OUTDOORS

30 THE SUN OUTDOORS JUNE 29, 2022

Learning to fish: Back to basics

Reel Time

RUSTY CHINNIS

Anglers of all stripes like to keep up with state-ofthe-art innovations in the angling world. While that new jig or special fly can perhaps improve their odds at catching fish, it’s important for new anglers to learn and apply the basics, the foundation that successful angling is built on.

Fishing means different things to different people. To some, it’s the simple pleasure of being on the water, where catching is optional. To others, it’s serious business and the outcome can make or break a day on the water. For still others, it’s the search for a meal or just an opportunity to share time with friends or family.

Whatever fishing means to you, it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, I’m convinced that the less complicated it is, the better your chance of success. That might not be apparent when browsing the tackle department at your nearest sporting goods store or tackle shop. There is a plethora of gear lining the shelves meant to lure anglers. Even the basics like line and hooks come in many shapes and colors, each promising the angler an advantage over the fish. Lures dazzle the eye with a rainbow of colors in mindbending holographic patterns. In truth, experience has taught me that there’s no special magic to finding the right gear for angling success. Instead, concentrating on a few basic time-tested techniques will improve the luck of even the greenest angler.

Most important is the essential outfit - rod, reel and line. Pick the best quality tackle you can afford, but not the most expensive available. I’m talking about gear that is solidly made, and able to survive the rigors of saltwater. Whether you’re using spinning tackle, fly tackle or bait casting gear, get an outfit that’s balanced and appropriate for the kind of fishing you’ll be doing. A balanced outfit means that the weight is evenly distributed when held just forward of the reel on the cork of the rod. This isn’t an exact science, but you’ll be able to feel if one component is oversized.

An appropriate outfit is one that is up to the task of catching the fish you’re targeting, but no heavier than necessary. An 8- to 10-pound rig is perfect for snook, trout, redfish and other inshore species while a 20- to 40-pound outfit works best for anglers hunting kingfish and cobia along the beach or bottom fishing for grouper, snapper or amberjack over offshore ledges and wrecks. The line should also match the outfit you’re using and should fill the spool of the reel. The most common problem I see is reels with too little line. This severely hampers the angler’s casting accuracy and distance.

When it comes to deciding whether to use live bait or artificial lures, I think artificial lures are a better choice, especially for beginning anglers. First and foremost, lures are less of a hassle. Live bait takes time to acquire, must be kept healthy and usually stays close to where it’s cast. Artificial lures by contrast don’t have to be changed often and aren’t affected by pests like pinfish. At worst it only involves changing the body of a jig occasionally. Using lures will allow you to cover more water, testing various water depths and retrieval speeds.

My personal favorite is a jig, and while I now use mostly lead-headed jigs with plastic bodies, the original lead-head jigs with bucktail skirts are still a great choice. My second choice would be a top water plug. These lures require a bit of practice to master “walking the dog,” but allow the angler to cover a lot of water and attract fish with their sound and surface disturbance.

Consult your local tackle shop when choosing an outfit. They know the area, have a wealth of experience, and can be trusted to get you off to a good start. While big box stores might seem a good place to shop, you’re not as likely to get the professional advice of a local shop. Do some homework before shopping so you can pick the best rig for the fishing you intend to do.

There is no doubt that innovations appear that you want to be aware of, but your overall experience will be enhanced if you master the basics first.

RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN The best place to shop for fishing tackle is at your local fishing outfitter. There you have the advantage of local knowledge.

SUBMITTED After being satellite tagged on Coquina Beach the morning of June 20, the loggerhead sea turtle known as Esther headed south to the coast of Siesta Key before heading farther out into the Gulf of Mexico. Esther was last tracked off the coast of north Siesta Key, having traveled 45 miles from Anna Maria Island. Esther is one of 15 turtles competing in the Sea Turtle Conservancy's 13th Annual Tour de Turtles event with the title going to the turtle that travels the farthest between their tagging date and Oct. 31, the end of turtle nesting season. Esther is competing to raise awareness of light pollution, and is sponsored by Waterline Villas & Marinas and Mainsail Vacation Rentals.

TURTLE TIPS

During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles: • Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water. • Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night. • Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings. • Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles: • City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 139 or ext. 129. • City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 280. • City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260. • Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water. • Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris. • Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights. • Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring NESTING NEWS

Turtle nests laid: 343 (Record: 544 in 2019)

False crawls: 323 (Record: 831 in 2010)

Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

Beaches brimming with nests

Anna Maria Island beaches have hundreds of sea turtle nests incubating this summer, all marked with yellow stakes and pink tape to warn beachgoers to steer clear of them. Most nests hatch at night, but occasionally, hatchlings emerge in the daylight. If you see a nest hatch, stay well away from hatchlings as they head for the Gulf of Mexico.

CINDY LANE | SUN