Offshore Fishing Speech

Andrew Bagnall

Texas Offshore Fishing

Specific Purpose: After my speech, I would like for my audience to have the basic knowledge of offshore fishing so that if they get the chance to go, they can be an active participant.

Thesis: With the right knowledge and equipment, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico provides many sport fishing opportunities.

I. Introduction

A. (Attention-Getter) Fish on! There’s nothing like the experience of holding the other end of a rod with an offshore game fish screaming line out of your reel.

B. (Thesis) With the right knowledge and equipment, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico provides many sport fishing opportunities

C. (Preview Main Points) I am going to discuss safety, equipment preparation, and angling.

D. (Establish Qualifications/Goodwill) After making several trips each summer offshore out of Port Aransas and Mexico and winning prize money in tournaments, I would like to explain how to successfully fish offshore.

Transition: Before anything lets discuss safety.

II. Body

A. Safety is the first, most important topic when it comes to offshore fishing. (TPWD)

1. Safety Equipment according to the U.S. Coast Guard make sure there are enough life jackets rated to the correct body size

2. Boat preparation

3. Weather waves & heat sunburn

Transition: Now that safety has been covered, let’s discuss the tackle and how to prepare it

B. Having the right equipment makes or breaks the day when you may only have one chance

1. Bait preparation and rigging

2. Rods and reels calibrated

3. upkeep

Transition: Now that the groundwork has been laid down, let’s look at how to actually catch the fish.

C. What to do once you’ve actually put yourself in a position to catch fish.

1. Location blue water, rigs

2. Speed trolling, when a fish surfaces

3. Setting the hook and fighting it

4. Landing the fish (according to IGFA check the fish health when...