Guide Q&A- Key Factors for Equipment

Expertise doesn't just mean knowing where the fish are hiding- fishing with someone who has a wealth of knowledge about the location, seasonality, and proper equipment is one of the main reasons why anglers enjoy going on guided trips. This month, we asked guides what key factors they consider when determining what bait, lures, and flies they will use on any given day.

“On cloudy and darker overcast days, we will start with darker baits, like purple, black, orange, and red. On sunny days we will have more natural colors and bright metallic or chrome baits that reflect the natural light. We also use several sizes of a bait profile. Mid to late summer when the current season bait is approaching full size, we downsize our typical larger baits.” -Captain David Faller, Black Water Dog Charters

“It all depends on what the customer wants.” -Captain Jacob Miller, No Limit Charter And Guide Service

“Time of year, temperature and area we are fishing." -Ingrid Read, 289 Striper Guide

“Match the hatch is a term used in our industry that simply means you use what lure best replicates the live bait in that area at that time. There are many artificial lures and jigs that we have used for years that get the job done very well.” -Captain Ross, Cape Cod Charter Guys

“Sunlight, wind direction, and time of year.” -Captain Joe Snyder, Coral Sea Charters

“Prior day's results, tide and weather forecast." -Captain Ed Kislauskis, Cuz Charters

“Gulf Coast fishermen typically use different colored lures depending on water clarity and type of daylight they are fishing in. Dirty water and low lite conditions compared to clearer water and mid-day sunlight would be the two ends of the scale. If you’re getting ready to wade fish with murky water a little before sun up, a darker-colored plastic or topwater bait will likely be more productive. 

As the sun gets a little higher in the sky, maybe switch to something not quite as dark that has a chartreuse, white, or orange tail. In mid-day sunlight, you would still throw something darker due to murky water but maybe get a little more towards something like a lite bronze with an off white underside. With nice sandy green water at sunup, a silver and black topwater or a plastic with dark green back and pearl flake underside would be what I would tie on. 

Fish see color so you might have to figure out what they want. Put 2-3 colors you like in your Wade box instead of going crazy switching 10 different colors all morning. Hopefully, you’ll get feel for what works and then stick with those 3-4 color patterns. When you start catching fish you’ll have confidence in that bait and you’ll work it a little better. When you get 3-4 baits that work, put 1 different lure in your box and see how it goes." -Captain Steve Hammack, Tejas Salt Fishing Adventures

“I make my selections on weather, wind, and time of the year. If I'm throwing artificial lures, I look at those plus water.” -Captain Matthew Miller, Miller Fishing Company

“I consider what fish are running, or what we may run into. I take into consideration the type of structure we will be fishing on as well. Are my clients experienced fishermen who may want to throw metals or plugs at fish, or are they inexperienced, and soaking bait would be more their speed? I also keep in mind the prevalent bait in the area we are fishing and the types of bait I find in the fish I catch. Always match the hatch.” -Captain Frank Breakell, Brynnie-B Inshore Fishing

“Live bait is king in the Tampa Bay Area. Depending on what you are fishing for will dictate what live bait to use. Redfish, Snook, and trout will mostly eat live sardines. Grouper and Snapper will eat live pinfish. Time of year will also determine bait selection. In the winter months (even in Florida) the inshore fish will change from sardines to crustaceans, the most common being shrimp. Shrimp is a good choice for winter months because the normal bait fish typically move to warmer waters and are less likely to eat the shrimp. No matter what season you travel in, the local guides will know what bait to use. So all you will have to do is show up and have a great time.” -Captain Erick DeSpirt, Reel Cranking Charters

“Time of the year and tides.” -Captain Larry Miller, Fishin' All The Time Guide Service

Be on the lookout for more Guide Q&A content and make sure to check out our guides above! To book a guide today, head to our homepage and find the best in your area.