Author: Capt. Scott Goodwin

It holds true for anything that we own. We need to customize! We have a certain level of equipment that we use due to its affordability and availability. The same holds true for fishing equipment, and most of it works fine for our general uses. But if you’ve ever picked up a lightweight custom rod, you can immediately sense the difference and appreciate the qualities of a fine build by having everything you want on one stick. This can leave one longing to up your game and suddenly be disenchanted with your current equipment. This was exactly the case for…

Throughout the history of my fishing obsession since I hit the saltier waters of Florida, I’ve enjoyed fishing the inshore flats and lagoons. Though the focus of my professional career has been focused on offshore fishing, I dabbled in inshore charters for a couple years. I ended up moving back to bigger boats offshore and just by the “nature of the beast”, my excursions inshore have been few and far between. But now, with a recent local move, I’ve been reintroduced to the shallows and the excitement has been renewed. While watching a big dolphin charge into the spread from…

We were all in a state of “fishing withdraw” between windy, rough seas and life’s accelerating pace, when suddenly the planets aligned, my wife gave the nod, the Fish Trap splashed and we blasted out of Port Canaveral, Florida. My friends Zack McCool and Anthony Puleio joined me for a spontaneous day of bottom fishing. After castnetting a well full of two to four-inch pogies (menhaden) and watching a whale cruise by, we headed towards one of my favorite wrecks. But on the way, we would pass a small spot that I decided we had to check. As we arrived…

I’ll be home soon honey, we are working hard down here. The BD crew had been needing to have a team meeting to regroup and talk about future endeavors. We operate as separate individuals on opposite sides of the country. Half of us work in Florida, while the rest of the team originated the company in southern California, but we work in unison via modern technology. Still sometimes you need some facetime and we needed a place to hole up and focus on work. How about the Florida Keys? Luckily for us, our work is fishing and there is no…

https://vimeo.com/113539687 “What the heck” is what Avo Oughourlian said to himself as he filled out the simple Race to PEI entry form on BD Outdoors, a contest where the winner joins the BD Team in Prince Edward Island to chase a giant bluefin tuna aboard Capt. Tony’s Tuna Fishing. “What the #%^&#@” was all he could say when BD’s Ali Hussainy called him to say he had won the all-expense paid trip. Avo, a long-time BD member and active sportsman who lives in the LA area, said, “It was very exciting, but the timing was tough because I had just…

One of my earliest saltwater fishing memories is centered on a shark. I think I can honestly say it helped steer the course of my life and career. It certainly was another bonding moment for my Dad, Uncle Joe and I. We all lived the experience and they made it all possible. Thanks Dad! Q:What’s the biggest shark you’ve ever caught? A: A 400-pound thresher shark was my personal biggest fish for twenty-six years until last year’s bluefin tuna in PEI. Working with clients, I have captured some up to about 800-pounds. Q:What’s the biggest you’ve seen? A: Despite…

It is easy for me to brag on Costa’s newest technology, because the white outline of their glasses has been etched on my face since I began offshore fishing almost 30 years ago. I have reaped the benefits from each of their technological advances over the course of my fishing career. I have fished both polycarbonate and glass lenses, each offering different benefits. I can’t wait to see how the combination of these qualities performs on the water. Now I really look forward to trying the combination of the 580 mirrored lenses with the lightweight Polycarbonate lenses. It should…

Modern electronics continue to evolve in both their amazing capabilities and their simplicities. For the boater and fishermen alike, the accuracy of chart plotters and the charts that load into them are incredible tools for navigating unknown areas. Whether you are running a small cut through the reef in the Bahamas or your home channel, being familiar with your electronics is very important. In broad daylight, familiar waters are easy to navigate and may not take much thought. It is easy to take for granted the fact that the luxury of visibility can disappear in a flash. Be it rainstorms,…

I just got back from a quick fishing excursion to the Bahamas aboard the Sea Wrangler 2, with Capt. Joe Palermo out of Port Canaveral, Florida, my home base. We ran 180 miles to Spanish Cay in the Abaco Chain of the Bahamas and set up camp for three days of die-hard fishing. I have to say it is fishing paradise! We spent several days exploring the many fishing options, including trolling, jigging and deep-dropping. The deep-drop was the most productive and we caught a variety of snapper and grouper. The reefs and drop-offs are all within a mile from…

When you are prepping for a project on you boat, take a second to think about the prevention of damage to other parts during the process. There is nothing more frustrating to me, than going backwards on a project. Here are a few quick photos from a couple of small projects on my new micro-skiff. The first two involve protecting the surrounding area as I prepare to drill holes through the aluminum jackplate to bolt the motor directly to it and not rely upon the thumbscrews, which can vibrate loose causing yet more issues. I’ve placed several layers of masking…

I’ve been wearing Aftco shorts to fish in and work on boats since the day I quit wearing cutoff jeans, which I just recently learned are known as “jorts”. Luckily that was at least 30 years ago. After 24 years as a mate and captain, no shorts have ever been subjected to the constant sun, salt, slime and grime like my Aftco shorts. As a result, they are also subjected to wash after wash, and while after many years they might finally fade slightly, they still hold up and perform. I have a bottom drawer full of them, waiting for…

It is still painful for me to drill holes in a perfectly good boat, but it is more painful still to drill it in the wrong spot, or have it end up too big for the hardware. In the case of thru-hull fittings, I normally use a hole saw for the job. Picking the correct size can be deceiving, so here are a few things I do to measure twice and cut once. One would normally start by holding the hole saw up against the fitting. The drilled hole is often slightly larger than the bit itself, so keep that…

Recently I purchased a used boat and I’m really excited to get it ready to fish. It is a relatively simple vessel, a 16′ Fin and Feather that has been partially redone. The hull has been refurbished, and most of the systems are in place, but the plumbing and wiring had yet to be run. Any boat, regardless of size, has tight spaces and out of reach runs. Here are a few tips to help pull both wires and hoses to their required destinations. First, study the most likely route for the new run. Are there chase tubes? Are they…

Don’t throw away that old chamois when its absorbing powers have faded. I dip them is salt water and lay them over my rigged baits to keep them moist overnight. This improves their flexibility and helps them to swim right away. I often use them under the rigged baits as well. It is important to soak them is saltwater first, as you do not want freshwater to soften your bait. Always make sure your bait cooler is draining melted ice water away.

I recently got to check one item off of my bucket list, but now I can’t wait to go again. Stand up paddle boarding or SUP is what I’m referring too. I had borrowed some boards from a friend to take my wife and daughters for our first paddleboard experience. We were not sure what to expect, but the whole family did awesome. After only a couple hours of riding with us, my girls took a spin, on their own, and did great. We were all pleasantly surprised at how stable the boards were and like all things in life,…

You’ve heard it said that variety is the spice of life, and while its true for life, it is even more appealing to me in the world of fishing. I have never been one to focus on just a few species; in fact I’m driven by a desire to catch as many different and unusual fish as I can before my fishing days are through. My good friend Derek Redwine prescribes to the same theory, so both of us were chomping at the bit as we kept seeing reports and pictures of Capt. Jason Stock catching hogfish on hook and…

There are so many types of trolling lures and bait enhancements to choose from in these modern times, but the good old-fashioned sea witch is still a go to in my book. A simple lead head design with various synthetic hairs lashed to it will catch as many fish as a high dollar, high-tech epoxy, abalone “mother of pearl infused, big-rattle eyed, high-dollar lure. I’m not saying I don’t want one of those modern lures, but it may not be required to catch a fish. Sea Witches are traditionally used to enhance, protect or add weight to natural trolling baits…

The path of a man’s life can often find its own way, meandering along without focus or intent. But there are some, like Carter Andrews, who may start that way but quickly decide to pick a path they love and make it happen. But what does it mean to make it happen? You can’t force yourself down a career path, lest you get resistance from those along the way. You must work hard, maintain a willing and humble personality and soak up every morsel of knowledge you can from those around you who have more or different experiences. It certainly…

Trolling for offshore fish like marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado can be as simple or complicated as you choose to make it. Much of your approach is affected by your boat, crew, location and of course budget. Striking the balance between presenting the most robust spread and physically managing it is the key. Teasers can be an integral part of any trolling spread, and the variety of teasers is endless. Whether you pull a simple squid chain or a triple layered, split tail mullet dredge; you have two elements in common. Barring pulling teasers on a hand-line, you are probably…

Triple the treat, Good friends, perfect weather and great fishing! Recently I got a spur of the moment offer to hit the water with Brad Spalding of the charter boat Brassy Hooker out of Port Canaveral, Florida. Triple Tail Tour Along for the trip were my great friends Derek and Cory Redwine Port Canaveral Weed Mat After weeks of high winds in November, a window of summertime weather was happening in December. My Dad always said, “You can’t beat Florida”, and it was stated during times like these. Many large weed patches and mats had blown inshore during the blow.…

Now I know that many people still catch fish without paying too much attention to the finer points, but I personally believe that if there is some aspect to rigging that might catch one more or reduce the chances of missing a fish, then I’m going to take those steps. There are still plenty of reasons beyond my control that help a fish get away, but I’m going to eliminate the ones that I can. The corners you cut will invariably cost you the big one or the tournament winner or the only fish on a slow day. Sharp hooks…

If you find yourself lucky enough to be flush with fresh wahoo, then here is a trick from Derek Redwine our creative director. He told me to boil some wahoo and it will taste very close to crab. Boiled fish never sounded great to me, but tasting like crab did. I gave it a try and he was right. The kids and I immediately made two more batches. More of an appetizer than a meal just because of the sopping in melted butter, but it is worth a try. Very simple and delicious. Ingredients Old Bay seasoning (a crab standard)…

Capt. Scott Goodwin offers up his thoughts on how to build your own highspeed wahoo rigs and how to set up the leader and hook setup for whacking winter wahoo.

Penn Media Summit 2013 Recently Penn brought together a group of first class captains and outdoor writers to fish with the latest Penn products for 2014. A great time was had by all. Penn Summit Trio Patrick Sebile, Drew Lawler and myself (Scott Goodwin) with the fresh catch of the day fishing with Capt. Butch Constable. New Penn Fishing reel Lineup Penn’s line up of offshore reels gives new meaning to “loaded for bear”. George Mitchell Tuna Capt. George Mitchell cradles another tuna that fell for the Sebile Splasher topwater lure. Tuna Splasher The Sebile Splasher is a very stable…