Terrafin Software has added cholorphyl charts to  their sea surface temperature (SST) maps. Chlorophyl charts (essentially) map the presence of algae and phytoplankton in the water, which helps locate baitfish (which feed on the phytoplankton). Use in conjunction with SST maps to help further narrow in on areas to fish offshore.

You may not like him, his articles, or his TV show, but you've got to admit that Capt. Tred Barta has some unique and innovative ideas. In the "Best of 2000 - 2005" issue of "The Big Game Fishing Journal" (out May 2005), BGF reprinted Capt Barta's article "Tuna Lockjaw". One of the tricks Capt. Barta suggests is that when the tuna are focused on small (2-3") baitfish, try trolling around the bait schools with bare hooks or hooks with a few strips of mylar tied to them. Work the hooks by periodically cutting the motor and letting the hooks settle, then accelerating back up to trolling speeds.

Here is another deck cushion, this one called "FootCush". Isn't it amazing how similar the photo is to the one for "Sea Shocks"?

Canon announced a new waterproof version of their image-stabilzed (IS) binoculars featuring their top-of-the-line L series optics. The 10 x 42 L IS WP has the largest exit pupil size of any Canon IS binocular, which translates into a relatively bright image, even in low light conditions. A quick Internet shopping search found them in the same price range as the Fujinon Techno-Stabis 1440s, e.g around $1,300 street price. What you give up in magnification in the Canon, you pick up in a brighter image and a wider field of view.

This from an e-mail from Capt. Larry Chin of the Finaddict (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ): "...if anyone is interested in seasickness meds, we have found that a pill called "Scopace" is more effective than the Scopalamine Patch, and it has fewer side effects. Scopace, like the patch, will require a prescription to get, its not too expensive, and in my opinion, it is the best thing going. Being seasick 100 miles off-shore is not a good thing." Amen!

If the fish seem unusually spooky when fishing floating debris like kelp paddies or foam lines, try turning off your sonar unit. Most blue water sonars have at least 300 watts RMS of power, if not more. Remember what your 300 watt stereo amplifier sounded like at full volume? And water carries sound better than air....The frequency that sonar units operate at is supposed to be beyond the range of a fish's hearing, but...