Saltwater

I recently asked veteran South Florida flats fishing skipper Captain Bob Branham what he considered to be the key factors in choosing an effective trip to Biscayne Bay's salty shallows. He mentioned that it's always essential to consider the tides and their stage, direction, and velocity. The last component is linked to the velocity of the current, which has more speed during full moon and new moon stages.

We choose many things about our saltwater fishing. The reel and rod combination is just one, but it is one of the most important. Off the shelf "big box" combos sell well, but for the most part, they are illogically sized and usually what I call throw-away quality. My dad always used to say, "ou get what you pay for." In this department, he was right.

The southeast coast of Florida has an annual run of bonito (false albacore) every summer.

Their "Gold Coast appearance" occurs sooner and in more shallow water around Jupiter — in the northern part of this range — than in the Greater Miami area to the south.

If you’re headed to salty waters for a deep sea fishing trip or beach visit, it’s a good idea to read up on jellyfish stings and come up with a plan of action to protect yourself from their painful effects.