The term “offshore” is largely a generic one used by saltwater anglers to refer to deep-water areas on the edges of ocean currents or to shelves commonly called blue water. Although there’s no strict definition as to where offshore begins and inshore (see) ends, in general offshore applies to the pursuit of big-game species, particularly billfish and tuna, and inshore refers to angling for resident and migratory species in estuaries, rivers, bays, and near-shore ocean waters.
Because of the expanse of water and the nature of the pelagic species there, offshore environs are primarily fished by trolling and by chumming while the boat is drifting or at anchor. Trollers use both lures and rigged natural baits, but some live bait fishing occurs. Although offshore fishing is done at great distances from some mainland coasts, it can be done fairly close to other coasts if hydrographic contours and currents provide appropriate conditions suitable to the presence of big-game species. Thus, offshore fishing may be enjoyed by anglers fishing from private sportfishing boats of various sizes, from charter boats, and, less commonly, from long-range party boats.
Generally, offshore fishing is done with medium- to heavy-duty conventional tackle or big-game tackle (see), even though some of these species, or smaller specimens, may be caught with other equipment where circumstances permit.
The various elements of offshore fishing—from setting and using drag to lures and baits and tactics for specific species—are covered in more detail in separate entries.
See: Bait Rigs; Billfish; Billfish on Fly Tackle; Conventional Tackle; Kite Fishing; Sharks; Sportfishing Boat; Stand Up Fishing; Trolling; Trolling Lures, Saltwater; Tuna.
