I spent a significant amount of time last year getting my current boat straight, which ended up including a repower. I now know it inside and out and have confidence in it, but other than inshore, I have only ventured to the Chas nearshore a few times while breaking it in and to do a little fishing. Years ago I fished bass tournaments primarily, so offshore is new to me from a fishing perspective. (I am about as prepared as anyone can be from a boating perspective)
So…Given the 2ft 7s seas forecast and favorable winds this weekend, I secured a 22’CC buddy boat and we plan to head to Comanche seeking some better table fare and/or bigger fish to pull out lines. I plan to net some Menhaden, Mullet, Shrimp, etc. On the way out for bait. I would LOVE to get into some Grouper, Snapper which tickles both itches, but wouldn’t be upset if a bunch of large reef donkeys became a “problem”. My “current” plan is to put a couple on the bottom on a Carolina rig (50#braid, 30#mono leader), and leave a couple up top “flylining” them.
So…to the meat of the post.
Anyone have suggestions what to target for fun or table fare? Any suggestions on rigging? What do you guys do? I want to put my kids on some fish (so they will continue to come)
Oh…I also have some planers and hard lures to drag on the way out or while we are there. Any suggestions? Kings? Spanish?
Tight Lines!
It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
Old Keywest BR 196, New ProXS 175
Chicken rigs with 8 to 16 oz of lead bank sinkers , depending on current. I use 50 to 80 pound mono to tie the rigs. Hook size depends on whether you are catching big mouth Black Sea bass or smaller mouth trigger fish. Squid works well for bait as does any fresh bait fish you happen to catch.
Thanks Long Enuff. Your tying 2 loops about a foot apart then leaving a 6-12 inch tail to the sinker? Man, I didn’t realize I would need that much weight to get the bait down. Glad I asked.
What do you “typically” catch at Comache with that rig on the squid vs live?
Does anyone else flyline a bait and just let it swim where it will?
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It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
Yes on the two loops., loop on the bottom also to easily add or remove sinkers. Currents can be swift and with multiple fishermen on the boat if you don’t, keep them on the bottom, you will have a tangled mess.
The general rule is 1 oz to every 10 ft. If its a big tide with extra strong current go 1.5oz to 10 ft. The local shops like Haddrells Point and Tackle, The Charleston Angler, and Atlantic Game and Tackle deserve your local business far more than the Corporate big box PSA gun shop FYI
I’d suggest that once you catch something (an AJ, spade, or anything really) tie a rope around their tail or put them on a stringer and let them swim next to the boat. The spades might be more apt to hang around and cobia are always looking for company. Also, keep s pitch rod rigged and handy. Also, if I had 6oz on a rig I’d use a heavier line than 30# mono. Just because if it breaks off your out $1.50. Also,put some thought into how you’re going to anchor. Good luck and I’m looking forward to a post report!!
I agree with the chicken rig, but I usually only use 5-8oz of weight. I get down fast enough…but yeah, the current can play havoc on the drop.
I seldom anchor and fish on the drift. I’ll look around until I find a promising look on the depth finder and I’ll toss out a marker buoy (a bright green detergent bottle with a 10oz weighted line.) It’ll give a good reference when drifting and dropping lines.
When planning your day, watch the evening wind pick up and surface chop. The ride in is usually pretty good until you start getting in 50 feet or less. Then a few miles outside of the mouth of the jetties, it can get very nautical. Don’t stay too long and let conditions get bad on you.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
The current last night and this morning was absolutely RIPPING!!! Using 8oz of weight the line drifted 75-100’ before it hit bottom. I was fishing 160’ but just letting you know. My Rhodan 120# was in overload and couldn’t even hang so I went the anchor route. We went further offshore trolling. Took 11mph with current for baits to pop and only 3.5-4.0 mph into the current for them to pop that’s how bad it was. The rips were unreal! Glassy water would meet up to a 2-3’ chop with barreling waves.
quote:Originally posted by claim
I agree with the chicken rig, but I usually only use 5-8oz of weight. I get down fast enough…but yeah, the current can play havoc on the drop.
I seldom anchor and fish on the drift. I’ll look around until I find a promising look on the depth finder and I’ll toss out a marker buoy (a bright green detergent bottle with a 10oz weighted line.) It’ll give a good reference when drifting and dropping lines.
When planning your day, watch the evening wind pick up and surface chop. The ride in is usually pretty good until you start getting in 50 feet or less. Then a few miles outside of the mouth of the jetties, it can get very nautical. Don’t stay too long and let conditions get bad on you.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
BlueGoose… Didn’t think to hang a “buddy fish”, but it makes sense. I grabbed some 50# and made some chicken rigs with dropper loops.
Claim… Thanks for the suggestions and info, I am pretty familiar with the way it picks up in the afternoon, and how it is just outside the jetties…I am planning to come in by 2ish, so should be good based on the wind forecast, but I undersatnd…its just a forecast.
Florida… Great info, I had planned to use my Motorguide 105# GPS trolling motor also, but I also have 200’ of anchor, so if it is ripping, I will have to adjust like you did.
Hopefully I will have some pics on the report tomorrow. Again, thx everyone.
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It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
Had a great day on the water today. Limit of Vermilion, couple red snapper released, a trigger, a remora, a cobia, some bass, a shark, and a few that came unglued. Didn’t take a bunch of pics, but I will post on reports if you want to see. Thanks for the info everyone.
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It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
How was the current? Sounds like you had a great day.
quote:Originally posted by xix_killer_xix
Had a great day on the water today. Limit of Vermilion, couple red snapper released, a trigger, a remora, a cobia, some bass, a shark, and a few that came unglued. Didn’t take a bunch of pics, but I will post on reports if you want to see. Thanks for the info everyone.
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It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
Current was calm in the morning, fishing almost vertical, as the day wore on it picked up and still using an 8oz it would drift significantly like you mentioned. Trolling motor struggled to move up current, so I quit using it.
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It’s alright to be crazy, but don’t be stupid!
Unfortunately PSA just happens to be about 15 miles closer for me.