Left Chas Harbor around 8am on thursday with 3’ 10 second intervals predicted. Reality settled in with a sloppy sea kicking 3-5 every 3-4. Made it to the Chas 60 and did some fast drifting (tide and wind) over the structure. Lasted about 3 hours and caught and released some BSB and small red snapper. Headed back in at noon. Another blown out week in charleston. Water temp 61.5. No other boats or life except for a loon diving deep to eat our bait.
I made it out on friday and is was perfect. I work at night so I didn’t get on the water till about 1:30pm and to the 60 about 2:30 after stopping for whales and bait. Seas were 2-3 but no chop, probably 6 sec apart. It was a very calm afternoon and as usuall there were plenty of BSB, although most were small. We left the 60 at 6:30 and about 2 miles from the jetties it started getting a little rough but still not bad. I was able to cruise around 20-25kts comfortably the whole way in.
Anyone know how to catch sheepshead at the 60? There were tons of them right under my boat but I couldn’t catch any for the sea bass being to fast. Also, there were schools of very large fish (about 30-40") swimming by quite often and following my catch to the top several times. I didn’t think the dolphin were in that close yet but that’s what it looked like. Water temp was 67. I casted a couple different things into them but couldn’t get them to bite. Anyone else seen this recently?
Chad T
Pioneer 197 SF
I’m quite sure that large school was a school of amberjacks. There is always a big school of AJ’s on almost every reef out here. We dove on the 60 about four weeks ago and saw a school of about 40 AJs ranging from 15-45 lbs , also saw alot of sheepshead on the barge. A couple were nice size ( maybe 8-10 lbs) but most were around 3-5 lbs, the school consisted of about 20-25 fish.
If you want to catch an AJ drop a Williamson Abyss or Benthos jig down, start jigging and hold on. After about three AJs on medium tackle you will not want to catch anymore. Not sure about the sheeps, Ive heard they can’t resist fiddlers, may want to try that.
I want to get out there soon but either the weather or my schedule doesn’t want to cooperate lately. Its nice to hear the water temp is up though so now I can ditch the thick suit, it was 60 degrees when we dove there last.
Now that you mention it, I bet they were AJs. I did see on turn on its side and it looked silver when the light hit it. I sure would love to catch a few of thoes out there for fun. I wasn’t really prepared for them but I will be next time. As for the Sheepshead, I tried fidlers but couldn’t get them to the bottom for the Sea Bass intercepting them. They were frozen so maybe if I had live ones the BSB would leave them alone. I’ll try that next time.
Chad T
Pioneer 197 SF
We were there in the Grady White. We hooked two of those AJ’s, that was a hoot!
We saw at least two large schools of them. Picked em up on stretch lures.
BSB’s abound… Water was great!
Does that thing have a trolling motor?
What a difference a day makes.
quote:
Originally posted by uftr34Left Chas Harbor around 8am on thursday with 3’ 10 second intervals predicted. Reality settled in with a sloppy sea kicking 3-5 every 3-4. Made it to the Chas 60 and did some fast drifting (tide and wind) over the structure. Lasted about 3 hours and caught and released some BSB and small red snapper. Headed back in at noon. Another blown out week in charleston. Water temp 61.5. No other boats or life except for a loon diving deep to eat our bait.
TMR
Motley Crew
R265
GW 232GT Gulfstream
150Yam x 2
“3rd Day”