Salt Strong Fishing

For years, I had trouble falling asleep. Some nights my anxiety would kick into high gear while other nights I simply rolled around for what felt like hours. I began to think I had sleep apnea. But one day I was listening to a highly successful man (Ron Carson) talk about how a book on sleeping changed his life. I read the book and before too long I was having some of the best sleep of my life. I truly believe this can work for almost anyone (of course, if you have a legit sleep disorder then you need more help). Hope this helps.

In today's episode, we take out 9-year old Shauna in Tampa Bay to get her on some fish. A cold front had just come in and it was tough to get bait so instead we simply trolled the flats until we found the fish. Ended up having a pretty awesome day (shortly after we stopped filming, we found a big school of trout and caught them until we were tired). The moral of the story is, do some trolling until you find the fish. Enjoy.

If you're wondering why it's so hard to get fishing tackle right now, here's the truth about why tackle is hard to come by. In a sentence, the demand for fishing tackle has DOUBLED (if not tripled), and supply has been crushed (due to a combination of Covid, lack of components, supply chain issues, workers not showing up, etc. Listen in as we share exactly what's happening, when we should expect things to get better, and what this means for fishing in 2021.

A study by Gallop revealed that 85% of Americans do not enjoy their job. These same people are the ones who "live for the weekend" and get almost all of their pleasure in life starting Friday afternoon. This might sound harsh, but if this describes your life, you're wasting it. God never intended any of his children to "live for the weekend" and be stuck in dead-end jobs that we don't love. Listen in as we share some ideas on how to fix this national issue.

It's been a crazy windy year! The bad news is that for most of us we don't get to choose the days we fish so we've got to know how to get some strikes even when the wind is cranking. This past week, we had 20+ MPH winds and were having trouble fishing our normal spots. So listen in to what we did on the edge of a grass flat. Best news is that it doesn't require a trolling motor or PowerPole. Tight lines!

In this episode, the Salt Strong crew breaks down the best braided fishing lines based on tests they have been doing. We discuss fishing line breaking strength (knots), casting distance, wind knots, and more. Some of the main brands we discuss are PowerPro, Daiwa J-braid, Fins, Beyond Braid, Sufix, and Spiderwire. If you've ever dealt with wind knots, knots that slip, or just a bad batch of braided line then you don't want to miss this episode. Tight lines!

For years, I was a bit "clumsy" when I prayed. I didn't know what to say or what to ask for. But after many years of trial and error, I've finally found some rhythm to praying. Hope this helps someone out there.

We get a lot of anglers asking us about many of these "super realistic" looking inshore saltwater fishing lures. And we try them all... But truth is, most (but not all) of them don't work very well. In fact, some of these crazy realistic lures flat out don't work at all! And yet, they are some of the most expensive. Listen is as the team discussed some of the best (and worst) realistic lures we've tried.

In this episode, we target large speckled trout on the flats using nothing but two artificial lures, some custom scent, and some long casts. You'll discover the types of fishing spots that hold these big trout, the best color lures to use, the best fish scent, and even some conservation tips. If you love catching big trout, then you're going to love this LIVE on the water episode.

Yep, I cried again on a podcast... Hearing this story of a family I know lose their 5-year old son due to a truck running him over was a tear-jerker. What's also sad is that a tragedy like this usually breaks up families and sends people into a tailspin. But God had different plans for Summer, her husband Reppard, and their family. Listen in as Summer shares how they found hope, forgiveness, and the goodness of God out of all the suffering. A must-listen to episode (and a must-read book where they've documented everything called "Hope Remains.")

In this episode, we have on Estuarine Ecologist Charles Martin to discuss everything they are discovering in their snook tagging research. The wildest thing is that snook aren't necessarily moving south like we all think... most are moving either inland or north! Yes, they are finding snook upwards of South Carolina now! Listen in as we discuss some cool intel on the common snook.

If you want to catch more inshore slams (redfish, speckled trout, snook, and flounder) this spring then you don't want to miss this episode! We have the entire team on to share their best tips on finding the fish during this spring transition period. We share WHERE (best spots), WHEN (best tides), WHAT (what lures and bait to use), and HOW to use each one to maximize strikes. Enjoy!

Let's face it, we're all busy. The sad part is that most of us get so busy that we sabotage our own days by having all of the things that really matter out of order. We say that family is important, yet we barely give our families and spouses much of our time. We say that God is important, yet we don't set aside time to talk to HIM (unless it's convenient). If you've ever felt overwhelmed and are looking for some structure and more freedom in your life, then you're going to love this episode.

In this episode, we have on Uncle Shane from Fishing's Future to discuss how he's using fishing to unite families, getting parent's re-engaged with their kids, and expanding the fishing footprint across America. You'll get to hear about his family fish camps, the amazing fishing curriculum he's using, and how his Fishing Future chapters are making a difference in America. Enjoy.

Even if you're not a live bait angler, this episode will benefit you big time. Because let's face it, if there is bait around, then there is most likely some predator fish around. In fact, we've found that tossing out a bit of our exclusive chum has been a great way to bring in the trout, spanish mackerel, and mangrove snapper right to your boat! Listen in as we show the easiest way to catch a bunch of bait on the flats (even in the winter).

I just had a few instances where I realized just how much our young kids are listening (and mimicking) us... sometimes good, sometimes not so good. Listen in as I share a few things that have happened recently with my own kids repeating things that I didn't know they were hearing... I'll also share a story of a young man who just lost a job with us due to something he said on social media. Enjoy.

Attention all kayak anglers looking to take their game up a notch! In this episode, we have one of the top saltwater kayak anglers (Justin Ritchey) on to discuss why most inshore saltwater anglers fail in their first few tournaments. Justin went from the bottom of the leaderboard to the very top (going all the way to the Hobie World Event) and has documented everything that helped him reach the top. Regardless if you want to enter your first tournament, if you're already participating in tournaments, or if you just want an edge over your buddies, this episode has some amazing intel. Enjoy!

Are you a mono or fluoro angler? After hearing this, you might change your mind... We recently had a long conversation with someone high up at one of the leading leader material manufacturers and we share everything we learned (plus compare it what our own tests are showing). If you want to ensure that you have the best leader line for inshore saltwater fishing, then you don't want to miss this.

In this hard-hitting episode about pornography and what it is doing to our relationships, families, and kids, we have on Kyle Vardeman to discuss everything he's discovered after years of research on the negative effects of porn. Not only does it affect our brain, but porn is directly tied to sex trafficking and minors. Finally, we discuss some solutions that Kyle has seen work time and time again.

We've said it time and time again... one of the main keys to becoming a consistent inshore saltwater angler is to become a specialist with one or two lures. Well, Floridian Eric Lhopitault took our advice and fished with just one paddletail lure (Z-Man SLAM SHADY) for an entire year! What happened surprised even Eric! Let's just say he had a record-breaking personal year, caught more snook and redfish that he thought possible (some days catching over 60 snook), and hasn't been skunked in years now. Listen in to this awesome story.

If you want a quick and easy way to catch sheepshead then you're going to love this. Not only did we not have to crank up the big motor, but we caught these sheepshead on artificial crabs! Listen in as we discuss one of our favorite ways to catch sheepshead on bad conditioned days. You'll learn: The best crab lures for sheepshead The best type of residential docks for sheepshead The ideal rig and hook-set Enjoy!

I've got to apologize in advance for getting emotional on this one... but there was a lot to unpack and it was one of those God moments I'll never forget. If you've ever wondered if there is a God, this episode is for you.

Have you seen Slam Shady in Bass Pro Shops yet? How about Dicks or Academy? Listen in as we discuss how the proprietary Slam Shady color is going global (even found in Australia) and exactly why this is taking off crazy! If you don't know the full Slam Shady story (and makes this lure so special), then you're going to love this.

Let's face it, fishing groups on Facebook just aren't what they used to be. And that's coming from someone who started what is now the largest saltwater fishing group on Facebook. But sadly, these groups have become filled with negativity, obscenities, spam, and now even Facebook itself deciding what the users can see. Listen in as we discuss the online community that we are spending all of our time in (that doesn't sensor your posts or comments). Enjoy!

What side of the fence do you fall on? Rich or poor? Prosperous or unfortunate? Listen in as I share a story from a 26-year old millennial who summed up our warped sense of prosperity in a few paragraphs. Trust me, you're going to want to hear this one!

In this episode, we are fishing LIVE with Capt. Mark "Hollywood" Johnson in the Keys to show just how easy it is to catch mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, jacks, and more on a patch reef. What a blast for the entire family. This makes getting a ton of tight lines in the Keys super easy!

In this episode, Salt Strong fishing coaches Wyatt and Tony share some of their best tips to find redfish and trout feeding zones in the cooler months. They discuss WHERE to find redfish and trout (types of spots), WHEN (best tides and time of day), WHAT lures to use, and HOW to use them to attract more strikes. Enjoy this one!

What an amazing story from fisherman Dan Floen who was given just 8 months to live from doctors due to the melanoma that had spread through his body. Hear how Dan learned to "Trust" his guide (God), how God responds when you take a step in faith, and how God molds us to become fishers of men.

In this episode, we bring on the team to discuss everything you could want to know about saltwater kayak fishing. We discuss the best kayak brands, must-have accessories, mistakes to avoid, how to rig up your kayak, where to store tackle, best kayak carts, and more.

In this bridge fishing episode, we head out with Capt. Mark "Hollywood" Johnson and film a LIVE episode of how he uses chum to catch endless amounts of mangrove snapper, jack crevalle, and grouper around bridge pilings. If you want a super-easy way to catch a bunch of fish for the entire family then you'll definitely want to hear this.

Do you feel like fear is getting in the way of you reaching your dreams? Don't worry, you aren't alone. But that doesn't mean you can overcome it either. Listen in as I share some things I've had to do in order to beat fear.

If you've ever wanted to learn how to repair your own fishing reels then you're going to love this new episode with special guest Dennis from 2nd Chance Tackle. We break the discussion down into four different parts: Conventional reels Level wind reels Spinning reels Lever drag reels I can't wait to hear your feedback and questions so we can record a new live interview with Dennis to answer all of your reel repair questions.

Looking to hire a fishing guide in the future? Well, here are same things to look out for (and request). Like any occupation, there are great people, good people, and those you should avoid altogether... so listen in to hear how we personally go about looking for a good captain and charter.

I can't help but discuss the war that is going on right in front of us... Morals, Msision, Vision, and Purpose have all been thrown out the door. Many would prefer that God's name is silenced... and yet we wonder why there is so much hate and anger. Listen in as I have a candid conversation about the spiritual warfare I'm seeing out there (and how it impacts you).

What a story! Salt Strong fishing coach Wyatt just moved from NC to Texas and went out fishing in Texas waters for the very first time. Listen in to what happened, how he did it, and some really powerful lessons learned for fishing a new area (or state). Tight lines!

Did you know that many of the popular spinning reels targeted at saltwater anglers are no different than the bass reels? Listen in as we discuss what makes a saltwater spinning reel different than just a freshwater spinning reel. We also discuss hybrids, pros and cons of reels, different brands, etc.

What's your dream? Are you living it currently? In a perfect world, what kind of work are you doing? Are you doing it now? If not, this episode is for you... don't settle for anything but your dreams and your best version of you (the one that God created you to be).

If you are into catching BIG snook, redfish, and speckled trout then you've got to hear about this new shrimp lure called the Power Prawn. This artificial shrimp has proven to work in all depths and it even out-fishing live bait in many instances. Listen in as we discuss why this shrimp lure is catching so many big fish (and how you can get yours today).

If you want to know which weighted hooks are best for certain soft plastics (and certain depths), then you don't want to miss this episode. Listen in as we discuss the best hook brands, gaps, sizes, weights, and more.

One of the best ways to shape the future is to learn from (and alter) the mistakes and bad habits from the past. So every year I like to reflect on where I spent my time, mistakes made, what drained me emotionally, what type of people gave me energy, etc. So in this episode, I share all of the advice to my 2020 self...

If you love catching speckled trout, you're going to love this episode. We break down the similarities and differences between catching specks in each state, what lures have proven to work for big speckled trout everywhere, some of the best tactics for finding the big schools, and we end with some gator trout tips. Enjoy!

It's winter time and that means changing up the lures a bit. In this episode, the guys from Salt Strong share the best winter time lures for catching slams (redfish, trout, snook, and flounder). We discuss some new lures, some oldies, and best jigheads. Enjoy!

Have you ever heard from God? For years, I thought it wasn't real... but then I asked HIM a question and the craziest thing happened... not once, but over ten different times. Listen in as I discuss my experiences with hearing from God.

In this episode, I bring on redfish guru Luke Simonds to discuss how he finds new redfish spots in all four seasons (including best tides, best lures, and best redfish tips for each season). If you haven 't downloaded the book, Redfish Secrets, please go here now: www.redfishsecrets.com

In this episode, team Salt Strong shares their biggest breakthroughs, lessons, new tackle, and "a-ha" moments for the past year. Listen in as we discuss our favorite new lures, mistakes made, cost-savings, and more. Enjoy!

I can't think of a better way to start the year than to forgive someone you've been angry with... to release any and all anger... to start the year free of hatred and contempt... to have a clean slate... listen in...

In this episode, I have on Andrew Walker, President & CEO of the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida to share what is going on with the a disease outbreak known as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease that is impacted one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Listen in as Andy shares what is going on, what they are doing about it, and what this means for the future of our coral reefs off of Florida.

One year ago, Salt Strong Insider member Pat Ogletree decided he would only fish with topwater lures for an entire year. As someone who fishes multiple times per week (year round), we knew he would get some amazing intel on what topwater brands are the best, what size lures work best during certain seasons, do colors matter, and much much more. Listen in and enjoy!

The nones... the religiously unaffiliated. We've discussed this topic a few times over the past week and now we have the author himself, Dr. James Emery White, to discuss this fastest growing religious group of our time. Enjoy this hard-hitting episode.

It's sheepshead time! In this episode, the guys from Salt Strong share all of their best sheepshead tips (including favorite sheepshead lures, rigs, live bait, types of spots, and even mistakes to avoid). If you love sheepshead (or want to start catching more), then you're going to love this episode!