About Saltwater Fishing - Inshore, Offshore, Surf, Fly Fishing and More
Saltwater fishing has many forms with something for nearly everyone. Saltwater anglers might choose to fish in the surf along beaches, jetties, piers, inlets, bridges, or by boat.
The wide variety of saltwater fishing locations allows anglers of any age, sex or physical state a change to enjoy the sport.
Table of Contents
- USA Recreational Saltwater Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing Links
- Saltwater Fishing Books Plexo
- National Saltwater Angler Registry Feedback Sought
- National Saltwater Angler Registry Poll
- Saltwater Fishing DVDs
- Fishing Articles
- Atlantic Coast Saltwater Fish
- Shark Identification Charts Available
- The Value of Recreational Fishing in the USA
- Lenses Related to Saltwater Fishing
- More Offshore Fishing-Related Lenses
- Inshore Saltwater Fish Lenses
- Saltwater Fish T Shirts
- Standup Fishing
- Great Shoes for Fishermen, Boaters and Nature Lovers
- Shimano Reels eBay
- The Chesapeake Bay
- Fish Identification Posters
- Saltwater Fishing News
- Discuss Saltwater Fishing
USA Recreational Saltwater Fishing
Marine recreational anglers caught more than 468 million fish in 2007, down slightly from last year's historic high of 475 million fish, but still the second highest recreational catch total in the last ten years. The overall number of fish caught and kept also declined slightly, from 214 million to 196 million fish, according to NOAA Fisheries Service.The 2007 data demonstrates a widespread turn toward "catch and release" among recreational anglers. While anglers are catching about 27 percent more fish than a decade ago, they are also releasing more fish than they keep. Of the 468 million fish caught by anglers in 2007, 272 million or 58 percent were released alive. The percentage of fish released into the environment has increased steadily from about 51 percent in 1993.
Spotted seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational anglers. The species is caught in the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic regions, which have the highest combined concentration of saltwater anglers in the nation. The top catches in other regions were lane snapper (Caribbean), striped bass (North Atlantic), Atlantic croaker (Mid-Atlantic), chub mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish ( Pacific Northwest), and bigeye scad (Western Pacific).
source: NOAA Fish News
photo credit: U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
Saltwater Fishing Links
Maryland-Virginia Saltwater Fishing
Maryland-Virginia saltwater fishing reports, infor more...1 point
Worldwide Charter Boat and Guide Directory
Worldwide Charter Boat, Guide and Outdoor Adventur more...1 point
Chesapeake Bay News
Chesapeake Bay news, events, fishing information a more...1 point
Fishing for Tarpon
Fishing for tarpon is one of the biggest thrills t more...0 points
Saltwater Fishing Books Plexo
National Saltwater Angler Registry Feedback Sought
The proposed rule satisfies the National Academy of Science National Research Council recommendations to establish a national database of saltwater anglers, and meets the requirements under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The proposed rule is a part of a larger initiative of NOAA Fisheries Service to improve the quality and accuracy of data on marine recreational fishing and catches. The registry will also help measure the economic effects of recreational fishing on the national and local economies.
NOAA may exempt anglers from registration if they already have a state-issued saltwater fishing license or registration, and the state provides sufficiently complete information to place in the national registry. In certain instances, anglers in states participating in regional surveys of marine recreational fishing may also be exempted. The new rule allows states to apply for exemptions.
States on the West Coast (including Alaska), the Gulf Coast, and the South Atlantic offer saltwater fishing licenses. Hawaii and the states from New Jersey to Maine do not.
Fishermen would be required to be registered annually and NOAA will not charge a registration fee in the first two years. Beginning in 2011, the annual fee will be an estimated $15 to $25 per angler. Anglers under the age of 16 would be exempt from registering and fees would be waived for indigenous people, such as members of federally recognized tribes.
Anglers who fish only on licensed party, charter, or guide boats would also be exempt, since these vessels are surveyed separately from the angler surveys. Also, persons who hold commercial fishing licenses or permits, and are legally fishing under them, will be exempt from the registration requirement.
For the last 28 years, NOAA Fisheries Service has conducted recreational fishing surveys through random telephone interviews with residents living in coastal counties. NOAA and its regional and state partners conduct an extensive program of dockside interviews of anglers to obtain data on their catch.
The national saltwater registry will enable surveyors to interview only those people who fish, and will reach all anglers, not only those who live near the coast. To read the proposed rule, go to http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov.
Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until August 11, 2008 and should be mailed to: John Boreman, Director, Office of Science and Technology, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Attn.: Gordon Colvin. Comments may also be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov.
source: NOAA Fish News
National Saltwater Angler Registry Poll
Saltwater Fishing DVDs
Fishing Articles
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAtlantic Coast Saltwater Fish
Atlantic Croaker or "hardhead" are popular saltwater fish common along the mid atlantic USA coast. They are known to have wild population fluctuations. The fish get their names because of the "croaking" noise the make when removed from the water. Croakers are hard fighters and prolific feeders. They are caught on a variety of baits and lures.
Weakfish
Weakfish are beautiful fish. Typically, fish have a dark olive back, iridescent blue and copper sides and a silvery white belly. Other identifying features are yellow fins, large canine teeth in the upper jaw and dark spots on the upper part of the body, sometimes forming diagonal lines.
Most adult weakfish range from 12 to 18 inches but can grow up to to 3 feet long and weigh 4-18 pounds.
The name "weakfish" comes from the fish's fragile mouth, which tears easily when hooked. Weakfish is the state fish of Delaware.
Weakfish are members of the drum family, which includes spot, red drum, back drum and Atlantic croaker. This family of fish make a drumming or croaking sound by vibrating its swim bladder using special muscles.
Black Drum
Black drum are heavy bodied fish with barbels or whiskers under the chin. Younger fish have four or five dark vertical bars on their sides but the stripes tend to fade with age. The coloration of backs and sides varies although drum usualy have a white belly. Black drum can exceed 100 pounds!
Black drum are members of the drum family, which includes spot, red drum, gray trout and Atlantic croaker. This family of fish make a drumming or croaking sound by vibrating its swim bladder using special muscles. This ability is most developed in the black drum and anglers can sometime hear sounds from schools passing near their boats.
Shark Identification Charts Available
This placard provides information on the shark species that can be legally retained by recreational anglers in federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.
Please note that recreational vessels must possess a valid Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permit to fish for sharks.
Additionally, federally permitted recreational vessels must comply with federal HMS regulations, regardless of where they are fishing unless a state has more restrictive regulations. In that case, the fishermen must follow the more restrictive regulations.
For more information see the Atlantic HMS website at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/
or contact the HMS Management Division at (301)713-2347 (phone) or (301)713-1917 (fax)
Download pdf versions of the placards directly here:
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/bookstore/sharkplacard1.pdf
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/bookstore/sharkplacard2.pdf
The Value of Recreational Fishing in the USA
At the national level, saltwater anglers are estimated to have spent $5.8 billion on trip-based expenses, such as ice, bait, and fuel, and another $25.6 billion on fishing equipment and durable goods like fishing rods, fishing tackle, and boats.
The top five coastal recreational fishing states are: Florida ($16.7 billion), Texas ($3.2 billion), California ($3.0 billion), Louisiana ($2.9 billion), and North Carolina ($2.0 billion).
In addition to quantifying angler expenditures, this study examines how these expenditures circulated through each state's economy and the national economy using a regional assessment. The $31.4 billion in total U.S. expenditures in 2006 contributed $82.3 billion in total sales, $39.1 billion to gross national product, $24 billion in personal income, and supported nearly 534,000 jobs.
The Economic Contribution of Marine Angler Expenditures in the United States 2006 is available online. A hardcopy of this report may be obtained by contacting Scott Steinback via e-mail or by mail at the address below:
NOAA's Fisheries Service
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
166 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026
Lenses Related to Saltwater Fishing
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Fresh Seafood
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This lens has information on fresh seafood including fish, shrimp, lobsters, scallops, clams, oysters, mussels, squid and other delicacies. We encourage seafood enthusiasts to share recipes, articles and other information.
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Boating
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This lens explores boats, boating, owning a boat and all the ups and downs that make boating interesting.
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Cleaning Fish - How to Scale, Clean, Fillet and Store Fish
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This lens has links and resources to help you handle, scale, skin, fillet and store your fish in order to enjoy the freshest, highest quality seafood available.
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Commercial Fishing
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This page is about commercial fishing and seafood harvesting.
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Seafood Recipes
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Fish is the orginal fast food - cooks in minutes. It's good for you, full of vitamins and minerals, high in protein and low in 'bad' fats. There is much written about the benefits of fish oils and a diet rich in oily fish can be a tasty w...
More Offshore Fishing-Related Lenses
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Shark Identification
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This lens has information about shark identification. Sharks are magificient predators that live in oceans, bays, and saltwater estuaries worldwide. Occasionally sharks even enter rivers and travel miles upcurrent.
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White Marlin
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This lens introduces white marlin, an exciting saltwater game fish.
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Mahi Mahi
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This lens is about Mahi Mahi, also known as dolphin fish or dorado
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Wahoo
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This lens is about wahoo, a very fast swimming pelagic fish.
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Tuna
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This lens is all about tuna including Bluefin, Yellowfin, Bigeye, Skipjack, Longfin Albacore and other Tuna
Inshore Saltwater Fish Lenses
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Striped Bass
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This lens introduces striped bass, also known as "rockfish" in the Chesapeake Bay region.
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Black Sea Bass
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This lens has information on Black Sea Bass, found along the mid - Atlantic coast of the USA.
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Bluefish
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This lens introduces the reader to Bluefish.
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Norfolk Spot
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This lens introduces the reader to a popular saltwater pan fish, called Norfolk spot or simply "spot".
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Atlantic Flounder - Summer Flounder (Fluke), Winter Flounder and Yellowtail Flounder
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This lens has information on summer flounder, an important fish to recreational and commercial fishing along much of the USA east coast. Other flounder discussed here are winter flounder and yellowtail flounder.
Saltwater Fish T Shirts
Inshore Fishing Organic Cotton Tee
Price: 22.99 
Spadefish Women's T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Red Snapper (titled) White T-Shirt
Price: 18.99
Bluefin Tuna Artwork Women's T-Shirt
Price: 20.99
Standup Fishing
The foundation of the system includes special rods which are shorter than traditional IGFA trolling rods that were once common in offshore fishing. Stand up rods bend in a parabolic curve, meaning they flex more at the tip and stiffen sharply along their length. The reel seat is also closer to the butt on standup style rods. This design allows more pressure to be transferred to the fish during a hookup and fight.
A key component of stand up tackle is the gimbal belt, which places the pivot point low on the angler, creating an optimal leverage against the fish. For larger fish, a kidney or shoulder harness is added. The harness greatly increases the size of fish that an angler can comfortably catch.
How does stand-up fishing help the angler?
First, the simplicity of the system makes it an ideal choice for small to mid-sized boats, and for anglers of all ages and skill levels. The learning curve is fast and the technique is extremely popular among beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Another reason that stand up fishing has become so popular in offshore fishing is that it is more fun. Anglers can follow the fish around as it maneuvers and keep pressure on the fish, even while resting their arm momentarily.
Captain Glenn of Shammy Sportfishing explained the how they use the technique to fish for large tuna off the coast of Virginia, stating "Stand up tackle allows us to introduce anglers from teens to seniors to large bluefin and yellowfin tuna as well as several other species. In matter of minutes, we can effectively coach anglers of any skill level to battle tuna that sometimes outweigh the angler. The tackle allows us to have a clean, organized cockpit with lots of room for fishing and relaxing. When a tuna is hooked, we quickly outfit the angler and the fight is on. People are amazed at how easy and effective this system can be.
Anglers that fished aboard Shammy described the experience, saying "On the day we fished, we found the motherlode of fish. At times we fought fish 2,3, and 4 at a time. This action was non-stop for a couple hours! Our catch included dolphin of all sizes, a couple types of jacks, enormous false albacore and skipjack tuna. Captain Glen and his mate showed us how to use the standup tackle, quickly getting us equipped with belts and helping us into postion at the stern. The covering boards are well padded which provided a comfortable surface to brace ourselves against.We were able to catch a lot of big fish with very little physical strain."
To learn more about standup fishing in Virginia for tuna, sharks, billfish and other species visit Shammy Sportfishing. For accommodations in Chincoteague Island Virginia, visit Chincoteague Vacation Rentals.
Great Shoes for Fishermen, Boaters and Nature Lovers
Croc shoes are an American success story. Designed for gardening, boating and other outdoor activities, our culture suddenly embraced crocs and the rest is history.
Now crocs come in all sizes, styles and colors. The original and most popular crocs are the beach model, but there are many variations including several models of sandals and the new mammoth croc shoes for cooler climates. Crocs also has a full line of clothing and accessories.Crocs are LIGHT, comfortable, easy to clean, they have excellent traction and allow your feet to breathe.
crocs Cayman Sandal
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Shimano Reels eBay
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The Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed includes more than 400,000 acres of land and thousands of miles of open bay, rivers and streams, making the Chesapeake Bay the largest estuary in North America. The name "Chesapeake" is a Susquehanock word meaning "great shellfish bay."
The Chesapeake Bay begins in Pennsylvania, as a small part of the Susquehanna River. It passes thru Maryland and Virginia, emptying into the Atlantic near The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
The estuary is a vital breeding ground and sanctuary for thousands of fish, shellfish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
The Chesapeake Bay is famous for its crabs, oysters, and fish. Known for its importance as a major breeding ground for striped bass or "Rockfish", one of the most important sport and food fish of the USA east coast.
Fish Identification Posters
Saltwater Fishing News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byDiscuss Saltwater Fishing
nightbear wrote...
Don't really know much about fishing, espescially salt water, but I have to say after this lens, I actually leaned a lot of interesting stuff. thanks
Posted March 07, 2009
sandyspider wrote...
Very nice lens. I really enjoyed seeing the Fish identification posters. Nice how you added all the fishing lenses.
Posted March 05, 2009
TheFishCatcher wrote...
Excellent info on the NOAA. Conservation and getting the word out, nice job. 5 stars
Posted July 14, 2008
