Deep Sea Fishing Tips for Beginners

A deep sea fishing experience is one of the most exciting adventures you can have in Florida. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a heavy fish hitting your line while you are surrounded by nothing but the deep blue ocean.

If you are new to fishing charters, you might feel a little nervous about your first time out. Don’t worry! You don’t need years of experience to land a trophy fish if you have the right mindset and the right crew. Here is everything you need to know to make your first trip a success. These deep sea fishing tips for beginners will help you feel prepared before you ever leave the dock. Most charters will bring essentials like rods, tackle, bait, and ice, so you can show up focused on the experience instead of packing like you’re moving.

Preparation Before You Go Saltwater Fishing

If it’s your first saltwater fishing trip in Florida, choosing the right deep sea fishing charter matters more than most people realize. A reputable charter keeps the day safe, comfortable, and organized, which is exactly what you want when you’re still learning. A modern boat with a local captain also means fewer headaches. You get cleaner rides, faster runs to the grounds, and a crew that knows how to coach you without making it stressful.

Know the Conditions

Checking weather and tides is not just about the bite. It’s about comfort and safety on open waters. Wind direction and wave period change how the ride feels. Tides and currents affect how we fish reefs and offshore edges. If the forecast is questionable, it doesn’t mean the fishing trip is ruined. It just means your captain may adjust the plan to keep it enjoyable, especially for a first-timer.

Set Your Target

Before the fishing trip, it helps to know what is realistic for that season and what rules apply locally in Florida. Species shift through the year. In South Florida, winter is a prime window for sailfish. Spring and summer are often better for mahi. Regulations also change based on species, size limits, and seasons, so it’s smart to ask what’s in play for the week you’re fishing. A good charter will already be dialed in on what’s legal, what’s biting, and what gives you the best chance at a fun day.

What Beginners Should Pack and Wear

Having the right fishing gear, plus a few smart fishing accessories, will make your first deep-sea fishing trip easier. You stay comfortable, you stay safer on the deck, and you can focus on fishing instead of fighting the sun or the motion. Keep it simple and bring what actually helps out there. Make sure all your fishing gear is packed the night before and organized in one spot.

Sun Protection That Actually Works

Offshore sun is stronger than most people expect because it reflects off the water all day. The best setup is simple. Use lotion sunblock, not spray. Spray sunscreen makes decks slick, and that’s when people slip. Wear a long-sleeve UPF shirt, a hat, and polarized sunglasses so you can see what’s happening on the surface.

Footwear Matters

Wear shoes with non-slip soles so you stay steady when the boat rocks. Light colored soles are also a good idea because they keep the deck cleaner. The goal is comfort and traction, not fashion.

Take Motion Sickness Medication Early

If you’re prone to seasickness, take your motion sickness medication before you leave the dock. Once you feel sick, you’re already behind the curve. That one step changes the whole fishing trip for a lot of first-timers.

Fishing Safety Gear

Most deep sea charters carry the required safety gear, but fishing safety starts with knowing where it is and how it’s used. It also helps to confirm the safety gear looks in tip-top condition and is easy to access. Before you start fishing, ask the crew to point out the life jackets, the first-aid kit, the VHF radio, the fire extinguisher, and the distress signals for day and night. If the boat carries an EPIRB, ask where it is and who activates it. Then ask one last question: what do you want me to do first if someone falls overboard? That two-minute walkthrough lowers panic, speeds up response, and makes the whole trip safer.

How to Avoid Seasickness Offshore

If you’ve never been offshore, this is the part most people worry about. The good news is seasickness is usually preventable when you do a few simple things early. The goal is to stay comfortable, stay hydrated, and let the crew keep the trip running smoothly.

Why Outboards Can Help

If you get motion sick, pay attention to the boat you’re booking, not just the fishing. Older diesel boats can trap fumes around the cockpit, and that smell is one of the fastest ways to make a first-timer feel rough. A modern outboard setup keeps the air cleaner back there, which makes it easier to stay comfortable and stay in the game. If seasickness is a concern for anyone in your group, tell your captain before the trip and ask what the boat runs, because a cleaner ride plus the right habits can completely change the day.

Simple Habits That Keep You Feeling Good

If you start to feel off, stay on deck and look at the horizon. Fresh air helps. Water helps. Small sips all day are better than chugging once you already feel rough. Avoid staring down at your phone for long stretches. That’s the fastest way to get the spins.

Listen to the Crew

Your captain and crew are your best resource, especially on your first trip. When you hear a quick instruction, follow it immediately. Most commands are about safety and keeping lines organized, and fast reactions prevent tangles and accidents.

Learn the Deep-Sea Fishing Techniques

Sea fishing gets easier once you understand the two main approaches used on most trips. Saltwater fishing offshore usually comes down to two styles. One focuses on covering water to locate active fish. The other focuses on fishing structure and staying in the strike zone. Many charters will start with one approach and switch as conditions change.

Trolling: Covering Water For Topwater Fish

Trolling is a common “search” method offshore. The boat pulls lures, and sometimes baits, at controlled speeds to mimic what predator fish are already chasing. The goal is to cover ground while watching for offshore signs that often lead to bites, such as birds working, bait on the surface, weed lines, current rips, and clean water edges. When those signs show up, this approach can produce topwater pelagics like mahi and tuna.

For someone who is new to fishing boats, it's important to stay calm when a rod goes off. Many problems happen when someone grabs the wrong rod, reels against a screaming drag, or steps across other lines during the excitement. A good crew will give quick instructions, and following them prevents tangles and lost fish.

Bottom Fishing: Reefs and Wrecks With Nonstop Action

Bottom fishing is hands-on and often the easiest style for first-timers to enjoy. Anglers drop weighted rigs down to reefs or wrecks and keep the bait near the bottom where fish feed. When the bite is active, this style can keep the pace fun and consistent, which is why it’s popular for families and mixed groups. Reefs and wrecks commonly produce snapper and grouper, along with other structure fish depending on depth and season.

Two basics matter when catching fish this way. First, maintain bottom contact so the bait stays in the strike zone. Second, set the hook with steady pressure, not a hard “swing.” Reeling down until the line is tight and lifting smoothly usually lands more fish than jerking the rod.

The Right Bait Is Whatever the Fish Are Eating

There is no single bait that works every day. Strong charters match bait and presentation to what the fish are feeding on in the moment. On some days, live bait is the best option because it looks natural and triggers aggressive strikes. On other days, specific lures get more attention because they match the size and speed of the bait in the water. The most consistent crews adjust their plan instead of forcing one tactic all day.

Handling the Catch

Hooking a fish is only half the job. Most lost fish happen in the last part of the fight, when people get excited and start rushing. A calm approach, steady pressure, and listening to the crew usually lands more fish than raw effort.

Reel Smart, Not Hard

When someone is new to fishing, it's common to try to “win” by cranking as fast as possible. That usually creates problems. The better method is pump and reel: lift the rod smoothly to gain line, then reel as the rod is lowered. This keeps consistent pressure on the fish, reduces fatigue, and lowers the chance of the hook popping free.

Let The Crew Land The Fish

Large fish should not be lifted by hand or swung into the boat. That’s how rods break and people get hurt. The crew will handle the leader, the gaff when appropriate, and the landing. The angler’s job is to keep steady pressure and follow instructions, especially when the fish gets close and starts making last-minute runs.

Release Trophy Fish With Respect

Some fish are better released, especially trophy species like sailfish and many sharks. Catch and release protects the fishery and keeps South Florida fishing strong over time. A good crew will manage the release quickly and carefully so the fish has the best chance of swimming off strong.

The Final Reward: From Boat to Table

For many first-timers, this is the part that makes the whole trip feel real. The day is fun on the water, but bringing home fresh fish, keeping it in great shape, and knowing what to do with it afterward is what completes the Florida fishing experience.

Filleting and Processing

Eating the catch is one of the best parts of sea fishing. Many charters will keep fish iced on the boat during the trip, and they can help process the catch at the dock depending on the charter’s setup.

To prep ahead of time, guests should bring a clean cooler for the ride home and have ice ready, especially for longer drives. Guests should also decide how they want the fish packed, like full fillets, smaller portions, or dinner-size cuts, so the crew can process it the way it will be cooked later.

Keep It Cold Fast

Photos are great, but freshness comes first. The best rule is simple: take the quick photo, then get the fish back on ice. Temperature protects quality. The sooner the fish is chilled, the better it eats later.

Make the Memory Last

A trophy fish is not always about eating it. If someone lands a catch they will never forget, it’s worth asking about local taxidermy. A good mount lets you keep that memory for years.

A Simple Next Step

If this is your first fishing experience, the smartest move is to pick a season that matches what you want to catch, then talk through expectations before you book. Let the crew know if anyone gets seasick, if kids are coming, and whether the target is action, a trophy shot, or bringing fish home. That one conversation can turn a basic trip into something epic because it lets the crew tailor the day to your goals.

Start Your Fishing Experience With Second Wynnd

Second Wynnd is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida fishing charter run by Captain Preston Courtney. He grew up on these waters and started working on fishing charters in high school. The crew fishes based on the season and conditions, not a copy-and-paste route. They adjust the plan to fit your group, whether that means steady action for kids or chasing a trophy bite offshore. They also make it easy for first-timers by providing tackle, fuel, crew support, water and ice, bait, the fishing license, and fish processing, so you can focus solely on the trip and sea fishing. If you'd like to book a trip, contact us today.