hey everyone, I am picking up a 2001 Robalo 2220 tomorrow. I have never taken a boat out of Charleston before. Can you suggest a couple waypoints to do some bottom fishing??? Also, If I wanna try for some dolphin how far out do i need to be, what bait, and rig etc… I am a total newbie, so appreciate all pointers…
You can find artificial reef locations on the science section on the main page. Dolphin are 40-60 miles offshore. I don’t recommend you try that as a new boater. A lot of things can go wrong and seas can turn on you quickly. Stick with the near shore stuff until you get in some time and experience, then try to find a buddy boat for any further trips. Always check the weather and don’t count on any narrow windows.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
Stay inshore this year. Near shore next year. Baby steps.
Capt. Larry Teuton
912-six55-5674
lteuton at aol dot com
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Cracker,you skipping the grillage?
You gonna let the new guy in on the grillage already?
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Be sure you have all your safety equipment. Know how to call for help. More than one way to call for help. Know where you are going bring a COMPASS don’t rely solely on GPS. Don’t go alone. If you fall out your boat you’ll be hypothermic in hours in these water temps.
Don’t take a new, especially new used single engine, boat offshore until you have run it for awhile to see if it’s in running order. Get Seatow with your insurance.
I haven’t been reef fishing in a while but when I went it was simple. Drop some squid to the bottom with a lot of weight 4-8oz and a 50-100lb leader. Be prepared for a lot of reeling if the fish are there.
First, Most, Biggest
I want to catch them all
Thanks for the comments, and advice… Do the Dolphin ever come in closer than 40-60 when it gets warmer? I will check out the science section… PS, I am retired military and don’t work so i have a lot of time on my hands. If you all know people that wanna go fishing, I will be looking for a 2nd on most days
Don’t think a boat that small would make to the grillage and back:imp:
Bait rigs and tackle book, since you have a lot of time on your hands. probably get a repair manual on whatever engine you own. Do inshore stuff for a while til you cut your chops a bit, then venture out nearshore once your boat has all appropriate safety equipment and you are familiar with it.
Years ago when I first got my boat, the best advice I ever got from this group is what you are getting now. Baby steps. Learn your boat. Take it out in the harbor a few times, then maybe to the jetties. Then maybe outside the jetties, but still in cell range, etc. Work up to “offshore.” Then you have to make sure that you can get help when you are 60 miles out, and take care of yourself until help arrives. If you do some searching on this site there are TON’s of recommended lists people have posted on what to have on your boat when you go out. You need at least two forms of communications that can reach the mainland, or at the very least another boat. Back up tools and hardware. GPS signaling devices. Manual bilge pumps. Enough rope to anchor deep. Water and food, and a myriad of other things that are great to have. Until you have ALL of this, don’t go out of cell phone range basically. When you do finally make it out, bring along someone who goes deep and can teach you. Or, go out with them on their boat to see what they do. That was the best learning I ever did. Make friends with another offshore boat owner and buddy boat with them so you can easily be gotten to, and share information if needed. That kind of stuff.
As far as fishing spots, get yourself a “Maps Unique” for SC. You can order on line or buy at most tackle shops. It shows all the reefs and most live bottom areas with co-ordinates.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Pm sent