We asked professional fish finders for their tricks. Now the secrets of the masters can be revealed.

The boat looks generally battered and unpainted. A captain might be careless about the cosmetic appearance of his boat, but fastidious about maintaining his pumps and filters.

Make sure your octopus doesn't free flow. Detune it if you can, and mount it so its mouthpiece always points downward.

Stop. Before you leave the mooring line, pause to orient yourself. Are you at the bow, the stern or in between?

Avoid task loading. Remember the K.I.S.S. principle, because stupid is what you'll be. If you've got a new and confusing camera housing, get familiar with it at shallow depths.

Do your homework. There are several options for finding a dive buddy before your vacation.

A good dive insurance policy may be your best piece of safety equipment.