Salt Water Sportsman

Salt Water Sportsman covers the world of saltwater fishing. Featuring local authorities from around the country, Salt Water Sportsman provides the regional insight and expertise to help anglers catch more and bigger fish, right in their own back yard. The magazine offers loads of how-to information, advice for those who travel within the greater U.S. and surrounding waters, and reviews of new boats, tackle and electronics.

Salt Water Sportsman

The Next Adventure • Costa Rica is a wild place to catch your first yellowfin.

Should Clients or Captains Pay for Fuel? • Increased gas prices and other costs are driving the debate on how to price charters.

When Northern Right Whales and Boats Collide

Growing Calls for a Ban on Commercial Menhaden Netting in the Chesapeake

Record Hammerhead Shark Released

New Minimum Sizes, Smaller Limits Could Be on the Way for Atlantic Dolphin Anglers

Reader’s Catch

CUTTING THE GLARE • LOW-ANGLE SUNLIGHT MAKES IT HARD TO SPOT FISH. A PAIR OF FALL SHADES WILL HELP.

New Gear • THE ANGLE OF THE SUN CAN BE 20 PERCENT TO 50 PERCENT LOWER IN THE FALL THAN IT IS DURING THE BRIGHTEST DAYS OF SUMMER. MORE LOW-ANGLE LIGHT MEANS MORE GLARE, WHICH MAKES IT HARDER TO SEE INTO THE WATER. FALL’S SHORTER DAYS ALSO LEAD TO MORE CASTS AT DAWN AND DUSK. WE TALKED TO FOUR EXPERTS TO GET THEIR TAKES ON WHAT YOU NEED IN SHADES THAT HELP YOU SPOT MORE CRUISING FISH DURING THE LOW-LIGHT MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

Stop Overcompensating • Commercial fishing interests hurt themselves (and everyone else) when they stand in the way of wind power.

Get Back to Trolling • Here’s why running-and-gunning might be hurting more than your wallet.

High Flyers of the Open Ocean

Sitting on the Sidelines • Follow these tips to prep your boat for long-term storage and easy recommissioning.

First Look

The Lithium Revolution • They last twice as long and weigh half as much as a lead-acid battery. LiFePO4 for the win.

Electronics

The Edge of the Storm • “Crazy to think a kite would need helium with such a storm on the horizon,” says photographer Justin Hodge. “Benjamin Franklin would have been proud.” Hodge was fishing out of Stuart, Florida, when he took this shot of The Floridian sending out a bait during the One More Bite Sailfish Challenge held each year in July.

HEAVY METAL ACTION • PROS RIG DIAMOND JIGS WITH LIFELIKE TEASERS TO ENTICE FUSSY PREDATORS.

Three Rigs for Jigs

TEXAS REDFISH SHOWDOWN • YOUR FAVORITE STYLE OF FISHING WILL CATCH RED DRUM ALONG THE LONE STAR COAST THIS FALL. GUARANTEED.

Hot Spot: The Land Cut

CRABS: AND HOW TO FISH THEM • Armed with nasty pinchers and a bad attitude, crabs are the bait that anglers love to hate.

CROSSOVER FLOUNDER • NORTHERN GUYS GO FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER; SOUTHERN GUYS TARGET SOUTHERN FLOUNDER—TWO VERY SIMILAR FISH BUT DIFFERENT SPECIES.

Pathfinder 2400 TRS • The 2400 TRS is a versatile hybrid bay boat you can fish inshore or offshore on Saturdays, then day-cruise and entertain family and friends on Sundays.

Blackfin 302 DC • Blackfin’s 302 DC proves that a dual console is capable of serious offshore fishing as well as serious fun.

That Sinking Feeling • It takes more than a few waves over the transom to swamp an offshore boat. But Stan didn’t know that.