Author: Capt. Scott Goodwin

Capt. Scott offers his wish list as a gift guide for those hunting for a gift idea for Dad’s who like fishing, boating, and the outdoors!

Here are two simple fishing knots that every angler should know. It’s great for beginners because its simple to tie and used by pros because its simple to tie and it works!

Depending on where you fish and what your targeted species might be, these three trolling rigs can increase your ability to catch a wide variety of fish.

If you have not given loop knots a try, check out these three knots and figure out the one that is easier for you to tie and give it a chance.

After a week of mostly slow tuna fishing, I think that most of us are ready for a change. Well that change is coming in the form of Friday night’s full moon. While it’s impossible to predict what that change will look like, I’d advise everyone to look at the water with a new set of eyes this weekend as yesterday’s pattern probably won’t hold up. While we wait to see how things shake out, let’s take a look at what’s been biting this week. The big news continues to be the jumbo bluefin tuna that are biting on the…

Capt. Scott Goodwin has just finished a custom boat build and documents 5 great tips he uses when drilling and installing hardware during a myriad of boat projects.

Adding teasers to your trolling spread gives you a proven advantage as far as the boat’s ability to attract more fish. Capt. Scott shares a simple dorado belly teaser.

Capt. Scott Goodwin is at the tail end of a custom boat build and explains the install and function of a revolutionary boat accessory, Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control System.

Capt. Scott Goodwin shares a quick boat maintenance tips on how to remove rust stains from your fiberglass boat.

It does not feel like fall yet, but it will be here before you know it. For anglers up and down the east coast of Florida that means the dolphin will make another showing. Not as prolific as the spring run, but certainly worth trolling for one of the most edible, sporty and gorgeous game fish, the dolphin. They are also known by the tourist as the “Mahi Mahi” and by our Pacific brethren, the “Dorado”. Sailfish will also begin to move south as the first signs of cooler weather up north signal the exodus. November through February will be…

How To Fillet a Flounder Fast All species of flounder and halibut are known for their excellent eating, but many people are hesitant when it comes to cleaning them. Because of their odd, flat shape, flounder look much harder to clean than they actually are, and getting perfect fillets from a flatfish isn’t as hard as you might think. This simple method works with the anatomy of any flatfish. One thing to note, however, is that some states such as California require that you keep your halibut fillets whole and don’t quarter them. They also say you must keep the…

Any type of fishing that requires a boat ends up requiring a larger budget, but most of us will argue it’s worth it for the freedom and access to a variety of fishing.  A large part of the boat’s budget is the engine or engines that push it, taking you to the action and just as importantly, bringing you back home.  Many modern outboards benefit from 4-stroke technology, meaning they operate more like your car, having a crankcase full of oil that must be changed on a schedule to make them last. No matter the horsepower or number of engines…

As a fisherman, you get to experience many amazing sights and events first hand. You also get to swap these experiences with fellow anglers in a ritual that is probably as old as speech itself. The “fishing story” comes in many forms. Some you can believe outright, while most of the others must be filtered for the truth. Some are a matter-of-fact recount of the day, while others conjure up the sights, smells and sounds in your mind. The good ones can get the teller’s heart rate up and give them goosebumps just reliving the tale with words. The great…

One of my favorite parts of being an outdoor writer is the opportunity to try out new product samples, often before they hit the market for the general public.  Some are just fair; some are pretty good and occasionally we call them “game-changers”. I believe that this is going to be the final description of Seaguar’s Gold Label fluorocarbon leader. Originally, I received a few samples of the new product in Seaguar’s long line of premium fishing products.  Many don’t know that Seaguar originated fluorocarbon leader resins and continues to create and manage their own formulations giving them the ability…

If you take your boat offshore or make frequent crossings, you really should carry a ditch bag on board. A ditch bag FOR boaters holds a collection of safety items one might need if you ever have to abandon ship for any reason, be it a sinking ship or a boat fire. The ditch bag keeps all of the key items you need in an emergency close at hand, such as your flares, dye markers, whistles, first-aid kit, handheld VHF radio, and EPIRB if it is not mounted on the vessel. Follow these simple steps to make a ditch bag…

Sometimes being able to cast a little further can make all the difference between success or a missed opportunity. Many types of fishing can benefit from being able to sling a bait or lure a little further than the norm.  Spinning outfits excel in this department and modern gearing and premium components found in the new Stella SW allows anglers to tackle huge fish too.  Modern braided lines also play a huge factor in the ability to cast far and increase the capacity of a spinning reel to handle large pelagics like tuna and marlin. More on that in a…

We’ve all been seeing the 10-Year Challenge photos flashing around social media lately. I admit, I often wonder who has this much free time?? But then, some clever person with a little time on their hands, went and made this: Its perfect! Costa Del Mar C-Mates Polarized Bi-Focal Reading Glasses – Costa C-Mates Well this made me laugh out loud, except for the bitter reality part. The reality is that my up-close eyesight is somewhere between these two photos.  Someone at Costa must be going through the same thing because they have created a solution for fishermen for this middle-age…

Mullet Strip Baits – How to Rig Strip Baits Strip baits are one of the most versatile baits around, but they’re not often used because they’re not readily available — you won’t find them for sale and making them takes time. Well the time spent making strip baits is well worth it! Not just any fish makes a great strip. Bonita or little tunny are my favorite fish to use to make a strip bait because of their shiny, silver/white color and maximum toughness. The mullet is not as tough, but it works great and is much easier to get in…

Fishing the Deep Deep drop fishing is a unique way to either save the day or add to the variety of a trip.  We love the mystery, anticipation, and incredible eating of most deep drop fish.  We deep drop here at home in Florida as well as during trips to the Bahamas and it always adds to the excitement of a trip. Probing the Depths Fishing the deep takes a handful of specific gear to make it practical.  Having good sonar can help you locate spots to drop and see if anyone is home. Queen Snapper When I say deep water,…

Mono Strip Bait I’m continuing our exploration of the some of the many uses for belly strips made from dorado, little tunny, or mullet. Here I’m using dorado belly, one of the toughest, to rig a light weight monofilament leader for dink fishing or regular trolling. You can adapt the leaders weight and hook size to match the gear you will be trolling with. I use 50# to 60# mono when using 30# class reels. Besides being one of the fishes’ favorites, the strip bait benefits from being so durable and you can get multiple shots from an attacking fish…

River Palms Fish Camp Event Looking back through some highlights of 2018, I wanted to share a story from a product testing event in Jensen Beach, Florida at the River Palms Fish Camp. Dockside Pickup Nothing beats rolling out of bed and making a short walk to the boats for a day of exploring new waters with captains who are local experts. Bait Is King While throwing plugs was part of the goal, it’s always good to stock up on bait for Plan B.  Mullet patrolling the beach are fair game. Plan B For Plan B If the cast net…

Dealing With Frayed Lines Here is the scenario of frayed lines: You are reeling in one of your trolling rods, guiding the line with your finger when you feel a rough spot slide across your skin. You pull it back out and see a fray from an unknown event.  It is about a rigger length out and you know you need to cut it out, but your bait is still dragging. Tie a quick knot of any kind on top of the fray to mark its place in the spool.  Then finish reeling in your bait. Everyone sits and studies…

Our very own BD Creative Director, Derek Redwine, is in a constant state of artistic stimulation.  Fish and nature are the solid foundation of his inspiration, but it often takes on the flavor of the season or the moment.  One never knows, but we all enjoy seeing what his creative genius and mind’s eye spits out onto paper. Feeling the Christmas spirit and counting down the month of December, Derek shares his latest creations. Check out his Facebook and Instagram to see the final drawings of the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

As word of mouth goes, the incredible stabilizing ability of the Seakeeper gyro is permeating the inner and outer circles of sportfishing and boating in general.  Those that have experienced it themselves on a Seakeeper demo ride either offshore or dockside are the true believers.  If you have not taken the opportunity to feel the roll eliminated right out of the boat, then you need to track down the nearest demo boat and try it for yourself.  In the meantime, you’ve got to check out the videos of people as they feel the Seakeeper engage for the first time. The…