by Dan Carns
Fishing seminars are a great way to learn tips and tricks from the professionals of this sport. I was reminded today from a fella in my favorite tackle shop that all too often a customer will come in with a list of suggestions from a talk and want to purchase everything on the list! These seminars range from the very specific i.e.; tarpon talk, to very a broad subject range. What you don’t know is how long the speaker has been practicing and honing their sport. Often, I talk about my favorite top water lure for SWFL, where and when to use it and how effective it is. But did you know it took me a year to figure it out, 50+ hours, and dozens of trips with only this one lure! My point is, when you sit in on these talks, consider them in general terms, not as a rule, but as a guideline. Fishing is an individualized sport and no two people are going to use the same techniques, use the same equipment or have the same style. You will develop your own style as time goes along based on the things you learn and hear from other anglers and time on the water.
Here at Gulf Coast Kayak we present onshore and offsite seminars during the year focused of course, on kayak fishing. We also have several guides who lead these talks, their fishing style is very different from each other, so one talk may vary greatly between them and so will the recommendations. I’m no longer surprised when I see the same people at a seminar, as I know they are looking for one more thing to add to their arsenal of knowledge, one more trick or hint to help catch fish! Anyone can catch fish now and then, but to do it consistently requires practice, an understanding of the myriad list of equipment, bait and tackle and of course the fish and where they live.
This same fella I mentioned earlier (who is a lifelong fisherman from here) also reminded me that we have no control over so many aspects, including weather, water quality, water temperature, just to name a few. So, it’s no surprise that even we get skunked now and then.
There are so many great captains and humble fishermen in our area of paradise willing to share a bit of time and knowledge with you, so spend an evening or a Saturday morning taking in a talk. We host a talk periodically through the Meetup App, just down load the app and search for Gulf Coast Kayak. Once you sign up and become a member you will receive notices when we have programs available, some of which may include moonrise paddles, kayak skills lessons, or how to rig live bait!
It’s a wild world-get out there! Fishman Dan, Gulf Coast Kayak, 4120 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha, FL 33993, (239) 283-1125