High Tides and Tall Tails Archives - Page 12 of 12

February 18, 2026

A down-rigger is a handy tool to have aboard a fishing boat as it can take lures or baits (and chum) to the level of gamefish.

How low can you go for fish?

Down-riggers are one of the most underutilized pieces of equipment a fisherman trolling in saltwater has at his disposal. […]

A Gulf Coast king mackerel such as this one would finish in the middle of the pack at most tournaments in that area but might finish first at an eastern Florida or North Carolina-based event — which has given some anglers the desire to change how boats accrue season points.

Scoring systems need a change

Jerry Dilsaver

Once again I’m going to depart from the norm for this column and discuss the points system used by several saltwater tournament sanctioning bodies. […]

The hundreds of fishing lines on the market serve many purposes. It’s up to anglers to choose lines that best suit their type of fishing.

‘What’s my line?’ is key concern

Jerry Dilsaver

During this past winter’s boat shows and fishing seminars, I noticed more emphasis by speakers regarding fishing lines. […]

This Hiltons seawater temperature image shows water off Cape Lookout. The imbedded note explains the information.

Fishing help from heavens

Jerry Dilsaver

Ever had one of those days when you couldn’t locate fish, looked to the sky as a sort of final distraught gesture, spread your arms and said, “Where are the fish?” […]

Anglers can use either a manual (left) or electric chipper/shredder to put chum in the water.

Chum’s the word for saltwater

Jerry Dilsaver

In this business, April wraps up several months of boat shows, fishing schools and dealer seminars. […]

It’s important for an angler to shorten the fighting time with a fish he knows he’s going to release.

Please release me, let me go

Jerry Dilsaver

I’m all about releasing undersize, oversize or fish not intended for the dinner table. […]

Here are some different but similar reels. The two bait-casting reels at the top are different sizes but disassemble, clean and service similarly. The larger spinner (next to the bottom) has a front-drag system, while the smaller one at the bottom is a li

Don’t get reeled into problems

Jerry Dilsaver

Hopefully you’ve never been in the middle of a heated battle with a potential trophy fish and had your reel lock up or other equipment malfunction. […]

What’s the reason to fish in a king mackerel tournament? This junior angler at the 2005 Swansboro Rotary Memorial Bluewater Tournament knows — it’s fun.

Dueling king tours — your pick?

Jerry Dilsaver

In past issues, at times I’ve talked about what might be going on with tournaments, especially king mackerel tournaments. […]