Recent Articles
Starlink Mini Offshore: Internet 60 Miles Out Without the Yacht Pricing
Running a Starlink Mini on a fishing boat — how Roam Unlimited really behaves past 10 miles, the ocean data toggle at $2/GB, and why Global Priority is overkill for anglers.
My Boat: A 1999 Contender 31 Open, Completely Rebuilt — Full Tour
A full tour of a rebuilt 1999 Contender 31 Open — twin Yamaha F300s, triple transducers, 49 rod holders, three livewells, and why an old hull rebuilt right beats a new boat payment.
My Trolling Spread, Line by Line: Planers, Ballyhoo, Ilanders, and the Shotgun
A 9-line Carolina trolling spread explained position by position — planer placement, single vs double-rigged outriggers, and what to run on the shotgun.
Garmin Force Kraken on a 31-Foot Boat: Install, MFD Integration, and 90" vs 110"
An owner's review of the Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor on a 31-foot center console — MFD integration with no remote, waypoint spot-lock, and choosing between the 90 and 110 inch shafts.
Okuma Makaira Long-Term Review: 50s and 80s in a Real Trolling Program
An owner's long-term review of Okuma Makaira lever drag reels — build quality, drag performance under high-speed wahoo and planer duty, and how they stack up against reels costing more.
The Ultimate King Mackerel Tournament Reel Guide
From the legendary original Shimano Speedmaster to the Trinidad 30A, Torium 30HGA, Avet LX, Accurate, and Penn Fathom II — what actually wins king tournaments, plus budget picks.
Planer Fishing for Wahoo and Kings: The Meat-Fishing Change-Up
How to rig and fish trolling planers — planer sizes, sea witch and ballyhoo combos, leader lengths, and why a bait 20 feet down outfishes the surface spread.
High-Speed Wahoo Trolling: The Carolina Program That Actually Works
Speeds, trolling weights, wire leaders, and lure placement for high-speed wahoo trolling — plus the planer alternative when the high-speed bite dies.
Black Sea Bass Rigs: What Actually Outfishes the Party Boat Standard
Hi-lo rigs, bucktail-teaser combos, and the details — hook size, weight, braid — that separate a limit of knotheads from a cooler of shorts.
Choosing an Offshore Fishfinder/Chartplotter: An IT Guy's Honest Guide
CHIRP frequencies, transducer choice, NMEA 2000 networking, and where the marketing ends — how to spec offshore electronics without overpaying.
Building a Mid-Atlantic Tuna Trolling Spread That Actually Raises Fish
A practical guide to setting a trolling spread for yellowfin and bluefin in the mid-Atlantic — positions, lures, ballyhoo, and the mistakes that cost you bites.
Offshore Trolling Reel Buyer's Guide: 30s, 50s, and When Lever Drag Matters
How to pick trolling reels for mid-Atlantic tuna — size classes, lever vs. star drag, line capacity math, and where cheap reels actually fail.
South Carolina Offshore Report — July 2026: Bottom Fishing on Fire, Red Snapper Opens
Mid-summer offshore report from South Carolina — grouper and cobia stacked on the bottom, the red snapper standoff in the courts, and where the trolling bite stands in hot water.