SALTWATER FISHING FIELD GUIDE

SALTWATER FISHING FIELD GUIDE

Youth Anglers Learning Saltwater Fishing in Massachusetts WIDE RULED • 40 pages

Take Me Saltwater FishingMassachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

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IN THIS GUIDE:1. Tackling Tackle..............

• FishingRods..............• LuresandBait...........• Hooks,Line,and

Sinkers..........................• Accessoriesand

Gear................................2. Angler Skills...................

• RiggingyourTackle............................• Casting..........................• ReadingtheWater..• FishingTechniques..................

3. Making the Catch........• ResponsibleAngling........................• FishID..........................

4. Finishing the Day........5. My Fishing Logbook..6. Glossary............................

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Welcome,Anglers!HereinMassachusetts,saltwaterfishingisrootedintradition.Around30%ofourresidentsareanglers,andpeoplefromallovertheworldvisittheserichcoastalwaterstofishforstripedbass,tautog,flounder,andcountlessotherrecreationalfishspecies!

Fishingisagreatwaytoconnectwithandenjoythegreatoutdoorswhilerelaxingwithfriendsandfamily.Butfirst,youneedtopickyourtackle,practicecasting,andmakesureyouunderstandwatersafetyandfishingrulesandregulations.

Thisguidewillnotonlygiveyoutipsonhowtogetstartedinsaltwaterfishing,butwillhelpyoulearntokeepMassachusettscoastalwatershealthyandfullforgenerationsofanglerstocome!

MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries•TakeMeSaltwaterFishingFieldGuide

So get out there, and get saltwater fishing!ThisguideincludescompanionvideosonourYouTubechannel.Whenyouseethisvideoicon,opentheMassMarineFisheriesYouTubeandscrolltothevideotitle.

www.youtube.com/massmarinefisheries

http://mass.gov/service-details/take-me-saltwater-fishing

I am a saltwater angler!

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How to use this guideLearningtofishtakespatienceandpractice!Everytimeyouheadtothewateryouwillbeperfectingpackingyourgear,riggingyourtackle,andreelinginallkindsofsaltwaterfish.Thisguidewillgiveyoutipsandtricksforlearningtheseskills.Attheendofthisguideisafishinglogbookyoucanusetorecordandrevisityourmostepicfishingdays!


Itdoesn’tmatteryourage,gender,background,orability–everyonecanlearnandenjoythesportofsaltwaterfishing!

Saltwater Fishing For All!

Tackling Tackle

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With1,500milesofcoastline,Massachusettsofferscountlessopportunitytoexploresaltwaterfishing,yetmanypeopleneverlearnhowtofish!Learninghowtofishcanfeelalittleoverwhelmingwhenyouhavesomanytackle,bait,andgearchoicestopickfrom.Butthegoodnewsissaltwaterfishingdoesn’thavetobedifficultorexpensive!

Pickingupthesportofsaltwaterfishinghasneverbeeneasier.Thereareplentyofpublicpiersandbeaches,freefishinggearloans,andfishingclinicsforalllevels.Plus,partoftheadventureoflearningtosaltwaterfishislearningwhatsetupworksbestforYOU!

WhatdoYOUneedforasaltwaterfishingadventure?Asyoureadthroughthisguide,fillinthe“anglerchecklist”onthenextpagewithallofthethingsyou’llwanttobringalongforafunandsafefishingtrip!


Tackleisalloftheequipmentusedbyanglerswhenfishing.Thisincludesfishingrods,hooks,reels,lures,weights,bait,nets,andfishingline.Gearthatisattachedtotheendofthefishingline,likehooksandsinkers,iscalledterminaltackle.

Saltwater Fishing For All!

What is "tackle"?

MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries•TakeMeSaltwaterFishingFieldGuide4

Some questions to ask before a saltwater fishing trip:1. WhatkindoffishamIhopingtocatch?2. AmIgoingtousenaturalbaitorlures?3. WhatkindofweathershouldIpreparefor?4. AmIgoingtocatchandreleasemyfish,ortakehomea“keeper”toeat?5. IfI’m16+yearsold,doIhaveacopymyfishingpermitwithme?

Angler Checklist:

Rodsandreelsaretwoseparatepiecesofgear,buttheyarealmostalwaysboughtasapair.Rodscomeinmanydifferentlengths,materials,andstrengthstomeetallkindsofskillsandinterests.

Reelsareusedtocastoutandretrievethefishingline.Thelinethreadsthroughtheguides,whichhelpcontrolthelinealongtherod.Therodbuttoffersacomfortableplacetoholdtherodduringcastingandreeling.

Rodpoweristheamountofpressureananglerhastousetocausetherodtobend.Somebrandswillalsocallthis“rodaction".Lightaction(slow)rodsbendeasily,andareagoodchoiceforcastinglighttackleforsmallerfishspecies.Mediumactionrodsareversatileandoftenusedwithbottombait.Heavyaction(fast)rodsaresuitedforheavybait,targetinglargefish.

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Fishing Rods

Themostcommontypeofrodandreelcomboisaspinningoutfit.Spinningreelsareoneofthebestforbeginnerstolearnonbecausetheycaneasilycastandreelinthelinewithfewertangles.Spinningoutfitsaregoodforcastinglongdistancewithlighterbait.Thisguidefocusesonlearninghowtouseaspinningcombo.Holding a spinning outfit: Thespinningreelrestsbelowtherod.Theguidesthatholdthelinepointdowntotheground.


spinning reel

rod

guidesrod butt

Spinning Rod Outfit

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Baitcastingoutfitsaresturdyandcanbeusedtocastlongdistanceswithlargerbait.Baitcastingcantaketimetolearn,butallowsanglerstocastwithmoreaccuracy.Baitcastersaremorelikelytohavethelinetangleupintoa“birdsnest”or“backlash”whencasting,sobesuretokeepgoodcontrolofthespoolwithyourthumb!

Proper Handling: Onabaitcastingoutfit,thereelrestsontopoftherodwiththeguidespointinguptowardsthesky.

Proper Handling: Flyrodsthatarecastwithonehandarecalledsinglehandedrods.Rodsthatcastwitheitheroneorbothhandsarecalledswitchorspeyrods.

Onaflyfishingoutfit,thelineisusedtosendtheflyintothewater.Unlikeotherfishingline,flyfishinglineismadewithathickPVCcoatingthataddsweighttohelpdrivetheflyfor-ward.Beforecasting,thelineispulledouttothelengthneededandbundledonthegroundorabasketnexttotheangler.Onceafishishooked,thelineisreeledbackin.

Fly Rod

Baitcasting Rod


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Lures and Bait


Bucktail Jig

Swimming Minnow

Pencil PopperSpoon

Softbait

Choosingasetupforattractingafishtobitedependsonthetypeoffishyouwanttocatch.Youcanchoosenaturalbaitoranartificiallure—bothoffersomethinginterestingforthefishtoattack!

Luresaremadetolookandmovelikethefood(baitfish)commonlyeatenbyfish.Therearealotoflurechoices,soenjoyyourtimelearningwhatworksbestforyourskilllevelandfishinginterest!

Thewayaluremovesthroughthewaterisknownas“action”.Theshapeandpartsofthelurecancauseittosplash,swim,andevenvibrateasyoureelitthroughthewater.

Bucktaillurescanbeusedforallkindsoffish.Heavybucktailsaregoodfordeeperwaterwithacurrent.Smaller,lighterbucktailsmimictinybaitfishandworkwellincalm,shelteredwaters.

"Poppers"splashacrossthesurfaceofthewater,makingsoundsthatattractlargepredatorfish.Theytendtoworkbestatdawnandduskwhenfisharemorelikelytofeedonthesurface.

Jigsareluresmadetobouncealongthebotttomasyoureelintheline.

Swimmingluresminicthepatternofswimmingfishasyoureelthroughthewater.

Softbaitlurescomeinalldifferentcolors,sizesshapes,andevenscents!Brightcolorsworkbestonsunnydayswhiledarkercolorsworkbetterwithovercastordarkskies.

Shiney,metalspoonlureswobbleandflashlikeaswimmingfish.

Common Saltwater Lures

Jig

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Therearealotofreasonstousebaitwhenfishing.Baitallowstheanglertotargetspecifickindsoffishbychoosingoneoftheirfavoritefooditems,islowcost,andattractsfishwithitssmell!Manyfishhuntusingsmell.

Keepinmind:• Baitoftenneedstobekeptcoldorinalivewelltostayfresh• Planaheadtomakesureyouhavetherightbaitforthetypeoffishyou

wanttocatch• Baitattractsfishofallsizes,sobereadytoreleaseanyfishtoosmallthat

youmighthook• Alwayscheckstateregulationsbeforeyoufishtoensureyourbaitchoices

arelegal• Ifyouareusingchunkbait,itcanbehelpfultopre-cutthebait(clam,chunksoffish,squid)forquickandeasyaccess.

Common Saltwater Bait

Eel

Sea Worm

MackerelSquid


Fliesareluresmadeforflyfishing.Likeotherlures,fliescomeincountlesssizesandpatterns.Whenyouarechoosingafly,talkwithatackleshoporskilledanglerwhocanrecommendafewoptionstohelpgetyoustarted.

Gartside Gurgler Lefty’s DeceiverSurf Candy Clouser Minnow

Common saltwater flies

clam on a hook

chunk fish piece on a hook

J Hook Circle Hook

Shank

Offset hook In-line hook

9MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries•TakeMeSaltwaterFishingFieldGuide

Hooks, Line, and SinkersLearninghowtosetupyourrodwithfishinglineandtackleisavaluableanglerskill.

In-linecirclehooksaredesignedsothatthepointisturnedstraightbacktowardstheshank.Thisuniqueshapecausesthehooktocatchonthelipormouthinsteadofthegutorgills.In-linecirclehooksareusedwithbait.

Offsethooksaremorelikelytogut-hookyourfish.Gut-hookingiswhenthehookisswallowedandgetsstuckinthebellyorthroatofthefish.Truecirclehooksare“in-line”,whichmeanstheywilllayperfectlyflatonatable.

In-linecirclehooks,alongwithbarb-lesshooks,reducethechanceofkillingafish.RecreationalanglersinMassachusettscatchandreleasemillionsoffisheachyear,andsometimesfishdiefromtheirhookwounds.In-linecirclehookscanhelplowerthenumberofthesekindsofdeathsbyupto50%!

Usingcirclehooks:• BECAREFUL-goslowtopreventaccidentalcuts!• Whenusinglivebait,turnthehookthroughsoftflesh,

avoidingbonyportions.Forcutbait,rotatethepiececompletelyontothehooksoitdoesn’tfalloff.

• Keepthehookpointclear—ahookhiddenbybaitislesslikelytocatchthecornerofthemouth.

• Whenthefishtakesthebait,bepatientanddonotsetthehook.Reelthelinetightandthehookwillsetitself!

Fliesareluresmadeforflyfishing.Likeotherlures,fliescomeincountlesssizesandpatterns.Whenyouarechoosingafly,talkwithatackleshoporskilledanglerwhocanrecommendafewoptionstohelpgetyoustarted.

Lefty’s Deceiver

Hooks

Itisimportanttochoosetheappropriatehooksizeforthetypeoffishyouaretargeting.Ifahookistoobig,asmallerfishwon’tbeabletogetitinitsmouth.Ifahookistoosmall,alargerfishmightswallowitentirely.Hooksizesrunfrom1/0(calledaoneaught)to19/0.Thelargerthenumber,thelargerthehook.

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Thehigherthe“poundtest”ontheline,thestrongeritis.Soa20-poundtestlineshouldbreakwhenafishpullsbackwith20poundsofforceormore.Linesaregenerallyunder-rated,takingintoaccounttheknotsthatweakenyourline.Lighterlinewillcastfartherandsinkfaster,whileheavierlineisstrongerandstiffer.

Sinkersareaddedweightsthatpullyourbaitandhooksdowntodifferentdepthsofthewater.Theymakeitpossibletotargetfishswimminginthemiddleorbot-tomofthewatercolumn.

Pyramid sinkers aregoodforsurfandsandybottoms.Theirflatsidespreventthemfromrolling,andthepointhelpsburythesinkerinthebottom.

Swivels keepyourlinefromtwistingwhenreelinginafish.

Bank sinkersarebellshapedtopreventitfromgettingcaughtinrocks.

Egg sinkers haveaholethroughthemiddleforlinetobethreadedthrough.

Fishinglinewindsaroundthereelandupthroughtheguidesontherod.Linecomesinavarietyofstrengths,colors,andsizes.Themostcommontypesoflinearemonofilamentandbraid.Thetypeoflineyouchoosedependsonyourrodsetup,thefishyouplantocatch,andthebaityou’reusing.


Sinkers and swivels

Braided line

Mono line

Fishing line

MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries•TakeMeSaltwaterFishingFieldGuide 11

Accessories and GearOneofthemoreexcitingthingsaboutsaltwaterfishingisthateachtimeyougoyou’llhaveadifferentexperience.Withproperplanningandtherighttoolsyouwon'tbecaughtunprepared.Herearesomeitemseveryanglershouldhaveonhandtoensureafun(andsafe)day!

Ahatandsunglassestoprotectyoureyes

Sunblock

Closedtoeshoes,securesandals,orbootstoprotectyourfeet

Achangeofclothing,aswellaslayers(longsleeves,rainjacket,pants)to

keepyoucomfortablealldaylong.

Grippypalmglovesforcastingonchillydays

Severalbottlesofwateroryourfavoritedrink

Snacksthatdonotneedtostaycool,likegranolabars,fruit,crackers,or

peanutbuttersandwiches

Afirstaidkit,stockedwithbandages,cleaningpads,gloves,andgauze

Prepare for fun in the sun...and wind, rain, and cold!

12 MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries•TakeMeSaltwaterFishingFieldGuide

Acoolerandicewillkeepanyfishyouintendonkeepingtoeatfresh.Bringaseparatecoolerforfoodanddrink.

Adehookerishelpfulforquicklyandsafelyremovingahookfromafishesmouth.Instructionsforhowtouseonecanbefoundonpage24ofthisbook.

Packafewcleantowelsfordryinghands.Useawettoweltosafelyholdafishwhenremovinghooks,helpingtokeepitsskinandgillssafe.

Plierscanbeusedtotightenknots,removehooks,pinchdownhookbarbs,andmore.Pliersmadeofaluminumandstainlesssteelwontrust.

Astrong,sharpknifetocutbaitandfilletanyfishyoukeepforfood.Alwayshaveadultsupervisionwhenusingaknife.

Saltwaternets(withlarge,deephoops)areasafewaytobringafishcloserforhookremovalandrelease.

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Saltwater Fishing GearInadditiontopayingattentiontoyourclothingandbasicneeds,therearemanysaltwaterfishingspecificitemsthatwillcomeinhandyduringyourtrip.


Angler Skills

Common saltwater knotsImproved Clinch Knot:oneofthemostuniversalfishingknots,andagoodwaytosecureahook,lure,orswiveltotheline.

1. Threadtheendofthelinethroughtheeyeofthehook,swivel,orlure.Doublebackandmakefiveormoreturnsaroundthestandingline.

2. Bringtheendofthelinethroughthefirstloopformedbehindtheeye,thenthroughthebigloop.

3. Wettheknotandgentlypullonthetagendtostartdrawingthecoilstogether.Pullonthestandinglinetoformknotwithcoils.

4. Slidethecoiltightagainsttheeyeandcutthetagend.

standing line

tag end

hook eye

Togetthemostoutofyourfishingday,therearecertainskillsthatallanglersneedtoknow.Learninghowtotieknots,setupyourtackle,andcastyourlineareeasytopickupandwillimproveeachtimeyou’reoutfishing!

Beforeyoucatchafish,yourhookorlureneedstobeattachedtoyourlinewithaknot.Eveyanglerhasafavoriteknotandsetupthattheyhaveperfectedfortheirfishingstyle.Youcanstartbypracticingknottyingwithropeandashowercurtainring.Onceyoufeelcomfortablewithpracticematerials,moveontousingfishinglineandgear.

Tying saltwater fishing knots


Blood knot:usethisknottojoinsectionsofleaderorlinetogether.Itworksbestwithlineofequalorsimilardiameter.

Dropper loop: oneofthestrongestandmostreliableknots,itissosimplethatitcanbetiedinthedark!Itisrecommendedforusewithbraidedlines.

1. Overlaptheendsoflineyouwanttojointogether.Twistonearoundtheother,makingfiveturns(whitelineindiagram)

2. Bringtagendbackbetweenthetwolines.Repeatwiththeotherend(bluelineindiagram),wrappinginoppositedirectionthesamenumberofturns.

3. Slowlypullthelinesorleadersinoppositedirections.Theturnsoflinewillwrapandgather.

4. Pulltightandclipthetagends.

1. Createalargeloopinthemiddleofaline.

2. Holdingthetwosidesoftheline(theloophangingbelowyourhands)wrapthetwopartsofthelineovereachother5-6times.

3. Openaholeinthecenterofthetwoendsofthetwistedlineandpushtheloopupthroughthehole.

4. Wettheknot.Holdingtheloopwithyourteeth,pullonthetwoendsofthelinetotighten.

5. Addhooksortackletotheloop.


Rigging Your TackleThecombinationoftackleusedattheendofyourfishinglineiscalledterminaltackle.Thesetupyouusewillmatchupwiththetypeoffishyouintendtocatchandtheenvironmentyouwillbefishing.1. Overlaptheendsoflineyou

wanttojointogether.Twistonearoundtheother,makingfiveturns(whitelineindiagram)

2. Bringtagendbackbetweenthetwolines.Repeatwiththeotherend(bluelineindiagram),wrappinginoppositedirectionthesamenumberofturns.

3. Slowlypullthelinesorleadersinoppositedirections.Theturnsoflinewillwrapandgather.

4. Pulltightandclipthetagends.

Fish finder rig:agoodsetupforfishingfromshore,thefishfindercanholdlargepiecesofbaitandallowsthefishtosecurelyeatofftherigbeforesettingthehook.Theweightontheslideswivelholdsthelinedownbutallowsthebaittobedroppedback.Thissetupattractsstripedbass,fluke,andmanyothers.

main line

leader line

weighted line

main linebarrel swivel

three-way swivel

leader line

slide swivel

Three-way rig:oneofthemostversatileofallfishingset-ups.Itgetsitsnamefromtheuseofathree-wayswivel,andisgoodfortargetingfishnearthebottom.Whentheweightisdropped,thelureorbaitwillhoverjustoverthebottom.

Use the improved clinch knot for all ties:1. Tieathree-wayswiveltothemainfishinglinefromyourreel,

andtrimtheextralinewithnailclippersorscissors.2. Addadroplinebetween6-24inchestothesecondswivel

andattachyourweighttotheend.3. Addaleaderlinebetween12-36inchestothethirdswivel,

andattachacirclehooksizedforyourtargetspeciesoffish.

Use the improved clinch knot for all ties:1. Threadaslideswivelontothemainfishinglinefromyourreel,thentietheend

ontoabarrelswivelandtrimthelinewithnailclippersorscissors.2. Attachapyramidsinkertotheslideswivel.3. Attachaleaderlineof12-18inchestotheothersideofthebarrelswiveland

attachanin-linecirclehooksizedforyourtargetspeciesoffish.


main line

dropper loop #1

dropper loop #2

10 - 12 inches

10 - 12 inches

Learning to tie a dropper loop takes time and practice. Once you're comfortable with making the loop you can move onto making high-low rigs.1. Startbypullingtwoandahalffeetof

mainlineofftheendofthereel.2. Makedropperloop#1,leavingabout24

inchesoflinebelowit.3. Adddropperloop#2,leaving10-12

inchesbetweenitanddropperloop#1.4. Addasurgeonlooptotheterminalend.

Attachinganin-linecirclehook:1. Pushthedropperloopthroughtheeyeofthehook.2. Carefullypullthelooparoundthehookandpull

gentlyuntilittightensaroundtheeye.

Attachingthesinkerwithsurgeonloop:1. Leave10-12inchesoflinebelowdropper

loop#2.2. Doubleoverthelineandtiealoose

overhandknot.Looponeadditionalturnthroughthemiddle.

3. Pulltheloopdowntotighten.Attachaweightthesamewayashooks(above).

Rigging your tackle

High-low (two-hook) bottom rig:Whileyoucanbuyhigh-lowrigspre-madeattackleshops,youcaneasilymakeyourownusingdropperloopsorswivelsonyourmainline.Thissetupallowstheanglertoputtwohooksoutwhilereducingthechancesoftanglingbetweenthelines.

surgeon loop


CastingLearninghowtocastaspinningrodisatechniquethattakespractice.Whetherinyourbackyard,localpark,orsandybeach,practicingwithrubberweightsisafunwaytomakecastingsecondnature.

1. Holdtherodatwaistlevel,withthespinningreelrestingbelowtherod.Letthelineoutenoughtoletthebaitorlurehang10–18inchesofftheendoftherod.

2. Findaspotonthewaterthatyouwantthebaittohit.Asyoucast,aimthetipofyourrodtothisspot.Youcanalsosetuphulahoopsonabeachorlawnforafungameoftargetpracticewitharubberplug(weight)!

3. Holdingthelinewithyourpointerfingersecurelyagainsttherod,openthebail.

4. Lookbehindyoutomakesuretherearenopeopleorobstaclesinyourway.

5. Bringtherodupandbackoveryourdominantshoulder.Swingtherodforwardwithcontrolandreleasethelineinyourpointerfingerasyoupassoveryourshoulder.Theweightofthelurewillpullthelineforward.

6. Closethebailwithyourhandonceyouarereadytobeginreeling.

Casting a spinning rod

Casting a Spinning Rod


1. Hookthelinewithyourpointerfingerandopenthebail.2. Bringtherodupandoveryourdominantshoulder,continuetoholdtheline

withyourindexfinger.3. Asyouswingtherodforward,releasethelinewithyourfingerjustasthe

rodreacheseyelevel(orwhentherodtipispointedatyourtarget).Allowthelinetopulloffofthereeluntilthelurehitsyourtarget.

4. Closethebailwithyourotherhandandyouarenowreadytoreel(retrieve)theline.

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Bail open

Bail closed


Reading the WaterLikehumans,fishhavefavoriteplaceswheretheyregularlyspendtheirtime.Findinglocationstorest,eat,andreproduceareallapartofafish’slifebiology.Learningaboutthehabitsandneedsofdifferentkindsoffish,andbeingobservantofwaterconditions,arebothhelpfultoolsindecidingwheretotargetpotentialbites.

Equallyasimportantasreadingthewater,isreadingatidechart.Tidescausemovementtothewater,whicheffectsfishbehaviorandlocation.Lowtidesaregoodtimestoseeunderwaterstructures,whilehightidecanbeaperfecttimetotargetgamefishhuntingthedeeper,busierwaters.Checkinwithlocaltackleshopsfortipsandtricksintothebesttimesforfishingineachuniquetidalarea.

Whenfishingalongacanalorinlet,lookingfordifferencesinwatermovementcanhelpyouidentifyareaswherefishareresting,moving,oractivelyhunting.• Small surface ripplesformalongtheedgesoratbends,wherefasterwater

meetsslowercurrents.Fishcanbefoundrestingupstreamalongthesecalmpockets.

• Waterwithcalmsurfacescanbeanindicatorofdeeper,swift currents.Theseareasarethe“highways”ofthewaterway,andlargerfishwilloftenswimthissectionduringmigrationsorwhilehunting.

• Swirlingwaterisformedasfastercurrentsflowintoinletsandbehindlargebouldersandrockstructures.Therewhirlpoolsoffershelterfromthefastermovingcurrents.

• Anglerswhoaredownstreamshouldbeallowedtocastfirsttoreducethechancesoftangledlines.

deep, swift current

swirling

downstreamupstream

small surface ripples

Canal and shore fishing


Watchingthewavestoseewheretheybreakisagoodwaytolocatestructuresinthesurf.Ifthereisalargesandbar,thesurfwillbreakdirectlyaboveit,causing“suds”inthedeepertroughjustpastthebar.Ifmultiplesandbarsareinplace,smallerwaveswillreformandbreakagainastheygetclosertotheshore.• Asandbarisformedduringlowtide,whenthesandbuildsupanewshore-

linefartherfromthebeach.Youwillrarelytargetfishonasandbar.Instead,youwillusethesandbarasareferencepointtolocatethetroughsthatformbetweenthesandbarandshore.

• Atroughisadeeperchannelthatformsbelowasandbar.Troughsareagoodlocationtotargetfishbecausetheycorralandmovebait-fish.Thelargerpredatorfishcruisethroughtroughsandambushpreynearentrywaysandexits.

• Apointisashallowareaofthebeachthatjutsout.Pointscancausetheformationofdeeperpoolsoneitherside,wherebaitfishpileupafterbeingforcedthroughtroughsandcurrents.

• Ripcurrentsareformedbetweensandbars.Thebiggertheswell(waves),thestrongerthecurrent.Aswavesbreak,thewaterisforcedbacktodeeperareasandquicklyrushesbacktowardstheopenoceanin-betweensandbars.

Fortunatelyforanglers,theseoutwardflowingcurrentssweepbaitfishupthroughthecutinthesandbar.Targetthepoolsofwaterjustoneithersideoftheoutgoingcurrent.Bluefish,stripedbass,andfalsealbacorearejustafewofthelargerfishthatusethesepocketstohunt.

trough

suds

sandbar

rip current

point

Beach and surf fishing

Fishing from the shoreline


Fishing TechniquesDependingonthespeciesoffishyou’retargeting,youmightbefishingthesurfaceofthewater,usingcurrentstomovebait,orsearchingforabiteattheverybottom.Saltwaterfishingcanbeenjoyedfromtheshore,pier,orboat...andmanypeoplefishallyearlong!

Beforeyourfishingtrip,you'llwanttolookatthelocaltidecharttofigureoutthetimingfortheincomingandoutgoingtidesforyourpierlocation.• Generally,thebesttimetofishfromapierorshorelineisduringamoving

tide,eitherincomingoutoutgoing.• Incomingtidesarewhenthewateris"rising",orflowingtowardstheshore.

Outgoingtidesarewhenthewateris"falling",ormovingbackouttosea.

Wheneverpossible,checktheseasonalfishingreportstolearnwhatkindsoffishareinthearea.Thiswillhelpyouplanyourtacklechoiceforthefishmostlikelytobefoundaroundthepier.

Remember,safetyfirst!Thereareusuallyseveralanglerscastingandreelinginfishclosetogetheronapier.Makesuretoalwayslookaroundyoubeforedroppingyourline,anddonotcastoverheadorswingyourrodnearanyoneelse.

ForalistofsaltwaterfishingpiersinMassachusettsvisit:www.mass.gov/saltwater-fishing-public-access

Piers are a great place to learn how to saltwater fish. Piers are easily accessible and often have parking lots, rest areas, and lighting to help make your day safe and comfortable.

Fishing from a pier

Fishing from a pier

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Topwater Plugging Topwaterplugsareusedonthesurfaceofthewater.Theyareafavoritechoiceforanglerswhoenjoywatchingthefishstrikethelure,sometimesendingwithabigjumpfromthefish!Strategyforusingatopwaterplugistoalterthespeedyoureelandlightlybouncingyourrodasyoureelthelureacrossthewater.Thisissometimescalled“walkingthedog”becauseitlookslikeyouarewalkingthelureacrossthetopofthewater.

Shore Jigging Fishingtowardsthebottomofthewatercolumnrequiresaheavierorweightedlure.Oncethelurehitsthebottom,crankthelinebackafewrotationsandpulltherodupasyoureeleveryfewseconds.Thiswillbouncethelureclosetothebottom,keepingitclearofrocksandsnags.Jiggingisafunwaytodevelopyourownfishing“style”,testingdifferentspeedsandmovementstoseewhatbestattractsthefishtoyourlure.

Plugging

Jigging

Fishing from the shoreline

! Lightening,heavyrain,andwindaredangerousconditionsforfishing.Immediatlyendfishingandfindshelterifyouencounterbadweather.

Remember,thebestfishingisalmostalwaysonarisingorfallingtide."Slacktides"(whenthereislittleornotidalcurrent)arenotproductivefishingtimes.Whenfishingalongacoastalwaterway(suchastheCapeCodCanal)you'llwanttolearntomoveyourtacklethroughthewatertoattractabite.


Making the Catch

You have a bite, Now what?!

It'stime–You’vepickedafishingspot,setupyourgear,andnowyou’rereadytoreelinafish!Learninghowtoresponsibly“play”afishandremoveitfromyourtackleisthenextstepinyoursaltwaterfishingeducation.

Set the hook:1. Staycalm,andmakesureyouhavegoodcontrolofyourrod.2. Ifyouareusingin-linecircle hooks,noneedtosetthehook–youarereadyto

startreelingintheline.Keepthelinetight(taut)atalltimesasyoureel.3. Ifyouareusingalure,fly,orothersetup,setthehookinthemouthbygiving

aquickjerkwhenyoufeelthebitefromthefish.Ifyoufeelapullonthelinedownorawayfromyou,chancesarethefishhasalreadysetthehook.

4. Holdingtherodtipupata45°angle,startreelingintheline.

If you have a smaller fish on the line:5. Besuretokeepthelineclearofrocks,pierdeckingandsiding,andboat

sidesasyoureel.Thesecanallbreaktheline,causingyoutolosethefish.6. Iffishingfromapier,reelthefishinandupuntilthereis18-24”oflineoffthe

endoftherodtip.Lifttherodtipuptowardstheskytogentlyswingthefishtowardsyou.

7. Holdthefishcarefullyasyoubegintoremovethehook.

If you have a larger fish on the line:8. Forlargerfish,orthosethathaveaquickandheavyfight,youwillneedto

workhardertobringitinquicklyandsafely.9. Withoutreeling,pullupontheroduntilitsangledupabitfromyourhip.

Asyoudropthetipoftherodbackdowntowardsthewater,turnthereelquicklytopullinasmuchlineaspossible.Repeat,pullingthefishupeachtimeyouliftthetipoftherodup,andreelingasyoulowerbackdown.

10.Ifyouareusinganet,trytoguidethefishinheadfirsttoreducethechancesofitswimmingaway.

11. Ifthefishistoolargetosafelyliftorbringintotheboat,keepcontrolofyourgearbyholdingontothelinewithaglovedhand.Useadehookerforaquickandsafereleaseoffishthatareheavyoronesthatareriskytotouch.Lightening,heavyrain,andwindaredangerousconditionsforfishing.

Immediatlyendfishingandfindshelterifyouencounterbadweather.


Using a dehooker

Measuring your catch• Fishsizesaremeasuredastotallength,fromthetipofaclosedmouthtothe

farthestpartofitstail.Alwayshaveeasyaccesstothecurrentsizeandbaglimitregulationssetbythestate.

• Placeatapemeasureflatalongtheground,oruseameasuringboard,toquicklylogthelength.Anythinglessthantheminimumsizemustbereleasedbackintothewateralive.

Measuringexception:Blackseabassaremeasuredfromthetipofthejawtothetipofthetail,NOTincludingthetailfilament.Thefishabovemeasures16inches.

2520151051

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filament

1

2

31. Putthedehookerontheleaderline

andslideitdownuntilitcatchesontheshankofthehook.

2. Pullthedehookingdeviceandtheleaderapartwithstrong,evenpressure.Raiseyourrighthand(dehookingdevice)tothe2o'clockposition,andloweryourlefthand(leader)tothe8o'clockposition

3. Withaslighttwistandshakethehookwilldisengageandyourfishisreleasedsafely.Keepthefishascloseto(orin)thewateraspossible.


Responsible AnglingMostofthetimeweonlythinkaboutthefishwebringhomefromourfishingtrips.But,impropercatching,handling,andreleasingoffishcancauseinjuriesordeath.Alittleknowledgecangoalongwayinprotectingournaturalresources.Belowaresomewaystobearesponsibleanglerandincreaseafish’schanceofsurvival.

1. Reduce fighting time:toreducestressonthefish,useappropriatetackleforthetargetspeciesandlandthefishasquicklyaspossible.

2. Use a dehooker:haveadehookerorpliersclosebywhenyoubringinthefishtohelpwithacleanandquickhookremoval.

3. Hold fish over the water: itseasytoaccidentallydropaslipperyfish.Whenholding,keepthefishclosetothewatertoprotectitfromhittingthegroundorboatdeckifdropped.

4. Protect the skin:fisharecoveredinalayerofmucoustoprotectthem.Ifyouhavetoremoveafishfromthewater,wetyourhandsoruseawetragtoprotecttheircovering.Keepingafishinwateraslongaspossiblegreatlyincreasestheirchanceofsurvival.Neverdragafishalongrocksorsand.

5. Hold a fish carefully: neverholdafishbytheeyesorgills.Holditunderthebellyandkeepalightgriponthecaudalpeduncle(wherethebodymeetsthetail)formoresupport.

Properly handle fish

Ifyourfishdoesnotstarttoswimawayonit'sownduringrelease,tryrevivingitbygentlymovingitthroughthewaterinafigureeightpattern.Alwayskeepthefishmovingmouthfirsttoallowwatertopassoverthegills.NEVERMOVEAFISHBACKWARDS.

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Gently releasing a striped bass

Responsible angling: reeling, handling, and releasing your saltwater catch

3. Withaslighttwistandshakethehookwilldisengageandyourfishisreleasedsafely.Keepthefishascloseto(orin)thewateraspossible.


Responsible Angler ChecklistAsaresponsibleangler,Iwill:

Know the regulations:Payattentiontotheminimumsizeforkeepingafish,andhowmanyyoucankeepinaday.

Eat or release: Thereisnoreasontokeepanyfishyou’renotgoingtoeat.Picturesandfiberglasstrophieslookbetterandlastlongerthanstuffedfish.

Know when to stop: Ifafishhasnolimit,itdoesn’tmeanyoushouldkeepasmanyasyoucan.Onlyfreezewhatyoumightneedforafewweeks.

Get my saltwater fishing permit: Ifyouare16yearsorolderyouneedtohaveapermittofish.Fundssupportangleraccessandeducationprograms!

Keep our waters healthy: Don’tthrowanythinginthewaterortheshore.Makesureunusedbait,tackle,andlinearethrowninacoveredtrashcan.

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Addtothelistanyotherwaysyoucanbearesponsibleangler:


Fish ID

Eat or release: Thereisnoreasontokeepanyfishyou’renotgoingtoeat.Picturesandfiberglasstrophieslookbetterandlastlongerthanstuffedfish.

Know when to stop: Ifafishhasnolimit,itdoesn’tmeanyoushouldkeepasmanyasyoucan.Onlyfreezewhatyoumightneedforafewweeks.

Get my saltwater fishing permit: Ifyouare16yearsorolderyouneedtohaveapermittofish.Fundssupportangleraccessandeducationprograms!

Keep our waters healthy: Don’tthrowanythinginthewaterortheshore.Makesureunusedbait,tackle,andlinearethrowninacoveredtrashcan.

Massachusettscoastalwatersprovideidealhabitatsforhundredsofspeciesoffish.Whilesomefisharefoundyearround,othersmigratethousandsofmilestovisitourcoastalwaters.Allanglersshouldbefamiliarwiththedifferenttypesoffishandtheregulationsforthem.

Onthefollowingpagesyouwilllearnaboutninepopularsportfish.Differentfishmeandifferentstrategies,locations,andtackle.Thelastsectionofthisbookisafishingjournal,aplacewhereyoucannoteyourcatches.Lookingbackonyournotes,you'llbeabletolearnfromyourownuniqueexperiences!

Stellwagen Bank

Boston

Cape Cod

Cape AnnN

Gulf of Maine

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StellwagenBankNationalMarineSanctuaryisaperfectstoppingpointforallkindsofanimals.Inthemiddleofthebankisanunderwaterplateaumeasuring19milesby6milesatitswidestpart.Thesteepsidesoftheplateauforcethedeepoceancurrentstopushminerals,plankton,andfishupthesides.Thiscreatesanunderwaterbuffetforallkindsofmarineanimals!

Alongthenearly200milesofcoastline,migratingfishandshallowwaterspeciesareeasilytargetedbyanglersfromshore,pier,andboat!

Fishingregulationsareinplacetoconserve,protect,andimprovefishpopulations.Regulationsonthenumberoffishthatcanbecaughthelpkeepanglersfromtakingtoomanyfishatonetime.Sizelimitsallowmanyfishtoreachspawning(egglaying)sizebeforetheycanbekept.Fishingseasonsprotectfishduringspawning,andlimitthecatchonpopularwaters.

Fisheriesbiologistsstudyoceanhabitats.Theycollectdataonfishnumbersandthehealthoffishpopulations.Ifwelearnofaproblemwithagroupoffish,regulationsareusedtohelpkeepthefishpopulationhealthy.

Ifyoufish,it'simportantthatyouknowtherulesandregulations.Itisunacceptabletoignorefishingregulations-theyaremeanttoprotectfishandmakesurethereissharedanglingforeveryone!

What are fishing regulations?


Bluefish

Cunner

Black Sea Bass

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Season:May–SeptemberBaits: Cutsquid,clams,greencrabsTackle and tips: Bottomfishingfromaboat.Fishingforblackseabassfromashoreorpieristrickybecausetheypreferdeeperwaters.Youngblackseabassmaybefoundclosetoshoreinearlyspring,MayandJune.Fish Facts: Blackseabassallhatchasfemales,andsomewilleventuallychangetomalewhenneededforbreeding!Malescanhavebrightblueorpurplescalesandahumpontheirhead.

Season:June–midOctoberBaits: AllsmallbaitfishTackle and tips: Anglerscatchbluefishnearinlets,shoals,andripswherelargeschools(groups)ofbluefishfeed.Bluefishcanbitethroughweakline,souselineofatleast40-poundmonoorbraidwithawireleader.Jigs,spoons,spinners,flies,andsinglehooktopwaterplugswithalureallworkforattractingbluefish.Fish Facts: Bluefishlivethroughouttheworld'soceansandmigratelikebirds.Theyareswifthunterswithsharpteeth,sobecarefulwhenreleasingthem,anddonotputyourfingersintheirmouth!

Season:April-OctoberBaits: CutclamandwormsTackle and tips: Agreatstarterfish,cunner(alsoknownasbergals)areeasytofindaroundrockpiles,bridges,piers,andeelgrassbeds.Useasmallercirclehook(size2/0to4/0)andfishthebottomtoattractabite.Fish Facts: Cunnerarecloselyrelatedtotautog,andbothfisharemembersofthewrassefamily.Theirsmallmouthislinedwithseveralrowsofunevenconeshapedteeththathelpthemeatsmalllobsters,mussels,andurchins.

False Albacore

Atlantic Mackrel

Scup


Season:LateJuly-OctoberBaits: : Stripbaits,squid,smalljigs,spoons,plugs,fliesTackle and tips: Spinninggear,baitcasting,lightboatrods,trolling,flyfishing.Fish Facts: Falsealbacoreareverysimilartobonito-fast,funandsometimesabittrickytocatch!Unlikebonito,theydon'tmakeagoodkeeperfishforeating.However,ifyouwanttofeelsomeseriousfishpoweryouwon'tbedisappointedwhenyouhookafalsealbacoreandthelinescreamsoffthereelastheyswimawayfromyou!

Season:May-SeptemberBaits: Smallbaitfish,crab,clams,seaworms,squidstrips,jigs,spoons,flies,sabikirigsTackle and tips: Trolling,jigging,castingfromshoreorboat,usinglighttackle.Fish Facts: Atlantic mackerelarefastswimmersandvoraciousfeeders,whichofferstheanglermanyoptionsforcatchingthem.Usingachumbagwithcatfoodorgroundbaitfishisgreatwaytoattractmackereltoyourboat,andit'llkeepthemtheresoyoucanfillyourlivewellorcooler!

Season:May-OctoberBaits: Clams,stripsofsquid,seawormsTackle and tips: Light-tomedium-weighttackle,jetties,drift-fishing,piers,bridges.Fish Facts: Scupcanliveupwardsof20yearsandcangrowtoanaverageweightof3-4pounds.ThewatersofNewEnglandareimportanttoscup,whospawn(layeggs)inthesandyorweedypatchesoftheshallowsthroughoutthesummer.ScupmigratesouthfromMassachusettsinthefalltothewarmerwatersfoundsouthofNewEngland!


Season:April–NovemberBaits: Crabs,clams,andshellfishTackle and tips: Togareeasilyfoundalongcoastalreefsandrockyareasbyboat.Iffishingfromapier,trytolookattheunderwaterstructureduringlowtidesoyouknowwherethefishmightbehiding.Tryusingafishfinderrigsetup,usinganeggorbankonthelineandasize4/0+in-linecirclehookbaitedwithcrab.Fish Facts: Tautoghaveathicklayerofslimecoveringtheirbodytoprotectthemwhentheyhideinrockyhabitats.Becarefulhandlingandreleasingtautog;it'sdorsal(back)finhassharpspines!

Season:May–FebruaryBaits:Sandworms,bloodworms,clams,stripsofsquidTackle and tips: Iffishingfromaboat,manyanglerswillusea"chumpot",whichisasmallwirecagefilledwithclamsorfishusedtoattractfloundertoyourboat.Useasmallhookbaitedwithasandworm,andwhenyoufeelanibbleuseaquickandsmoothupwardpulltosetthehook.Fish Facts: Youngflounderhatchwithoneeyeoneachsideofitshead.Asitgrows,oneeyemovestotheotherside,sobothenduponthesamesideofitshead!Winterfloundereyesarealwaysontherightsideofthebody.

Season:MidApril–OctoberBaits: Seaworms,menhaden,eels,squid,herring,jigs,plugs,spinners,spoonsTackle and tips: Stripedbassareapopularandfunfishtocatchforallfishinglevels.Targeting"schoolies"—theyoung,firsttimemigratinggroupofstripers—atthebeginningofspringisagoodplacetostart.Castwithnaturalbaitalongtheshoreandoffpiers,jiggingasyoureelinyourlinetoenticethemtobite.Bereadytoquicklyreleaseanyundersizedfish!Fish Facts: Stripedbassspendtheiradultlivesintheocean,butspawnandhatchinfreshwaterstreamsandrivers!

Striped Bass

Tautog

Winter Flounder


Finishing The DayYoucanexperiencealotofdifferentemotionsafteralongdayofsaltwaterfishing.Ifitsbeenagoodday,withsomeexcitingcatches,youmightbefeelinghappy,talkative,andfullofenergy!Ifthedaywasslow,ormaybeyouhadahardtimefiguringouttherightgeartouse,youmightbefeelingtired,andalittleletdown.

Nomattertheday,youspentsomegoodqualitytimewithfriendsandfamily,andyoulearnedsomethingnewtotryonyournexttrip.Thefinalstepofyourfishingdayismakingsureyourgeariscleanedandstored.Journalingyourdaywillhelpyougrowyourskillsasanangler,andkeepyoufishingforyearstocome!

Cleaning and storing your gearBefore you head home:1. Removeanyleftoverbaitfromthehooksandrinsewithfreshwater(ifyou

haveit).2. Ifyouareleavinghooksandluresontheline,hookthemontoaguideonthe

rodandgentlyreelthelineuntilitisjusttightenoughtoholdinplace.Makesurethereisnobendinyourrod.

3. Youcanuseastripofvelcroaroundtheline,orameshrodcover,tomakeitsaferfortravel.

4. Youcanalsocutthelinetoremovethehooksandlures.Attachtheendofthelinewithaloosetietotherod.Rinseinfreshwaterbeforestoring.

Cleaning and storing fishing gear:Itisimportanttocleansaltwateroffofallofyourgearattheendoftheday.5. Usingasoftrag,wipedowntherodwithfreshwaterandletdry.6. Itisimportantthatyourinseallofyourlures,hooks,swivels,andweightsin

freshwater.Laythemoutonatowelforafewhoursuntiltheyarecompletelydrybeforeputtingthemawayinyourtacklebox.

BECAREFULwhencleaningyourgear.Hookscancutorstickyou.Alwayshaveadultsupervisionwhencleaningyourgear.

7. Storeyourgearinsideasmuchaspossible.Agarage,basement,orstorageshedisagreatplacetokeepyourgearsafe.

!

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Visitingatackleshoporoutdoorstoreisagreatwaytostartexploringthesportofsaltwaterfishing.Localshopscanrecommendplacesforbeginnerfishingandsetyouupwithgear.Itmightfeelintimidatingatfirst,butknowthatshopstaffarehappytotalkwithyouaboutthesporttheylove!YoucanfindalistoflocalshopsintheMassachusettsSaltwaterFishingGuide.CharterandHeadBoatfishingtripsareanothergoodwaytotestoutdifferentkindsofsaltwatergear,andyoucanlearnalotfromthecaptainandcrew.

TIP: Ifyou'relearninghowtofishalongsideafriendorfamilymember,askaboutentrylevelfishingrodsyoucanshare.Thiswillsavemoney(splittingthecost)andallowsyoutolearnwithlesscommitment.Youcanalsoaskifshopsoffergeartrialsorloanprograms.

1. Doyouknowofanylocalfishingspotsthataregoodforbeginners?2. Arethereanytoolsortackleyouthinkanglersshouldalwayshavewiththem

onafishingtrip?3. Iaminterestedincatchingonmynextfishingtrip.

Whatkindoftackledoyousuggestforbeginnerstargetingthissaltwaterfish?4. ArethereanylocalfishingshowscomingupIcanvisit?5. Howarebaitandluresdifferent?Howdoyouchoosewhentousethem?

Visiting a tackle shop


Tackle shops don't have to be intimidating. The more time you spend exploring, the more comfortable you'll be with finding and choosing your gear!

(saltwater fish)

Here are some questions you can ask in a tackle shop:


Date:

Location:

Weather:

Species:

Species:

Species:

NotesontheDay:

Length:

Length:

Length:

Weight:

Weight:

Weight:

TackleandSetup:

TotalnumberofFishCaught:

Temperature:

StartTime: EndTime:amampm

°C°F

pm

in.

in.

in.

oz.

oz.

oz.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

Date:

Location:

Weather:

Species:

Species:

Species:

NotesontheDay:

Length:

Length:

Length:

Weight:

Weight:

Weight:

TackleandSetup:


Temperature:


°C°F

pm

in.

in.

in.

oz.

oz.

oz.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

My Fishing Logbook


Date:

Location:

Weather:

Species:

Species:

Species:

NotesontheDay:

Length:

Length:

Length:

Weight:

Weight:

Weight:

TackleandSetup:


Temperature:


°C°F

pm

in.

in.

in.

oz.

oz.

oz.

lbs.

lbs.

lbs.

Date:

Location:

Weather:

Species:

Species:

Species:

NotesontheDay:

Length:

Length:

Length:

Weight:

Weight:

Weight:

TackleandSetup:


Temperature:


°C°F

pm

in.

in.

in.

oz.

oz.

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GlossaryAngler:apersonwhofisheswitharodandline

Outfit: theequipmentandrodandreelsetupusedbyangerswhenfishing

Bait:liveordeadanimalmaterialusedtoattractfishtoahookBaitfish: afishusedasbaittocatchalargerfish,likeherringandsilversidesBraid:astrong,thickbraidedfishinglinewithnostretch

Plug: aluredesignedtoimitateasmallfishoraquaticanimal

Rod: afishingpole,usedtoextendthedistanceananglercancastaline

Rod power: theweightthattherodcanlift,fromlighttoextraheavySandbar: aridgeofsandbuiltupunderwaterbycurrentsSinkers: aweightusedtoholdterminaltacklebelowthesurfaceofthewater

Spoon:alurethatwobblesandfluttersasitispulledthroughthewater

Terminal Tackle: thecombinationoftackleusedattheendofafishingline

Suds: foamyorfrothywater

Tackle:fishinggear

Tide:theriseandfallofsealevelTrough: achannelofwaterbetweenwavebreaks

Dehooker: adeviceforremovingahookfromafish

Fly: anartificialluredesignedtolooklikeabaitfish;commonlyusedwhenflyfishingHook: abentpieceofmetalattheendofafishingline(usuallybaited)usedforattractingfishImproved clinch knot: aknotusedforattachingahookorluretotheendofafishinglineJigging: fishingwithajiglure,ortheactofmovingyourlureorbaitupanddowninajerkingmotiontoattractfish

Mono: athin,stretchy,oftenclear,fish-inglinethatiseasytotie,butcanloopandholdontoitsround,spoolshape.

Lure: anartificialbaitusedforattract-ingandcatchingfish

Fishing line: thin,strong,usuallyclear,cordusedtoattachtackletoafishingreel

Pier: astructure(oftenmadeofwoodandmetal)usedforwalkingoutoverwaterforfishingandsightseeingPliers: apincertoolthatisusedforholdingsmallobjectsorforbendingandcuttingwireandhooks

Reel: apieceoftackleusedtoholdfishinglineandtoassistincastingandretrievinglineRip current: powerful,narrowchannelsoffast-movingwater

Rod action: howmuchoftherodbendswhenyouputpressureonthetip,fromfast(bendsmoreattop)toslow(bendsequallyalongthelength)

Fillet knife: athin,flexiblebladeknifeusedforcuttingpiecesoffishtocook


GlossaryFor more information visit our website:http://www.mass.gov/marinefisheries

http://mass.gov/service-details/take-me-saltwater-fishing

Author:ChristineCassidy

Content Editors: MattAyer,JohnBoardman,KimFine,RossKessler

Graphic Design: ChristineCassidy

Illustrators: ChristineCassidy,MeganJames-ShieldsDesignStudio

Thankyoutoallofthemembersofthecommunityforyourcontinuedinterestandenthusiamforsaltwaterfishingeducationandpromotion.

Published2021

MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries251CausewayStreet,Suite400Boston,Massachusetts02114

The Sport Fish Restoration Program (SFR) provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education.

The Program is authorized by the Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson DJ) of 1950.

SALTWATER FISHING FIELD GUIDE

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