Fishing4idiots A saltwater fishing site that helps you plan for your next trip. Also has some tips.

Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Visitors Out: Total Visitors Out: 24 0 769 769

Versus Country!
2008-03-21 18:37:00
Versus Country is back with Big Fish Madness, one of the biggest sportfishing event. And its bigger than ever! Big Fish Madness is a bracket-style tournament available on VERSUS Country where 32 of the toughest of the tough will face off until just one fish is left swimming, taking home the title of the “World’s Toughest Gamefish”. Voting is open on www.versus.com/madness until March 27th and the winner will be decided on air in four nights of the most spectacular fishing action on television, March 27/28 and April 3/4 during primetime on VERSUS Country.This should be a reel fun adventure. So tune in! ...

Fly fishing rod weights
2008-02-23 03:13:00
Fly fishing rod weights - General guide1 - 3 weight * small flies * short casts4 weight * small to medium trout * small to medium flies * short to medium casts5 - 6 weight * excellent all around trout rod. * Handles small to larger flies * short to longer casts7 - 8 weight * long casts and windy conditions. * 7 weight is a great compromise sized rod for trout and light saltwater9 - 14 weight * large freshwater fish * salt water fishing * large flies * long casts in open areas.Choosing a fly fishing rodChoosing a fly rod to match your required fishing situation/s can be difficult at times, but there are some questions you can answer to make the decision easier.What type of fly fishing will you be doing?No one is going to argue with me when I tell them that a trout doesn't quite match the fight of a marlin or even a tuna. Before purchasing a fly rod think about what kind of fishing you will be doing with it the majority of the time. Whether it is ...

Choosing the right fly line - tackle tips
2008-02-16 16:03:00
For new fly fishers choosing the right equipment can be a daunting task.Matching the rod and line weight is a key feature of a balanced fly fishing system and the foundation of good casting. Casting power comes from the relationship of line to rod. When you pick up the line from the water, the line "loads" the rod by adding enough weight to flex it fully. Then, with a properly timed cast, the flexed rod straightens out, driving the line foreword.Line taperTo help you cast more efficiently most fly lines are tapered. This taper varies in weight, diameter and thickness over the length of the line.There are five main types of taper, each to meet a specific purposeWeight-forward (WF) taperThese are the most popular and the best choice if you are a beginnerThe first 30 feet or so of line is heavier because of its tapered front endThe rest of the line is thinner and is known as the running lineThe weight-forward line helps with long casts and better precision even in windy conditionsBass bug ...
Tips 

Fishing 4cast
2008-02-01 02:19:00
I am not going to be able to get February's 4cast up for awhile, maybe 3-4 days, maybe more maybe less. Sorry about that delay. You can always go to www.gulffishing.com for the 4cast.Thanks for the continued support of my website.Alex ...
Fishing 

Fishing report's tip
2008-02-01 01:26:00
Two tide days this weekend could make for some slow fishing, but the big negative low tide early in the morning and some warmer weather will consolidate and make fish hungry and could make for some great pothole action on the flats. ...
Fishing  Report 

Fishing Report for 1-4
2008-02-01 01:18:00
OFFSHOREAction for grouper has been scattered in the Gulf. Reports of keeper gags coming from southwest of Egmont Key in 80-feet of water for red grouper were noted, but gags were caught just north of the Ship’s Channel, north of Egmont as well in water half that depth. Water temperatures have been moderate with little extremes, holding in the low 60’s, and for grouper, that will help keep them from running to the deeper water to hang.The bait situation has gotten more difficult for guys looking for some Spanish sardines, threadfin herring, or whitebait. Pinfish have been about the most consistently available live bait. Frozen cigar minnow, squid, octopus, threadfins, and sardines should be in the cooler for a day’s trip. A visit to the bait shop for a couple dozen live shrimp might also be part of your bait stop. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two choices. A stop in most any of the deeper channels on your way out should be part of your bait gathering time. A light spinnin ...
Fishing  Report 

All about tides
2008-01-20 02:27:00
Understanding the tides helps you know when to fish. Just like people, fish have active periods and rest periods. Unlike people, fish's actives are determined by the tides. The tide tells the fish when to be on the move for food and when to rest. Because fish don't have eyelids, they cannot close their eyes to rest. Instead, most species remain inactive during certain tides. Tides are up-and-down movements of the oceans caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. As the tide rises and falls, water flows in and out of bays, feeding behavior in fish. Whereas tidal changes have little effect far offshore and are of no concern to anglers who venture there in boats, tides are of the utmost importance when fishing inshore waters. In most locations, the tide changes 4 times a day, resulting in 2 high tides and 2 low tides. Low tide occurs roughly 6 hours after high tide. At the end of each rising and falling tide, there is a period called 'slack tide', when th ...

Fishing Report for 18-21
2008-01-19 00:43:00
OFFSHORECapt. Jack Ryan out of CB Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key scored some nice mangrove snapper action this week while working water depths between 45 and 50-feet fishing out of Big Sarasota Pass. Ryan credited the heavy chumming he did for the gag grouper to 26-inches, red grouper, scamp, and numerous mangrove snapper. Live shrimp and pinfish were his baits of choice, freelined off the transom. Moving to the Barracuda Hole off Sarasota, Ryan reported catching a few kingfish and more snapper.West of Pinellas, 60-foot depths were holding white grunts, grouper, snapper, and triggerfish. Capt. Dave Zalewski of the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach targets triggers with a “snapper rig”, consisting of two 2/0 or smaller hooks with a 3-ounce sinker on the bottom.The weekend prognostication for the weather is not good for offshore, and a follow-up cold front arriving, perhaps by Saturday night could put the skids on your plans. If you do go, make sure your safety equipment is up to sn ...
Fishing  Report 

Getting Started with fly fishing
2008-01-12 17:21:00
Fly fishing is a fishing technique that has been used for a very long time. In a nutshell fly fishing uses an artificial lure that looks like a real insect to lure the fish to bite. The success with this method of fishing has made fly fishing extremely popular in fishing circles and is ideal for you if you are just starting to fish.Your artificial fly floats on top of the water, mimicking the movement of a real bug, waiting for the fish to bite. Artificial flies come in many shapes and sizes. Dragonflies, grasshoppers, mayfly and stonefly are very popular. The flies look lifelike and can easily fool fish and most people. An alternative to the insect type is to use a lure that resembles eggs. Real eggs rise to the surface to hatch. The artificial eggs lure lies just below the surface of the water. You tend to catch more fish with these lures but it is a little harder than using regular fly fishing lures.You can use the fly fishing method in saltwater or freshwater. Commonly, in freshwat ...
Fishing 

5 tips for Success
2008-01-11 00:41:00
5 Tips for Success“5 Tips for Success” is an article on how to improve your technique and knowledge on saltwater fishing.1. I hear too many people saying “Whenever you get a bite, automatically jerk it up, to get it hooked.” I can’t stress enough that is not true. When you get a bite, just wait ‘till you get some tension then jerk up. I say this because, the fish could be biting on the other side, where the hook isn’t, then all you’re doing is scaring your catch away. And if you get some tension and you miss it, don’t reel it in all the way, because the fish might still be interested in your bait. So this proves that fishing does take patience.2. Is Free lining good or is it bad? So many people have asked me that. And other people say what does “Free lining” even mean? Well free lining means to use no weight at all. I would suggest doing this if you are a wader or an inshore angler. I would say doing this because it presents the bait more naturally to the fish. Eg ...
Success  Tips 

Fly fishing intro
2008-01-09 00:11:00
Here is a fly fishing introduction. What I am talking about in this article will be the Pros. and Cons. of fly fishing. I hope you like it! Please click on the read more link...Fly fishing, as a beginner.Fly fishing has there up and down’s. And it does take time to master. As most angler’s would say, there is a lot more skill in it than just plain ‘ol fishing. The casting is different, the ‘bait’ is different, the line is different, and almost everything is different. Except for catching the big one. I would say fly fishing is more challenging, because of how you have to present the fly. I will go into the Pros. And Cons. And getting over the learning curve.Pros:Some of the pros I would say are: more challenging, more exhilarating, don’t have to change the bait as much, and in my opinion more fun! Of course fly fishing takes an ‘acquired taste’, meaning you don’t just automatically like it. I though I was going to automatically love it, and my after my first lesson, ...
Fishing  Intro 

Fly fishing! ;)
2008-01-08 02:52:00
I will be starting on a new section just about saltwater fly fishing. Some of the things will include; Tips, flies, casting, techniques and more. I just took fly fishing up 2 weeks ago and so I am still learning just like you. So what ever I learn I will post on here...I might create another blog just on fly tying. As I also am going to take a class on fly tying. So this will be another reason for you to visit my blog! ;) Don't worry I will post that I updated a fly pattern whenever I learn one. I will post how-to pictures on this site. And I might also post youtube videos. Don't expect this blog to be up for about a month. As it will be 'under construction.'And If you have any questions/comments or suggestions please shoot me an email. I would love suggestions for topics either on saltwater fly fishing or just regular fishing. (Fishing4idiots) And I will probably post my first fly fishing post within a few days. And I will also do something with regular S.Fishing. (Saltwater fishin ...
Fishing 

Read more link...
2008-01-06 04:01:00
I have finally got the read more link widget working. What it does is it puts the first paragraph on the home page. Then if you want to read the rest you will have to click on the read more link. I removed all the other stuff to find the read more link. But some of the posts you won't have to press the read more link because of the shortness. If you have any questions shoot me an email or leave me a comment. Thanks a lot!Alex ...
Link 

January's Calender
2008-01-05 16:05:00
I am sorry for the late delay in posting, but here it is! This is just for the Florida Gulf, as I live in it :P ...
January 

I'm still alive
2008-01-02 23:08:00
I am sorry I have not been posting to much for a while, but later on (in about 2-2.5 hours) I will update the fish/tip of the week. And tomorrow I will start another chapter post, and also will be updating my fishing reports. Thanks for staying with me!! Have a great night/day! Stay warm. And happy new years again!Alex ...

Fishing 4cast's
2008-01-01 16:44:00
I have got the new and updated fishing 4casts for January. And for this year a special treat. I will give you the Tide Tables for every month in addition to the 4cast. I hope you find them useful also. ;)For Florida Gulf 4cast and adjustment times click here.For North Gulf 4cast and adjustment times click here.For West Gulf 4cast and adjustment times click here.And just in case you were wondering I got this from Gulf Coast Fisherman. It is a very helpful fishing magazine, and it has 3months of fishing4casts. And 6months of calenders, so help out Gulf coast and subscribe for them. Believe me you will like it!Thanks and happy new year!Alex ...
Fishing 

Happy New Years!
2008-01-01 03:10:00
Happy new years!! I hope 2008 brings everyone peace, love and compassion.From everyone at Fishing4idiots,Happy new year! ...

More tips part 3!
2007-12-31 01:15:00
Remember the the 'random tips' chapter posts? Well here is the last part of it. :)Sight FishingWhen fishing the flats always make sure to look for tailing fish in shallow water. Most of the time you can spot these fish before you catch them.Deep Sea fishing tipNext time anybody goes out deep sea fishing do this it works. Take a coke can and cut a strip out about 1/2 in wide and 4 inches long pop a hole in it and have the deckhands slip it on your line and then tie your hook. You guessed it a spinner but when you are a few miles out this works. My dad and I were selling these on the boat for a 1.00 because nobody could figure out what they were.....lol. But we caught more fish than anyone so next time you go take this tip and bring the Icy Hot b/c you will need it that night.bottom baits bottom feeders can't resist these powersbaits sandworms, squid, sand eel, clams and other shellfish Trolling tip When you locate a school of fish while trolling, slow down while you tur ...
Tips 

Please take this survey
2007-12-28 17:10:00
I have created an online 13 question survey about my first year on Fishing4idiots. I am just wanting to collect data on how I am doing, and what I need to get better on. So please take 5 minutes to complete this survey. I would really applicate it.ThanksAlexhttp://quibblo.com/quiz/trMrco/Fishing4idiots-2007-survey ...
Survey 

Fishing Reports
2007-12-28 14:19:00
I have updated Fishing Reports, for this week. So go check out fishing reports. Thanks again for choosing Fishing4idiots and Fishing Reports!And please continue to advertise my blog. :)Have fun fishing!Thanks,Alex ...
Fishing  Reports 

Fishing Log
2007-12-28 14:19:00
Keeping a fishing log is like putting a giant jigsaw puzzle together. One piece of the puzzle doesn’t give much to go on. Fishing is not an exact science, but the more information you have at hand, based on past experience, the better equipped you are to consistently find fish that are feeding. Anglers can learn much from logging their catch data and other pertinent information about their fishing trips. Useful information might include, but not be limited to barometric pressure-- steady, high-rising, low- falling, etc., tide levels in feet and tenths of feet, plus tide direction, i.e., incoming, changing, out-going, etc., moon phases, wind direction and velocity, cloud cover, i.e., overcast, cloudy, sunny, etc., fish caught and where, on what time of the tide, water temperature, water clarity, and more. Perhaps the best tool for maintaining your log is the use of the Florida Sportsman Fishing Planner. This has the tides and moon phases on the planner, and all you need to add are the ...
Fishing  Log 

Update
2007-12-28 00:37:00
Sorry for the delay in posting. I will be posting again starting tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great Holiday and hope you have a great new year!Thanks again for making my first year great!Alex ...

Happy Holidays!!
2007-12-24 14:30:00
Happy Holidays to everyone! Hope your holiday brings cheer, love, and getting what you wanted all year! Spread the holiday love (or cheer) to everyone you know! And I am also hoping every a wishful new year!Thanks ever so much for the continued support on my site! And remember to refer me to all your friends! Happy holidays!Alex :) ...
Holidays 

Winter Solstice
2007-12-22 02:23:00
Winter strike zones shrink as water temperatures drop. The colder the water for most species, the smaller the strike zone, making it even more important for an “in your face” presentation. Baitfish continually swim, with brief periods of stopping. The problem with most baitfish imitations is that they only look natural when they’re moving. As soon as they’re stopped, they sink to the bottom and lay on their sides…not so with a shrimp. In nature, shrimp sit on the bottom, bury in the mud or grass, and basically do nothing. They’re not swimming most the time like most baitfish, but do drift with the current. Artificial shrimp, like those from DOA Lures can mimic this crustacean to the letter. This bait can stay in the strike zone as long as desired, giving fish an opportunity to eat it. Some new suspending baitfish imitations like the Rapala Twitchin’ Rap and the MirrOlure MirrOdine and MirrOminnow can be worked slowly enough and “hover” in the water column for a simila ...
Solstice  Winter 

Hooks Part 5
2007-12-19 23:08:00
Buying, Handling, and Sharpening HooksHooks are sold in bulk packages of from 10 to a hundred hooks or more, or in packages of 4 to 6 snelled hooks. Leave the hooks in the package until you need them, to keep them safe and neat and to keep the points from becoming dull. Packages of snelled hooks fit nicely in a tackle box. Keep them there, and don't let them get in a tangled mess. The quality of a fishhook can be determined by its finish. Inexpensive hooks have a 'blued' finish and are made from carbon steel. They are used primarily for freshwater fishing and should be avoided for use on saltwater. Saltwater fishing requires materials with greater resistance to corrosion, such as nickel- or bronze-plated alloys or stainless steel. These cost slightly more than carbon steel hooks, but not too much more. Even among the superior alloys, there are differences. Hooks made from drawn wire are less expensive but not as strong as forged hooks. Better hooks last longer and retain their sharp p ...

Hooks Part 4
2007-12-19 22:56:00
Shank CharacteristicsJ hooks are manufactured with short or long shanks. Long-shank hooks are used for sharp-toothed fish, such as bluefish and mackerel, allowing the fish to bite the shank and not the leader. They are also used for fish that suck in their food, such as winter flounder. The long shank makes removing the hook easier. A long-shank hook provides room for the bait to be placed along the shank, which makes for better presentation of the bait and in most cases ensures that the bait will not fall off. A worm or fish can be stretched out along the whole length of the shank, looking much more natural than if it were curled around the bend of the hook. Short-shank hooks are used with smaller pieces of cut bait or shrimp, because the hook can be more effectively hidden within the bait. Short-shank hooks take up little space in the tackle box and can be easily removed from smaller fish that do not inhale their food. Some J hooks have bait barbs on the shank, which prevent the l ...

Hooks Part 3
2007-12-16 03:48:00
Sorry for the lateness for the post. Well here it is hope you enjoy!!If you're accustomed to J hooks, using circle hooks involves some adjustment. Instead of setting the hook by sharply pulling back on the rod, apply steady pressure on the line, bringing it in evenly and slowly. Avoid jerking the rod to prevent pulling the hook from the fish's mouth. Packaged snelled hooks have monofilament or wire leader attached. The strength of the leader can range from 3o-to-80 pound test and above, and leader length varies considerably. The leader has a loop at the end opposite the hook, making tying on quick and easy. Snelled hooks are available in J and C hooks. Some anglers snell their own hooks, buying their hooks in bulk, and the leader material separately. Although snelling a hook takes a little longer, it's not difficult. (See under TOC 'Knots' for a website on how to tie a snell.) Most fishing lures have one or more sets of treble, or 3-pointed, hooks. These range in size from #6 thro ...

Problems on Site
2007-12-13 14:11:00
Wow, I just went on my site this morning and a couple things are not working.. I am hoping this has something to do with blogger. Because all the stuff I have hosted is not working. And I checked my hosting site, and nothing is wrong with it. But if you find something is not working please give me a little bit to work it out. I will hopefully fix this bug before the day is gone!Thanks and sorry for any problems,Alex ...
Site 

Listen Now button.
2007-12-13 02:48:00
Remember me saying awhile back on my post Little Changes, about the Odiogo button? Well I finally got it up and running. I explained what it does clearly on my post, Little Changes, but I will just briefly refresh your memory.Pretty much it is a text-to-speech widget. Just press Listen Now, and it should start playing. It will go through the intro, then it will literally read the post to you. I felt like installing this because it looked cool. Also I have been posting some long articles and thought it would be handy if you wanted it to read to you while you read along with it. And like I said on my previous post, you can download it as a mp3 to 'take along' with you on your Ipod or mp3 player. Read Little Changes on how to do that. If and when you press the Listen Now and says 'Sorry, this article is not available yet' then do fret it will be up to date soon. Check back within the hour.Also I will be making one more change by the time Christmas comes, or a little bit after. And what I ...

Hooks Part 2
2007-12-13 01:44:00
Hook SizeFishhook size is designated numerically. Below a certain size, the lager the number, the small the hook. A number 10 hook, therefore, is smaller than a number 4 hook of the same style. Hooks larger than the number 1 use a different system, however. A number followed by a slash and a zero indicates a large hook, and the numbers increase with the hook size. Thus, a number 5/0 hook is lager than a 2/0 hook, which is larger than a number 10 hook. The thickness of the hook in any given size should also be considered. A thin hook will penetrate more easily than a thick hook. If you're having trouble setting the hook, chances are that the hook is too thick for the targeted species, so use a thinner hook of the same size.Hook DesignsThere are 3 basic hook designs: conventional J hooks; circle, or C, hooks; and and treble hooks. J and C hooks are used primarily with bait; treble hooks are found on most saltwater plugs and lures. J and C hooks are available as snelled hooks of just ...