So if you have just booked or are considering your first tuna trip with Galveston Party Boats here are some observations and tips from someone who just took their first trip with them.
First off, if you have chosen GPB rest assured you made a great choice. I've done a number of tuna trips with other boats and I can tell you that GPB is a great choice. Capt Matt's reputation is well deserved and his crew is A++++.
Second, you need to read scubaarchery's beginners guide to GOM party boat fishing. Its mandatory reading. There are a lot of questions to be asked about equipment and if you are reading this you are in the right place to ask.
After my trip I can tell you there are a few things in that guide I would stress. Bring a sleeping bag or something warm! The cabin is cold! I like my thermostat low when I sleep but wow, even I was freezing when I tried to sleep.
The suggestion of a popping rig, or at least something that can cast for distance isn't a suggestion if you want big YFT. You need to cast out of the lights to get a good chance. I chose a cost effective rig to do it all. I was slinging an Ugly Stik Tiger Elite with a Battle II 8K and it worked great, except my casting distance limited me. You don't need a Stella and a custom rod, but you need distance.
Fish for live bait and bring it to the boat that morning, live bait gets results, plain and simple.
If you are into jigging blackfin then make sure you have bright glowing jigs. Size and shape didn't seem to matter as much as bright glow. I had a number of jigs with me but as soon as I switched to an all glow color jig I got hit on every drop.
Halcos, you will read it here over and over and there is a reason. Halcos draw strikes. Have a variety of colors in case they are picky, but in general be sure to have halcos.
When the trip is over and it's time to deal with your catch DO IT YOURSELF! I forgot my knife roll and trusted my fish to the cleaners at the dock. They don't work for GPB to my knowledge and the results were not positive. My fish look like they were cut by a drunk with Parkinson's using a weed eater. The fillet count when I got home wasn't even right. I hope I'm not pissing anyone off with this part, but my experience with that was terrible.
I probably have other things to say but it's all I can think of now other than securing my next booking. Tight lines all!
First off, if you have chosen GPB rest assured you made a great choice. I've done a number of tuna trips with other boats and I can tell you that GPB is a great choice. Capt Matt's reputation is well deserved and his crew is A++++.
Second, you need to read scubaarchery's beginners guide to GOM party boat fishing. Its mandatory reading. There are a lot of questions to be asked about equipment and if you are reading this you are in the right place to ask.
After my trip I can tell you there are a few things in that guide I would stress. Bring a sleeping bag or something warm! The cabin is cold! I like my thermostat low when I sleep but wow, even I was freezing when I tried to sleep.
The suggestion of a popping rig, or at least something that can cast for distance isn't a suggestion if you want big YFT. You need to cast out of the lights to get a good chance. I chose a cost effective rig to do it all. I was slinging an Ugly Stik Tiger Elite with a Battle II 8K and it worked great, except my casting distance limited me. You don't need a Stella and a custom rod, but you need distance.
Fish for live bait and bring it to the boat that morning, live bait gets results, plain and simple.
If you are into jigging blackfin then make sure you have bright glowing jigs. Size and shape didn't seem to matter as much as bright glow. I had a number of jigs with me but as soon as I switched to an all glow color jig I got hit on every drop.
Halcos, you will read it here over and over and there is a reason. Halcos draw strikes. Have a variety of colors in case they are picky, but in general be sure to have halcos.
When the trip is over and it's time to deal with your catch DO IT YOURSELF! I forgot my knife roll and trusted my fish to the cleaners at the dock. They don't work for GPB to my knowledge and the results were not positive. My fish look like they were cut by a drunk with Parkinson's using a weed eater. The fillet count when I got home wasn't even right. I hope I'm not pissing anyone off with this part, but my experience with that was terrible.
I probably have other things to say but it's all I can think of now other than securing my next booking. Tight lines all!
