Deepsea sportfishing can be a thrilling experience. If you’re using an open boat, you will be closer to the sea and the fish, making it even more adventurous for anglers. Using a small boat for sportfishing isn’t easy, and you’ll need to take great care so the boat doesn’t capsize. We got the anglers at Tag Cabo Sportfishing to list their top tricks to managing big fish on a small boat.
Communication
Seamless communication between the skipper and the angler is the key to a successful sportfishing experience. The two need to work together to catch the fish without capsizing the boat.
The direction of the fishing line determines the success of the catch. As you work on catching the fish using the line, the skipper needs to maneuver the boat accordingly to give you leverage. Communicating the direction of the fishing line, therefore, is the key to success.
Teams who have worked for years have smooth sailing experiences because they communicate flawlessly through body language and hand signals even if wind blocks verbal communication.
Know The Fish
Sportfishing involves catching larger fish like sharks, marlin, or tuna. Apart from knowing where they are, you need to know how they behave. This helps you understand what side of the boat you should be working from. For example, to catch a marlin, it’s best to do so from the front end.
Knowing the fish’s personality also helps anglers make the right moves. You need to understand how the fish will react and what actions will bait the fish into surfacing. This knowledge will make it easier to handle the fish, reducing the chances of accidents.
Don’t Back Down
Backing down isn’t the wisest decision to make on an open, small boat. The weight of the fish and the struggle can capsize your boat. Instead, you should motor forward with the angler in the bow or the center console. This will help you balance yourself and apply the right pressure to catch the fish.
Keep Moving
When the fish is hooked, don’t stop the boat―it could be one of your biggest mistakes. Keep the boat moving, so that you’re in control at all times, especially near the end of the fight.
Also, drive in the direction of the line and not the fish. Moving towards the fish can be dangerous as the boat will come into contact with the fishing line at some point, endangering the angler.
While sportfishing is possible in a small boat, we wouldn’t recommend it for rookie anglers. If you don’t have a bigger boat, no problem. Tag Cabo Sportfishing offers Albemarle 38 ft yachts for rent. These yachts are beasts on the sea and perfect for sportfishing adventures. You can even take our expert anglers along for a comfortable and premium sportfishing trip.