Once you get out to the fishing grounds, remain calm. Find an open spot on the rail and wait for the captain to say it's time to drop lines. If you drop early, more often than not, the boat is still settling into the spot and you'll either get tangled up or need to reel in and reset anyway. Be patient and wait for the greenlight. If the bait is squid, feel free to bait your hook early. If the bait is live fish (typically sardines or anchovies), don't take it out of the handwell until you are ready to fish. You want a lively fish at the end of your line to attract the target fish to bite. If you bait your hook early and let it dangle on the line, it's dying and won't be an attractive bait. Once you are fishing, if using squid (live or dead) you don't need to change your bait until it's gone. If the bait is live fish, try to feel it at the end of your line wiggling. If it isn't active, reel in and pin on a new bait.

When the fishing day is done and the ride home begins, a deckhand will say it's time to weigh in for jackpot. If you entered, get your biggest fish out of the sack and have them weigh it. The jackpot weigh in is a fun time to see what everyone else caught, and take pictures. Have that camera ready. Once the weigh in is done, the crew will start cutting fish. It's a good idea to let the crew cut your fish for you. It usually runs $1 or so per fish (maybe more if you catch a really big one) and sends you home with fresh fish, ready to cook and eat. You have some choices in how they can cut the fish for you. If you don't know what they are, read the end of this article "How to Filet Fish".



Those are the basics. Obviously, there is much more to learn, but if you listen to the crew and follow what they say, you'll do just fine. Enjoy!

Top tips:



- Listen to the captain and crew

- If fishing with live fish for bait, change your bait often

- Maintain the right attitude. Not every time out is going to result in catching the fish of a lifetime. Even experienced anglers get skunked. Enjoy your time on the water.

- If you have a good time, tip your crew appropriately. If you tip someone pouring you a cup of coffee, why wouldn't you tip someone who helped you enjoy a day on the ocean?