6 Essential Points to Consider When Going For Deep Sea Fishing

Deep sea fishing, or big game or offshore fishing, is one of the most thrilling experiences for adventure lovers. 

First, there’s the excitement of exploring the virgin sections of the sea as you gracefully sail past numerous iconic marine species. Secondly, you have a higher prospect of catching the big fish, so to speak. And even if you come back to shore empty-handed (highly unlikely), every moment spent fishing in the deep sea is an occasion to relish forever. 

Contrary to common perception, deep-sea fishing doesn’t entail diving into the ocean’s depths. Instead, it denotes angling activities that occur further from the shore’s shallow waters. 

The ocean depths that constitute deep-sea fishing can vary from 9 meters (30 feet) to 30.5 meters (100 feet). It depends on the general depth of the waters you’re fishing in and the local maritime regulations. 

In this article, we look at the six essential points to consider when going deep-sea fishing.

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• Begin With a Deep Sea Fishing Charter 

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve ventured into the deep seas before. No two excursions are ever identical. So, whether you’ve been fishing your entire adult life or are still a novice trying to dip his toes in the water, you want to seriously consider a deep-sea fishing charter. 

Deep sea fishing charters work more or less similarly to regular fishing charters. The difference is that these trips open you up for higher challenges by bringing you closer to powerful marine creatures. 

When scouting for a deep-sea fishing charter, it’s best to prioritize boats with a duly trained crew. The crew members should be current on local maritime regulations, especially regarding territorial boundaries. You don’t want to be caught fishing illegally in foreign waters. 

The crew should also be trained on basic survival skills at sea. You want a team that you can depend on if your boat capsizes or you’re otherwise stranded at sea.

• Understand Fishing Laws 

Australian fishing laws are some of the most permissive. But that doesn’t mean you can simply charter a boat and hit the waves anytime. 

According to the law, recreational deep sea fishing is legal in 97% of the Commonwealth waters and 82% of key Coral Sea reefs, provided you’re fishing within 100 kilometers of the coast. 

Your best bet is to consult the specific marine parks where you intend to go deep-sea fishing before engaging a boat charter company. 

In most cases, the law also requires that you have a special recreational fishing license. However, this may not be necessary if you’re part of a professional deep-sea fishing charter. Just ensure the boat charter company is duly registered.

 

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• Know the Best Fishing Seasons 

It’s not enough to understand the local fishing laws. You’d also want to know what the best fishing seasons are. 

Australia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. The country’s territorial waters are home to 48 species of whales and dolphins, three species of seals, and tons of other marine fauna.  

You can go deep-sea fishing pretty much throughout the year. However, the best fishing season for most fish species is March through May. 

If you’re not afraid to test your limits, consider hitting the deep seas in winter. This would be an excellent opportunity to catch cold-water species like Gemfish and the Australian salmon. Besides, boat charters are considerably cheaper as fewer anglers hire them.

• Determine Your Trip’s Duration 

Deep sea fishing can last anywhere from a day to several weeks. It’s important to establish beforehand how long you intend for the trip to last. 

The duration of your trip will influence the type of fishing equipment to have on board. It’s also a factor in determining the kind of boat to charter. The longer you plan to stay at sea, the bigger the boat you’ll need and the more amenities. 

Experts recommend spending a maximum of four to six hours at sea for beginners. These shorter excursions will help you familiarise yourself with the sea and its potential dangers. Besides, shorter trips are perfect for smaller kids and busy folk. 

You can incrementally increase the duration of your deep-sea trips as you become adept at angling.

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• Assemble the Requisite Supplies

As you may have guessed, specific equipment is required to make every deep-sea fishing experience successful. 

Rods and reels are indispensable deep-sea fishing supplies. The trick is to pick the right rod and reel size. Light-to-medium power rods are better suited for equally small-to-medium-sized game fish like walleye and bass. But if you’ll require heavy power rods you’re going after bigger fish, like catfish and muskies. 

It would also be best to consider the length of your fishing rod. Shorter rods offer better stamina, while longer ones allow you to cover a larger fishing radius. 

The following are other essential deep-sea fishing supplies; 

• Hooks and sinkers 
• Landing nets 
• A bucket 
• Binoculars 
• Long-nose pliers 
• A ruler 
• Lures or baits 
• Basic tool kit

Depending on your boat, most of this equipment can be part of your charter package. However, be sure to check beforehand to avoid last-minute surprises.

• Keep an Open Mind 

A deep-sea fishing excursion can go either way – it can be the most thrilling or harrowing experience you’ve ever had. So, it’s best to prepare yourself for any outcome. Keeping an open mind means not being too hard on yourself if you catch nothing. Instead of feeling too upset for sailing back with an empty net, you can thank Mother Nature for letting you indulge in the beauty of its pristine waters. 

Another way to keep an open mind is to know when the trip has run its course and call it off. No matter how experienced your crew members are, common sense dictates that you sail back to shore at the slightest hint of turbulence. Do not wait until you’re caught in the eye of a storm, as it may be too late to make the best calls then.

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Final Word

Planning your maiden deep-sea fishing trip can be painstaking, particularly if you’re a novice angler. However, the above tips can go a long way in making every deep sea fishing an excursion to remember forever.