Gulf Stream
Dolphin Mania!
This area is still holding lots of dolphin. The rule of thumb when trying to catch this fish is to pull some sort of rigged surface bait. Dolphins are very curious and are drawn to something that is seemly trying to escape. Hopefully your trolled rigged bait at this point! There are times that this fish will just "nailed your bait straight on" getting immediately hooked up! However, there are times when the bite is what I call "soft!" In other words the dolphin hits the bait, but immediately drops it before getting hooked up. I call this "mashing of your bait!" When dolphin mashes your bait, but doesn't eat it there normally are two good reasons. The first is the fact that they are known for quickly detecting any sort of metal objects such as your hook. It's amazing and I have seen it so many times! It's like they have their very own personal metal detector installed! The second is the fact that they have the "sore mouth!" The meaning of this term is summed up in two familiar words, "sinus headache!" Yes, I am talking about the fish. My father came up with this idea and terminology well over sixty years ago. (Now that's a big number!) It seems that fish do experience some sort of unnatural pressure especially around the mouth, during certain weather situations. My father take was simple, but to the point. The fish hit, bit, but didn't commit, due to unnatural pressure. Say what you want "fish get headaches just like us fishermen!"
To combat this situation it necessary to have what is called a rod man watching and on deck! The duty of the "rod man" goes something like this. Being in this position is a good thing, because the action starts here! The reason being is the fact that when the fish hits or even gives you bait a shy hit/miss the rod man needs to go into the "free spooling mode!" This mode is simple, but can be complicated if not explained properly. All you are doing is allowing your bait to "drop back quickly!" To accomplish this quick no time to wait goal the rod man must place his thumb lightly on the reel's bail, hit the release, and let the line free spool. This process must be preformed without getting a bird's nest! This is when you line screams uncontrollably out, causing an unbelievable amount of line unsettlement. Tangles such as these can sometimes be straightened out. However, if the fish hits the bait when the un-tangling is taking place your lure as well as your fish most likely will be gone! When you aren't able to reverse your reel tangle it then becomes what is called an "eagle's nest!" This is when the knife is needed first and the new line is loaded next! These technical "fop-paws" happen all of the time, which makes fishing and the tools that we use are so interesting!