Okay all. I’m about ask a potentially stupid question here.
I have come to accept I’m at best a recreational offshore fisherman based on my time spent on the big blue. So my level of knowledge and expertise is nothing like most of you. That being said, I’ve started seeing dolphin in my sleep lately, and as a result I was watching some YouTube videos of fishing and noticed quite a few big charter boats (sporty’s) who stop motoring when reeling in a fish. This is contrary to anything I’ve been taught by many of you, and have experienced on other people boats.
So, I’m wondering why would you come to a complete stop to fight a fish? Am I missing something or doing it wrong? Just wondering what y’alls thoughts are on this. Thanks.
We only stop the motors if it ends up being a big fish and continuing to move is going to make it difficult to land it. For the most part, we like to continue moving forward because we don’t reel all the other lines in and moving forward, even very slowly, keeps the lines untangled and often times we’ll get other bites…especially with dolphin.
Everyone has a different technique and reasons behind doing what they do, but for us, its easier and the landing ratio is higher if we have the boat in gear the whole time. Is easier for the fish to spit the hook by getting slack in the line if the boat is stopped. For us.
Different captains have different techniques. Ask someone in the Bahamas why they aren’t trolling with ballyhoo and you’ll get laughed at.
Same as 23. A majority of the time I like to keep the boat moving forward solely because I try and keep most of the lines out when fighting a fish. If one is on there are others around. This also keeps the fish behind the boat and keeps him from crossing the lines I leave out. Now if its a big fish, one thats all over the place, a junior angler or something like that I may bring in all the lines and back down the boat to help them out.
With a fish you can control, fighting from a dead boat is more fun and sporting. But I’ve found that with a really big fish you need to parallel the direction the fish is swimming to get it up to the boat. At least that is what works for me.
What you guys are saying is everything I’ve been taught by this crowd which is why I’ve always done the same thing. I just found it odd that I was watching big sporty’s fighting 30 lb. dolphin and such from a dead stand still.
Like I said, I just had a moment of asking myself “these guys are pro’s and they are doing it this way. Am I missing something?”
If you look close enough, you might even see some sporties actually in reverse… A lot of it probably depends on the tackle that you are using. You get a 40# dolphin on a 20# outfit with 5#'s of drag and you won’t be getting him in any time soon if you keep the boat moving forward and away from him. Many factors control what you do with the boat: tackle, species, angler, sea conditions, tournament or fun, whether you care about landing the fish, etc… There is no right answer to fit every scenario. Do what you have to do to get him in.
