These lists are for first-timers going long-range fishing, usually aboard
the Big E 52- 76 hours trip, the Dolphin 60 and 80-hours trip, charter trips
aboard the Pelican or other long-range vessels in the Gulf region. I am only
recommending gear that I am familiar with, as there may be plenty of

   

Someone posted a question about drinking water on the Big E. They do have a water fountain, but both trips I've been on it has been disconnected. The first trip was a surprise for me, as I had not taken any water, expecting that I could drink cool water from the fountain. I ended up drinking water from the Gallon jugs that are taken on board for the crew and to make coffee from. After that trip I was told the water tank would be fixed before the next trip I was scheduled to go on.

Went on the Big E again on the Memorial Day trip, and was told the water tank was was still not good to drink from. Ended up drinking a few bottled waters I took, and also got a few from the crew/coffee box.

Maybe the tank will be clean for the September trip. It would be nice not to have to carry around a case of water.

Tom - DeepBlueGulf

They need to just put a reverse osmosis system on the boat

With water maker on board, they will be able to stay offshore for 10 days or more.

10 days fishing trip in the GULF OF MEXICO ?
Just think about those areas that never been fish before, One fishing trip like that will bring back few state record fish or even world record.

I am just dreaming LOL.

I can't wait for a 5 day one day from the Texas coast. It will put the guadalupe islands to shame (Well, I think our 2 day trips already do that).

I locked mine in the car, some people just leave them in the back of a truck but I would recommend you to lock it with bicycle lock JMO.

It wouldn't be funny to come back from 52hr trip to find out you don't have cooler for your fish.

Gunsmoke,

Sorry, I didn't know you are going to have 3 big coolers.
There are motels in Clute area about 10-15 minutes from Capt. Elliot.
Talk to the Big E office, they will likely let you put your cooler there.

There is a Hotel just across the street from Capt Elliots.

"Country Hearth Inn" I think it is called and they have a discount for Elliots customers.

If several of you get together on a room for gear storage would be cheap insurance.

Bazz

Gunsmoke, are you on the Sept 15th trip? I am on that trip with 7 friends. Since we are driving from corpus, I was thinking of renting a U-haul trailer to bring all the stuff up and to minimize the number of vehicles (I can just see the looks on everyones faces as we pull in). If we rent a u-haul, there should be plenty of space to store gear. I just have to figure out where we would park.

I do have one question. When you stop to bottom fish what bait do you use? Do they provide the bait for bottom fishing? Thanks steve

you can use the live baits if you catch any. the boat usually has squid and spainish sardines. if you want you can also bring your own biat and store it in their fish boxes....rick