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What Do We Need and How Do We Know?
In our last article,
we discussed common species of fish in Charlotte Harbor and
the adjacent Gulf waters. The habitat and typical size of
our target species are among the criteria in tackle
selection. Other principal equipment selection decisions
deal with the manner in which we will present bait or lures
to the fish.
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Lightweight artificial lures made
using a variety of materials tied directly to a
hook’s shank to represent a bait are referred to as
flies and streamers. A fly rod, a long, supple rod
with a narrow, large diameter reel mounted below the
rod, is used to present these lures. To many,
fly-fishing is the ultimate test of angling.
Fly fishermen are very often seasoned anglers who
seek the challenges of making very subtle, |
| natural presentations of artificial
lures to fish in relatively close proximity.
The acts of fly-casting and the hooking, fighting
and landing of fish with fly equipment are skills
that require patience, time and practice to perfect. |
Bait casting rods and reels work well
for presenting live baits and heavier artificial lures.
Casting rods are relatively stout units on which the reel is
mounted across and on top of the reel, just forward of a
handle that is configured with a downward extending tab
finger grip. Bait casting is a skill that takes some time
to master. The spool holding the line is released by
depressing a lever with your thumb. The weight of the lure
or bait pulls the line off the reel. If left to run freely,
the line will pile up and become snarled on the spool in a
“bird’s nest”. We need to slow and stop the spool by
applying thumb pressure on the spool as the lure nears the
end of the cast or reaches the bottom when fishing
vertically in the water column. Turning the reel handle
will reengage the spool and retrieve the line, thereby
imparting a swimming action to the lure.
| Spinning rods and reels are the
most commonly used equipment on Charlotte Harbor.
Rods, with appropriately matching reels, are
available in a very broad range of stiffness and
length, making it possible to set up a spinning
outfit for any of the many species of fish in the
Charlotte Harbor area. Spinning rod line
guides and spinning reels are suspended below the
rod. The reel spool shaft is aligned with the
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| rod such that the line loops off the
end of the spool during a cast. The line flows
smoothly, with no need to keep thumb pressure on the
spool. Learning to cast lures or live bait
with a spinning outfit is relatively easy, thereby
adding to the popularity of the design. Find a
buddy who can fill you in on the basics, practice
casting at some buckets in the back yard, and you
will be ready to go fishing in no time. |
As with any equipment that is to be
used in the harsh saltwater environment and under the
significant forces and stresses that will be applied by a
moderate sized fish, plan to err on the side of quality. It
is absolutely true with fishing tackle that you need to pay
for what you get and that you will get what you pay for. A
good quality rod and a well made reel will last for many
seasons, if given routine care and maintenance.
When you decide to select your rod and
reel, I strongly recommend that you take full advantage of
our many excellent local bait and tackle stores in Port
Charlotte and Punta Gorda, particularly those who have been
strong supporters of the Charlotte County Chapter of the
Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (CCA FL) such as
Capt. Ted’s Tackle, Fishin’ Franks Bait & Tackle, Lashley
Marine, Rio Villa Bait & Tackle, Shallow Water Outfitters,
and West Marine. Their friendly and professional personnel
will gladly assist you in making your selection and in
providing information on how to use and maintain your new
equipment.
Summing It Up:
There are a number of different types
of fishing gear that can be used to catch local fish
species. Check out the variety of rods and reels at the
suggested bait and tackle shops. For more information, we
invite you to join us at our next monthly general membership
meeting. The CCA FL Charlotte Chapter membership meetings
are on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the
Port Charlotte Cultural Center on Aaron Street in Port
Charlotte. Meetings are open to the public. The next
several meetings will be on January 25th,
February 22nd, and March 22nd, 2005.
You are also welcome to join us at our annual banquet on
February 25, 2005 at the Maple Leaf Estates.
We encourage join the CCA to help protect our marine
resources. You can sign up at our next meeting, or
pick up a membership form at any of several Punta
Gorda bait and tackle shops, or either call or
e-mail CCA Florida at (407) 854-7002 or
www.ccaflorida.org.
For additional information on
Florida fish and wildlife, check
www.marinefisheries.org, the website of the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 
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envelopes
under the tree that contain gift certificates for fishing
tackle. If you were fortunate like me, or if you would like
to treat yourself to some new tackle, some decisions need to
be made. Much like clothing, fishing gear needs to been
“tried-on” for fit, feel and function. 
