The Bait Game
FISHING ABROAD AND WORKING WITH WHAT YOU’RE GIVEN CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN HAVING A SUCCESSFUL DAY ON THE WATER
Traveling on the quest of an epic bite is something that draws many fishermen to those far-flung locations. Fishing is already highly addictive, but add seeing and experiencing something new on every trip, and that addiction only gets stronger. Whether you want to sharpen your skills, fish a tournament or simply just want to enjoy a new fishery with different scenery, traveling to new destinations is sure to create some of your life’s best memories.
Being able to catch fish abroad in new and remote locations requires you to get creative and figure out how to keep fish biting by doing things that you might not normally do at home. If you are on a budget, keeping an open mind is equally important.
The fact that you are in foreign waters, many times with only limited supplies and especially bait, forces you to think outside the box. Personally, this is something I love about fishing. By thinking creatively, and reacting to what the water and the fish are showing me that day, I can make the necessary adjustments to keep the bites happening.
Every day, I try to experiment with something whenever the opportunity arises, and I have come across some wild things in my travels that had me thinking, That is never going to get bit, only to be pleasantly surprised and learn something new.
One time fishing in Aruba, the mate pulled out a long, lead hand line from a bucket and rigged it with a J-hooked ballyhoo backward, wrapping it up like a mummy with floss to attach it to the end of the line. He then proceeded to tie the hand line to the cleat with a bicycle inner tube that would stretch out and absorb the shock of a bite. Wouldn’t you know, it was the only thing that caught fish all day: three wahoo and a mahi.
Another crazy one was well over a decade ago in Costa Rica. The local mate rigged up this awful-looking large orange feather. I couldn’t tell if it had sat in a box of rusty hooks for months on end or if it was naturally that color, but he stitched some kind of small jack that was probably caught at the dock two or three days before that was as stiff as a log behind that feather. I remember thinking to myself, I hope he is just doing that for a
quick experiment and not planning to pull it all day. In the water, it was skipping all over the place. And sure enough, it ended up being our best sailfish teaser that day. That odd-looking bait held up for multiple bites until a nice mahi made easy work of it and ripped it apart. Case in point: That was all the mate had to work with, and he made it happen.
THE CHARTER CUSTOMER
I have been lucky enough to not only travel and fish as hired crew, but also as a charter customer or ride-along on another charter boat while I am in different locations. It helps to see both sides of the spectrum, and I like to think it has helped me get an even better idea of what people expect when they step onto my boat.
If you are traveling abroad to charter a boat to get your fishing-travel fix, my best advice is to do your homework. Be sure to hire a reputable charter boat in the area, and don’t be afraid to ask the operator questions or voice any concerns. Be sure to ask them what a typical day is like and how they plan to fish during your charter to avoid being disappointed. Remember, it’s likely you will end up seeing plenty of methods you aren’t accustomed to, and like me, will probably think to yourself, There is no way that will ever get bit; hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised also.
Depending on the type of fishing you plan to do, bringing the gear that you are comfortable fishing with, especially if you are drop-back fishing for billfish, is not a bad idea. Maybe you want help setting up some of your new gear and would like a professional’s advice? I would recommend asking the charter operator what tackle they use, and if you would like to bring some of your own, make it known.
Nevertheless, a good boat should have the proper gear and bait, so don’t bring something just to show them you use the right stuff. You might get some funny comments or a simple “that looks nice, but it isn’t getting used today” kind of vibe from the crew. The whole point of this trip is for you to have fun and be confident, and the charter operator should understand that.
And depending on the location, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if you can bring bait if it isn’t readily available in the area.
“In most of today’s fisheries, it’s the bait that gets the nod. And it’s hard to beat the real thing.”