by Cap't. Ralph F. Mariano
rmariano@streport.com

Info on Florida Saltwater Fish - Rules & Fishing Tips


Black Drum

Black Grouper
Black Grouper

Bluefish
Bluefish

Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin

Bonefish
Bonefish

cobia
Cobia

Dolphin
Dolphin

Flounder
Flounder

Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper


Gray Snapper

Kingfish
King Mackerel


Mutton Snapper

Permit
Permit

Pompano
Pompano

Redfish
Redfish

Red Snapper
Red Snapper

Sailfish
Sailfish

Snook
Snook

Spanish Mackeral
Spanish Mackerel

Tarpon
Tarpon

Trout
Trout

Wahoo
Wahoo


White Marlin

Yellowtail Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper

Yelllowfin tuna
Yellowfin Tuna

american_shad_sm.gif (2852 bytes)
American Shad

Swordfish
Swordfish 

Greater Amberjack
Greater Amberjack 

 

Shrimp Rigging

We all know that shrimp is a staple for many inshore game fish, but do we all know how to rig them for different situations? Wonder if you want distance out of your cast, can this be done using the same rig as for free-lining?  Pictured below are different methods and techniques that can be used when using live shrimp as bait.  Remember that small to medium shrimp will take a lot of smaller fish, but when your going after the bigger fish, the largest shrimp available will be more appealing to them plus it will discourage the smaller fish from stealing your bait.  Another tip would be to use the smallest hook and the least amount of weight that you can to do the job.

Short distance casting rigs
Shrimp1 The horn rig will maintain the liveliness of you shrimp if you avoid putting the hook through the stomach (dark or translucent spot behind the eyes, or it's pancreas, the dark spot behind the stomach).

1) Gently insert your hook under the shrimps horn making sure that you go between the stomach and pancreas taking care not to damage these organs. If hooked correctly the shrimp will remain alive and active as it settles to the bottom.  This rig will also work well when using a float or popping cork. Care must be taken though when popping the cork as to not getting to aggressive and tearing the shrimp off.

 


shrimp2 The in-line rig also will keep the shrimp alive and active.  This rig can be used for slowly working the shrimp along the bottom.

1) Again avoid the shrimps stomach and pancreas.  Put the hook under the shrimps chin and up through it head avoiding the vital organs.  Try to bring the hook out through the top of it's head as close to center as possible to maintain balance.

2) You can slowly retrieve it, and pause it every now and then to allow the shrimp to twitch and snap on it's own.  The shrimp won't live as long with this rig as it does with the horn rig.     

 


Long Distance Casting Rig

 

When a long cast is essential embedding the hook deep within the tail will reduce your chances of whipping the bait off.  If you remove the "tail fan" this will emit a scent that also attracts fish.

1)  Remove the tail fan at it's base

2) Lay the hook along side the shrimp to see where the hook should exit.

3) Like rigging a plastic worm push the hook into the center of the tail and thread the shrimp onto the shank.

4) Push the hook point through the center of the shrimps belly concealing the hook eye if desired.

 


shrimp4

Weedless Option

1) Remove the tail fan at it's base.

2) Insert  the hook point through the center of the tail.

3) Slide the shrimp along the shank and up to the hook eye.

4) Reverse the hook point and embed it in the shrimps body.  You now have a shrimp that can be fished through grass and weeds, as well as over jagged structure.

 


Free-Lining Options

 

Offset tail rig

A number of experts prefer tailhooking their shrimp in these situations, enabling the bait to swim in an almost unrestricted fashion. Furthermore, when a fish consumes the shrimp head first, the hook is easier to set because it protrudes from the baits tail in a straight, direct fashion.

Run the hook sideways through the base of the tail, just slightly ahead of the fan.  The hook should be centered to maximize its holding potential during cast and strikes.  This arrangement is also almost weedless due to the hook placement.

 


In-line tail rig

Some anglers prefer running the hook through the center of the tail base, which keeps the point on top of the shrimp and away from weeds and other bottom snags.  To further restrict the shrimps ability to flee from fish, and to lesser degree to emit traces of scent, some anglers remove the two outer tail fans.

 


Jighead/Shrimp Combination

 
For fishing bottom or a specific portion of the water column, a live shrimp impaled on a jighead is a hot combination.  A long-standing producer of snook, tarpon, redfish, and flounder in deep holes, and around bridges, the jighead takes the shrimp down to the bottom while the shrimp provides the the action.  Depending on species, the jig is usually bounced very subtly along the bottom or even jigged as it carried by the current.  It's important to be gentle when jigging this combo in order to keep the shrimp from sliding or falling off the hook.  Plus, you'll enhance the shrimp's action, which is what you're relying on to tempt the fish. 

1) Visually detect the stomach and pancreas.

2) Insert the hook through the shrimps chin and out of the center of it's head, avoiding the vital organs.  Make sure the shrimp is straight and firmly positioned on the hook.

 

Hooked On Fishing International
Kid's All-American Fishing Derby

YOUNG ANGLERS ATTRACTED TO REMOTE DERBY VENUES

DISNEY, OK. — From Alaska to Florida, California to Maine, the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program literally reaches out for young anglers. In its 13th year, the nation's most successful fishing education program has attracted more than 5 million participants from all corners of the U.S. — in all 50 states — and the venues are split almost evenly between rural and urban locations.

How scattered are these nationwide events? How about Anchor Point, Alaska, or Kailua, Hawaii, or Saco, Maine, or maybe the City of Avalon on Catalina Island off the Southern California coastline, or perhaps the event organized by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, in Whiteriver, Arizona. Evalene Tulene of the tribe’s Game and Fish Department, says, "One of the good things about the derby is that it gives the reservation children and their families a chance to meet "non-member" children, to share cultures along with their fishing experiences."

Then there is the event held in Powers Lake, North Dakota, a mere 20 miles from the Canadian border, population slightly over 400. Organized by the Northwest Law Enforcement Department, this event regularly draws up to 600 kids from hundreds of miles away for a fun day of fishing. Roger Bangs, one of the coordinators for the department’s efforts, says their aim is to "create a positive impact and get the kids on better terms with law enforcement. Actually, we probably benefit as much as they do." Big-city kids have an appreciation for bobbers and fish, too, and participate in derbies held in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and suburbs of Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia and even New York City!

Most of the urban events are conducted under the auspices of a local parks and recreation department, or civic service organization such as the Optimists, Kiwanis, or Lions Clubs. Most of the rural derbies are organized by the U. S. Forest Service through local ranger district offices. Hooked On Fishing International, founder of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program, has been "partners" with the U. S. Forest Service for the past 12 years. According to Robert D. Nelson, Director of Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plants, USDA Forest Service, the derby program gives us "a special opportunity to introduce the public to the diversity of . . . our national forests as well as invite them to share in the enjoyment of these resources."

The Kids All-American Fishing Derby program is the largest nationwide kids and family nationally sponsored special event in the United States. The majority of the derbies are held in early June, in conjunction with National Fishing Week. Each half-day fishing event, for kids ages 6-16, includes the highly popular Zebco Casting Contest. Other highlights of the derby are the Tracker Marine "Big Fish" Contest and the Southwest Airlines "I Caught a Fish" Contest, where every youngster catching a fish at an event has a chance to win four round trip tickets on, of course, Southwest Airlines.

The philosophy of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby program is to introduce all youngsters and their families to an appreciation and respect for the environment, through conservation methods encouraged by means of hands-on participation in the outdoors and the sport of fishing 1999 program sponsors sharing in this philosophy are Plano Molding Company, Southwest Airlines, TNN Outdoors, Tracker Marine and Zebco. Groups or agencies interested in receiving information about hosting a kids’ fishing derby event in the year 2000 should contact Hooked On Fishing International, P. O. Box 249, Disney, OK 74340, or FAX (918) 782-4324, or e-mail: kidsfishing@usa.net.

 

 

 

 

 

Got a question relative to something....

email14.gif (38893 bytes)

 

left.gif (2263 bytes)Back to Index