Chy Dendy - Age 9 and her Red Grouper
When preparing for your day on the water make sure you have sunscreen, hat, your lunch, favorite beverage, Polaroid sun glasses, camera, soft white or NON marking soled shoes. It is also a good idea to have a poncho or light rain jacket also. You can get these for a couple of bucks at convenience stores. I always carry a couple of spare rain jackets on board. They make great wind breakers. Early arrival is not necessary. I start getting bait, loading ice, fuel, and prepairing the boat away from the dock area about and hour before our charter. We normally depart and return right on time. There will be a life jacket for everyone on board. We rovide a fishing license for everyone on board as part of trip. When planning for your trip you should print our Welcome board page for your use.
Every day
on the Gulf is different. My boat carries several fishing rods for different
line classes. I leave the dock in the
morning with a plan, but that can change in an instant. If conditions change
or if an area looks fishy I may change my mind. I like to be prepared for anything.
Depending on season we may fish anywhere I believe the fish will be.
I love to teach people about the things I have a passion for. If you are into
rigging, and fishing gear, I am happy to take the time to show you and explain
why I do what I do. We will employ various methods of fishing. Sometimes trolling,
other times drifting or anchoring. We will have a large cooler filled with chum
and fresh, and frozen bait. If conditions are right, we will catch live bait
first thing. You will likely be asked to help in some way, participate, Its
fun.
Redfish!
You will get instruction about hook setting, fighting techniques etc., at fishing time. I will be giving directions to you. These fish demand we do it RIGHT even while you are learning. But when you learn with me, you can take these skills to any corner of the world and fight fish with the best of them. Fishing is a pro active sport. This means YOU play a role in the success! It pays to stay alert and be ready for that big bite. You will not do as well if you are sitting down in the shade as you will standing and being alert.
There are always lulls in the action. This can be boring or exciting. It's your choice. Remember how you look at something is how you see it! We will be constantly looking for signs of fish activity, bait pods, tide lines, birds, etc. Bird activity can tell us many things but the main two are the location of bait and surface feeding predator fish. Keep your eyes open and call out anything you see. BE a participant!
A question
often asked is "How do I know if I have a bite?". Well, let me say
that most fish here are not bashful. Normally they try to yank the rod from
your hands! Live baits wiggle and pull. Shrimp and such other baits are docile.
Most times you will feel a "thump" as a live bait it taken, or a there
will be a tapping feel as a dead bait is sucked in. BE PREPARED! As a general
rule, standing is much preferred to sitting. Many fish strikes are missed by
anglers sitting down while fishing. When you feel a bite, lift rod tip slowly,
if your rod tips starts to bow start reeling at high speed to remove all the
slack out of the line until the rod has a deep bow. Keep your rod tip high and
do not allow any slack. BE PREPARED. Our fish have no manners, most are heavy
and pull very hard. They rip drags and take line at will with max drag settings.
Then they may go in any or all directions including right at the boat. When
a fish is near the boat they may do anything to get free. I will be right next
to you if you are new. Try to control excitement! BE PREPARED! Your trophy may
dive under the anchor line or engine to cut itself free. You will get instruction
on how to handle these situations. Maybe loud directions! LISTEN! YOU catching
the fish is important to us and, we want you to have the best time possible.
Leave drag settings where they are set. If less or more is required we will
advise. Once hooked, the fish is yours. Suggestions and assistance will be there
for you. Most people would rather get help or hand the rod
to the guide in a bad situation than loose a nice fish, but that is your choice
and your call. On a heavy fish we will put a fighting belt on you. It puts better
pressure on the fish while protecting the angler from the rod butt. The rod
butt will then be placed into the slot of the belt. At that time you can start
a "pump and reel" system that is employed world wide. A fish is caught
with the rod, a reel just holds the line. Lifting the rod tip smoothly then
lowering it while reeling gains a turn or two on the reel. Wenching the fish
with the reel handle with line running out just burns up a good reel and looses
a trophy. Constant pressure catches fish, slack line looses fish, yanking breaks
them off. We will never reel the fish in for you. As stated, you will receive
directions and suggestions all during your fish fight. Critical times are
at hookup. A fire drill normally breaks out if its a very large fish like a
tarpon or shark. Again as the fish nears the boat. It's exciting but keep your
head. The pictures last a lifetime. Most times it will be you and the fish,
that's it. That's what
center console boats are designed for, fighting all the way around the boat.
If we are anchored we prefer to stay at anchor while fighting the fish. Chumming
and continued fishing often brings us a double hookup or more. I WILL be helping,
and giving instructions. These KEEP coming until you are doing it right! I want
you to catch the fish, be safe, and NOT bust up any expensive tackle.
Your charter
can be enjoyed at any level. Participate as much as you like. If you desire,
we can chat about the tides, water clarity, wind direction and when, how &
why we are fishing the way we are. We are happy to show you the rigs, knots,
leaders etc. if you desire. Being an active participant is what its all about
for some anglers. This is great, but if you wish to just enjoy your day on the
water and catch a few fish, that's great too. Its always a big help if you watch
for birds and keep one eye on the baited lines. We can't look in all directions
at once. Who knows maybe the line you see move may just be the jump we need
to get your trophy fish hooked. When we are landing the fish. Whether it be
on the Boca Grip or a release gaff be careful. Rest assured there will be plenty
of chance for pictures after the fish is secure! ALL of us cant gather over
the side of the boat while I leader and get the fish. Also gaff's are sharp,
fish always do the unexpected and some fish have sharp teeth, spines etc. Grabbing
the leader on a large fish like a
shark or jewfish can and has yanked a person overboard. People on other boats
have been drowned doing this, and they were professionals. Please follow the
instructions to the letter when a fish is at boat side. Better to let us get
the fish under control for pictures, then get excited and do the high five's.
One personal
suggestion I have. Please have faith in your Captain. He knows his area, how
to fish it, when and where to go, and how to catch them. If you come aboard
and try to tell the captain where you want to fish, what to put out for bait,
and exactly what he is to catch for you, YOU become the guide and success is
on YOUR shoulders. Its always best to get on and say "Catch me what you
can and often as you can". I guarantee you that you will catch more and
be much happier about it. Remember its called FISHING not CATCHING and there
are days that the action is slow. Luckily, their aren't many of those days on
our waters but they do happen from time to time. Remember the idea is to have
a good time. Enjoy everything about your day on the water. The sunrise, dolphins,
turtles, manatees,
etc. Let the Captain do his best to get you into the action. I
was not in favor of talking about tipping here, but we are asked the question
so many times I felt I should just for general information. Tipping makes or
breaks most guides. Many people just don't know that the fishing guides depend
on tips or that its a common practice. Typically the tip is 10% to 15% of the
charter. Some days fishing is slow, some are hot. Your tip should be based on
your Captain's effort. If he worked hard for you in his effort to show you a
good time, ran the extra mile, tried that extra spot, gave you
instruction, provided you with a good boat, good tackle and you had a good time,
then then he earned your tip.
One last thing
about tackle. PLEASE don't just lay down your rod & reel to get a drink
or what ever. I use top quality equipment. Let me explain rule number one and
two. Rule one, HOLD ON to the rod. Rule two, rods in the boat are mine, ones
that go over the side, you purchace so PLEASE hold on. Every one of these rigs
is over $300.00 Some are over $1000.00. Boga Grips are over a hundred, pliers
over a hundred etc. I love good gear! I want you to fish with
the latest and greatest high tech stuff out there. I will be a nag about taking
care of the gear. Please understand broken rods cant be fixed, or rods overboard
cant catch any fish. Winding while the fish is pulling drag will twist your
line and burn up the reel. A twisted line cant be fished again that day. A reel
is just there to hold the line, the ROD catches the fish. My
goal is to show you a great time on your charter. I want you to have memories
that last a lifetime. If you have any further questions please feel free to
send us
and Email.
Sincerely,
Capt. Rick
Featherstone
Magic Hook Charters
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