Chris Woodward

1 month ago | sportfishingmag.com | Chris Woodward

Striped bass make definitive sonar marks. Inset: Bait and stripers on a Simrad NSS evo3 screen. The left side features a single, custom-frequency chirp view; the right shows the detail of imaging sonar. Ethan Gordon, Courtesy Simrad (inset) Technology creates a tug of war among generations — whether we’re talking smartphones or marine electronics. Old Salts often prefer traditional fish finders with 50/200 kHz transducers: the better to see a bright-red fish blob.

May 3, 2024 | sportfishingmag.com | Chris Woodward

Braid’s sensitivity makes it a great line for working jigs, plugs and lures to catch species such as fluke. Matt Rissell Deciding when to use braided fishing line vs. monofilament fishing line might seem intuitive in most cases. Not so fast! One pro advocates braided line for all bottom fishing applications, while another says braid inhibits bites in clear water, even with a fluorocarbon leader.

Dec 27, 2023 | sportfishingmag.com | Chris Woodward

A sea chest can keep bait lively on your way to the fishing grounds. Courtesy SeaVee You run offshore on a bluebird morning, hoping to score some tuna or fly a halyard full of release flags. You throttle back near a beautiful color change and break out the tackle. You’re all smiles and confidence—until you open the livewell and see a mass of floaters. Nothing ruins a fishing trip faster than a fouled-up livewell.

Dec 27, 2023 | sportfishingmag.com | Chris Woodward

George Poveromo’s boat, the Mark VI, can handle full-size outriggers. But with the right additions, smaller boats can also put out a large spread. George Poveromo Every small-boat angler knows that it’s tough to achieve the optimal trolling spread. Bigger boats have an obvious edge. Their broader beam, higher freeboard, and greater number of strategically located rod holders enable the deployment and easy management of extra lines.

Nov 30, 2023 | marlinmag.com | Chris Woodward

From their white-quartz sand and sapphire offshore waters to their natural tidal bays and creeks, plus everything from mackerel to marlin, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, might just anchor saltwater-fishing’s short list of well-kept secrets. In fact, a local captain nearly spilled the beans in October, weighing in a 1,145.6-pound blue marlin—a potential Alabama and Gulf of Mexico world record.