Fellow fishermen, I am a huge fan of this forum and have learned some valuable things. I have a 232 coastal (23ft) and have only gone to the near shore reef. I want to learn how to go deep. I have considered taking a charter out for the sole purpose to learn and do it right. Not like how I learned to golf, which I now suck at… :).
The first thing I need to know of how to tell when to go. How do I learn whether it will be calm enough to make a run in that size of a boat?
How do I pick a spot to fish?
I normally fish the bottom when I go, so trolling would be new as well. Hell the more I write this the more frustrated I get. So, do any of you have a starting point for the wave/weather question? When I do finally get the nerve to go, I will want to at least have someone close in case I run into trouble I have someone near buy…
sorry for the long post and thanks for any advise.
Chip
everyone has to learn, i am by far from a pro but I generally check the below sites for the weather on sailflow and scoffshore which are also under the sciences tab at the top of this website you can look at wave height and wave period the longer the wave period the better long period=swell and short period=chop i check the forecast for the day before and after to get an idea of the weather conditions but as all weather reports go sometimes it all just lies but i would start by going to the nearshore reefs like charleston 60, capers, and 4ki then you can work your way to (commanche and y73 or the gardens) from there you can start trolling and probably get yourself a dolphin or wahoo at that point you can go as far as your gas will take you and also you can go here for a list of reefs and their coordinates http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/artificialreef.html . I would also recommend stopping by Haddrells Point tackle and getting a top spots map which will also give you numbers for live bottom.
2nd that on Haddrells in West Ashley. Go talk to Scott when he is not busy and he will give you a ton of wisdom. He deserves credit for most of the fish I catch. He will also show you what you need for offshore fishing without trying to sell you something you don’t need. I like using the websites already posted and I always check the actual conditions before I leave my house and compare to Windfinder, NOAA, and Sailflow. Good luck and will be glad to buddy up with you sometime.
Thanks to all of you so far for the advise. I stop at Haddrells when I fish the jetties. I have not gotten to know them by name yet. But I will ask for Scott the next time I am down there. Keep the information coming please!!
2nd that on Haddrells in West Ashley. Go talk to Scott when he is not busy and he will give you a ton of wisdom. He deserves credit for most of the fish I catch.
I second that…Scott cut our learning curve in half at least…
now he’ll have to open both doors to get his head out at closing time!
I’ve got a 23’ boat and I’ve been fishing it offshore for the past 9 years. As mentioned above, I started by going with other people on their boats. As I began venturing farther out on my own, I learned fairly quickly what conditions I was comfortable running my boat in. I also got caught more than once in conditions that I was not comfortable being in, but showed me what I could handle if I needed too.
Everyone here will tell you safety and redundancy are key anytime you run offshore. This is true and you need to consider the real possibility that something bad could happen at any moment and be prepared to deal with it when it does.
Must haves include Tow service, EPIRB/Spot, backup handheld radio, backup handheld GPS, two bilge pumps and a backup for those as well. I’m leaving some things out, but I’m sure you get the point.
Depends. How much confidence do you have in that engine? How well maintained is it? Are you prepared to troubleshoot minor issues should they arise.
I have a single Yamaha 225. I’ve changed a spun prop 20 miles offshore. I’ve called Sea Tow on my handheld for a jump from 18 miles out after an electrical problem. A previous engine had a crankshaft issue while heading in to Georgetown and I had to be towed.
It sounds bad, but again this is in 9 years of fishing offshore.
It all boils down to the amount of risk you’re willing to assume and mitigating that risk as much as possible by taking the appropriate precautions. Obviously, I Can’t stress the importance of a tow service enough!
Chippy…I’ve been going out as far as 45 miles, or so, for the last 6 years with one 150 Yammie and still feel pretty confident. I did break down 42 miles out, but that’s where SeaTow and the VHF come into play. Most say I’m pushing the envelope in my 19 1/2’ boat, but I’m not the only one that does it. Main thing is weather/seas you got to check that close. I also make sure to get back by about 4pm before those pop-up storms start kicking things up. I haven’t had the need to use my Spot, but I do set it to track, so the wife can pull up my position on the computer in case all else fails. Tip…NEVER link your Spot message to Facebook. I put “Just letting you know I’m okay” to go to the wife’s cell and everyone started calling asking what happened. It also puts your numbers out on the WWW. Oops.
I am game to head out when the weathers right and waves i have a 22 ft bay boat that i took 64 miles out 2 weeks ago i would have felt 1000 times better if someone else were out there if issues arose play it safe yoy can fish anouther day. But i also know that the boat is sound when i leave charge the batts the night before extra battery on board just in case extra food and water a cell phone wont do much good 60 miles out satellite phone would be the way to go.
I have been going offshore for some 15 years with single engine boats. A well maintained single engine is just fine. Twins or more does give you a good piece of mind but not necessary. Just be smart and if your not comfortable don’t go. Take baby steps and remember mother nature isn’t forgiving when she desides to show her bad side.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
What minimum size CC would you guys feel most comfortable in to routinely go 20-40 miles offshore? Is a 23’ enough? Right now I’m debating on my next boat being ~23-26ft because (with really no personal experience) I figured 23’ would be the smallest I’d really be confident in and I don’t really figure I’d go past the Comanche.
I know all the people in their 17’ boats go out on good days and all that, but I’m pretty sure the wife would never go for it and I’m about to be in the market for something new. Plus the 1900 gets WET with just a little wind/chop.
