Deep-sea fishing is where you catch the really big fish. For those who want to bring home a trophy fish that has a terrific story to go along with it, deep-sea fishing is where you want to be.
Whenever you see a photo of a fisherman with a grin from ear to ear holding up (or hoisted on a chain) a giant fish that still glistens in the sunlight, you can be assured it took a lot of maneuvering, care, and just downright human muscle and energy to haul that monster on board. Not for the faint-of-heart or children, deep-sea fishing is one way to prove that you can take on a powerful animal and pull it from its familiar surroundings and bring it to land.
Just pulling a huge fish on to the deck of a boat doesn't mean you have to keep it. It will be tired, but still fighting to get back in the water. Many fishermen are delighted with the contest; the sheer challenge of fighting with a wild animal and winning the prize. A few snapshots, some quick measurements for bragging rights, have a trained captain pull the hook out of the fish's mouth, and slip him overboard to be captured again on another day. Although fish aren't known for being the smartest species in the ocean, this one will be a little sharper on his next go-round with a city-slicker who's out on the water for the day. Some varieties of fish, and sometimes depending on the time of year, are automatically listed as "catch and release" but any fish you catch, unless it's badly injured for some reason, can be pulled aboard long enough to make you proud forever, then returned to its briny home to live out the rest of its natural life. Even if it's not in very good shape because of the struggle, it will merely become food for other fish -- that's the price all fish eventually pay for living in the wild ocean.
Deep-sea fishing requires extraordinary equipment. Special lures or live bait, extremely strong but lightweight rods and reels, a special fitted harness to help you hold the fishing rod and work with it, large nets and gaffs, and a wide variety of support hardware make all this possible. A modern fishing boat is designed and equipped to make fishing easier for the first-time fisherman as well as the seasoned captain. Rest assured that when you choose a good captain who knows deep-sea fishing, you'll get everything you need to have a wonderful time on the water.
Even more important than a good fishing rod and equipment is a great captain and crew to give you the benefit of their knowledge and experience. While you could try casting a line off the shore or a fishing pier and save a few bucks, the real enjoyment of deep-sea fishing having all the right gear that brings you the excitement of getting a real whopper on the line, and then getting all the coaching and support you need to land that giant. Only a competent team of seaworthy fisherman can maneuver the boat, choose the equipment, know what to do and what not to do, and take care of your needs before you even know what those needs will be. While it can be very challenging to gently, but forcefully work a big creature with a fishing line that's only able to pull a fraction of the fish's weight without breaking (because a larger line would be seen by the fish), the time will come when you'll need the help of strong backs and arms to pull the fish out of the water. A good crew will help you, and make sure your efforts are fully rewarded. If you choose a good captain, he'll know what to do and how to do it, and also where to find the big fish, to make sure your time on the water is full of excitement, joy, and rewards.
At the end of the day, as the Florida sun slowly slips below the horizon, you'll know that there's nothing like the fun and thrills of deep-sea fishing.
