Participants received hands-on instruction from Captain Tanya Dowdy about how to select and fish with artificials.

At our recent POWR+ Inshore Fishing with Artificials day, women learned how to fish for inshore saltwater fish using lures and other artificial bait. In the summertime when baitfish are plentiful, it can be easier to catch fish on live bait. But over the cooler months, baitfish isn’t as common in our local waters. This is when using artificial bait can be effective. But to someone new to fishing, seeing the vast array of soft plastics, hard plastics, jigs, and more can be overwhelming.

Captain Tanya Dowdy with Reel Chica Charters spent time teaching women about selecting and fishing with artificials. She explained about the colors and shapes of artificial lures, the action they produce in the water, and how to retrieve them for the best success.

Participants learned several knots for tying on artificial lures demonstrated here on this 20/O shark hook. Instructors use this hook to catch “your attention” but it is an actual hook.

After participants learned about the types and colors of artificial baits, they got to put their lures to the test. Several participants were able to catch red drum using the techniques they learned. Participants were also given artificial baits to take home and try donated by Zman Fishing, Eye Strike Fishing, and Berkley Fishing, along with some special women’s gear donated by AFTCO.