Cap’n Cefus Fishing And Boating Blog

As the dogwoods and azealeas start to populate the countryside with color, and the temperatures climb into the 70’s for more than an afternoon, boaters get the urge to get back on the water.  Hopefully, you winterized your boat last year which will make things a lot easier as you make preparations to re-launch this spring.  

 A few things to check — oil and other fluid levels, oil and fuel filters (this is a good time to change them), check your belts for wear or deterioration, and the condition of the lubricant in the lower gear case, etc.   Give your batteries a good charge, and make sure they will hold a charge — check the water level in the cells and only use distilled water to fill the cells.   Hydraulic steering fluid is often overlooked.  Water pump impellers need to be checked and possibly changed.   Look at your zinc anodes (and there are usually some behind the propeller too).   Moving parts could benefit from a drop or two of a spray lubricant.   By the way, WD 40 is NOT a lubricant — it’s a rust/corrosion preventative and great for loosening frozen hardware.   Use a real lubricant on things that need to be ‘lubricated’.

 While you’re at it, give your trailer a once-over and check the wheel bearings, brake fluid, condition of your tires, AND your trailer lights and connections.   Also look at the condition of your winch strap and bow roller.  

Check your life jackets and throwable for wear or mildew.  Same goes for your anchor line, dock lines, and anything else that accidentally got left on the boat last fall.   A good airing-out goes a long way.   And of course, your hull and topsides would appreciate a thorough washing and waxing. 

 Your marine mechanic can do the engine work, and you can do most everything else.    Go ahead and make an appointment with your service facility now, so you’re not waiting for your boat when everyone else is on the water.  These guys get real busy at the start of the summer, and some even offer special rates for pro-active boaters who get a head start on their seasonal maintenance.

  If you spend an hour or two doing these things in advance, you’ll be a lot better off when it’s time to enjoy a day on the water.

Here’s a quick, easy, and DELICIOUS recipe from Chef James Chien, The Asian Cajun.  If you’ve ever hooked-up with a cobia, you know how much fun they are to catch, and they are even better on the plate.

 Check this recipe out.   It also works well with amberjack, mahi-mahi, and even striped bass.   Click on the link and enjoy !!

 For more recipes, check out our Message Board at www.nutsandboltsfishing.com   They’re free and they’re reeeeeel good!

 Asian Cajun Cobia Recipe: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yep, it’s that time again.   The new year brings outstanding opportunities to see all the new hulls, engines, and accessories (including the newest electronics) from the manufacturers.   The Atlanta Boat Show typically kicks off the new season in early January, then it’s the Show of Shows — the Miami Boat Show in February.  

 If you’re in the market for a new boat, or simply want to see what might be in your future, the Miami show is definitely ‘the’ place to be.  Everything from the smallest tenders and dinghies to 250 foot Mega Yachts will be there.  AND you can get some sweet deals…primarily manifested in the form of extended warranties OR super deals on last year’s models with new warranties.   Miami also is one of a very few shows that actually offer on-the-water boat tests.   Not only can you crawl all over the boat and talk to the manufacturers, you can sign up for a sea trial of your dream boat.  Very important when making the final decision on which boat to buy!

But don’t despair if Miami happens to be on the other side of the world for you… there are NMMA Boat Shows all across the US.    Just go to www.nmma.org or www.discoverboating.com  and you can get the complete schedule.

And when you buy your new boat, be sure to stay you’re prepared to handle it and know the Rules of the Road, etc.   We’ve got the perfect video to get you up to speed with the basics you need to know to be a better, safer skipper.   Check out our complete library of How-To DVDs on a variety of boating and fishing topics at www.nutsandboltsfishing.com  

 Good luck shopping, and be safe on the water.

Capt. Cefus

 In this Nuts & Bolts Radio segment, Capt. Wiley Horton of Tuner Sportfishing shares some tips and fun facts on keeping your tackle up to snuff — plus a little hint on some winter time fishing.

 Click on the player below to hear more.

 Tuner Tackle Tips: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On this episode of Nuts & Bolts Radio, Capt. Cefus chats with Capt. Wiley Horton of Tuner Sportfishing about the CCA.

The Coastal Conservation Association is a group with a national voice to help preserve the rights and fishing opportunities for the recreational angler.  Capt. Wiley Horton explains some of the things the CCA is doing to maintain the bounties of the oceans, rivers, lakes and streams for today’s angler and for the future.   If you’d like to know more about the CCA, look them up at www.cca.org  And be sure to check out www.tunersportfishing.com  for an exciting day of fishing the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic coast of Florida.

 Nuts & Bolts Radio CCA: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This episode of Nuts & Bolts Radio focuses on the battle between monofilament and braided line.  Capt. Chuck Simpson of Big Bend Fishing is my guest to sort out the pro’s and con’s of each type of line.   Click on the link to hear the show.  And remember, these and all our other Blog video & audio links are available as Pod Casts too.   

CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO LISTEN

 Nuts & Bolts Radio - Episode 1: Mono versus Braided Line: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Piscatorial Paradise.  Yep, it’s hot outside…but if you plan your fishing trips to coincide with early morning tidal movement, you can be off the water before the sun gets directly overhead…. And you can get your fill of fishing excitement — plus a few filets for the grill.  In both of these segments, we hooked-up with quality fish, had a great time on the water, and were back at the docks in time for lunch.   Plus we avoided the typical afternoon thunderstorms.  

 Enjoy.

Watch Now:

 Podcast Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Flash Video [15:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Summer is in full swing, and for the Southeast US, summertime fishing conditions last well into September.   The Dog Days of Summer mean hot temperatures for anglers, but if you can stand the heat, these times can be some of the hottest fishing action of the year.   Southeast Florida waters have a healthy population of sailfish, dolphin, wahoo and other bluewater species, while the upper Florida panhandle is home to grouper, amberjack, cobia, snapper and more.   Watch the video blog clip for more insight on what’s biting and where.

 Tight lines,

Capt. Cefus 

Watch Now:

 Podcast Video [2:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Flash Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here’s yet another way to stay in-touch with what’s happening on the water, and under the water.   The Nuts & Bolts Web-Radio program will provide contemporary content each week to keep you up on boating and fishing topics.  Featured guests including charter captains, rod builders, mechanics, and others will join Capt. Cefus to discuss everything from selecting a used boat to what’s biting and where.   And it will be available at the click of a button right here on this blog and via PodCast.   So add this site to your RSS Feed notification in the upper right hand corner of your browser, or add it to your Favorites List and check back often.   You never know who will show up on the program.  It’s free, it’s full of great information and it’s always fun.

 Capt. Cefus

Last week, a jet plane carried me to the great state of Maine.   And what they say about Maine weather is very true… “If you don’t like the weather now, then wait a minute and it will change.”   I’m thinking, it’s July…pack t-shirts, short pants and a rain jacket.  Wrong!   The highs were in the low 60’s and the lows were, well, darn cold!  For 3 days, I felt like I was going to freeze.   For the first three nights we were there, we built a fire in the fireplace.   What was I thinking???   On day 4, we made the trip to the Kittery Trading Post — a mecca for hunters and fishers alike.  I bought a new polarfleece, windproof/waterproof jacket and of course, that afternoon the skies cleared, the rain quit and the temps went into the 80’s.   Go figure.  

Another thing about the coastal areas of Maine.   The tidal rise and fall is huge!   10 1/2 feet.  That results in a heavy current at the inlets and river mouths.   Even miles inshore, where we would fish tidal marshes for stripers and bluefish, the current was ripping.  A word to the wise, if you’re planning on kayaking or canoeing these tidal rivers anywhere near the tide change, better eat your Wheaties.  

Maine is beautiful in the summertime.  But time your visit when the greenhead flies aren’t around, otherwise they will eat you alive.   Mosquitos at dusk are pesky too.   But the lobster, clams and amazing onion rings at roadside eatery’s more than makes up for the flying teeth you may have to put up with.   The fishing is superb, and you can catch sea-run stripers in the surf, the marshes, and in the backwaters around the islands of Casco Bay. 

 And if you’ve ever opened a coffee table picture book with pictures of Maine, it really doesn’t do justice to seeing it first hand.   Although I’m glad to be back home, this was truly a fantastic trip. 

Capt. Cefus