Fishing Tips for Each Season

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As the seasons change from one to the next, so too does fishing. The techniques you use during the summer, for instance, will not be the same as those in the spring. As such, you need to be prepared for these changes before you head out onto the water: 

Spring fishing Fishing Tips for Each Season

Don’t hop onto your boat on the first 60-degree day and expect a large catch. The water is still pretty cold, and it can take some time for the temperatures to rise enough for the fish to start coming out. It’s recommended that you wait at least a week after the first thaw before you start fishing. Once that day does come, you should head out in the afternoon or early evening, as this is when the water is warmest, and it’s also when the fish are eating.  

Summer fishing 

By summer, the water is sufficiently warm enough for the fish to start biting, but it can also be too warm. The late morning and early afternoon (roughly around noon, when the sun is at its peak) will be the warmest part of the day, and that’s when the fish disappear in search of deeper, cooler waters. It’s best, then, to do your fishing in the early morning or late afternoon/early evening once the temperatures have cooled off. 

Fall fishing 

The temperatures might be dropping off again in fall, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in some good fishing before the snow starts. While early morning fishing is usually a no-go (as this is when it’s coldest), the rest of the day is all yours. Afternoon and early evening fall fishing is considered one of the best times of the year to fish, so take advantage of this while you can. 

No matter the season, we at Morning Flight Charters are always ready to get you out onto the water. Book your next fishing trip today either online or by phone at 207-831-2426!

How to Choose the Right Fishing Reel

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There are four main types of fishing reels: overhead, spinning, baitcaster, and fly reels. Which one you choose will depend on what kind of fish you’re trying to catch, as well as where you’re fishing. After all, each type of fishing reel has its own strengths and weaknesses, and in order to choose the best one, you must learn what you can about the different types.

Overhead reelsHow to Choose the Right Fishing Reel

If you’re heading out onto a boat, you’ll likely be using overhead reels for your fishing rod. This is because they’re designed in a way where no cast is required—all you do is drop the line down and you’re done. Overheads are mainly used to either bait or lure fish, and they can come in a wide variety of sizes depending on the kind of fish you’re trying to catch.

Spinning reels

Spinning reels, or eggbeaters, are one of the most commonly used types of reels. This is because they’re extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of fish and situations. They’re excellent for casting as their spool does not spin.

Baitcasting reels

Baitcasters are extremely similar to overheads. Both sit on top of the rod and are similar in design. Baitcasters, however, are more versatile than overheads, and they also come with a braking system that allows you to adjust the spool’s rotation. These reels can be difficult to manage, though, so they should only be used by master anglers.

Fly reels

Fly reels are single action reels that are specifically designed for fly fishing. They’re extremely simple in design—the reel is essentially just a place to store the line—although they do counterbalance the weight of the rod while casting a line.

Ready to go out onto the water? Then contact Morning Flight Charters today to schedule your next fishing trip.

Beginner Fishing Tips

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Fishing is a hobby that we believe everyone should pick up. However, getting started can seem a bit daunting, especially to someone who has never gone out on the water before. Thankfully, fishing is a skill that can be learned, and with the right tools at your disposal, you’ll be a master angler in no time.

Dress appropriatelyBeginner Fishing Tips

Before you head out for your fishing trip, you want to dress appropriately. This means you should ditch the flip flops and shorts for boots and long pants. You may feel a bit hot, but this is necessary to protect yourself from stray hooks, rocks, or other sharp objects that may wash aboard. You should also be wearing a life jacket at all times.

Rigging

Rigging is incredibly important when it comes to fishing. Why? Because a strong fishing knot will be less likely to break, plus certain knots can help your lure better mimic natural bait. By using the correct fishing knot and lure, your fishing trip will be far more successful than it would have been otherwise.

Swimming your lure

Swimming your lure refers to the action of mimicking how bait actually moves in the water in order to get a fish to bite. To do this, pull up on your rod tip and reel down to gather the slack. This will give the impression that your lure is real, live bait rather than just a lure. Once you’ve mastered this, you can look into other techniques that work better for certain fish.

Know when to change things up

The “tried and true” doesn’t really work in fishing. You won’t be able to find one technique and just stick with it. Instead, you’ll need to change your tactics in order to cast the best fish. You can do this by varying your lures and depths to improve your situation, or to change locations entirely.

At Morning Flight Charters, our guided fishing tours are perfect for beginners and master anglers alike. Give us a call at 207-831-2426 to book your trip today.

How to Safely Catch and Release

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When you head out on your next fishing trip, you’re not going to want to bring home every fish that you catch. Some fish may be too big or small, other times you may not have enough room left in your cooler to store them. It’s also better for the environment to release fish you don’t need in order to conserve that specific species. However, catch and release must be done properly in order to ensure the fish’s survival. Here’s how:

Reeling in your catchHow to Safely Catch and Release

When you feel a bite, you’ll want to work quickly to prevent the fish from dying or becoming exhausted. Stay close to your line so that you can set your hook as quickly as possible, preventing the fish from swallowing the bait or hook. Then, avoid playing the fish for too long and try to land it as soon as possible.

Handling your catch

Once you’ve reeled in your catch, avoid taking it out of the water. Removing the fish can cause it to suffocate and it can put it under a great deal of stress. Instead, support the fish in the water with either a landing net or your own hands. If you decide to handle the fish yourself, cradle it gently and don’t squeeze it tightly.

Removing the hook

Time is of the essence here, as the longer you take to remove the hook the more likely you are to hurt the fish. Keeping the fish in the water, use a pair of needle-nosed pliers or other hook removers to quickly remove the hook. If you’re having trouble doing so, leave the hook in and cut the line as close to it as possible.

Releasing your catch

After you remove the hook, don’t let the fish go immediately. Give it some time to recover by holding it underwater in an upright position. Check to see if the gills are opening and closing and then let go.

Ready to go out onto the water? Then contact Morning Flight Charters today to schedule your next fishing trip.

The Top 3 Fishing Apps to Catch More Fish

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“There’s an app for that,” people always say. Well, more likely than not, it happens to be true. Practically every part of our lives has an app associated with it, fishing included. In fact, there are hundreds of fishing apps out there, but which ones will truly help you catch more fish and which ones just say they will? Here we go through some of the best fishing apps out there that are proven to help you improve your game:

Fishbrain (Android, iOS: Free)The Top 3 Fishing Apps to Catch More Fish

Fishbrain is a social fishing app that allows you to share your fishing activity, photos, and locations with millions of other users. However, it’s not just for social networking. You can use the locations people share to find new places to fish, as well as their activity to figure where the fish are. Additionally, it also provides a forecast, calendar, and personal fishing log to keep track of your activity. While the app is free, there’s also a premium version that starts at $5.99/month.

Pro Angler (Android, iOS: Free)

While Fishbrain is good for freshwater and saltwater, Pro Angler is aimed towards saltwater anglers only. However, it provides a wealth of information and resources, including more than 15,000 GPS fishing hotspots, radar weather maps, a saltwater species guide, and a list of all federal and state regulations. Similar to Fishbrain, it’s free to download, but it does have a premium version with additional features such as a digital wallet to store documents.

Fishidy (Android, iOS: Free)

Finally, there’s Fishidy. This app provides you with maps to over 17,000 waterways where you can favorite specific sites and log your catches. It also lets you share these sites and catches with other users, providing them with additional information and when and where to find certain species. Again, this app is free to download, but it does have a premium subscription that offers more detailed maps and fishing tips.

With your rod and your phone in-hand, it’s time to go out onto the water and catch some fish. At Morning Flight Charters, we offer all sorts of fishing packages including family fishing, striper fishing, shark fishing, and more. Give us a call at 207-831-2426 to book your trip today.

How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod Material

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When you’re in the market for a new fishing rod, one of the questions you’ll need to ask yourself is what kind of material you’re looking for. In general, there are three types of materials fishing rods are made out of: fiberglass, graphite, and composite. Each have their advantages and disadvantages; what matters most is finding out which one is right for you.

FiberglassHow to Choose the Right Fishing Rod Material

Fiberglass fishing rods are extremely flexible and sturdy. They can bend from tip to butt, making them great for baits that require a medium or slow action. They’re a great choice for beginners as they require little maintenance, but keep in mind that their sturdiness and flexibility make them heavier and less sensitive than other fishing rods.

Graphite

Unlike fiberglass, graphite rods more rigid and thus more sensitive. Given this, they’re a favorite among advanced fishers who want the fighting power and sensitivity to bites that graphite provides. They’re also lighter than fiberglass, so they’ll be easier to manage during a long day of fishing. However, their rigidness also makes them more brittle, meaning you’ll likely need to perform routine maintenance on them.

Composite

Composite fishing rods aren’t as widely used as fiberglass or graphite, but they’re still a good choice for some fishers out there. Composite rods are a hybrid of fiberglass and graphite; they have a fiberglass core and a graphite shell. This combination makes them a good “in-between” option—that is, they’re more sensitive than fiberglass rods, but they’re not as rigid as graphite.

Once you’ve decided on the best rod for your needs, it’s time to test it out on the water. At Morning Flight Charters, we have plenty of fishing trip options for you to choose from. Give us a call or book your trip today!

How to Choose Your Fishing Lure

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Whether you’re fishing out at sea or by the coast, choosing the right lure will determine how good of a catch you reel in. If you’re new to fishing, however, you may not know how to choose the best lure for your fishing trip. While a lot of it depends on preference, there are plenty of ways to narrow down your choices:

Match the lure to the speciesHow to Choose Your Fishing Lure

Different lures work best for different species, so determine which species your fishing for and chose your lure based on that. A general rule of thumb is to choose a lure that’s a similar size as the prey of the fish you’re planning to catch.

Match the colors

Just as the size of the lure should match the pretty, the color of the lure should match as well. Greenish hues are, generally, a good place to start, along with other natural colors. You can also match the color of the lure to the color of the water for similar effects.

Use vibrating lures in discolored or muddy waters

If the water is discolored or muddy, it can be difficult for the fish to see the lures. As such, you should opt for a lure that can make vibrations in order to make it more obvious to the fish.

Take the temperature

The temperature of the water matters a great deal when choosing your lures. If you’re fishing in cold water, opt for slow-moving bait; conversely, if you’re fishing in warm water, opt for fast-moving bait.

Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you’ll likely have a handful of lures left for you to choose from. At that point, it’s entirely about personal preference, so experiment with each one to see which you prefer. If you’re still unsure of which lure is right for you, or if you’re ready to set out onto the water, then contact Morning Flight Charters for any of your fishing needs.

Fishing Safety Tips

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Fishing Safety Tips

Fishing is one of our greatest pastimes. However, as much fun as going out on the water may seem, it’s not all fun and games. If not properly prepared, you or your family could wind up in a serious accident. So before you plan on going out for your next fishing trip, make sure you take these safety precautions:

Bring plenty of safety gear

You never know what might happen while you’re out fishing, so it’s best to always be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Get a duffle bag and fill it with all of the necessary essentials, such as:

  • A first aid kit
  • Life jackets
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellant
  • Aspirin or other medications
  • Sunburn cream
  • Rain gear/ponchos
  • Binoculars
  • Flashlight
  • Radio

Dress appropriately

In order to protect yourself from the elements, you should dress for the elements. This means that you should be wearing boots or sneakers, not sandals, to protect your feet against stray hooks, rocks, and other sharp objects that could wash aboard. Hats and sunglasses are also a must in order to protect your skin and eyes from the harmful affects of UV rays. Finally, always make sure that you, and especially your children, are wearing their life jackets.

Keep an eye on the weather

Using your weather app will help you determine the general weather for the day, but they’re not always right. Weather can change in an instant, especially here in Maine, so always keep one eye to the sky during your fishing trip. Some things to look out for are dark clouds on the horizon, choppy waters, and high winds.

At Morning Flight Charters, the safety of our passengers is extremely important to us. If you have more questions about how you should prepare for your fishing trip, then, don’t hesitate to call us at 207-831-2426. Or if you’re interested in booking a fishing trip, reserve your spot today!

How to Prepare for Your Family Fishing Trip

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Summer is a great time to go out fishing with your family. But before you pack the spouse and kids into the car, make sure that you’re well-prepared with these family fishing trip tips:

Timing is everythingHow to Prepare for Your Family Fishing Trip

The day and time you go will truly determine how well of a trip this turns out to be. Keep an eye on the weather days in advance to make sure you go on a clear and comfortable day. You should also avoid morning trips, and opt for going out on the water later in the day, such as mid-morning or afternoon. Just be careful not to spend too long out there, and always keep an eye on the kids to see how energized or tired they are.

Get the right gear for your kids

Needless to say, your kids can’t use the same gear that you do, so be sure to invest in some kid fishing rods, reel, and kid-friendly lures to make it easier for them when they go out on the water. Also make sure that you have plenty of safety equipment such as child-size life jackets for your children to use.

Bring plenty of food and drinks

Let’s face it, kids love food, and it won’t be a great day if you let them go hungry. So be sure to bring a cooler full of snacks and drinks that they can have throughout the trip. Even better, pack a full lunch or dinner to have once you return to shore that includes sandwiches, salads, and other foodstuffs.

Sign up for a youth fishing program

If you’re unsure of when or where to take your family out fishing, you can always sign up for a youth fishing program. At Morning Flight Charters, our youth programs are designed specifically for parents and children to spend some quality time together. These last for three hours and can be customized depending on your family’s fishing expertise.

Deep Sea Fishing Tips and Tricks

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There’s nothing like the thrill of the catch. With deep sea fishing, you’re reeling in some of the biggest, toughest game there is—sharks, tuna, marlin, swordfish, and more. But in order for your deep sea fishing trip to be a success, there are some things you should know:

Be aware of your surroundingsDeep Sea Fishing Tips and Tricks

This should be the case anytime you go out on the water, but it’s especially true with deep sea fishing. You’re far out from the coast, so watch out for the current, weather, and any other boats/fishermen. However, this isn’t just a safety precaution; keeping an eye out for certain signs will help you bring home a better catch. For example, if you notice a group of birds feasting on small fish, that’s usually a sign that there are bigger fish below.

For tuna, follow the dolphins

Another sign to watch out for when fishing for tuna are dolphins. Tuna and dolphins usually school together, so if you see one, the other is likely nearby. However, make sure that you’re actually reeling in tuna and not a dolphin by clearly understanding the differences between each species.

Fish near a reef

Reefs attract small fish, who then attract big fish. That’s why reefs are one of the best places for deep sea fishing. So if you want to reel in a big catch (both in size and quantity), you should go and find a reef first.

Fish with an expert

As with all things, listen to the experts, as they know best. An expert angler will be familiar enough with the waters to know where the fish will be and what to watch out for. Especially if this is your first time deep sea fishing, having an expert on board your ship will make sure you’re safe and that you reel in some great game.

Thinking about going on a deep sea fishing trip? If so, contact Morning Flight Charters. We operate just off the Maine Coast, and can create a guided fishing trip just for you. Make a reservation or call us at 207-831-2426 to learn more.