Some general information on artificial baits

Last week I mentioned I would pass along a few of the have-to-have, should-have and better-have items related to saltwater fishing with a focus on the surf. I am willing to share my list of things you can't do without while dragging your feet in the sand, but there are provisions.

First, there are no guarantees, warranties or endorsements. All actions will be at your own risk and I will not be held responsible for any actions otherwise.

Second, fishing is a sport, and like any sport, there will be both good and bad days. I sympathize with you on the bad and share in your triumphs for any good days you may experience.

Third, I divulge myself of any assumed conclusion on your part that I will be available to help you clean your catch, wash your boat, stow your gear or clean your fishing rods.

Finally, by these provisions, I remain detached from any excuse you may be obliged to give to your boss, wife, or girlfriend as to why you failed to do what it was you were supposed to do instead of going fishing.

While much of the information may seem elementary to some, to the novice, it is like a foreign language. This is what has been asked for, so for all you veteran fishermen, lets give equal time to others, because as everyone knows, we fishermen are a generous lot.

A good many individuals have asked that I be a bit more descriptive in the terms and technologies used when describing fishing lures.

For the benefit of those individuals, a small summary is provided which may be of assistance. Saltwater fishing is a very popular sport and knowing what lures will attract the fish you seek can be invaluable.

While there are numerous varieties on the market, the following information will supply you with the basics to help you decide or at least to make an intelligent guess. Many anglers spend hours trying to determine the best fishing lures for a particular body of water or situation. Put simply, it does not need to be so complex. We place more burdens than are necessary simply because there is such a diverse choice for the fisherman.

Perhaps the most popular lures are the ones that float. These are the bread-and-butter lures you see on the shelves and are the most lucrative for the fisherman, distributor and manufacturer. Floating lures work well in this respect because the angler can see what his bait is doing and has more fun doing it. Too often more action is imparted than is necessary, but at times, this is what the fish want -- the odd and the different.

Floating lures come in all sizes and shapes, with or without rotating blades and usually have a mass of hooks attached to the body. These lures remain on the surface during the retrieve and impart the action of a wounded fish or one that is fleeing from a predator. Surface lures are excellent choices when larger fish are feeding close to the surface.

There are numerous variations of floating lures that are designed to do different things on the retrieve. Subsurface lures will run just under the surface of the water and then pop to the surface once the retrieve is stopped. Diving lures have a large lip at the front of the lure and the faster you crank the handle of your reel, the deeper the plug will dive. The size of the lip dictates how deep the lure will go. Suspended lures will dive as well but take a bit longer to return to the surface once the retrieve is halted.

• Spinner bait: This lure consists of a blade or blades that rotate on a spindle. The spindle is usually a section of wire that is attached to a body that may or may not resemble a bait fish. When the lure is retrieved, the blades reflect the light which resembles the scales on a fish. Larger fish are drawn to this flash as well as the movement and sound of the blades as they rotate. This lure can be used for all depths, depending on the weight and the speed of your retrieve.

• Lead head jigs/grubs: This lure can be used in all bodies of water, during all seasons and at any depth. Sizes generally run from 1/8-ounce to 2 ounces with larger sizes used in deeper offshore waters. Mainly this lure is an action choice. This is for when the fish are biting and you want to save your time and energy catching fish, not changing lures. It also works when the fish are not biting and you are in search mode to find what they want. Your choice of colors will vary depending on what strikes your fancy at the time. Most fishermen prefer a neutral color or one that imitates that of other baitfish in the vicinity. These lures sitting on the shelf resemble a plug of lead attached to a soft plastic or rubber body impaled on a hook.

In the water, the lure takes on any action imparted by the fisherman. This is the prime choice for fishermen that simply want to chuck and crank. Most are optimistic about their outcome and simply want something to occupy their time. Jigs/grubs are an outstanding lure for many applications. Some lures of this variety have small, individual spinner blades attached for added attraction.

• Spoons: I suppose the name came about because of the convex or concave shape of the lure itself resembling the shape of a spoon. It is a simple lure with little else going for it, other than it works. Don't let the shape fool you. The wobble or flicking side-by-side motion is deadly for a good many species. They are inexpensive and simple to use once attached to your line. Line twist is a big factor when using spoon lures and the majority should be used with a swivel attached before the spoon. The majority of spoons show a curved side but some are flat. Others may be formed with a deep "V" center, but don't let the name confuse you, they needed to call them something. Spoons are used for casting and trolling and work well fished on the surface or running deep.

That takes care of the general rule associated with artificial lures. Lack of space prevents me from covering the many natural baits anglers use in their pursuits. Check out this column next Saturday to find out which bait is best, what rig is better suited for your type of fishing and why sardines are better left in the can.

Vermillion snapper fishery closed

In July, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service implemented measures to establish a November to March recreational closure for the vermilion snapper fishery. The fishery in the South Atlantic (North Carolina to the Florida Keys) federal and South Carolina state waters closed Nov. 1 and will remain closed through March 31.

Closure of the recreational fishery complies with regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan and is necessary to end over-fishing of vermilion snapper. All recreational harvest or possession of vermilion snapper in or from South Atlantic federal waters is prohibited. This closure applies to private recreational fishermen as well as any person on board a vessel that has been issued a South Atlantic Charter/Headboat permit for snapper-grouper.

Hunters be advised

Dove hunting season will resume Nov. 21. The 2009-10 mourning dove seasons in South Carolina will resume in guidance with the following dates: Nov. 21-28 and Dec. 21-Jan. 15.

Legal hunting hours for the mourning dove season are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. The daily bag limit is 15 birds per day. The state's mourning dove season is set each year by the S.C. Natural Resources Board within a framework of regulations and timetables issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Club meetings and notices

The Hilton Head Island Sportfishing Club's next monthly meeting will be Nov. 10 at the Hilton Head Island Yacht Club at Palmetto Bay Marina. The special guest speaker will be fisheries biologist Don Hammond. Don will make a presentation on the migrations and habits of cobia and dolphin, as revealed from satellite tagging procedures and methods. Also on the program, your favorite charter captains will give a report on big red drum activity. Cash bar and dinner will be from 6:15-7 p.m. Guests are always welcome and no reservations are necessary. For directions or more information, call Dave Harter at 843-785-4106.