Captain Billy's Fishing Tips

Scaled sardines, pilchards, greenbacks or whitebait, it's all the same animal. This is the prime bait for inshore fishing. The only fish that will refuse the shiner is a snook when the water is to cold then we need to us a shrimp. The reason is it moves slower and easier to digest. Both baits can be purchased from your local bait shop; however, if you want to catch your own bait click on Calusa nets under our sponsors, watch the video and learn how to throw a net and start catching your own bait..

Thumb sucking snook

People ask, "I'm new to the area how do I learn to fish here." The first thing I tell the and that I do is hire a full time professional guide. Someone who makes his living solely on fishing and if he's real skinny don't hire him he's poor and can't afford to eat. Just kidding on the skinny guide. But do hire a full time guide, ask for references, what's included, what kind of tackle, and what do we need to bring. This is what I do when I go to an area that I'm unfamiliar with on vacation. Second read all you can. Good reference books are all of Frank Sergeants books, The Snook Book, and The Redfish Book for example. Third is join one of the local fishing clubs it's a great place to meet other fisherman, and learn local knowledge. Who knows you may even find a new fishing buddy or two.

The best tip that I can give anyone is if you want to really enjoy a day on the water is to take a kid fishing. They are the best barometer on letting you know how you are doing. If they're bored they'll let you know and if they're having fun you'll know that too.

Alot of people think if you want to catch a big fish you need a big hook this is not true. In fact it's almost the exact opposite when using live bait. You need to size the hook according to the size bait you are using. The hook should be large enough to go through the bait without hindering the natural movement of your chosen bait. Normally inshore I use a 1/0 or 2/0 mustad live bait hook. I find on shrimp and sardines this is fine. When using larger pinfish offshore I will use anywhere from a 4/0 to an 8/0 hook.