In The Spread

12/04/2025

Getting your trolling speed wrong by just 2 knots? That's why you're watching others load coolers while you struggle.

King mackerel demand patience at 3-6 knots with live bait. Spanish mackerel chase spoons at 6-7 knots. Wahoo strike at 15 knots offshore. Three species, three completely different approaches.

Our latest guide breaks down exactly what works for each fish: tackle setups, bait selection, rigging techniques, and the regional patterns that separate productive trips from disappointment.

Whether you're bump trolling for trophy kings, sight casting to Spanish feeding frenzies, or running high-speed wahoo spreads, this is the most comprehensive trolling guide you'll find.

Read the full article:

Learn proven trolling techniques for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel & wahoo. Expert speeds, rigs, baits & seasonal patterns for consistent catches.

11/27/2025

Today is a day to give thanks for the blessings in your life. I want to thank you all for being apart of our digital family. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

11/13/2025

Ever watch another boat absolutely slay grouper while you're anchored on the same wreck getting nothing? 🎣

We've all been there. Same bait. Same tackle. Same reef.
The difference? They knew EXACTLY where to position their boat.

Most anglers think being "close to structure" is good enough. But here's what the pros know:
🔹 Grouper want your bait 30-90 feet upcurrent of the wreck
🔹 Red snapper suspend mid-water, not on the bottom
🔹 Flounder stack on subtle depth changes you can barely see
🔹 Wrong positioning = your bait never reaches the fish

We just dropped a thorough guide to boat positioning. It covers everything from reading current and tides to species-specific strategies that actually work.

Whether you bottom fish inshore or offshore, this is the stuff that turns frustrating trips into fish stories.

Check it out 👉 https://inthespread.com/blog/how-to-position-a-boat-for-bottom-fishing-396

Drop a comment: What's your biggest challenge with boat positioning? 👇

Learn proven boat positioning techniques for bottom fishing. Expert anchoring, drift control, tidal timing, and current strategies for a better catch rate.

10/20/2025

Why do some anglers consistently outfish everyone else?

They've mastered something most weekend fishermen ignore: tidal timing.
After analyzing thousands of successful saltwater fishing trips, one truth stands out. Understanding tidal movements can increase your catch rates by 200-300% compared to fishing during slack tide.

The latest comprehensive guide from In The Spread breaks down:
✓ How incoming vs outgoing tides affect fish behavior
✓ Species-specific strategies (snook, redfish, tarpon, flounder, stripers)
✓ Regional adaptations for Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts
✓ The science behind why fish feed aggressively during moving water
✓ Safety considerations for extreme tidal conditions

Whether you're targeting mangrove-lined creeks, fishing bridge structures at night, or working offshore reefs, tidal mastery is the difference between hoping for fish and knowing where they'll be.

The best part? Most fish feed during the first 2 hours of rising or falling tide—simple timing that transforms results.

Read the complete strategy guide: https://inthespread.com/blog/how-tides-affect-saltwater-fishing-complete-strategy-395

Learn how tidal movements affect fish behavior and feeding patterns. Proven strategies for timing saltwater fishing trips to maximize catch rates inshore and offshore.

10/15/2025

You never know what you'll see driving down the highway. Smarter Fishing starts with the acquisition of knowledge and we have it on tap.

10/07/2025

For decades, charter captains have sworn by barometric pressure for predicting fish behavior. Scientists? They can't prove it works. So I spent weeks digging through research papers, analyzing fish biology, and talking to professionals who live by pressure readings.

Here's what I found: Both sides are right.

Fish probably can't feel atmospheric pressure changes directly (the math just doesn't work). But pressure trends still predict fishing success incredibly well—just not for the reasons most anglers think.

The article breaks down:

→ Why the swim bladder theory falls apart under scrutiny

→ What's actually happening when pressure drops before storms

→ Which species respond most (and which don't care at all)

→ A step by step decision framework you can use on the water

Whether you're a weekend warrior or a professional guide, understanding the science behind the patterns will make you a smarter angler.

Sometimes the folk wisdom works, even when the explanation is wrong. Understanding why changes everything.

Full breakdown on In The Spread: https://inthespread.com/blog/barometric-pressure-saltwater-fishing-science-behind-the-bite-394

Learn how barometric pressure affects saltwater fishing. Scientific research, species responses, and practical strategies for better catch rates.

09/22/2025

The Triggerfish Problem: Why experienced anglers are failing and how to fix it ->

Picture this: You're on a productive reef. You feel the bites. But hook after hook comes back stripped clean.

Welcome to triggerfish fishing, where traditional techniques don't just fail, they fail spectacularly.

The game changer? A technique that feels completely wrong.
The reel-set method eliminates the rod lift entirely. Instead, you crank your high-speed reel as fast as possible the moment you detect a bite. It's counterintuitive. It contradicts everything you've learned about reef fishing.

And it works 80% of the time.
Our latest guide covers the complete system:
✅ Terminal tackle that matches their tiny mouths ( #4- #6 circles)
✅ Bait prep that survives their surgical nibbling
✅ Complex Gulf vs Atlantic regulations (they change often)
✅ Structure reading with modern electronics
✅ Conservation practices for stocks still rebuilding

This isn't just about catching one species. The precision required for triggerfish from electronics interpretation to bite detection elevates your entire reef fishing skillset.

Because mastering what others find impossible is what separates good anglers from great ones.

Ready to join the 20% who consistently succeed?

👉 Read the full breakdown: https://inthespread.com/blog/triggerfish-fishing-western-atlantic-gulf-methods-393

In The Spread: Fishing knowledge that works in the real world.

Learn proven triggerfish fishing techniques for Western Atlantic & Gulf of Mexico. Regulations, tackle, baits & reel-set methods that work.

09/04/2025

Good eats on deck! It's nice making quick work of getting the table fare. Fire 🔥 up the skillet.

09/03/2025

The pinfish is arguable the best inshore fishing bait in the Western Atlantic. Snook, redfish, seatrout, grouper, cobia and jacks all feast irresistibly on the pinfish.

09/03/2025

Ever wondered why some anglers consistently catch mangrove snapper while others struggle to get a bite?

The secret isn't luck - it's understanding these incredibly intelligent fish and their unpredictable feeding patterns.

Mangrove snapper are unlike any other species. They change from female to male as they grow, migrate from shallow nurseries to deep offshore structures, and use "hit-and-run" feeding tactics that can shut down without warning.

Our new comprehensive guide reveals the exact techniques that work:

✓ How to sight fish them in crystal clear shallows
✓ Why the "Louisiana macaroni method" drives them crazy around oil platforms
✓ Specific tackle setups for inshore vs offshore success
✓ The boat positioning mistake that kills your chances before you start
✓ Advanced chumming strategies that pull them up from deep structure

The difference between hoping for fish and actually catching them comes down to matching your approach to their behavior patterns and the specific conditions you're facing.

Whether you're targeting 2-pound fish around dock pilings or trophy-class specimens on deep Gulf platforms, the same principles of stealth, precision, and adaptability determine your success.

What's your biggest challenge when targeting mangrove snapper? Drop a comment below - I'd love to hear about your experiences and share some specific tips.

Check out the full guide at the link below and let me know what techniques work best in your area.

Learn proven mangrove snapper fishing techniques for inshore and offshore success. Complete guide covers best baits, tackle setups, and expert tips.

08/29/2025

There are not many individuals from the sport fishing world that will leave such an indelible mark, as the one left by this remarkable man. Pioneer, legend, maverick are all words that come to mind, but none really capture the magic Flip brought to the world of fishing. God rest his soul.

08/21/2025

Beautiful colors on the glorious day. Even though it was hot as hell, knowing the right tactics paid off. I do mean it was hot 🔥 🥵