"Kid Friendly"

Many species of "trash" fish (jacks, ladyfish, bonita, even catfish) are great fish to get kids hooked on fishing.  They are often willing to bite just about anything, hard fighting, and around in good numbers (all great factors when trying too keep kids interested in fishing).  Don't get too hung up on having to catch kids the more glamorous species, they don't know the difference...YET!

"Get Goofy For Pompano"

The "Doc's Goofy Jig" is a great lure to trick a pompano with.  The leaded bright colored goofy jig is most often combined with a bright teaser or quill (pictured) via loop knot or split ring.  The jig is sharply popped off the bottom to mimic a fleeing shrimp or crab and pompano can't help but take a swipe at it.  Keep an assortment of colors and sizes on hand, and don't be afraid to keep trying different ones till the flavor of the day pops up!

"New Reels, Loose Screws"

It is not uncommon for new reels to come from the factory with loose screws these days.  Always check the screws on a new reel before using to ensure that they are tight, and be sure to check them after using as well.  This simple little trick can greatly extend the life of your reel.  Loose screws can allow play in a reel and wear gears and bearings very quickly.  Keep the screws tight and you will keep the problems down!

"Drifting Dredges"

Dredges get a lot of attention in the trolling world these days, and are also gaining a lot of popularity with anglers drifting with livebaits as well.  Keep a strip teaser style dredge out while drifting to get any passing fish's interest; and don't be afraid to keep one of your flatine baits close by.  Try dropping the dredge down 25-50' below the surface and then crank back towards the surface slowly.  Suspended fish can't help but check out whats going with the fleeing school of baitfish.

"Topwater Colors"

When picking out topwater lures don't get too hung up on fancy paint jobs and crazy color schemes.  For the most part the fish don't ever see the sides or top of a topwater lure, they are looking at the bottom of the lure.  Always look at the bottom of a topwater lure first and make sure it is the color you are looking for!

"Double(Or Triple) It Up"

A set of double or triple hooks is a good idea to use when targeting fish that tend to feed by cutting baits in half or pieces.  The hooks can be buried into a bait lengthwise to hide them from weary fish like snapper, or left slightly exposed for less cautious strikers like bluefish.   Also, when the bite gets tough; the length of the hooks often acts as a bit of a leader in itself allowing the angler to switch from wire to mono leader if needed.  

"Mullet Run And...Shrimp"

Don't overlook a live shrimp (or even a realistic plastic shrimp...DOA gets our vote!) as a great option while fishing around mullet schools for a number of reasons.

1.  Snook, Tarpon, Redfish, and other gamefish are LAZY and never turn down an easy meal!  They may not be hungry (or they may be tired of eating mullet), but seldom will they skip a chance to slurp up an easy meal.  A shrimp ticking along under a mullet school is easy pickings.

2. Mullet schools (especially big black and silver mullet schools) provide great protection for gamefish from predators like porpoises and sharks.  Spotted seatrout, smaller redfish, snook, and others will mix themselves in with mullet schools a lot of time for protection, not to eat the mullet.  A shrimp though seldom gets turned down.