Firstly, you need to use sharp hooks. Buy new hooks frequently and replace your old ones. If you keep your hook on the line for a long period of time you should sand the point to keep it nice and sharp. Try to buy the best hooks you can (if you buy the cheapest you may save a few dollars but in the long run is it worth it?).

Hooks vary in size, shape and color so go for the hook that is best for the fish you are targeting. If you’re not sure, ask the people in your local fishing store. Some fish are supposedly attracted to red hooks (some sand varieties of fish target bloodworms and can be attracted to the red color of the hook) but a plain silver hook will usually do.

So you are ready to bait your hook. It sounds very easy but are you really baiting your hook correctly? Below are some common bait varieties and suggested ways to apply them to your hook.

1) Shrimp (prawn) should be put on the hook tail first and so the body of the shrimp curls up into the shape of the hook. Most people bait shrimp the other way (head first) but this will cause the shrimp to fall off more easily. Try to keep the hook entirely in the shrimp when threading through. Most fish species don’t mind if the shell is left on. Some people believe in de-shelling the shrimp but this takes time and often makes them soggy and they may fall off the hook easier. You can take the head off the shrimp as this often makes the shrimp too big to fish with if left on (and as an added bonus you can add the heads of the shrimps to your burley bucket to attract more fish)

2) Octopus should be baited using the tentacles foremost so they cover the hook. As with the prawn the octopus should thread over the hook to disguise it.

3) Squid is a good bait as it is hardy, easy to place on a hook and is hard for nibbling fish to nibble off. Just thread the squid over the hook and once again try to disguise the hook with the bait. Also try to use the softer parts of the squid body as some fish may not like the harder parts found near the head.

4) White bait, Mulie or any other small fish really needs to be hooked with a gang of hooks (at least 3 hooks in a row) otherwise they simply slide off the hook.

So next time you are baiting your hook, take the time to try to disguise your hook and make sure that the bait sticks on your hook securely. This will help you catch more fish and save you time as you will not have to keep replacing your bait.

These days there are professionals who you can hire to charter out your boat for you. They will take care of all the work. They will take clients out, look after your boat, organize advertising and help with the paper work.

So why would you want to charter your own boat out?

Firstly, chartering your boat out will obviously bring in money. The extra money you will receive will help you pay off your boat sooner. With this in mind, if you are in the process of looking for a boat perhaps you can spend a little bit more knowing you will get your money back from chartering it in the future.

Of course there are some negative aspects to boat chartering. The main problem with chartering out your boat will be ware and tear. Accidents will always happen, but hopefully they will only be minor scratches and perhaps a few dents. Remember, most of this wear and tear can be easily fixed, so don’t let it put you off from chartering your boat.

The final problem may be that your boat will be being used when you wan’t to be using it. This problem can’t really be managed, you may have to just grin and bare it.

One of the best ways to start to learn how to sail is to join your local sailing club. The sailing club is a great place to meet friendly people, see all different types of boats in action and to apply for any vacancies that open up.

Being part of a sailing club will help you determine what sort of sailing you like (either racing or cruising) and it will help you determine what sort of boat you will be after.

Another option to learn how to sail is to enrol in a sailing school. These courses may cost a bit more than joining a sailing club, but can offer you 2 week full time or monthly part time courses to learn how to sail. 

A final way to learn how to sail is to join a friend that you know who sails. Not everyone is so lucky to have such a friend so if not consider the first two options instead.

Sailing is both a great skill and an art. Proper training will ensure both your safety and enjoyment during this wonderful sport.

It is always essential to fish with the correct equipment and gear from your boat. You should purchase some high quality rods and reels but be sure to steer clear from the 12 foot beach rods. You should purchase particular rods targeted at the type of fishing you will be doing but as a general rule the standard egg beater is acceptable for most kinds of fishing. Before you get out there, you should also own some good quality sinkers, fishing line, hooks, swivels, tackle box and a sharp knife.

The bait you use should be aimed towards the species you will be trying to catch. Always buy bait that looks fresh and be sure to keep it chilled until you need to use it. Always try to purchase a few different kinds of bait so you have some variety when you are out on the water. Depending on which fish you are chasing you could also carry along some lures. It is best to be prepared and bring along a variety of baits and lures as once you are out on the water it is pretty hard to get any more.

Approach your fishing location as slowly as possible. This will prevent the fish from swimming off as soon as you get there. Once you reach the fishing spot throw some berley in straight away to attract the fish over to your boat. Get your lines prepared with as small a sinker as possible and have rigs setup to target the species you are after.

After this is done you will ready to get going and start catching some fish. As soon as you start fishing you should feel closely for any bites and stay patient. If you get a few bites you should strike back on the rod or reel to try to set the hook into the fishes mouth. If the immediate striking doesn’t work try doing it later to see what works best. Every species of fish strike a piece of bait at different times so experiment and see what works best for you.

If you have got a fish on your line it is time to bring it in. You will need to keep the line tight at all times to prevent the fish from spitting the hook out and swimming away. If you are fishing with a rod, pull the rod back and then proceed to reel in as the rod falls back down to parallel with the water. Never point the rod upwards more than 45 degrees or it may break.

A fish should be reeled in slowly and constantly so take your time and savour the experience. Using a net will help you get the fish out of the water. Most fish get lost when you try to pull them onboard so a net will prevent these losses from happening. Pliers will also help you to remove the hook from the fish. If you do not intend to keep the fish that you have just caught it is vital to get it back into the water as quickly as possible.

All fish are coated with oil so minimal handling ensures they have maximum chance of survival. The above is a good guide of catching fish but before you catch them you need to find them. You should look for darker water, with a ranging array of ocean bottom. Using a fish finder or GPS will also help you find steep cliffs and drop off’s where fish like to locate. Give each location you try a good go but if you have no luck try changing spots.

Try looking for where other boats are fishing and try next to them but remember to keep an acceptable distance away from their exact spot. So keep these fishing tips in your head and get out there and have a go. Keep reading and asking questions to find out as much about fishing as you can. All good fishermen and women learned how to fish from somewhere so don’t be afraid to keep learning more.

Why is shrimp (prawns) the best bait to use when fishing to catch more fish? Below is a list of reasons why i think shrimp is the best bait to use for any fisherman.

Shrimp is versatile. It can be used to catch more fish in the ocean, rivers, estuary’s and lake fishing. Most species will be attracted to shrimp and shrimp is readily available in supermarkets, deli’s, gas stations and fishing shops.

Shrimp also sticks strongly to hooks and can easily be used for multiple casts. When attaching shrimp to your hook you should first push the hook through the tail end of the shrimp. Keep pushing the shrimp onto the hook, turning the shrimp so the shape of the shrimp matches the curve of the hook. Try to cover as much of the hook as you can with the body of the shrimp.

Once on your hook, the shrimp will either catch you a fish or last you around 3 or 4 casts before it will eventually fall off. Considering you can get a bag of around 30 shrimp for a few dollars it also works out as an inexpensive bait option.

Some people de-shell their shrimp before placing it on the hook whilst others do not. Some people don’t use the shrimp heads while others do. It usually all depends on the day, the conditions and the fish species you are chasing. I have known people however that have caught fish using a whole untouched shrimp (head and all). I have also seen our shrimp bait supply run out and my fishing partners using just the heads of yesterdays shrimp to great effect.

So get out there and try fishing with some shrimp today.

Other baits are also available which work quite well in lots of conditions. Squid and octopus are two other bait options that work well and are also readily available.

A harness is a usefull safety device in most applications and it is vitally important if you plan to travel well offshore. A harness is basically a line that attaches to your torso and also attaches to part of the boat.

Whenever you are outside the cabin a safety harness should always be worn. Not only could it save your life, it also gives you peace of mind that if anything were to happen you will be safe. The harness is quite comfortable and should not impede your movements in the slightest.

Considering a lot of work on a boat needs two hands which means you have nothing to hold onto, harnesses are vitally important.

So if you plan to do a lot of offshore boating or you plan to go out alone, choose a good quality harness for both peace of mind and safety. 

Keep it clean – obviously keep the boat tidy and wash off any salt. Potential buyers want to know that you look after your boat.

Have receipts of any work done handy and offer to show them to prospective buyers.

Wax your boat. This may take a good few hours but the result will be fantastic. 

Try to sell in the boating months. You will have more demand and more interest in summer than you would in winter. 

Be available. Make sure you can show someone your boat when they want and try to cater for them. 

Offer accessories with the sale. You cant really use a wakeboard when you have no boat to tow it behind. Think of including all safety gear, fishing lines etc.

Be reasonable with what you are asking. Although it’s nice to get a good figure, don’t lose a sale over a couple of hundred dollars and don’t ask more than you think it’s worth.

It seems quite obvious, but you need to save time to go boating.

Although summer is usually the best time to go boating, keep in mind that winter can be a great time to get out on the water also.

Winter weather brings out new fish species, and is also less crowded so it is an ideal time to be out on the water.

Although the swell or wind at times can be far to severe, look for the times between the cold fronts where the wather may be ideal for your next boating trip.

So don’t write the winter months off and try to keep these colder months open for your next boating trip!

If height is a problem try moving the jockey wheel closer to the boat. This will help lower the trailer by around 4 inches (10cm).

Make sure you choose a canopy that can be folded down (or removed completely) to help with your storage.

Consider lowering the trailer of the jockey wheel and on to the trailer frame. If you have a heavy boat however this may cause some problems.

In severe cases you can decrease the pressure of the boat tyres. You will need to reinflate however before every voyage and this will only make a very slight difference in the height of the boat.

If length is a problem try removing part of the rear wall of the garage. Insert a sliding gate so you can stick the back of the boat out through the garage. This gate will let you secure the garage again if the boat is no longer in the garage.

These tips should help you fit your boat in your garage. The main point of all is to measure up your boat before you purchase it to determine whether it will fit where you want to put it. The garage is always ideal as it will be away from any elements and will require no cleaning or covers. Happy Boating!

Want to catch more fish? Below are 7 secret tips to help you catch more fish. These tips are aimed at the salt water fisherman.

• 1) Get your hands clean (or dirty) - fish don’t like the taste of de-oderants and perfumes. Clean your hand with natural soap or clean your hands with saltwater (or rub in some fish oil to mask any impurities).
• 2) Arrive to your fishing destination slowly by boat - Don’t scare the fish off. Arrive slowly over your final fishing destination.
• 3) Keep hooks sharp - Keep your hooks sharp by sharpening them often or simply replace frequently if sharpening them is not your cup of tea. If your hook doesn’t catch your finger then it is too blunt.
• 4) Clean your gear - Most amateur fisherman who go out a few times a year don’t wash their equipment. You should wash with freshwater after every use and clean reels thoroughly once a year. This once a year cleaning should be aimed at pulling the reel apart and removing any sand and salt build up. You should also lightly oil any bearings or moving parts taking caution to avoid getting oil on the fishing line.
• 5) Use a net - The easiest time for a fish to escape is directly prior to landing the fish. Use a net before the fish leaves the water to prevent any losses.
• 6) Keep seaweed off your line - Seaweed and algae will scare fish if they see it on your line. After every line retrieval be sure to check if any weed is present and remove as needed. Make sure to remove every last bit of weed as even a minute strand will scare off the fish.
• 7) Fish in darker, murky water - If the water is clear you can see the fish and the fish can see you. If this is the case they are likely to get spooked easily. Fishing in dark or murky water increases your chances of getting a bite.

The above tips are not as common as some other tips you may know but they will help you catch more fish. Keep these tips in mind next time you are fishing and you are sure to catch more fish.