Author: Robert "Fly" Navarro

Why Grouper Cheeks Grouper fillets are known for being delicious and highly sought after, but the cheeks are so often overlooked.  On a nice sized grouper, the cheeks are big enough to make the perfect fish sandwich. The cheek is an overworked muscle so its meat retains shape, and is rich in flavor with a lobster-like flesh.  Often thought of as a delicacy around the world, grouper cheeks are one of the sweetest, most tender parts of the fish. Grouper fish can weigh up to 500 lbs, but much smaller specimens make it to market, usually about 5-15 lbs. However,…

The 1st Annual Swordfish Cup, a single-species tournament with a 24-hour global format, was held July 27-28, 2019, with 23 boats in the initial fleet. Paco Vela and his crew aboard Dulce Coco, a Hatteras based in the Dominican Republic, were declared the winners with a 381-pound broadbill. The Swordfish Cup was presented by Fly Zone Fishing and RJ Boyle Studio. Updates were broadcast on FaceBook every two hours during the 24-hour tournament. Dulce Coco’s fish was caught on a whole de-boned and butterflied bonita near Isla Saona off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The 95-inch sword was…

Fly Navarro is back with Grant at Cod & Capers Seafood getting a lesson on how to open middleneck clams and prepare them for eating.  The middleneck clam is a size category of clam and very popular with seafood lovers.  They can be cooked in a variety of ways, but getting them open is the trick.  The abductor muscle keeps the clam shut tight until the proper technique and a good clam knife gives you access to the salty, sweet goodness. There are a couple ways to open up a middleneck clams and prep them for eating. Get out your…

Re-Skirting Trolling Lures Fly Navarro has gone to the source, Black Barts, to get a how to demo on choosing the proper sized replacement to re-skirt a trolling lure.  Getting the correct sized skirt is the first step to rejuvenating a trolling lure. Often a trolling lure’s skirt is chewed up by toothy critters or just plain tattered from too many marlin. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question.

Fly Navarro joins Russel at Florida Detroit Diesel to learn the proper way to check coolant levels on a modern diesel engine.  The precautions really apply to checking coolant on all engines and doing it wrong can result in serious burns and injury. It may seem simple, but it is important for engine performance and longevity. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing and boating tips on BD.

Preparing Yellowtail Snapper Fly Navarro is back with Rich from Cod & Capers Seafood and they are demonstrating how to clean a yellowtail snapper.  Yellowtail Snapper are a delicious catch pursued by most anglers along reefs in mid-water depths, from North Carolina to Southeastern Brazil. They are most abundant in South Florida, the Bahamas in the warmer months. Yellowtail is a lean fish with a wonderful mild flavor. Yellowtail are a culinary favorite because of their delicate meat and mild flavor. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections. Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or…

Robert “Fly” Navarro is back with Tyler Beckford of Teaser Bait Company to talk about the different uses for ballyhoo rigged with Circle Hook VS J Hook. There are certain legal implications for billfish tournaments that you need to be aware of too. Sailfish, Dolphin? Which hook should I use? Fishing Hook – Circle Hook VS J Hook Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more great fishing tips on BD

Fly Navarro is joined by John Adams and the crew from American Custom Yachts and they are going over the process of installing a boat propeller on a large sportfish.  While these props take two men to lift, the process is the same for most inboard boats.  They demonstrate the process of seating the wheel using a PropSmith, a tool designed to push or pull a prop on the shaft without damaging or unbalancing the prop. Its heavy work to install a prop, but the right tools and methods are the key. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly…

Fly Navarro of the Fly Zone travels the world sportfishing for a living.  He and his friends share their knowledge of rigging and tackle preparation in his informative Fly Zone videos.  This video demonstrates how to set drag on your fishing reel with a hand scale to ensure you have the proper amount of drag set at strike or any system you may be using.  A Chatillon drag scale is the most commonly used tool among big game fishermen for this purpose. Proper Fishing Reel drag  is crucial to consistently catch big fish. Fly Navarro will take us to the…

Cleaning Silver Corvina Fish Fly Navarro is back with Rich from Cod & Capers Seafood and they are demonstrating how to clean a Pacific silver corvina and get it ready for cooking. Follow these simple steps to clean many species of fish. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing tips on BD.

Difference between 2 stroke vs 4 stroke diesel engines Fly Navarro joins the crew at Florida Detroit Diesel to discuss the differences, pro’s and con’s of 2-stroke VS 4-stroke diesel engines for sportfishing boats. Check out the advantages of modern 4-stroke diesel engines. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections. Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more tips on BD.

How To Fillet a Fish? Fish Fillet Fly Navarro is back with Cod & Capers Seafood and they are demonstrating how to skin a fish fillet after its been cleaned.   Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections. Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing tips on BD.

Fly Navarro travels the world fishing and learning.  In his Fly Zone Fishing videos, he shares his knowledge and those of experts in the business with us.  In this video, he is joined by Pete Shultz of Fishing Headquarters and they are demonstrating how and why to change out the treble hooks on a lure for inline single hooks. Pete is putting VMC Inline Single hooks on his favorite Rapala lure to make catching fish better and safer for both the angler and the fish. Its simple if you have the right tool.  Split ring Pliers! Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone”…

Saltwater Fly Tying Hooks Fly Zone’s Fly Navarro is joined with Capt. Alex Nedvins of Shot Caller Outdoors, a custom fly shop on line.  They are discussing what hooks Capt. Alex likes to use in many of his favorite saltwater flies for a variety of species.  Mustad and Gamakatsu are among his favorites. “A completely closed eye on the hook is crucial to the function of the fly”, said Capt. Alex. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections. Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question.…

Fly Navarro is with Capt. Terry to discuss what boat safety equipment is required for boats fishing offshore as well as other types of gear that are also a good investment, even if not mandated by boating requirements. Boat Saftey Equipment Life Jackets Flares Fire Extinguishers Throwable  Epirbs & Personal Beacons Liferaft First Aid Kit Flashlights Know how to use it and make sure you have plenty! Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more tips on…

How To Clean Cloudy Isinglass – Cleaning Isinglass Fly Navarro visits Capt. Terry for a quick lesson in keeping boat isinglass clean and beading water for maximum visibility while boating and fishing. By keeping your isinglass clean, you can increase boat safety and find that paddy or frigate bird you might have otherwise missed.  Its also very expensive stuff so making it last should be a priority. These simple steps can keep your expensive isinglass clear and long-lasting when done with regularity. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit…

How To Crimp Wires Together Fly Navarro travels the world fishing and learning.  In his Fly Zone Fishing videos, he shares his knowledge and those of experts in the business with us.  In this video, he is joined by Pete Shultz of Fishing Headquarters and they as demonstrating how to crimp cable for rigging wire leaders. Cable is often used for rigging wahoo lures for highspeed trolling. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing tips on BD.

“Fly” Navarro and Arturo show you how to rig a circle hook pitch bait ballyhoo for marlin and other big game species. The key is to make the ballyhoo totally secure so it cannot be stripped off of the hook.  This is done by securing a mono loop behind the gills with copper wire.  A small chugger is added to create maximum bubbles when being deployed in the commotion of the prop wash.  The hook rides in front of the chugger so the entire bait needs to be eaten.  That’s why it needs to be secured so well. A pitch bait ballyhoo is…

“Fly” Navarro and Arturo show you how to deploy a dredge as a teaser for offshore trolling.  Here they go over a two-tier dredge with several natural bait droppers to enhance the presentation.  When a fish rises to the teaser, he gets the look and taste of a real fish while the bonita-shaped flap teasers create the look of a school of fish. Dredge teasers have revolutionized trolling for billfish and other species.  Its a lot of work, but the bite is worth it! Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit…

Touch Screen Cleaning Marine Electronics Fly Navarro joins his buddy Capt. Terry for some quick how to advice on cleaning the screen on your marine electronics including touch screen units. Salt and smudges are inevitable at the end of the fishing day. Here is a safe method to clean your electronics without scratching them or leaving harmful salt residue. First spritz the screen with fresh water to melt the salt Lightly chammy with a clean chamois Polish off remaining smudges with a clean microfiber cloth Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list…

Fly Navarro joins his friend Arturo, mate aboard Team Galati.  They give a great demo on how to rig a ballyhoo so that it is ready to fish on a circle hook for sailfish and other pitch bait species. 

Rigging Pitch Baits “Fly” Navarro and Arturo show you how to rig a pitch bait for marlin in this quick rigging video.  Learn how to rig a circle hook “mack” pitch bait for larger billfish in the spread and it is the same technique that can be used to rig a bonita for pitch baiting. This technique is proven to catch fish time after time! Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing tips on BD.

Crimping Heavy Mono Leaders Fly Navarro travels the world fishing and learning.  In his Fly Zone Fishing videos, he shares his knowledge and those of experts in the business with us.  In this video, he is joined by Pete Shultz of Fishing Headquarters and they are demonstrating how to crimp heavier mono leaders for big game fishing. Any leader over 100# is better crimped than tied. Fly Navarro will take us to the “Fly Zone” with his vast knowledge and list of fishing connections.  Visit his Fly Zone Fishing site or Facebook to learn more or to ask Fly a question. Check out more fishing tips on BD.

Fly Navarro travels the world fishing and learning.  In his Fly Zone Fishing videos, he shares his knowledge and those of experts in the business with us.  In this video, he is joined by Pete Shultz of Fishing Headquarters and they are demonstrating how to tie the Cats Paw or Offshore Loop knot. The cats paw knot is used to attach a swivel to the double line, usually for offshore trolling when you’re using a long bait leader.  The double line gives you more protection from breakage while the fish is near the boat. This is a fairly simple knot and maintains 100% strength. Fly…