How to Dress for Sport Fishing

Photo By Guy Kimola

When you come to Masset to go salmon fishing with Escott Sportfishing, you’ll be spending every day, all day, out on the water. While we provide rain gear, rain boots, a fishing hat, and a toque for each guest, you’ll need to pack the right clothes for your fishing trip.

For those who don’t already have their own “fishing wardrobe,” there are a few basic things to keep in mind.

Like your parents always told you, the key for dressing for the outdoors is layers. Although the temperatures in Haida Gwaii stay between 0°C and 20°C year round, the weather can be unpredictable. So, whether you’re fishing in the height of summer or as winter begins to creep up, layers will allow you to regulate your temperature.

Your fishing outfit should consist of three layers: a base layer, a midlayer, and your fishing bib.

The base layer is there to keep you dry. There’s no getting around sweat when you’re out fishing for the mighty Tyee, and a breathable base layer will eliminate excess moisture. If you’re fishing adventure is booked for a colder season, then this layer will also provide extra warmth. Ideally go for a synthetic and stay away from cotton or wool; although they are warm, they hold onto moisture, which just makes you colder.

The midlayer is there to keep you warm. The air trapped between the base layer and midlayer plays a major role in this, but so does the material. Stay away from jeans and other stiff materials and go for something less restrictive, like sweatpants or cargo pants. A T-shirt or fleece on top, depending on the season, is good for up top.

You’ll also want to keep your feet warm and, more importantly, dry. Wear sport-specific socks, not regular old tube socks—your toes will thank you. Another essential item is a pair of sunglasses. Polarized is best, to help cut the glare coming off the water, but above all make sure they stick on your face, otherwise they might end up overboard.

With the right clothes, you’ll make sure you can concentrate on reeling in the fish and not on being uncomfortable.

Fishing rods: Does size matter?

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. Yes, size does matter. When speaking about fishing rods, the type and the size you use in saltwater fishing can help you ensure your catch of the day or make you go home with nothing at all.

Some people, especially fishing newbies, enter stores and purchase the first rod that catches their attention. However, this often proves to be a mistake.

In the past, fishing rods were just sticks that used to dangle a string. They ended in a hook that what people would use for alluring fish with the hope that one would eventually bite. Fortunately, things have changed with time. There are now specially designed rods for each fishing activity. Starting with innovative materials such as graphite, fiberglass and bamboo, modern day fishing rods help anglers to have a more accurate cast and a better control of fish fighting.

For beginners, the most common move is to buy a combo kit. They normally come with around 3 types of reels (i.e. spinning reels, spin cast reels or drag reels) and hooks that adapt to a single rod and use them in different fishing scenarios. But, even with a full kit, inexperience could prove costly. You might just return home empty handed and with broken fishing equipment.

Here are some useful tips to use when shopping rods for saltwater fishing.

Offshore/ Onshore/ Pier Fishing, big fish:

If you’re an adventurist and care for bigger, heavier fish, the best option for you is a Fast Action Rod. The ‘Action’ refers to the rod’s flexibility. In this case, Fast Action Rods are longer and only flexible at the tip of the shaft, while the rest remains rigid. This is great for fishing Salmon and other big fish because they are sturdy and can stand heavier weight and weathers. They work great in deep and shallow waters but they are not suitable to catch smaller fish because the cast is too long and the line too heavy.

Offshore/ Onshore/ Pier fishing, medium fish:

A Medium Action Rod is preferred by many anglers regardless of their experience because of its versatility. This type of rod is flexible along its upper half and is good for both offshore and onshore fishing. It is the best option for fishing in areas surrounded by trees. This rod allows both long and short casts (in a reasonable range). It’s good for medium sized fish while it’s not as accurate for big fish as a Fast action Rod. However, they are adaptable to deep and shallow waters.

Shore fishing/ Pier fishing/ Shallow waters, small fish:

When fishing for smaller kinds of fish, Slow Action Rods are the way to go. These are completely flexible, providing shorter, gentler casts. They are perfect for very small, small, and small-to-medium fish onshore. Because it offers almost no rigidness, this rod doesn’t stand strong winds but it’s a beginner’s best ally.  It allows inexperienced fishers to cast like the pros after a little practice.

No matter what you have in mind, the best is to be prepared for whatever type of fishing you want to do with a proper equipment size to get the job done. We will soon be talking about the right reels for making the best of your fishing experience.

Escott Sportfishing offers you all types of saltwater fishing gear, and the advice of the experts. Book your fishing adventure in advance with Escott Sportfishing and enjoy the excitement of saltwater fishing.

Mooching vs. trollling

Salmon fishermen have two essential angling procedures — trolling and float mooching. Here and there both will catch fish, yet different times one is without a doubt better.

Both float mooching and trolling are basic angling systems in which you utilize anchovy, herring, candlefish or whatever the predominant baitfish is at the time.  

The profundity of the salmon is a standout amongst the most vital figures choosing what angling system to utilize. In the event that fish are amazingly profound, say 100 to 200 feet down, float mooching is the most ideal approach to get down to them. In areas where fish are holding in the main 50 feet or somewhere in the vicinity of water, trolling can achieve those profundities without breaking a sweat, and fishermen can cover an extensive variety of water speedier than moochers can do it.

On the off chance that fish are scattered, trolling covers a great deal of range and gets more salmon. Ahead of schedule in the season, when baitfish are rare, salmon eat krill and other little nourishments. They don't appear to take floating trap, however, will hit trolled goad. Anchovies, herring and sardines are ample by July, and salmon sustaining on these baitfish are helpless to float mooching.

Types of Reels

Spincast: This kind of reel has a shut face. All the essential parts are held inside, under the nose cone. The line leaves a little gap in the spread. You see a great deal outfits intended for kids brandishing this sort of reel, in light of the fact that it is the most straightforward to utilize. To utilize a spincast reel, you press the catch on the back of the reel amid your forward cast. The line peels out, and you let go of the catch the line stops. It’s simple to get the hang of this reel, however you give up some exactness and separation.

 Baitcasting: This is the presumably the most hard to ace, in light of the fact that the spool turns when you cast. The spool must be kept under control so as not to transform into a terrible home of line. It lives up to expectations incredible with heavier lines and baits, and is viewed as exceptionally exact. In any case, in light of the fact that it can take a while to ace throwing with this sort of genuine, they have a tendency to be utilized just by experienced fishers.

Turning: This is the most mainstream reel, it has an open confronted configuration, it is simpler to use than a baitcasting reel and more precise than a spincast. It's flexible. It has awesome line limit (can put a decent measure of line on it) and you can for the most part purchase one with an additional spool, making it simple to change out your line while you’re on the water. Despite the fact that it doesn't execute also when heavier line (20 pounds +) is needed.