Captain Mark Houghtaling Miami, FL (7x50 Commander III) Captain Skeet Frink Point Pleasant, NJ (7x50 Navigator II)	Fishing Tips from Capt. Mark and Capt. Skeet Captain Mark Houghtaling and Captain Skeet Frink share some valuable insight on how to use your binoculars to catch more saltwater gamefish. Whether you are fishing, cruising or using your binoculars on water for any other activity, you'll learn and enjoy the following suggestions on binocular usage.   1. Invest in the proper grade of binocular. Too many people try to save a few dollars on their binocular purchase and end up sacrificing the brightness, clarity, precision and durability they need for glassing over water. Your investment will pay off if you buy optics with the following features: • Built in stabilized compass with 1° precision. • Multi-coating on all optical glass surfaces for glare reduction and clarity. • Rigid polycarbonate body with a solid lens anchoring system to withstand rugged use. • Soft, high eye relief eyecups for viewing comfort, with or without glasses. • Large objective lenses for increased brightness (7x50 is the ideal binocular size for most boating applications). • Individual eye focus, once set for your eyes, the binocular stays sharp from 20 yards to infinity.   2. Use the binocular to find your bait. Searching for live bait in the hazy mist of early morning, you'll immediately see where brightness in your optics is vital. It's easy to spot diving pelicans and terns in low light as they feed on pilchards. Simply scan the horizon, watch the birds and you'll find your bait.   3. Petrals and frigate birds are a good sign. You have the bait, now it's time to fish. Turn off your engine and steady yourself. Be alert for petrals and frigate birds as you scan over the water with your binocular. When you spot these birds, be ready to run them down. There's a good chance fish are near. Dolphins especially, are voracious eaters and get in the weeds near the surface looking for food; this spooks the flying fish which, in turn, attracts the birds. You'll be surprised at the number of boats who cruise past these birds because they're not easy to see, unless you have good optics.   4. Rely on your binocular's compass for quick bearings. The advantage of a stable, easy-to-read compass will be clearly evident as you spot birds, boards, debris and other signs of feeding gamefish. Your time is important and the ability to get accurate bearings allows you to quickly find feeding birds and the fish that others might miss.   5. Rough seas require a different approach. In windy, choppy conditions many sportsfishers abandon their optics because they can't get a clear picture and the constant motion strains their eyes. However, by bending you knees and anchoring the optics on the bridge of your brow, a steady sight is provided. This is where you'll appreciate the soft foldable eyecups and the diamond precision view of a good binocular.   6. Continue to use your binocular in near darkness or dense fog. A major benefit of good optics is the ability to spot distant objects in extremely low light conditions. With a good binocular you get precision-ground glass and high-grade lens coatings that allow you to pierce the darkness and fog to spot signs of gamefish.   7. Keep you binocular within arms reach. When I'm cruising, my Steiner 7x50 rests in a cubbyhole, immediately between my radio and Loran. Don't make the mistake of putting your binocular in a case, you'll waste precious time trying to find it and uncase it. Keep your binocular handy, and if you've invested in a Steiner, it will stand up to salt spray and harsh conditions of a marine environment.
Captain Mark Houghtaling Captain Mark Houghtaling has been a renowned fishing guide and charter captain for 14 years, based in Miami/Key Largo. Houghtaling writes weekly newspaper fishing columns and hosts the Sportfishing Seminars and other seminars throughout the region. For more information on glassing for blue water gamefish or fishing with Captain Mark, please contact: Captain Mark Houghtaling, Magic Fingers Fishing Charters, 305-253-1151. www.magicfin.com Captain Skeet Frink Captain Skeet Frink, who for almost 30 years has owned and operated the charter boat "Islander" based out of Manasquan Inlet, NJ. His only business is fishing and he uses his Steiner Navigator binoculars almost daily to spot birds and activity on the water. For more information about fishing on the Islander contact: Capt Skeet Frink, Islander Charters, 732-899-3376.

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