Shimano | Spinning Reel

Into The Shop - Shimano brought to you by West Marine.

When I’m fishing, about 99% of the time I’m using a spinning reel. This is my favorite rod and reel to use, maybe its just a South Florida thing. But you can get everything done with a spinning reel, whether you’re trolling, bottom fishing or casting lures, a spinning reel can accomplish it all. With Shimano’s new Twin Power it is even better. We have used this reel for catching giant Kingfish, sailfish, Blackfin tuna and Cobia. The rigidity of the reel is the key feature, it prevents any kind of failure of your fishing outfit.

See you next time,

Steve Rodger

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches so do the first few cold fronts of the year. With these cold fronts comes a migration of mullet, ballyhoo and pilchards that stirs up the pelagic species like Wahoo, Sailfish and Kingfish. The timing couldn’t be better because a few Kingfish in the Yeti can make for a Thanksgiving side dish or appetizer that your guests will love.

Here is my favorite recipe for smoked Kingfish spread and the one I will use for the big meal but also for several football games. I know it is good because there have never been any leftovers.

Mercury Verado | Supreme Corrosion Resistance | 2.5x Quieter

Mercury Verado | Supreme Corrosion Resistance | 2.5x Quieter

Whether you’re out tournament fishing/charter fishing/ or just out boating, you have to have a reliable engine. Mercury Marine is the most innovative in reliability and corrosion resistance. They come with a 3 year factory warranty in corrosion resistance. They have 2x as much stainless steel as any other competitors.

How To Rig The Most Durable Squid For Swordfish

How To Rig The Most Durable Squid For Swordfish

“I’m just rigging up a squid, a little heavier duty than I need to. I am attaching the body and the head to the hook so that if he slashes it - he can’t just tear it in half without having to come back with something all in a knot. It can hit this really good and it will still hold together. It is a little bit more than you need to do, but these baits are soft and they are so far down I like to have a second chance…

Best Way To Prepare Swordfish

Best Way To Prepare Swordfish

As a meal, swordfish are the perfect combination between fish and a meaty steak. Unlike some fish, swordfish is the ideal in-between flavor of fishy and non-fishy taste, making it a perfect selection for those beginning to expand their palette with fish and seafood. What makes swordfish unique is that it is sold by steaks and carries a meaty-like texture to it, rather than a flaky consistency such as tilapia or grouper. Swordfish are cooked exactly like steaks, so they are grilled to your preferred temperature.

Cutting And Preparing Different Species Of Fish For Table Or For Bait

Cutting And Preparing Different Species Of Fish For Table Or For Bait

We cut a lot of fish. Some for eating and some for bait. In the picture at the top we are cutting a bonito into chunks by cutting in a checkerboard pattern then cutting all of those off the carcass. We will use these chunks for chumming and for baiting our hooks for a host of different species and applications.

Each fish has a way that it is best filleted or cleaned for eating. One thing that is in common with each of these is that you will need a very sharp fillet knife. As you get more involved, you can move from one knife to several which are slightly more specialized for each task. Here are some examples:

Handle 4 Dangerous Fish Like A Pro

Handle 4 Dangerous Fish Like A Pro

Each of the fish we fish for have ways that they can be held safely. There are very few fish that we catch that do not have dangerous parts. Teeth, sharp fins, bills or gill rakers can all cause damage to your hands while other fish just react wildly to being held.

As a Captain or an avid fisherman, it is important to know how to handle each fish to get it in the Yeti or to release it safely and unharmed.