I have a 22’ Scout Winyah bay boat… My question is can I realistically head out to catch grouper and other bottom fish with my equipment. I would really appreciate it if you guys wouldn’t chime in with how small is to small BS. My question is concerning the fish I know what type of ocean forcast my boat can handle. I’d be leaving out of Beaufort SC port royal sound. How far out will I have to run to catch a decent bottom fish?
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Sure, on a good day no problem at all, if you have the fuel capacity, VHF, EPIRB and normal safety equipment. On a bad day stay home. If you even have to question the decision, stay home. Otherwise, sure. Figure about a 30-40 mile run one way. Plan on 100 miles round tip. 90-120’ depths should put you in good bottom fishing territory.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Let me add something to my above reply.
quote:
My question is can I realistically head out
That’s a question nobody can answer except for you. Do you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to take a 22’ boat that far offshore? Is your crew experienced, or are they counting completely on you? Can you get that boat back home even if things go to heck? Can your crew get it back home if things go to heck and something happens to you?
A good skipper can get a rowboat across the Pacific. Remember Captain Bligh? A bad one can’t get a 60’ twin engine sport-fisherman out of the marina. The boat is important, but the captain and crew are more important to the decision making process than the boat is.
Short answer is, if you’ve got any doubts, don’t do it. If you have to ask, probably don’t it. If you don’t know exactly how much fuel your boat will burn, don’t do it…but if you’re comfortable with all that, do it. I would 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Thanks Larry for your advice… I feel confident enough to make the trip. It’s not something I plan on doing next weekend because someone on the internet told me it was possible. I still have some safety equipment to purchase to feel comfortable heading out that far. I’ll take my boat out to the Betsy Ross and the 45 on a calm day no problem… Most of the time I’ll have a buddy boat joining me. Every once in a while we get those freak days where its slick from the sound to the stream but its rare. The main thing I have to figure out is where I can run to with my fuel capacity. This is a new to me boat and haven’t made a lot of long runs in it yet. So that’s why I had the question of how far out do I have to run to find these fish… 100 miles round trip gives me something to think about and plan ahead for. I have a 61 gallon tank so I will do the math on some trips and see what my capabilities are. I don’t see myself targeting bottom fish more than a couple times a year. Larry shoot me a PM if u ever wanna get togetger and fish. Clyo is only a skip and a jump from my place.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryLet me add something to my above reply.
quote:
My question is can I realistically head out
That’s a question nobody can answer except for you. Do you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to take a 22’ boat that far offshore? Is your crew experienced, or are they counting completely on you? Can you get that boat back home even if things go to heck? Can your crew get it back home if things go to heck and something happens to you?
A good skipper can get a rowboat across the Pacific. Remember Captain Bligh? A bad one can’t get a 60’ twin engine sport-fisherman out of the marina. The boat is important, but the captain and crew are more important to the decision making process than the boat is.
Short answer is, if you’ve got any doubts, don’t do it. If you have to ask, probably don’t it. If you don’t know exactly how much fuel your boat will burn, don’t do it…but if you’re comfortable with all that, do it. I would
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Excellent advice (for anyone), Cracker.
You don’t have to go out 30 miles to catch grouper. We have dive spots 10-12 miles from the rocks that are loaded with gags at certain times of the year. Also small boats will burn a lot more fuel in rougher seas so before you calculate your “max distance” on pen and paper, realize that doesn’t apply to rough days. Use the 1/3rd rule.
Great advice skinnee… Thanks. I’m planning to do my math with actual trips and time spent on the water.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
EPIRBs can be rented for 60 bucks, which will disappear on the costs of a trip. I have a 22 and we went to the ledge a few weeks ago. On a good day, not only is your boat capable, but a lot more folks will be out there too. Safety in numbers kind of thing.
Also hook your radio up to your vhf and get your MMIS numbers. If it hits the fan, hit your distress button and it’ll broadcast your position.
Edit-Reread your post and saw bay boat… just pick a really good day.
Also, there are good rebates right now on lowrance’s sirius weather antenna. The subscription can be turned off once every year, so I put it on for the summer and will turn it off for my off season.
BG
I have a 20ft offshore and have made 40 mile runs one way most of the time I stay within 25 to 30. Like all the above said safety and trust are the keys. Remember trust and daring are two different things. Went out yesterday it was a little sloppy but not to bad. Didn’t catch any fish but did learn more on my fuel consumption. Estimate 95 miles round trip, burned 29 gal’s of gas. Leaving me another 35 gallons. Doesn’t mean I plan on using them but its good to know it is there just incase. Plan you days and always think safety over fish. I hear EPIRB a lot but there are other alternatives out there, PBL’s and Spot. Be safe and enjoy the water.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Opps- What brand and size motor do you run
Like I said before the captain and crew weren’t really a concern. My main question was wether the fish are caught within 30 miles of land or not. I’ve caught plenty of fish but its always been on bigger boats 200’+ of water. Wasn’t sure if I’d be wasting my time running out 20-30 miles and trying to find grouper or was it actually possible. Again thanks for all the advice I appreciate it.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
there is a live bottom (the hump) that holds grouper, snapper, large bsb, etc… about 10 miles past the Ross. You can go to the North hole and the snapper banks. Both are productive areas about 40-45 miles out of PR sound. Get a maps unique chart and punch in every coordinate on the map you will find some good areas to fish.
Extreme Makeover, Nauticstar 2000XS with a 150 yamaha 4 stroke.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.