for every type of tuna you could be targeting. In this article we will cover two species they discuss in this episode, blackfin and yellowfin.
Inshore Fishing
The tarpon roll is an iconic display of the mysterious fish. While it can tremendously help in locating the fish, there seems to be only key times, locations, and days where “it’s on”, and the tarpon roll the way you have always wanted them to.
To say that the Everglades and the animals that call it home are at risk would be an understatement. It is vital that we change the way we manage Florida's waters to ensure that we don't lose these precious resources before it's too late. Since 2016, Captains for Clean Water has been fighting to make that change happen. A group of captains in Florida has banded together to ensure that the waters they love are protected.
The tarpon are pouring into the Florida Keys. Many people are headed to try to catch their first or take advantage of this time of year. In this episode of How 2 Tuesday, I go through the exact setup that I use at the bridge. We go through rod, reel, line, hook, etc. and we also talk a lot of strategy for how to land these fish efficiently and safely.
Catching bait can make or break a day of fishing. In this episode we talk about the importance of bait, how it can be used for live chum, where to find it and more. Knowing a few key things to look for can help you to have a much more successful start to your day, and you can spend much more time fishing.
In this episode from the Tom Rowland Podcast, we learn about bridge fishing from a boat. We learn about the tarpon migration, what bait to use (crabs, mullet, etc.), and what bridges to fish in the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda and Long Key Bridge near Hawks Cay are two of the best.
Few outdoor TV shows have been as groundbreaking and influential as the legendary Spanish Fly, hosted by renowned guide Jose Wejebe. And now, after many years, Spanish Fly is coming on-demand to Waypoint Feb. 5th, 2021!
On this episode of Into the Blue, Captains Scott Walker and Steve Rodger discuss the importance of having fresh live bait in the Keys and how you can ensure that you have it readily available at all times of the year.
Amberjacks are a strong and stubborn fish. According to Rowland, “They call the amberjack the reef donkey because it’s stubborn, it does not want to come in.” Justin, one of their guests for the day, had done most of his fishing in the northeast and was in great physical condition, but when he got his first amberjack bite his eyes got wide as that rod doubled over.
Bonefish, one of Florida’s more coveted species of fish, particularly among serious flats anglers, are a staple of the industry down there. On this episode of Saltwater Experience, Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor head to Islamorada to go after these unique fish, giving a couple tidbits of wisdom from their years of tournament bonefishing experience.
If you’re a fan of Into the Blue, then you’re well aware of the diverse assortment of gamefish available for anglers to chase in the Florida Keys. Capt. Steve Rodger, co-host of Into the Blue says that oftentimes he’ll get clients that book a 5 day charter with him, allowing them to really explore that variety and get the most out of their trip. But there’s always one option that comes up at some point. “There’s always at least one guy,” says Rodger with a grin, “who says, ‘What about sharks? Can we catch sharks?’”
When it comes to finding fish, Florida anglers have a wide variety of locations they can try, many of which are bound to hold fish. One of those options involves the many bridges that span the gaps between islands and channels. According to Tom Rowland, “There are a lot of bridges in the Florida Keys and most of them hold fish.”
Waypoint TV continues to practice what they preach as they renew their sponsorship and support of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a vital organization in the fight to “conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats.”
Fly Fishing
Few outdoor TV shows have been as groundbreaking and influential as the legendary Spanish Fly, hosted by renowned guide Jose Wejebe. And now, after many years, Spanish Fly is coming on-demand to Waypoint Feb. 5th, 2021!
Bonefish, one of Florida’s more coveted species of fish, particularly among serious flats anglers, are a staple of the industry down there. On this episode of Saltwater Experience, Captains Tom Rowland and Rich Tudor head to Islamorada to go after these unique fish, giving a couple tidbits of wisdom from their years of tournament bonefishing experience.
Fall is the best time of year for trout fishing, the low temps jolting the fish into greater activity than the hot summer months. And while spin-casting to these fish is certainly fun and challenging in its own ways, fly fishing adds an almost meditative quality to the experience. Many anglers love the idea of learning how to fly fish, but they’re not really sure where to start. It’s certainly not easy, after all, which is why HUK, the prominent fishing apparel company, put together this Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing.
Waypoint TV continues to practice what they preach as they renew their sponsorship and support of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a vital organization in the fight to “conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats.”
“Why does the centerpin work?” His response: it works because it provides a natural drift. A centerpin looks like a large-diameter fly reel, but it has no drag, which allows it to spin freely on its axis (its “center pin”) forward and backward. Centerpin reels do have a clicker, but it is used for transporting the reel, and not for fishing.
Adaptability is one of the most valuable traits of an angler, as demonstrated by Captains Rich Tudor and Tom Rowland of Saltwater Experience. In this episode, Tudor and Rowland get set up to fish for some tarpon. But when, instead of tarpon, they catch barracudas their plan shifts to something equally as exciting: Shark fishing. It’s a thrill ride as they try different tactics on both spin and fly rods out in the flats.
If you ever wondered what it took to have a YETI cooler named after you, just ask Flip. You might say Flip Pallot has been around the block, but that would be a gross understatement. He’s a hunter and an angler recently featured on Flats Class, who has traveled the globe pursuing his passion. So why did a guy with a big imagination quit his banking job to launch a fishing career? Simple: “You regret the things you don’t do.”
Tarpon aren’t the tastiest fish, so these silver kings are best caught and released. Often over four feet long and weighing over 100 lbs., tarpon put up a fight and are famous for leaping spectacularly out of the water. Here are some tips for releasing these beauties so they can live to fight another day.
With Tarpon season just around the corner, we are all chomping at the bit with every video clip, article, and episode we can watch in an attempt to ease our impatience until we can get out on the water. That being said, the silver king is not so easily filmed. Not only does it take the most masterful anglers to regularly find and hook these fish, but it is almost more impossible to capture that split-second moment when the line comes tight.
Did you know it takes 7 years or more for an Ozarks’ smallmouth bass to reach 12 - 15 inches? In the season finale of Hooked On Wild Waters, Drew Gregory paddles through the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri and teaches us how to protect these fish and their habitat.
All Fishing Articles
From the hatches from 2003-2010 that are currently producing many trophy-sized fish and how currently the Walleye harvested per hour was the 4th highest on record, and most catches were in the 15-24” range, well into the legal limit. This article will provide all the information for why your next Walleye destination needs to be Lake Erie.
The tarpon roll is an iconic display of the mysterious fish. While it can tremendously help in locating the fish, there seems to be only key times, locations, and days where “it’s on”, and the tarpon roll the way you have always wanted them to.
“The 10,000 Pushup Challenge isn’t new, but this year, it has evolved into something bigger. I am honored to be part of a movement to educate and advance conservation priorities,” says Waypoint TV CEO Builder Brock, who will be taking part himself.
You can rent out someone else’s house with Airbnb, call a ride at the click of a button with Uber, and order delivery from your favorite 5-star restaurant in seconds with Grubhub.
So, what’s the deal with fishing? What is it about the second most popular sport in the US that excludes us from cutting-edge tech?
To say that the Everglades and the animals that call it home are at risk would be an understatement. It is vital that we change the way we manage Florida's waters to ensure that we don't lose these precious resources before it's too late. Since 2016, Captains for Clean Water has been fighting to make that change happen. A group of captains in Florida has banded together to ensure that the waters they love are protected.
The tarpon are pouring into the Florida Keys. Many people are headed to try to catch their first or take advantage of this time of year. In this episode of How 2 Tuesday, I go through the exact setup that I use at the bridge. We go through rod, reel, line, hook, etc. and we also talk a lot of strategy for how to land these fish efficiently and safely.
Catching bait can make or break a day of fishing. In this episode we talk about the importance of bait, how it can be used for live chum, where to find it and more. Knowing a few key things to look for can help you to have a much more successful start to your day, and you can spend much more time fishing.
Getting people into fishing isn’t always easy, though. It requires patience and persistence (get ready to untangle a LOT of lines), but seeing the joy on someone’s face when they have a big fish on the end of their line for the first time makes it all worth it. To aid in that process, we put together this article to give you some ideas for getting your friends and family into fishing.