Was curious what species I can target at the 60? I have been a couple times, fooled around with the AJs(fun and all), caught a couple Cobia bouncing Hogy lures off the structure. Went yesterday and fought horrible winds but did have two hookups and trolled a bucktail which brought up a very nice Spanish. Tax man came to collect and only reeled in the head. Was just wondering what species are out there and how y’all fish for them? Clearly live bottom is what I’m looking for with structure but does trolling work well? Thanks in advance!
P.S. I posted this in two different pages because I wasn’t sure if I should put it in the “inshore” or “offshore” forum.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
There are some sheep head, flounder, spades, and lots of pin fish and black sea bass. Also, all the Cuda and reef donkeys you can handle. Otherwise, you can occasionally hook up on a cobia or a big shark or stingray.
This time of year the good stuff is slim at the 60s, since everyone hits them up.
I’m going to try to dive and get a video together sunday or Monday at one of the 60s. I have a new dive buddy we’re going to break in. I’ll let everyone know if I see anything interesting.
Appreciate that Muddy. How do you target the sheep and flounder when fishing such deep water? Was really hoping there were some grouper and snapper that were out there. Good luck on your dive!
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
I’ve heard divers say they saw grouper at the 60, and I caught a small one there once. But chances better on live bottom and deeper water.
Use fiddler crabs, fished vertical/directly under the boat for the sheepshead. One tricky part is finding out just which structure they are on. Watch your graph. They may not be tight on the structure. Other tricky part is reacting to the subtle fast bite.
Can’t help with the flounder in deeper water.
Flounder are tricky in deep water. You really just hope to get lucky dropping a live minnow near one.
Sheeps are usually stacked on the side of larger structure on the back side, out of the current. They’re always cruising around, so it won’t be hard to hook one if you are in the right spot. Don’t drop the bait all the way to the bottom, I usually see the at least 5 ft up. If you hit sea bass or pin fish you’re dropping it on top the structure and you may need to back up a bit.
If you want fun and good food, catch a jelly and use the red tips of the skirt as spade fish bait. They are awesome.
As for snapper and grouper, I haven’t found any in less than 75ft of water this year… Or more than one or two at a time at the 60 at all. Usually 90ft is a much better bet for that.
quote:
Originally posted by Ona Mission
I’ve heard divers say they saw grouper at the 60, and I caught a small one there once. But chances better on live bottom and deeper water.
Use fiddler crabs, fished vertical/directly under the boat for the sheepshead. One tricky part is finding out just which structure they are on. Watch your graph. They may not be tight on the structure. Other tricky part is reacting to the subtle fast bite.
Can’t help with the flounder in deeper water.
There are definitely grouper at the 60, but they see a lot of hooks there. Also, some of that structure is pretty big stuff and some of the grouper hold up deep in the wreck, so it makes it a bit more difficult to get to them.
Thank you all for the responses. Very helpful info and I’ll be looking to add some other fishing options. Only have a single motor so I am uneasy about venturing too far out but would love to hook up with some bigger fish.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
quote:
Originally posted by Firefighterj80
Thank you all for the responses. Very helpful info and I’ll be looking to add some other fishing options. Only have a single motor so I am uneasy about venturing too far out but would love to hook up with some bigger fish.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
Catch a nice day on a weekend and you will never be alone out there. A 19 foot pioneer should do great on a decent day.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
I’ve had my boat out at the 60 several times, one of which was pretty rough and it did great. I was just worried about venturing out to 100’ of water with only one motor. Even though people have told me my boat can go 50 miles to troll. Thought of that makes me nervous.
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
quote:
Even though people have told me my boat can go 50 miles to troll. Thought of that makes me nervous.
Always stay inside of your comfort zone. As you gain experience with the boat your comfort zone will increase.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
As Larry stated, stay in your comfort zone. Trust me, the boat can handle a lot. I’m comfortable as long as I have radio contact with someone. It may cost a small fortune to tow in from out there but…
2016 Pioneer 197 Islander
I run on a single engine most of the time. Keep a buddy boat near by for trolling and be safe. Tow boat, a good emergency kit, and practice go a long way.
Muddy, how far out will you take your boat only having a single motor?
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
I’ve been 60 miles out on more than a few occasions. I’m not too worried about it as long as the weather is right and I have a buddy boat. My key west is only 23 ft so I only go past 100 feet on really good days.
I have 1000 ft of anchor rope and a sea anchor if that doesn’t work. I don’t shut off the motor when I’m that far out, and I stay within visual range of another boat.
The only times I’ve been stranded off shore was in larger boats with multiple engines. Once for a fuel problem, and another for an electrical problem that caused overcharging and burnt up a bunch of electronics. A well maintained single engine should be very reliable. Your buddy boat is carrying that spare engine for you until tow boat arrives.
Being safer with twin motors is kinda half myth. If one craps out you can only make under 10knots and you put a lot of strain on the good motor.
So you’re likely getting a tow in anyway if you’re way off shore.
If your boat is running well and maintained well, one motor isn’t the big issue. IMO it’s the overall boat size. A 19ft Pioneer is only good out there if it’s flat calm. Which is about 3 days a year lately
quote:
Originally posted by Afishianado
Being safer with twin motors is kinda half myth. If one craps out you can only make under 10knots and you put a lot of strain on the good motor.
So you’re likely getting a tow in anyway if you’re way off shore.
If your boat is running well and maintained well, one motor isn’t the big issue. IMO it’s the overall boat size. A 19ft Pioneer is only good out there if it’s flat calm. Which is about 3 days a year lately
I disagree, I've enjoyed many days that weren't flat calm. It may be a rough, slow ride but this boat can handle more than flat calm.
2016 Pioneer 197 Islander
quote:
Originally posted by Afishianado
Being safer with twin motors is kinda half myth. If one craps out you can only make under 10knots and you put a lot of strain on the good motor.
So you’re likely getting a tow in anyway if you’re way off shore.
If your boat is running well and maintained well, one motor isn’t the big issue. IMO it’s the overall boat size. A 19ft Pioneer is only good out there if it’s flat calm. Which is about 3 days a year lately
My boat can get on plane and do 20-25 on one motor. Gotta use the hell out of trim tabs etc.
…
Mike Martinez
2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
quote:
Originally posted by sbecker3
As Larry stated, stay in your comfort zone. Trust me, the boat can handle a lot. I’m comfortable as long as I have radio contact with someone. It may cost a small fortune to tow in from out there but…
2016 Pioneer 197 Islander
About $170/year
…
Mike Martinez
2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
Not trying to stir up controversy haha. I’m just really wanting to get into some bigger fish and I know the boat can handle decent waste. I’ve got a good bit of experience with boats and my motor is very well maintained. But again, I appreciate all the insight
2014 Pioneer 197 Sportfish
2012 Malibu Stealth 12 Kayak
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles”
Buddy has same boat and we’ve done a little bit of everything offshore in it. Been to the Georgetown Hole, etc…
Like the others said, captains experience is the number 1 factor IMO, do what you are comfortable with
“mr keys”