December 14th-16th Big E 52 hour charter - Page 26

gman · 12-14-2007, 08:40 PM

I was really looking forward to fishing teh BIG E

Up here in the NE party boats are very popular for tuna, this year with a huge fleet it was almost impossible to get on a good boat. One thing they do a great of is informing people what tackle and line to use. Most boats also have a rule that you cannot use braid unless you are jigging so no JB hollcore for chunking. Obviously if you put 35 people on a boat during a hot tuna bite the strongest line and gear generally wins

Snagged · 12-14-2007, 11:48 PM

Most of the captians fish 30# gear. To top it off they think you need a hundred yards of 30# mono on a reel that will put out 35# of drag.

Ragman · 12-15-2007, 02:04 AM

I have seen guys hook up with 30# on a xh inshore rod and LAND a YFT in 30 minutes or a little more.

But they had excellent technique and everyone of those 30 minutes, they were gaining line, cutting off circles, using the pitch of the boat to move the fish, etc.

Most of these guys accidentally latched into this big of a fish and wouldn't normally use this light gear.

But the guys that use it, AND, don't know or won't listen and do what you have to do to shorten fight time and land, those are the guys that chap my butt.

And before any comments about my 700te come up, that fish was in the middle of steroid rage, and just didn't not want to come in. However, I did sell that reel/rod and still felt bad it took so long. But it was my PB, especially on topwater.

Bellyups · 12-15-2007, 01:26 PM

The big problem with light gear on a drifting party boat is trying to pull a big fish in against the drift and current. If that fish gets bihind the drift, you are in trouble. Usually, with topwaters, you can get the fish close to the boat by the time the boat drifts over it. Gaff the fish and you got it. If its deep and you let the boat pass it, good luck. At times, on party boats, too many people are hooked up at the same time. When that is the case, you can't always gain on the fish rapidly (since you want to play the fish to avoid a tangle at the same time) and it ends up behind the boat with the boat drifting away.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a $700 stella with $100 of 65-80 braid, and a $350 to $600 custom rod. With that set up, you are prepared to tackle any YFT in the GOM off the party boat.

Drift fishermen can get by cheaper and should use stouter drifting setups.

tunacrazy · 12-16-2007, 09:43 AM

From the reports at NDBC-Station 42002 looks like it was a good call on canceling Big-E trip this weekend. Big change in wind and wave height between 4pm sat and 6 pm sat. 13 to 14 ft wave and 25kt-30kt wind does not sound like my kind of fun. Sure would like to gone but sometime things just aren't meant to be.

jureal · 12-16-2007, 11:27 AM

There will be other trips in the future under better conditions. Just tough on us who have to make traveling plans and then cancel them. Got canceled out on two weekend trips in a row.... that has to be a first for me. I am used to S. Cal. weather conditions.

12-14-2007, 11:48 PM	#252 (permalink)
Snagged Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,114	Most of the captians fish 30# gear. To top it off they think you need a hundred yards of 30# mono on a reel that will put out 35# of drag. __________________ Jerry Uh oh, Snagged again!

12-15-2007, 02:04 AM	#253 (permalink)
Ragman Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 924	I have seen guys hook up with 30# on a xh inshore rod and LAND a YFT in 30 minutes or a little more. But they had excellent technique and everyone of those 30 minutes, they were gaining line, cutting off circles, using the pitch of the boat to move the fish, etc. Most of these guys accidentally latched into this big of a fish and wouldn't normally use this light gear. But the guys that use it, AND, don't know or won't listen and do what you have to do to shorten fight time and land, those are the guys that chap my butt. And before any comments about my 700te come up, that fish was in the middle of steroid rage, and just didn't not want to come in. However, I did sell that reel/rod and still felt bad it took so long. But it was my PB, especially on topwater. __________________ Tom www.oceantackle.net *Go Hard or Go Home!*

12-15-2007, 01:26 PM	#254 (permalink)
Bellyups Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 505	The big problem with light gear on a drifting party boat is trying to pull a big fish in against the drift and current. If that fish gets bihind the drift, you are in trouble. Usually, with topwaters, you can get the fish close to the boat by the time the boat drifts over it. Gaff the fish and you got it. If its deep and you let the boat pass it, good luck. At times, on party boats, too many people are hooked up at the same time. When that is the case, you can't always gain on the fish rapidly (since you want to play the fish to avoid a tangle at the same time) and it ends up behind the boat with the boat drifting away. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a $700 stella with $100 of 65-80 braid, and a $350 to $600 custom rod. With that set up, you are prepared to tackle any YFT in the GOM off the party boat. Drift fishermen can get by cheaper and should use stouter drifting setups. __________________ "What an Idiot!! 'Ahhh, I'm hang gliding. Honey take a good picture. I'm dead,' " Will Farrell

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-14-2007, 08:40 PM	#251 (permalink)
gman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,156	I was really looking forward to fishing teh BIG E Up here in the NE party boats are very popular for tuna, this year with a huge fleet it was almost impossible to get on a good boat. One thing they do a great of is informing people what tackle and line to use. Most boats also have a rule that you cannot use braid unless you are jigging so no JB hollcore for chunking. Obviously if you put 35 people on a boat during a hot tuna bite the strongest line and gear generally wins

12-16-2007, 09:43 AM	#255 (permalink)
tunacrazy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bella Vista Arkansas Posts: 59	From the reports at NDBC-Station 42002 looks like it was a good call on canceling Big-E trip this weekend. Big change in wind and wave height between 4pm sat and 6 pm sat. 13 to 14 ft wave and 25kt-30kt wind does not sound like my kind of fun. Sure would like to gone but sometime things just aren't meant to be.

12-16-2007, 11:27 AM	#256 (permalink)
jureal Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 294	There will be other trips in the future under better conditions. Just tough on us who have to make traveling plans and then cancel them. Got canceled out on two weekend trips in a row.... that has to be a first for me. I am used to S. Cal. weather conditions.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)