Was out bottom bumping on the Comanche with a double hook-up on some big AJ’s. Drifted off the spot during the battle just to see this dark blue hull Scarab with a party of about 6 pull right up and into the spot before we could get back. Didn’t drift more than a couple hundred feet away either. Now this guy had seen us drifting over that same spot for a while, but waited until we drifted far enough away with some good hook-ups to weasel up in there. He even got up close while we were fighting just waiting for us to get clear of the spot.Now I know I have no claim in the big pond, but to me, that was just rude. Probably should have set an anchor, but with those big AJ’s and Cudas biting I hated to not be free to follow to keep from getting spooled. Am I wrong to think this? Does the “snooze you lose” rule apply here? Should I start riding around looking for boats on hot spots and jumping in on them too if they drift off a little? Personally I would not think of doing that, but maybe that’s the unspoken rule out there!
No one owns reef spots. If you want to claim your fishing spot offshore, you need to anchor. If all you’re after are AJs, you can find those usually all over those reefs pretty easily. They aren’t limited to one particular spot usually. A live bait half way up the water column will get destroyed by AJs if they are around. On a side note, once you start anchoring up and working a piece of bottom, you’ll likely find that the quality of fish goes up.
If I’m on AJ’s and Cudas I want someone to steal my spot. Also, if you’re concerned with getting spooled by AJ’s and Cudas may want to upgrade lb test on your line or the inshore reels. Just my 2cents that carry a negative value. As far as stealing your spot is concerned, shore of you detaching the anchor On a poly ball to fight a big fish I don’t see an issue here if you’re drifting. I personally wouldn’t know you were fishing one spot if you were drifting for any extended period of time.
“If I’m on AJ’s and Cudas I want someone to steal my spot.” Ditto. Put your fenders out and go back in to your drop if your worried about gel coat. If your anchored, then you control what’s under your boat. Doesn’t mean they can’t come in and anchor next to you. Not my style, but if I want to drop and nobody is anchored, I’m gonna drop if you come off. Nothing personal.
If dive flag up and anchored or not, that’s different. Find another spot. I’ve had a Sportfisher come in with divers where I was drifting and drop divers…I left…big ocean.
If you want to fish public numbers, you need to be ready for that type of treatment.
It’s a big ocean, but there is only so much structure on the reef. Everyone there made a long run to get there. It’s not like they’re just going to turn around and go home because there are other boats there.
Respect a dive flag, but otherwise squeeze in right next to them next time.
If I’m on a spot with lines in the water and a dive boat comes in and dumps divers next to me, whatever happens is on them! I’m not leaving, if I’m catching fish! You don’t have to give way! Hell, might be the biggest one you catch that day:imp:
Actually we were catching more than just AJ’s, thus the lighter tackle. Apparently it’s not rude to jump in a spot when someone drifts away fighting a bigger fish. That’s all I was wondering. That should minimize the search. I’ll just look for a boat with bent rods! Thanks guys.
Just take turns with the drift. He will drift off the reef in a few minutes just as you did. Just rotate. It’s no big deal and even easier if you use the vhf to communicate. It doesn’t bother me in the least bit to have company that far out on a reef.
Just take turns with the drift. He will drift off the reef in a few minutes just as you did. Just rotate. It’s no big deal and even easier if you use the vhf to communicate. It doesn’t bother me in the least bit to have company that far out on a reef.
Similar to fishing a weedline offshore on the dolphin run. Sometimes a line of boats will all be in line fishing a long weed line but separated by one another by about 1/4 mile or so. Not cool so show up and try to squeeze into a spot between 2 boats that are clearly fishing the same line. Of course, you can always cross the weedline and fish the other side of it.
If I’m on a spot with lines in the water and a dive boat comes in and dumps divers next to me, whatever happens is on them! I’m not leaving, if I’m catching fish! You don’t have to give way! Hell, might be the biggest one you catch that day:imp:
You don’t have to give way to a dive boat that moves in on you, but you can’t move in on a dive boat that’s holding position and already has a dive flag out.
The laws are pretty clear, and a dive boat can’t bully you out of the area.
Play nice, I don’t want to hear about any of you guys on the news.
