I am new to saltwater fishing and would like to get connected with other boat people. I have a 26’ Triton CC with a 250 E-Tec. I would like to follow some boats out in February to do some Wahoo fishing.
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just kidding !! Welcome to CF ;; I don’t do offshore but I know not many will be willing to share specific areas…Check out the Fish Here maps and keep asking around , lots of info is learned by just
reading posts…
Wahoo fishing ain’t that tough. Getting out in the cold is the most challenging part. Zig zag the ledge at a fast troll, full moon. Check the match up section and keep posting. You’ll find others looking to do the same. Welcome to CF.com.
Thank you for the information
Where is the ledge?
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Originally posted by 23SailfishWahoo fishing ain’t that tough. Getting out in the cold is the most challenging part. Zig zag the ledge at a fast troll, full moon. Check the match up section and keep posting. You’ll find others looking to do the same. Welcome to CF.com.
The ledge is about 45-50 miles out past the jetties. You have the right idea of having a buddy boat out there for safety reasons. Google search tackle and lures for wahoo and you will find plenty of helpful information. I haven’t fully invested in wahoo fishing so I’m still learning myself. Good luck.
Swing by either Haddrells or Chas Angler and get yourself a fishing map. It is really helpful when you’re just getting into it.
I’d also suggest keeping an eye out in the Match Up section of this website – go out with some more knowledgeable people a few times, and you’ll learn a lot about technique, tackle, and hopefully (most importantly) safety. It’s no joke out there, and you don’t have to have terribly bad weather or rough seas for something to go wrong. No excuse to go out without an EPIRB or at least a PLB, plus a VHF on your boat and a handheld in the ditch bag. I’d be happy to help you set up a ditch bag if you would like.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
Well come February most of the good days we have to go off will have boats from the wahoo tournament out there.
Yes I would love your help on a ditch bag.
I just really wanted other boats out there just in case.
I do have a radio and I guess worse case I could call sea tow.
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Originally posted by brysonSwing by either Haddrells or Chas Angler and get yourself a fishing map. It is really helpful when you’re just getting into it.
I’d also suggest keeping an eye out in the Match Up section of this website – go out with some more knowledgeable people a few times, and you’ll learn a lot about technique, tackle, and hopefully (most importantly) safety. It’s no joke out there, and you don’t have to have terribly bad weather or rough seas for something to go wrong. No excuse to go out without an EPIRB or at least a PLB, plus a VHF on your boat and a handheld in the ditch bag. I’d be happy to help you set up a ditch bag if you would like.
1994 Hewes Redfisher 18, 2004 Yamaha 150 VMAX
Malibu X-Factor Kayak
I am deployed right now but I’ll be back in April for Mahi run… If you want to try that fishery give me a ring.
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Originally posted by paulbellI am new to saltwater fishing and would like to get connected with other boat people. I have a 26’ Triton CC with a 250 E-Tec. I would like to follow some boats out in February to do some Wahoo fishing.
2015 226 Seafox Commander 200 hp Yamaha 4 stroke.
Paulbell…Given your lack of knowledge of the area and small-mid size boat, I would highly recommend doing several trips to 30 miles and getting comfortable with your boat, your gear, your crew, and this area. Looking on a map it may “seem” small, but it is a big ocean out there. Get a map of the area and start studying. There are many details that play into catching wahoo and other pelagic fish and you will be fishing “blind” without substantial time and energy invested in knowing the area before trying to fish. Safety should be first in your mind and at the root of safety is your knowledge of the area and your equipment. Stay humble and don’t bite off more than you know how to chew. Good luck.
Here’s someone’s (very basic) google map with a few points.
One of them is Edisto Banks. That’s where we’d always start and head north or south depending on which way we felt was lucky. They have it marked as coordinates 32 03.795, -79 24.564. If you toss those coordinates straight into google maps and hit google earth you can make out that there is relief north/south.
Fundamental fuel rule: 1/3rds fuel out, 2/3rds fuel back.
Once you get out there, get excited because you catch a fish or two then find/follow a weed line, you can easily end up 70+ miles out in 400’ of water. That’s like from the market to Orangeburg on land. It’s a long ways. Don’t be close on fuel.
BG
My two cents, but february isnt the best month to plan a trip if you are asking where the ledge is and you may meed help getting a ditch bag together. Not trying to be mean, but the questions you are asking don’t fit the description of an experienced captain that can go offshore in february. February can be unforgiving offshore even with a ditch bag and all the proper precautions. I have a ditch bag, liferaft, and 4 wetsuits on my boat and i still am a little bit more nervous than usual knowing what any signifcant time in the cold winter water means for me and my guests. Seatow ain’t gonna come get you 70 miles out either. And even if they did, you would need a sat phone or several boats to string a radio signal for you which isnt likely to happen on a noncrowded february day. I would wait until a warm weather month before getting your feet wet offshore (sorry for the pun). We all started somewhere, and i am relatively new to the game too. Just be smart about it and safe. Having a buddy boat is a good idea, but not a replacement for proper preparation and decision making on your own part.
what he said^^^^^^^^^^
George McDonald ; MAD Charleston
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
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Originally posted by millacdMy two cents, but february isnt the best month to plan a trip if you are asking where the ledge is and you may meed help getting a ditch bag together.
This is TRUE wisdom… Not only is the water colder, but there are WAY LESS people on the water to help you in the event of an emergency. I’ve fished in the winter several times, and it usually seems like a ghost town out there.
What is out there that is really worth catching in February anyway? Can’t keep red snapper, can’t keep grouper.
If I ever fish in February, I don’t usually venture out more than 12-15 miles and plan short days.
Some good advice here. I’m new to offshore too. Use reefcast and sailflow to check weather. I only go out on 2-4’ and wind under 10mph. Spring should have better days. CF has some good people. Most folks just want to help. Keelin Marine, a sponsor on here, has some great pin rigs for offshore including wire for wahoo. Check him out.
2016 sea hunt ultra 225
200 Yamaha
There’s no excuse to not have a PLB, especially if you’re going to the jetties or beyond. Less than $250, lasts for 5 years. Saved my life and 4 others 2 years ago.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/acr-electronics--resqlink-buoyant-personal-locator-beacon--13381207?cm_mmc=PS--Google--Shopping_PLAs-_-13381207&adpos=1o3&creative=108421552804&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CIXNp_riqNECFdu6wAodSF4BQw
In my opinion, the absolute MINIMUM for a ditch bag should be:
PLB</font id=“red”>
Handheld VHF (in addition to the on-board VHF)
Flare gun with parachute flares (the regular ones that usually come with the gun are pretty bad, trust me)
A length of paracord to link everyone together
Strobe
Small signal mirror
There are other things that are easy to add, and don’t take up much space: (reduncancy is valuable)
Dye pack, flag, or anything to increase your visibility from the sky
Small first aid kit
Stick sunscreen
Cheap sunglasses
Foldable knife
Then, there are things that are great to have but are a little more expensive or bulky, like a raft. You also don’t want to cut corners setting up the boat. Your boat’s VHF should be hooked into the GPS for sure. An EPIRB is also ideal, sice it deploys automatically and the battery lasts twice as long as the PLB (the PLB is nice if you get separated from the EPIRB). Carry a few extra life jackets. They can float away (once again, trust me) if everyone doesn’t get theirs on in time.
I’m sure there is more that I’m forgetting, so others can definitely chime in.
To illustrate the importance of a PLB: My crew and I (5 lives total) were rescued in 2015. We were at Georgetown Hole (about 65 miles E of Charleston), and the boat completely sank (not capsized and bobbed). We were in the water for about 40 minutes. In the next month, a boat capsized at the jetties – both men lost their lives, and I don’t think either body was found. Shortly sfter, another boat capsized about 12 miles offshore
Taking the opportunity to contribute to the safety discussion here, I am always surprised at how many boaters are unaware that the distress function on their VHF (DCS) does not function unless you register and configure an MMSI number. Here is a link to register and some information about the process:
http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/MMSI/AboutUs
As another stated, this time of year with the water temp as cold as it is, you don’t have much time until your dead if you have to enter the water. Life raft and/or wet suits in addition to your ditch bag could be the difference between life or death. I take both.