Surf fishing season is upon us, and as the weather warms up fishermen of all ages and skill sets are flocking to the shoreline. While many people are sure to try out surf fishing this season, not all will be successful. There are different strategies when it comes to surf fishing - different anglers prefer different types of rods, baits, and lures. There are even those who opt for drone fishing rather than traditional surf fishing.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or a first-time fisher, these surf fishing tips can help you find success and stay safe.

1/Find the Right Surf Fishing Rod

Finding the right fishing rod for surf fishing depends on a few factors. The longer the fishing rod, the longer you’ll probably be able to cast, so if you’re aiming to cast long distances, a longer rod is better.

Your choice of fishing rod also depends on whether you use live bait or lures. When using lures, a shorter rod is preferred, as you’ll have better cast and retrieve action and control. For those casting lures, aim for a rod from 7 to 9 feet. If you’re bait casting and want to cast a long distance, look for a fishing rod in the 9 to 14 foot range.

The material of your fishing rod is also a factor - most surf fishing anglers opt for a graphite rod. Graphite fishing rods are more sensitive and stronger for casting weighted lines into the surf. They also have a faster action than their fiberglass or composite mix counterparts.

2/ Track the Tides​

The tides are a major factor when surf fishing. At dead high or low tide, the water is not moving, and therefore there is less movement among the fish, decreasing your chances of a catch. Track the tides in your location to make the most out of your time on the shore.

Most anglers cite the best time to fish at the two hours right before and after high tide. High tide is better than low tide, as it pulls the fish closer to the shore. Right as the tide is flowing out, the fish will be moving towards the shore with the tide, and the movement will improve your chances of a catch. The same is true right as the tide ebbs back towards the ocean.

High tide is still a good time to fish, but when the water is still the chance of a catch decreases. Fish during high tide, but get there while the tide is coming in.

3/Use Shock Leaders

Surf fishing requires weights to pull your bait down into the surf. Because of this, weighted lines are, of course, heavier. Casting these heavy lines, especially when going for distance, can result in crack-offs - your line breaking with the weight. This is not only costly, as you lose gear, but can also be dangerous if sharp hooks are lost in the sand or the surf.

Use a shock leader - a stronger line specifically for cushioning the pressure of casting weights - to prevent crack-offs. A good shock leader is nylon monofilament line that is low-stretch and abrasion resistant. As a rule of thumb, your shock leader strength should be about 10 times the weight (in ounces) of the weight your casting.

4/Aim For Smooth Waters

Keep an eye on the water to determine the best place to aim for when casting. Short, breaking waves usually mean that there is a sand bank there, and shallow water won’t supply many fish. Aim for smooth, flatter areas on the ocean. This usually suggests deep waters that will house more fish and improve your chances of making a catch.

5/Keep Your Bait Cold

If you’re using live bait, it’s important to keep the bait cold so that it doesn’t die. Warm, dead bait won’t attract fish. Pack a cooler to keep your bait fresh and cold to maximize your chances of success. An aerated cooler is ideal, as the bait need oxygenated water to survive. If you can swing it, buy a cooler with an aeration system to keep bait as fresh as possible.

6/Try Drone Fishing

Drone fishing is the latest trend in the world of surf fishing. When you fish with a drone, your baited hook and line are attached to the drone. Since most drones are equipped with cameras, you can fly out over the water and find a spot that looks good, and then drop your line via a payload release or a downrigger release clip.

Drone fishing allows you to reach further distances than you would when casting manually, and can be useful in finding the best areas to drop your line. Try out drone fishing for an exciting new way to surf fish this season.

7/Protect Yourself From the Sun​

Like any day on the beach, you need to be aware of the sun when surf fishing. Long hours outside can lead to painful sunburn, and worse, skin cancer further down the line. Invest in a good fishing hat to protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun’s harmful UV rays, and always wear sunscreen. Even on overcast days, you can still get badly burnt. Wear a hat and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and reapply as needed.

8/Stay Hydrated

Similar to protecting your skin, you need to protect your overall health while fishing. Spending long hours fishing in the hot sun can dehydrate you, and even if it’s not that hot it’s vital to stay hydrated. Pack lots of water and remember to drink it throughout the day.

If you want to enjoy some beers while surf fishing, pack those too, but alternate with water so the alcohol doesn’t further dehydrate you. You should also be careful consuming alcohol and always know your limits, as you could potentially injure yourself or someone else with sharp fishing equipment.

Use these surf fishing tips to maximize your success and catch more fish this season, while also staying safe and smart out on the shore.

The number of times you clean your fishing reel really depends on how often you go fishing. Nevertheless, whether your fishing reel is meant for freshwater or seawater, the right level of maintenance can help to keep it in good working order and even improve its lifespan and effectiveness.

Surprisingly, most people who own fishing reels do not know how to keep them clean. For instance, you should not blast your fishing reel using harsh spray from the end of your hose. Doing so damages your piece of equipment.

It’s important that you clean your reel every once in a while. Not only does this improve its durability but also its efficiency. The frequency with which you clean will vary based on a number of factors we have listed in this guide.

Gather the correct cleaning supplies and tools

You need a few tools to clean the fishing reel. Before you start, collect all the essential tools or equipment you will need for the cleaning process. You may need screwdrivers, a toothpick, tweezers, and a toothbrush.

You will also need a parts list and a wrench. Depending on your preference, choose the best cleaning product for the job. Once you are through with your fishing expedition, there are several ways to go about cleaning your reel. When you reach home, sponge your reel with soapy water. Do the same for the line. You can then rinse off with water at the lowest pressure.

Do not attempt to wash your reel with high pressure. Neither should you immerse the reel in water, as this would force water up the gearing and drag mechanism. After a thorough rinse, wipe your reel dry using a cloth and then apply some WD40 surface spray. Ensure the spray does not reach the fishing line.

The underside of the spool

The underside is also another area that requires special attention. Remove the knob and slide off your spool. Then, clean the underside thoroughly. Gently grease the major shaft and be sure to replace the spool and knob properly.

Also, ensure your drag knob is loosened a little to keep pressure off the dragline when you’re not using your reel.

In addition, you’ll need to invest in a high-quality sewing machine oil or a reel oil. These are to keep the knobs, line rollers, bail arm springs, and the folding handles lubricated. Don’t forget to wipe off any excess lubricant.

Full Service

Occasionally, you should open up the side plate and grease the gears and bearing gently. Also, give it a comprehensive service once every year or when your reel falls into the water. This means taking the reel apart completely before you soak it in mineral turps. Fresh water should be used to rinse the parts then air them out in the open to dry. As the parts dry, inspect the gears and check for damages.

If you find signs of damage, ensure you order for new parts as soon as possible. Also, put everything back together and then lubricate moving parts with enough grease.

Most reels have several parts, and chances are you might reassemble everything back incorrectly. If you feel you cannot put things back together as they were, outsource the job to a reel expert and allow them to clean it appropriately. A full service often means cleaning the outside and the inside thoroughly.

Outside cleaning

Cleaning the outside of your reel is a simple process that will take a few minutes of your time. Perform outside cleaning at least once each week for normal fishing conditions. Take out the spool and put it in a safe place. Turn reel handle and lower its axle. Hold reel at a favorable angle and shift interior rotor away from your body.

Apply some WD-40 on either side. Give the reel a quick spurt and be careful not to apply the stuff in the rotor’s housing or spool axle. With a soft rag, wipe off WD-40 on the reel’s outer surface.

Inside cleaning

This phase of cleaning the reel is somewhat complicated. It requires attentiveness when taking the reel apart. Once you know what to do, it becomes simple and will not take more than 15 minutes of your time.

Most reels are built the same way, so the interior plumbing is pretty much the same. Work over a towel. Remove the screws holding the reel’s cover and put them somewhere safe. Lay them in the order you took them out if they look different. Take out the gearing and other parts and clean everything properly. Allow them to dry and then put everything back together and apply grease.

Cleaning the entire Rod

If the rod and the reel are in good condition, you will have an enjoyable fishing experience. So, do not just focus on the reel alone.

After each fishing session, spray your rod with fresh water while still on your boat as you head back home. This helps to get rid of the salts deposited on the rod’s components. However, that is not enough to clean the reel. Spraying the rod with some water does not mean that you should not do some more cleaning. Once you reach home, clean the rod the same way you would clean other essential parts.

Wrap Up

Take time to inspect your guide for signs of fracturing. If you notice hairline fractures, replace your guide immediately. Failure to amend the damages may cause your guide to weaken your fishing reel.

As you store your fishing rod, ensure you place it in a cover and place it on a rod stand. It would not make sense to clean your fishing reel and fail to give it proper storage. When you store it properly, it will serve you for a long time.

There’s nothing quite like a deep water fishing trip on a summer’s day. The feeling of being out on the ocean with only your fishing mates and whatever creatures are in the sea around you is an exhilarating experience, and one that relatively few people ever get to experience.

But once you are out of sight of land, that isolation from other people also means you are on your own as far as immediate support facilities are concerned. Therefore to ensure that a fishing trip is a happy and memorable one, it’s essential to be aware of the seven key safety precautions that should be taken.

1. Check Weather Forecasts

The most common causes of things going wrong at sea are weather related. Therefore it’s vital to be constantly monitoring weather forecasts and warnings not only prior to departure, but whilst you are out on the ocean.

Always have contingency plans for places to head to for shelter in the event of storms developing, and always err on the side of caution if you are not sure how much a storm forecast might affect you.

Having a backup marine radio system is a good idea to ensure that you can always contact family or friends back onshore to get up-to-date information on weather developments. These radio systems are not expensive – they are often cheaper than many smartphones. Check out a website like MO Tackle & Outdoors to see what is available these days.

2. Get Motors Serviced Regularly

The second most common cause of problems out on the ocean is motors breaking down. It’s an absolute given that you don’t go deep sea fishing without two outboard motors, so if one breaks down, you can still make it back to shore with the other.

For boats with inboard motors, carrying a spare outboard is a sensible precaution, but in all cases it’s essential to have motors serviced regularly to minimize the risk of motors breaking down whether they be outboards or inboards.

And having a skilled mechanic onboard is another advisable practice. If the skipper doesn’t already perform that function, it’s foolish to travel out to sea without someone on board who can perform at least basic repairs to a motor.

3. Check Safety Equipment

Ensuring that the boat is properly equipped with the required safety equipment such as life vests and flares is a required responsibility of the boat owner. A stock take against a checklist is wise to do before every trip.

In many countries there are legal requirements as to what type of safety equipment should be carried, so boat owners and skippers should ensure that they are familiar with those requirements.

Straps and stitching should be regularly checked on life vests, and radios tested before leaving. The expiry dates on flares should be confirmed as well, and the boat itself should be looked over before each trip for loose fittings and structural integrity.

4. Take Extra Food and Drink

As a rule of thumb, it’s wise to take at least 50 percent more food and drink than you think you will need on any deep sea fishing trip. This will ensure that you don’t go hungry or thirsty whilst waiting for help should you run into trouble whilst out at sea, or have to divert because of stormy weather.

The extra food you take should be the type that trekkers take on overland trips such as high energy bars, dried fruits and nuts, and trail mixes because they are light, nutritious and are easy to store.

As far as drinking water is concerned, many experienced skippers would recommend that you take twice what you think you may need. You can ration food without too many ill effects if help is a long time coming, but it’s not good to be rationing water because that can lead to dehydration.

5. Don’t Strain the Back

If using a fighting chair to haul in large fish, try to establish a rhythm and avoid pulling against the waves. When you are fighting a large fish, it’s important to keep the back straight and swivel the chair to keep a straight line between the rod and the fish.

Use your legs to counter the action of the fish pulling away, rather than bending the back. Then pull back by straightening the legs whenever you feel any lessening in pressure, ensuring that you avoid twisting the back.

If using a leaning post on a smaller boat, this is more difficult to achieve, but maintaining good posture is key to avoiding back injury when hauling in a fighting fish.

Injuring your back whilst out on the water is not a pleasant thing to do as it can take many hours to get to chiropractor or physiotherapist. Heading back to shore with an injured back on a choppy ocean can be excruciatingly painful and result in permanent back damage.

6. Stay Safe from the Sun

When out on the water, the likelihood of getting sunburnt is greater than it is on land. That’s because you are not only getting the direct sun, but also the reflection of the ultraviolet rays from the surface of the ocean.

Whilst wearing shorts and t-shirts feels comfortable when boating on a hot summer’s day, even with a canopy it may not be possible to stay out of the sun when hauling in fish.

Therefore it’s a good idea to don long pants and long sleeved shirts if you are going to be any length of time in the sun. And for the rest of the time, ensure that you use a 50+ or 70+ sunblock on exposed skin. Remember to reapply every few hours, especially if the skin gets splashed with seawater.

7. Lodge a Float Plan

Finally, whenever you are heading out on a deep water fishing trip, you should leave a float plan with your marina or someone responsible at the location where you normally moor your boat.

A float plan (the terminology may vary in different countries) is simply a sheet which lists the details of your boat, a list of the navigation and safety equipment you have on board, the names, gender and ages of those on the trip, your proposed route, and your estimated departure and return times.

Then if you do not return within a reasonable period of your estimated return time, the person with whom you have left the float plan can make efforts to contact you either by cell phone or marine radio to confirm that you are on your way back and all is well.

In the event that they cannot make contact, they can then make a decision as to whether to inform the Coast Guard or whatever other marine agency may be responsible for search and rescue missions in other countries.

Therefore it is important that if your return is delayed for unforeseen circumstances, but otherwise all is well, you should endeavor to contact the person with whom you left the float plan so that they do not unnecessarily call out the Coast Guard or initiate a search mission that is not required.

Follow these seven basic safety precautions and you’ll be assured of a trouble-free trip that is a memorable experience for you and your fishing mates.

Author:

John O. Brooks

He loves to introduce himself as a passionate blogger. Apart from writing John loves new adventures, discover new places around the world. And yes, fishing, boating, camping in disguise of travelling been his hobby along the decades.

Healthy betta fish has unique appearance with bright hues and full streaming fins is a standout amongst the most charming and alluring sights an aquarist can appreciate. They're not troublesome creatures to think about, but because of the popularity it have acquired as a decent fish because of their capacity to flourish in moderate systems, they frequently end up neglected and raised in tanks that are excessively small for them.

Betta fishes are also vulnerable to diseases caused by fungus, bacteria and parasites just like other fishes. To keep a regular check on your betta’s behavior and observing any irregular changes can enable you to recognize, analyze and treat a disease before it ends up deadly.

As usual, water quality is of most extreme significance, and clean water is the absolute most exclusive thing you can give your betta. Consider it like air for you. Without clean air, you, your puppy or feline would be unwell and could experience the ill effects of a wide range of health concerns. The equivalent is valid for fish with their water. Water that is perfect, the correct temperature and the correct pH can have a significant effect for your betta.

Preventing bettas from diseases with clean water, providing them clean and high-quality food is obviously, the best way for keeping your betta healthy and sound, however if you have brought a betta who is already sick, then here are a few practices to keep an eye out for that may show your betta isn't feeling admirably well:

• Torpidity

• Blurred shading

• Declining nourishment

• Toiled relaxing

• Harmed blades.

Common Betta’s Diseases

If your betta fish displays at least one of these unusual behaviors, make sure to give careful consideration and cautiously watch your sick betta fish to rectify the root cause of the disease.

COLUMNARIS

One of the most common diseases that affect betta fishes is Columnaris, also called cotton wool disease. This is a Gram-negative bacterial infection that frequently shows itself as cottony fixes on the body and fins of bettas.

The Columnaris bacterium or Flavobacterium columnare is available in all water, yet except if the fish is infected by imperfect conditions, for example, poor water quality, a lacking eating regimen or shipping mode, it likely won't end up infected.

If you observe Columnaris (Mouth Rot or Saddleback) in your betta fish- keep a check on water and try to do a quick change with clean water and after that follow an anti-microbial and anti-fungal regimen to treat them.

POPEYE IN BETTAS

Popeye also known as exophthalmia is another bacterial infection that causes pressure behind the eyeballs of betta fish and makes fish's eyes protrude. This disease is easier to prevent than to cure. After some time, fishes eyes who suffer from Popeye can turn milky white and can damage also.

In most of the cases, the eyes can fall out or decay. Serious illness, Dirty water, accidents, fighting, inappropriate care can cause Popeye infection in bettas. If both eyes of betta are affected, the cause probably will be internal; but if only one eye is showing prolonged exposure to poor water quality, the reason may be likely injury.

Usually, losing one eye cannot affect a betta fish much. It can prevent by regular water changes and dosing them with an antibiotic regimen including Maracyn.

SWIM BLADDER DISEASE

If your loved betta fish is not swimming appropriately the way it used to, there may be a chance of swim bladder disease. This is a common issue in bettas but not to worry much, it can be easily treated. The swim bladder is like a gas-filled hollow inside your fish. It allows the fish rise and floats lower inside the water just like a buoyancy control tool a diver use in water.

Betta this disease will either float carefully on the surface or they will drown to the bottom of the water. Other symptoms of this disease are an unbalanced body position while swimming, swelling on the stomach and sleepy behavior. Generally, this disease caused by constipation and over-feeding and can easily be cured.

HOLE IN THE HEAD

Hole in the head disease is a common disease in freshwater fishes that specifically affects discus, cichlids and Oscars. Another known name for this disease is Lateral Line Erosion (FHLLE) and Freshwater Head. There are various suspected reasons for this disease and however it can be fatal, if cured early and properly, most betta fishes can survive.

Hole in the Head disease appears like holes in the head above the eyes of the fishes, and usually, this is the result of poor nutrition and water quality. Changing the water regularly, providing antibiotics and a more nutritious diet can prevent this ailment. If maintained and maintained carefully, your betta fish will improve and this disease will not develop in betta again in the future.

ICH DISEASE

Ich disease short form of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is usually known as white spot disease. It is generally a parasitic infection that appears like sugar has been sprinkled all over betta fish.

This can create an uncomfortable condition for your betta and you can easily identify this disease by observing your fish rubbing its body with objects and try to apart the parasites. This behavior of fish is called flashing. This disease can be treated with malachite green, so make sure to choose a treatment that includes this.

Shifting your betta to a hospital tank is also an ideal approach in this way your betta will stay away from free-swimming parasites and will recover in the best and clean environment.

The best thing you can do to save your betta from hazardous diseases is to provide them with the best water quality. To let your betta healthy and as charming always, you need to regularly change water or use RO water only, feed them nutritious food, keep the temperature above 75 degrees F and make sure that it has a space of at least two gallons. Bettas are most beautiful fishes; take care of them as beautiful because they can become a source of enjoyment for experienced aquarists and novices alike.

Author Bio

Maddy is a Betta fish enthusiast. She draws inspiration for her aquascaping from her travels. She likes water sports, photography, travelling and gaming. She writes for nippyfish.net in her spare time.

Fishing vs. hunting; are you confused about which is better? Let’s look at the ins and outs of both.

Why do people go fishing?

Fishing is art, sport or occupation of catching fish. We can also describe it as a recreational activity because many people are now doing it as a hobby. However, the question at the top of every new and experienced fishing enthusiast would have to be, is fishing better than hunting or is hunting better than fishing?

Why do people hunt?

Hunting is usually a sport that involves either the killing or the trapping of animals. Although it is an ancient practice, the details have evolved over the years. Today, it is a secure, convenient and exciting practice that the modern man likes doing. In the past, hunting was a primary economic activity that human beings practiced to get food.

Which is better: Hunting or fishing?

From the descriptions above, one thing is clear: that the result is a dead animal. So, you might be wondering what the debate is all about. The contest on whether fishing is better than hunting has been around for over a decade now.

1/Does the end justify the means?

Some people feel that both hunting and fishing are justifiable as long as you make good use of the animal that you catch. As such trophy hunting would be considered wrong while food hunting would be regarded as right.

Others feel that we should consider the amount of stress that the animal goes through before it dies, as this determines whether the method used is humane or not.

2/The rules

If you have ever considered hunting, then the chances are that you know how alarming and discouraging the regulations can be. You must have a license to hunt. Before obtaining one, you will go through a rigorous gun training exercise. If you are mindful of your safety especially since you carry a gun around, then you might not enjoy hunting.

Although fishing has its rules too, they are only for giving guidance and ensuring that you preserve nature while enjoying the sport. If you pay attention to the rules, you will realize that no fish would be left if these guidelines were not put in place.

Also, there are many public water bodies for you to fish. You can also engage in private water bodies as long as you have the fishing license, which is not hard to obtain compared to the hunting license. In some places, you can even purchase the license online by availing your personal information and identification.

3/The humane aspect

Let’s consider fishing and hunting from the perspective of the one that is more humane. In both cases, you are in pursuit of the animal. You can opt to either kill or spare it. If you decide to kill it, how fast you do so determine how humane the act is.

When fishing, you target the fish. You attempt to catch it. When you finally get the fish into the boat, you may opt to kill or release it. You may smash its head or allow it to asphyxiate. Then you may eat or waste it.

When hunting, you track the animal you want to pursue. Once you have it in sight, you may take a photo close up as proof that your hunting skills are impressive or you can kill it. If you are skilled enough, one shot to the heart will kill the animal instantly. If you shoot anywhere else, the animal will bleed out. Just like for fishing, you can eat or waste it.

4/The prey and the predators

Another perspective is to compare the hunting and fishing techniques. A famous quote by Walter D. Wetherell goes, “The difference between hunting and fishing is that hunters seek their prey while fishermen try to become prey; they do their best to make their lures look attractive and vulnerable so that fish will attack them.”

I found this quote explicit with regards to how fishing techniques are different from hunting techniques. For sure, when fishing, you use bait to attract the fish. As such, you become the prey, and somehow, the fish comes to you at its own free will. As for hunting, you go after the animal, meaning that you are the predator while the animal is prey.

5/The required strength and energy

Hunting requires physical strength and excellent skills. Successful hunting requires rigorous practice. Therefore, training is a necessity for hunting. As for fishing, the needed energy and physical strength should be the least of your worries. Since fishing does not involve any special skills or strength, you can enjoy it even if it is your first time.

6/The available species

Once again, fishing carries the day. In fishing, you are at liberty to catch fish across various species in a single water body. If you are paying for a fishing spot, make sure you find a spot that allows you to catch many species so that you get value for your money. As for hunting, you do not have a variety of species at your disposal due to climatic conditions. The only way for a hunter to have a broad experience is to try out many hunting spots.

7/The resulting relaxation

When fishing, all you do is to sit in the boat with your hook inside the water. After some time, you will feel some weight on the hook and you can pull the fish out of the water. All of this is happening as the cool breeze hits your face and refreshes your soul. What could be more enjoyable than this?

Research suggests that if you are facing anxiety or depression, fishing can help you curb it. Although hunting can help, it does not have similar effects to fishing.

To fish or to hunt?

Considering that there are more anglers than hunters, that is a clear indication as to which is better than the other. Also, when you make these comparisons, fishing seems to stand out. Therefore, fishing is better than hunting but go for the one that resonates with your personality and liking. All the best and enjoy the sport you decide to engage.