Had an old friend come in town and we fished a few days. Just bottom bumping and chasing a few schools of cobia running bait! Did very well, just not with large grouper. Found some nice red snapper though and after some quick pics and a good vent, our stomachs growled as we released some healthy ones back down to the deep. Large Be-liners all over any depth from 100 foot out to 250. The biggest we found were in 180 northern ledge.
“Each and Every Day is a Blessing”
Nice
very nice
21’ Triumph T-Top 150
I’m new to the offshore thing and looking for a little general info. What kind of distance and heading are the ledges? Is it a continuous line or broken sections? I don’t mind looking for spots myself but is sure helps to have an idea where to start watching the sonar. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
Looks like y’all had fun.
Curious about pic #3. What’s up with the ziploc?? Keeping salt off something.
Scale and phone?
Thanks,
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
Go buy a maps unique chart there are hundreds of numbers on there that will get you started. Plus you can see contours that will help you zero in… Most importantly make sure your gear is in good shape and has good line on it. Plus check the web you can see a map of all the artifical reefs
quote:
Originally posted by sulcatamanI’m new to the offshore thing and looking for a little general info. What kind of distance and heading are the ledges? Is it a continuous line or broken sections? I don’t mind looking for spots myself but is sure helps to have an idea where to start watching the sonar. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
Yes the uniques map is great you can find it at one of the local tackle stores and im sure west marine had em. Tops spots is also good to have as well with unique maps. Learning how to read the bottom will be the most important skill once you find it. Dnr also has some numbers of the local reefs and locations of various sunker objects. Comanche is very good to start don’t trust the provide numbers just use em as reference and explore. Some areas are extremely productive there with very nice and high quality fish.
The bag is protecting my wireless controls. Them things aren’t cheap and sure aren’t water proof.
I leaned over to release and revive a red, then a wave submerge control. Now I dont take any chances.
“Each and Every Day is a Blessing”
Thanks Airbus & baitkiller. I have all the DNR numbers including Comanche and I have used GPS and sonar to locate structure & fish out to about 60 feet of water. I recently got a larger boat, with much better electronics, that I am comfortable taking out further and would love to fish live bottom in the 80-120’ range. Just want to go in the right direction and know what depths to slow down and start watching the sonar. Trying to understand the geology of the ledges.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
The ledges are coral encrusted limestone remnants of ancient coastlines at various time is geologic history. They are generally continuous depth breaks running parallel to the modern coast (NE-SW). Even though the depth breaks are continuous, the ledges and live bottom areas of exposed limesone are much more pronounces in some areas than others. The most pronounced breaks seem to occur in the 60-70 foot range, then in the 90-110 foot area, then again near the edge of the continental shelf around 130-150. Best way to find good bottom if you don’t have any numbers, start with the maps unique and circle, circle, circle until you find a good show on the bottom finder! Take a look at the chart, and keep an eye on the sounder in those depth change areas when you are running in and out too, never know what you are going to run over! You can also do what every other honorable bottom fishermen does, and just shanghai every spot you see a boat fishing! Good luck!
Kill em’ and Grill em’
Colin
Contrary to ■■■■■■■■■’s recommendation, “shangahi or cornholing” other boats numbers and where people are fishing is not what you want to do. Its sad that this is the advice given these days, but we do live in a world where everyone wants something for nothing and people deserve others hard work for no logical reason. Other than that, ■■■■■■■■■ has good advice. Time on the water yields better and better results, so put your time in and the fish will come. Just like on land, respect for others space and freedom is very important on the ocean that we love and share.
Thanks guys. I don’t push up on other fishermen. Never have, never will. I’m looking to find spots on my own, mark them to fish mostly bottom. Also want to troll some. I’d love to catch dolphin, tuna, and wahoo. Your advice is greatly appreciated. I do have a couple of friends with offshore experience trolling who will be out with me soon.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha