How to catch fish on a sailboat | Sailing & Fishing Ep 264

Tips for fishing on a sailboat. I'm no expert, but this is what I've learned since I started fishing in 2008. Our guide for fishing to eat.
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00:00 Fishing from our sailboat since 2008
00:38 Why should cruisers learn to fish?
01:53 Finding your passion
02:27 All the gear and no idea
03:34 Rigging a hand-line on a yo-yo
07:08 Rigging a rod and reel
09:56 My new rod and reel
10:38 Which connections to use?
11:40 What's the best lure?
16:34 Landing your fish
18:57 Balls-ups
19:32 Gut, cook, eat
21:27 Liz's Top 3 Tips
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Liz and Jamie
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[@skarthi52]

Great video Liz, really enjoyed it. A couple of tips, keep a small file or sharpening stone in your kit to keep your hooks sharp. Nothing worse than losing a good fish because of a blunt hook. WD-40 is great for keeping your kit rust free and oddly, fish seem to be attracted to it. Lastly, sometimes a lure dropped in your wake can get good results, people often fish too far from the boat, not realising the fish are much closer. Loving your ongoing adventures, tight lines! 😎

[@followtheboat]

Yes, I have a file for keeping hooks sharp, and I have Penn oil in my kit. Never dreamt WD-40 would be attractive to fish, that's brilliant! I've seen fish swim right up to the transom before now, so that's a great tip to drop a lure in the wake. Fantastic tips, thank you! Liz 🙏👍

[@followtheboat]

Jamie here - ironically there is a popular myth that WD40 contains fish oil, but it doesn't. It does contain petroleum though so make sure you give your hooks a good wipe before using them.

[@kurtarmbrust]

Instead of a file, there are small diamond hones that come in different grits. They are mounted on plastic handles and don't rust. Actually work better when wet.

[@prankishsquire2663]

Being a chef, I just make a phone call, and they better be here by lunch! As a child, I drove the boat for my father and his dad while they fished. I hated fishing but loved to drive the boat.

[@followtheboat]

A chef? Got any tips for a delicious dish recipe?! 😃 Liz

[@prankishsquire2663]

@@followtheboat OK, but just one. If you chop the raw body of a lobster, save the tail, with an equal amount of carots, onions and celery also chopped small, saute them until the veggies start to brown, add a cup of white wine and a pound of good butter. Clarify the butter by slowly simmering until all the wine is gone. Strain, toss the shells and veggies in the trash. chill, Cook any fish filet in this brilliant red butter and enjoy. Keep it in the freezer it only takes a tablespoon to fry a few filets. PS you can make it with any fish bones, crab or shrimp shells if raw, are way tasty. But it would be better if I can come make it for you. Wink, wink.

[@followtheboat]

LOVE that tip! Just need a lobster... I do something similar with leftover fish bits and veggies to make fish stock. One day, we'd love to to come on board and cook dinner! Liz 👍

[@prankishsquire2663]

@@followtheboat Im stalking you, the day will come.

[@914va]

Outstanding video....Fishing for 50+ years...it never gets old.

[@followtheboat]

Love it. So pleased to know you like the video. 🙏 Liz

[@dreadnoughtb3364]

Love the video 👍 Fish on

[@followtheboat]

Thanks! Tight lines... Liz

[@tuvia4082]

3 A's: Awesome video, Awesome editing, Awesome tips!!! Thanks Liz and Jamie.

[@followtheboat]

And another one...Awww, thanks! 🙏 Liz

[@theislandpackrat]

That was a great video!

[@followtheboat]

Thank you for commenting! Liz

[@trevhedges209]

Fishing? I will have to give it a go one day! 😊

[@followtheboat]

It's brilliant! Especially when you land a real tasty one... 😃 Liz

[@beckydesancha3164]

When sailing Jaime puts out the line and gets excited. I have enjoyed watching this video and may be next time I will throw out a line :--

[@followtheboat]

Cheers! 🎣👌 Liz

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Jamie, first class underwater photography! Congrats!

[@followtheboat]

Thanks. I think you put your comment under the wrong video but I appreciate the feedback anyway and I'm glad you liked it. Fair winds!

[@nobody46820]

Mustad fish hooks! How about crabbing and shrimping with traps?

[@followtheboat]

Yes, Mustad make good hooks, I buy them when I see them.. I used traps in Turkey for catching small fish, Millie loved them! Crabs round here are small and not my favourite. Crabs, prawns and squid are dirt cheap in the markets, but we buy them straight from the fishermen to help them out when we can. 👍 Liz

[@amandad7121]

A great video Liz, so down to earth and no BS. :)

[@simoneclarke5104]

Great tips Liz!!

[@followtheboat]

Cheers! 👌🎣 Liz

[@michaeloverton642]

I loved this video. I especially enjoyed the fun and passion you have fishing. Thanks!

[@followtheboat]

Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Fishing's all about the passion. 👍 Liz

[@chilesauce7248]

I have a load of e-books on fishing, keep em stored on my tablet and pc. There are loads available.

[@followtheboat]

Yes, lots of information out there. It's a question of finding what works for you. Maybe share a title or two here? 👍 Liz

[@hoperules8874]

Jamie mentioned your fishing passion--Wow! Thanks!

[@followtheboat]

Very welcome! 😃👌 Liz

[@jimedwards9606]

great to see your enthusium. Great job on the video

[@followtheboat]

Thanks, glad you liked it enough to comment. 🙏👍 Liz

[@jonboyle326]

loved this its important info

[@followtheboat]

Wow, that's the first time anything I've done has been called important. Thank you! 🙏 Liz

[@oomwat6101]

I've never used a red and white rattler ... but I can say for sure that a silver and red mackerel spinner will fill your plate in hardly any time at all .. I'm guessing that red is like Anish Kapoor's black when underwater.

[@followtheboat]

Cool! TBH my duller, more subdued lures are my favourites. Good to hear about your spinner. 😃 Liz

[@amarieshearer7613]

Exciting to see you so excited!

[@followtheboat]

I love fishing, you can tell it's my passion. 😃🎣👌 Liz

[@jyzilvz]

Besides luck. I find we generally only hook mahi mahi when we have a speed of 6+ knots. Using Pink squid.

[@followtheboat]

Last one I hooked, off Oman, was with a Rapala plug while we were idling (waiting for another cruiser to catch up) and drifting at less than 3kts! 😃 Liz

[@midgoog2]

Liz, In my house the rule is you caught it you clean it. A moored boat acts as a fish attracter. Try a bit of jigging or bait fishing when at anchor. Cheers Eric

[@collingtech1]

i miss millie, also EPIC ep lizz . love it , thumbs up

[@Jamestrent9]

me too!

[@followtheboat]

Yep

[@darrenj3267]

just love your enthusiasm for everything you do, it's infectious

[@followtheboat]

Cheers! Always make the best of it, that was my mum's motto! 😄 Liz

[@user-retsailor]

Just saw this. Great, fun video with lots of info and enthusiasm. Thank you.

[@followtheboat]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it. 😚 Liz

[@PierceAlexanderLilholt]

Fishing is fun! 🎉 ⛵ 🎣

[@followtheboat]

I agree! Liz

[@PanzerDave]

Thank you so much for this video and the tips. I found it very useful and enjoyable. I already started the shopping list! Every year there is a yacht club next to mine that has a fishing tournament, and all the well equipped/over equipped fishing boats show up. A few years ago the guy who won was a grandfather with his two grand kids, and they were on a sail boat! They has some cheap fishing rods from the local big box store and no electronics. All of the guys with their fish finders and other gear were flabbergasted, and a couple were actually rather angry. Most every one though had a good laugh about it. Thanks again for a great video! Fair winds!

[@followtheboat]

😄 Love it! All the food and equipment in the world can't beat patience, passion and a little bit of luck. 🎣👌 Liz

[@michael_8383]

Really enjoyed this video, thanks 👍

[@followtheboat]

Cheers! Thanks for taking the trouble to comment. 👌 Liz

[@43bobbyg]

Great job I wish my wife loved fishing an be on the boat

[@followtheboat]

Glad you enjoyed it! Fishing and boating isn't for everyone... Difficult to understand though... Liz

[@neilappeal20]

Excellent vid Liz! Some of us asked for a fishing vid on a previous episode so really glad to see that one. Very interesting thanks :)

[@followtheboat]

Yes, that's exactly right. I put this together in response to all those requests. It was a labour of love, but the wrist part was exciting a two hour ramble to 20 minutes. That's fisher-people and their yarns for you! 😃 Liz

[@danielwardin4688]

Since most of your comments will focus on your skill and enthusiasm -- par for the Cleere/Furlong course -- I'll instead commend your perfect, perfect sound effect of the bungee stretching out at 05:30. Thank you and, as always, all best regards. My Sunday is complete!

[@followtheboat]

Haha! My impressions need a little work... 😃 Liz

[@danielwardin4688]

Say not, good lady! Both were perfect, with the bungee boing reaching capital A art! For a lark, check out Fred Newman on the web.

[@victorbitter583]

Good stuff Liz. There's a reason it's called fishing rather than catching lol. Halco lures are good too as are most Japanese lures. cheers.

[@followtheboat]

Yes, I have Halco as well as Yo Zuri, just as good as Rapala. Cheers! 😃 Liz

[@NortyNige]

A cheap option on the squid is a glow in the dark condom. Could the rubber band off the end, put a small hook through the other end... Get a razor blade and cut length wise leaving say a 4cm head for the fake octopus Obviously for night fishing as it glows. Very popular around PNG / Louisiades.

[@followtheboat]

We don't have any glowing condoms on board, but I'll bear it in mind. 👌👍😃 Liz

[@NortyNige]

Very much an islander poverty thing filling in gaps when you can't get specific things.

[@MultiBmorgan]

I’m commenting before I even watch!! You two are cool. Honest and truly. Thank you in advance. I’ve been gather a couple pieces of gear to do some surf fishing. But as an eventual cruiser, it no now this video will be valuable. Thank you again Liz and Jamie KANGO!

[@followtheboat]

I hope it lives up to expectations! Liz

[@jb6249]

Do you fish while on the hook? Try saltwater fly fishing, I hear its a lot of fun.

[@followtheboat]

Yes, I used to fish for Millie every time we anchored, early mornings were our special time. It's still too painful to contemplate... Liz 👍

[@katyhughes-brown4417]

Love this video

[@followtheboat]

Awwww, thanks! 😃 Liz

[@crvwildblood]

Excellent video. One thing though, is if I’ve been fishing on the surface I have caught a couple of seagulls in the past.

[@followtheboat]

Yes, we caught a juvenile booby in the Indian Ocean once. It was very upsetting. Luckily, we reeled it back to the boat bloody quickly, Jamie got it on board and removed the hook. After a lot of coughing and spluttering of seawater it revived to fight another day. It's one of the hazards. 😳 Liz

[@crvwildblood]

@@followtheboat Unfortunately ours were fully grown adults. We had to cut the line. Agreed, very upsetting. We always fish below the surface now.

[@cmcsailor497]

Great video and advice thank you for sharing with us ⛵️

[@DisticTV]

I’ve always wondered how it’s done, thank you so much for the lessons

[@followtheboat]

We'll, it's how I do it! There will be lots of other methods, it's just a matter of finding the one which works for you. 😃 Liz

[@MrAyorath]

Your Rod and feel setup is correct for a right handed person. Your stronger arm (right) needs to pump the rod whilst your left hand is used to wind in. With big fish you also need to use your whole body to pump the fish but then you still want your right hand on the rod to control the rod as this is the more “co-ordinated” hand leaving your left hand to wind in.

[@MrAyorath]

Just seen your newer rod and reel and sorry to disappoint but this is usually for a left handed person. How do you ‘feel’ with each rod? Older one easier?

[@MrAyorath]

Use a squid (skirt) 6 feet further up the line from your Rapalla lure with no hook on it. It will work as an attractor and usually will lead to more bites on your lure.

[@followtheboat]

The manufacturer of my first reel (Penn) describe it as a left-hand reel (Squall Level Wind LH) so that's what I've always assumed it is...

[@followtheboat]

My second reel (Talica) has the winder on the right side (opposite to the Penn) so I assumed it is a right-hander... Yes, it feels different to the Penn (obvs!) 😄 Interesting tip about the skirt, might give it a try! Thanks for the tip. 👍 Liz

[@MrAyorath]

LH and RH refers to the side that the handle is on rather than for a right or left hander. It’s all about personal preference and you will find some right handlers prefer the RH handle but most will tend to go for a LH reel. This is especially the case when you use a lighter casting rod such as a spinning rod and reel set up. Most people will choose to the cast with the rod in the right dominant hand and then you def need the LH reel for winding. It’s whatever is comfortable at the end of the day.

[@stevenfeltner1373]

Liz, this is a brilliant bit of work! Thank you for sharing your kit, how you rig it and in what situations you use it. I still struggle with how to rig the handline yo-yo to our sailboat. I have a bungee on the yo-yo that I've tried attaching to various places on the stanchions and lifelines to give some stretch and make some noise when the fish strikes. I've yet to find a method to set a trip line successfully. When we sailed down to St Vincent & the Grenadines a few months ago, as we were setting up to come into a harbor and drop the hook, I went to reel in the lines and found I had been dragging a tuna for quite a while. Obviously, I need to check my lines more frequently. It would be nice if I could find a method of getting alerted when a fish strikes. Thanks again to you and Jaimie for putting out such quality content!

[@followtheboat]

I attach mine high up on the shrouds, that way I can watch it from the cockpit. I used to have a convoluted way of rigging up a release line for that initial strike, but I just watch the rig now and felt on the bungee for some elasticity... There are loads of release clips on the market, but I've never tried one... 👌 Liz

[@kristendavid675]

Great video and great tips!! Thank you Liz

[@followtheboat]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed it! Liz 👍

[@marcridler]

Thanks Liz - love your energy. I'll keep those tips in mind as a newbie. Thanks for sharing!

[@followtheboat]

So glad you found it useful. Tight lines! Liz

[@tomd.3082]

As someone who has been fishing the majority of his life, the only tip I can offer is... On sunny days use a brite colored lure. On cloudy days and at night use dark colored lures.

[@followtheboat]

Thanks, Tom! Liz

[@stevenplancich6449]

Liz…What a FisherWoman👍 What is yer “Most Liked” & “Least Liked” Fish? Excellent Episode for those “Fish Folks” Continue to Stay Safe & Enjoy 😎

[@followtheboat]

Not too fussed about barracuda, but we'll eat most fish we catch. I love a John Dory, but no chance of one of those round here... Liz 😃

[@dragonflysdiscoveries7567]

Great video, but oh no, no swearing Liz - what is happening? May I add a tip please. Remember the old 35mm film canisters? They are great for keeping hooks, swivels etc in and you can mark them up with a Sharpie. And they are waterproof. Happy fishing Liz.

[@followtheboat]

Wow, if we had some of those things they'd be perfect! Thanks for the comment. 👌 Liz

[@tomd.3082]

I made mini chum pots out of those canisters. Small and light enough to cast from the beach or troll behind the boat attached to the top of my steel leader

[@cigarmann]

I would add a medium weight spinning outfit to round out your gear.

[@followtheboat]

Nice one. 👌😃 Liz

[@henleyont]

Hold the rod with your best hand, the reel with the other. Your just right for a right hander

[@magstv2333]

great tutorials for fishing 🎣 hmm i get lots of idea now how how 🤔

[@followtheboat]

Get those lines out, TV. I know how much Graeme likes his fish head curry 😉

[@seailive]

I always wonder about putting the barracuda back, because no one wants one, so they are able to survive, being preditors of other fish, they will be in bigger numbers than the more desirable fish. I have noticed that people are catching barracuda more these days. what do you think. ?

[@followtheboat]

They have as much right to live as anything else, I guess? Round here most people eat barracuda, even cruisers, so I'm not sure there's any reason to kill them. Cheers. Liz

[@seailive]

@@followtheboat well thats good, I was following some sailing youtubers sailing the bahaamas and they seem to only be catching barracuda which they were releasing. Could use them for bait maybe. Really enjoyed your fishing video, can you show us how you do those knots. cheers

[@mailbagps]

here is topic idea you should discuss, the red tide thing; 'cigaretua" or something like that. I ate a big barracuda once en route to Japan and I was well offshore 1500nm or more. Then everybody is telling me that top reef predators and any reef fish that is brightly colored is dangerous? I am a Pacific sailor only and have sailed over and back to Hawaii from California several times.

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

On one of the Britican experience charters when I was crew we had a 12 y/o boy who just discovered he loved fishing. So I took him out on the tender to do some trawling, within an hour or two we had caught two big Sero mackerel and a small Tuna that we had to let go because it was under sized. (just a smidge but I rather catch one big one, and eat for days then catch one every day). But the seven of us ate for two days from the gift of Neptune.

[@followtheboat]

Brilliant! Yes, we troll from the dinghy now and then. Last time we got a barracuda, but didn't want to bring it on board, didn't like the look of those teeth. 😃Liz

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

@@followtheboat Those Sero's have some nasty nibblers as well. But they taste so good.

[@scottg6799]

Thank you for a great video Liz!!!!!!!

[@followtheboat]

Your very welcome, thanks for watching! 🎣 Liz

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Do you eat fish daily? What do you cook onboard?

[@followtheboat]

We cook whatever we catch, whenever we catch, Keang. Normally this is mackerel, tuna or albacore.

[@GonzoJamie]

Great video - one of your best yet. Packed full of detail that positions Liz as an expert 😆

[@followtheboat]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm no expert, but I have plenty of enthusiasm. 😃 Liz

[@chrisconnelly7618]

Excellent video! What weight line do you use?

[@josephlai9759]

Thanks Liz! Just one question top on my mind - have you found or know a most humane way to 'finish' it swiftly after hauling it onboard?

[@followtheboat]

Very good question, we talk about this in next week's video. I'm very interested to hear advice from viewers on this subject. 🎣👍🙏 Liz

[@thesailingkiwi]

love it 💕

[@followtheboat]

Liz will be pleased 👍

[@cmcsailor497]

Hi Liz great information thank you, could you tell me what strength of line you recommend for the Jo-Jo much appreciated ⛵️

[@followtheboat]

Jamie here. Liz is away from her phone doing chores so I just asked her. She said she is not sure and will try and get back to you. I'd say not too thick and not too thin but what do I know 🤷

[@cmcsailor497]

@@followtheboat much appreciated Jamie, keep safe and well and living the dream, you are both great to watch and your videos are always enjoyable ⛵️

[@followtheboat]

Liz here! I have 50lb monofilament on my hand-line, but this is probably too much. Next time I buy line, I'm going to make it 40lb mono. Fluorocarbon would be better, but it's twice the price, so I will use fluorocarbon as a leader next time I find it. TBH I can't remember what braid I have on the reel, but I've been advised to use 4-5 PE. Cheers! Liz

[@cmcsailor497]

@@followtheboat Thank you for the information, the video was great lots of good information, enjoy the fishing we look forward to seeing the catch and cook 👩‍🍳 ⛵️

[@svhappymondays]

Thanks Liz, great incite but even a small wire trace would cut down the loses of as you know expensive lures and squids its all about confidence it the rig, as you said with the knots eta. ,

[@followtheboat]

Ah well, that's where we'll have to agree to disagree. I haven't used steel trace for a decade, didn't like it. And I've only lost one lure in years because it got caught on a fish trap while we were motoring in Thailand! As I say in the video, I'm not after big game or bill fish, for that kind of fishing you need trace. 😉 Liz

[@svhappymondays]

@@followtheboat I will bow to your superior knowledge Liz ;)

[@followtheboat]

Oh no! If it works for you (or anyone else) go for it, there's no right or wrong. 😃 Liz 👌

[@BrianM0OAB]

I gave up fishing around 1980, I'm the worlds worst fisherman, never caught anything but a cold.

[@followtheboat]

Awwww... sorry to hear that. You gotta love it, and have bottomless amounts of patience (or luck 😉) when you start. Liz

[@scottysscandinavia5793]

I'm starting a movement to get the world to only eat sail caught fish. If an engine was used for any more than getting a mile out of harbour, and back into it from a mile out, don't eat it. Should sort out the oceans and help the climate.