Check Hilton Head link for a decent offshore report, if you desire. Can’t figure out how to copy and paste it over here, and I don’t feel like typing. The fish wore me out. Merry X-mas everyone.
Nice report Courtland.
I will paste it for you.
Reply author: Courtland
Replied on: 12/19/2007 7:29:20 PM
Message:
John and Chris help out if I miss anything:
Roll-out @ 6 AM. Added Old-Dude to our threesome and made way in the dark. The sound was flat and as the sun rose I bumped it up to 35 or so. Had squid, mullet(dead and live) and a livewell full of pinners and other goodies. Had more fish than we knew what to do with. Three ARS over 15#, catch and release on grouper(after a few went in the box), a 35#+ king, nurse shark, turtle(catch and release), all the other bottom dwellers: pinkies, triggers, grunts, bsb, b-liners, some crazy orange fish with big eyes, but the best was the easily 50# bull dolphin the ate my pinner at the boat. Oh, forgot to tell you I had my drag locked up from bottom fishing—POP—gone, big fish no lie. Chunked for a bit and that is when we got the king, the dolphin didn’t return. John at the same time had 150# leader parted so fast you couldn’t believe it(another king?). Wind picked up a bit but rolled in @ 40+. Another beautiful day…
Think how stupid the average person is, then realize that half the people are dumber than that.
Reply author: Marsh Monkey
Replied on: 12/19/2007 8:04:22 PM
Message:
Great day! Thanks Courtland, where are the photos and the tuna update?
Chris Walton
aka The Tequila Monkey
www.ChrisWaltonRealEstate.com
Luke 8:22-25
Thank you kind sir. Your age is showing, or mine, with my lack of computer skills.
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandThank you kind sir. Your age is showing, or mine, with my lack of computer skills.
Your age is also showing with your fine catch of red snappers though!
Luke 8:22-25
I’m a transplant and have only really been fishing here for about a year. Other than #'s where the fish are I have experimented with all of the various rigging methods for bottom dweller tackle. Not so much rod and reel but actual rigs. Although moderately successful, I never really loaded the boat with what I thought was on the fish finder. Anchor/ no anchor, mono/flouro, long leader/ short leader and so on. My last 2 trips were the most successful all around trips. No Anchor and the big difference for me has been a shorter leader(no more than 18") of 50# flouro with a smaller than average HD live bait hook that I slightly offset. I do know that most guys are anchored and I could have just had some good days. The key to fishing is finding what works for you, I think I might be on to something, atleast for me. Anything of note folks would like to share would be interesting.
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandI’m a transplant and have only really been fishing here for about a year. Other than #'s where the fish are I have experimented with all of the various rigging methods for bottom dweller tackle. Not so much rod and reel but actual rigs. Although moderately successful, I never really loaded the boat with what I thought was on the fish finder. Anchor/ no anchor, mono/flouro, long leader/ short leader and so on. My last 2 trips were the most successful all around trips. No Anchor and the big difference for me has been a shorter leader(no more than 18") of 50# flouro with a smaller than average HD live bait hook that I slightly offset. I do know that most guys are anchored and I could have just had some good days. The key to fishing is finding what works for you, I think I might be on to something, atleast for me. Anything of note folks would like to share would be interesting.
Everybody has a different style of fishing, I’ve found. Everyone I was with yesterday was outfished by a young man who had only caught a few gag grouper if any in his life before this week. Tuesday he caught 9, and yesterday he caught 7 (maybe 8). I was not there Tuesday, but yesterday I caught only 4 and lost 2 on the way up doing what I thought was best for me at each spot. I only caught 2 gags that were legal. This guy caught 7 total, and all were legal (13-25 lbs)… he was using a rod and reel that would be terrible for how I fish, but he was perfectly confident in his gear and it was adequate (obviously) for the type of bottom we were on. He destroyed the gags when we were on gag bottom, and I began to do better when we were on bottom that was better for scamps and red grouper and also the vermillions and triggers because of how I fish and the rigs I use. This was because diffe
I used circle hooks extensively for stripers and the way those fish p/u a bait with the boat at rest makes it easy. Leave the rod in the holder, set the clicker and tension just enough to keep line on, leave in freespool, wait for noise, engage spool and 95% of those fish are hooked in the corner. Fishing that way for 20 years makes some hard habits to break. I have given up on circles for the most part for the bottom here unless I’m fishing real deep, 150’ plus. The smaller fish don’t seem to move enough to set the circle. I’ll try the rod angle next time I’m out and I certainly appreciate the input. I’d also put an open invitation out to any of the C-Town boys looking to mix it up a bit and fish some new waters with some new people. I’m mobile as well, hint, hint. By the way the chip on my boat is usually zero as it is for “business”.
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandThank you kind sir. Your age is showing, or mine, with my lack of computer skills.
If you let me borrow your camera I can get the photos up. Correct me if I’m wrong … I’m older than boy Jersey Boy!
Chris Walton
aka The Tequila Monkey
www.ChrisWaltonRealEstate.com
You need to get with “On The Mark” He lives in Bluffton, and we fish either up here, or down there on the Snapper banks / Sow pen / deli. I’ve been known to catch a few bottom fish as well. Very nice on the chickens! I use a long leader / #8 Owner circle hook / 8 oz egg for them with a live bait hooked by the tail.
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandI used circle hooks extensively for stripers and the way those fish p/u a bait with the boat at rest makes it easy. Leave the rod in the holder, set the clicker and tension just enough to keep line on, leave in freespool, wait for noise, engage spool and 95% of those fish are hooked in the corner. Fishing that way for 20 years makes some hard habits to break. I have given up on circles for the most part for the bottom here unless I’m fishing real deep, 150’ plus. The smaller fish don’t seem to move enough to set the circle. I’ll try the rod angle next time I’m out and I certainly appreciate the input. I’d also put an open invitation out to any of the C-Town boys looking to mix it up a bit and fish some new waters with some new people. I’m mobile as well, hint, hint. By the way the chip on my boat is usually zero as it is for “business”.
Where do you run out of?
Luke 8:22-25
Moss Creek Marina, HHI. Some of us have friends go with us and drive the truck and trailer back to HHI after putting in C-Town. They then fish and return to HHI when done. I have fished your way a little but am more interested in new blood(techniques and ideas) than the spots. I’ve got the #‘s, but would welcome the crash course and save me a few years on the rigging/technique learning curve. There are alot of good fishermen out their but when you ask for info(here) noone seems to know anything(lots of opinions), or wants to take the time to enlighten(if they truly know). I have caught alot of fish in alot of places and am not afraid to ask questions, I do not consider myself an expert fisherman, I truly believe their are not that many expert fisherman out their posting on this site(15-20 probably). I think we could all do each other a favor and put our info out there. You might couple what “you/I” know with a tid-bit here or there. Not the general 100’ dead bait on bottom. The problem here is discerning the guys who “heard it” from the guys who “did it”. I am starting to weed them out. I’ve put 450hrs. on my boat this year, plus fishing with friends. My interest is genuine and so is the information I share. Looking for a few others that feel the same. This post is no offense to those I fish with. I have learned alot from many people and would like to continue to do so.
Short question, long answer.Sorry.
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandMoss Creek Marina, HHI. Some of us have friends go with us and drive the truck and trailer back to HHI after putting in C-Town. They then fish and return to HHI when done. I have fished your way a little but am more interested in new blood(techniques and ideas) than the spots. I’ve got the #‘s, but would welcome the crash course and save me a few years on the rigging/technique learning curve. There are alot of good fishermen out their but when you ask for info(here) noone seems to know anything(lots of opinions), or wants to take the time to enlighten(if they truly know). I have caught alot of fish in alot of places and am not afraid to ask questions, I do not consider myself an expert fisherman, I truly believe their are not that many expert fisherman out their posting on this site(15-20 probably). I think we could all do each other a favor and put our info out there. You might couple what “you/I” know with a tid-bit here or there. Not the general 100’ dead bait on bottom. The problem here is discerning the guys who “heard it” from the guys who “did it”. I am starting to weed them out. I’ve put 450hrs. on my boat this year, plus fishing with friends. My interest is genuine and so is the information I share. Looking for a few others that feel the same. This post is no offense to those I fish with. I have learned alot from many people and would like to continue to do so.
Short question, long answer.Sorry.
Sent you an email.
I agree there are not many people who post on here who are true experts, and even fewer are actually good enough at what they do to share info when asked. Some have posted here and been run off by all the heckling and jibing on the rainy days, and some don’t post merely because they are worried about others learning what they think is their
I’ll get your mail in the AM. My home one is cmbabcock@hargray.com. After tomorrow I’ll be off till whenever(Jan.7 or so). Merry X-mas all.
Check the BFT/HHI thread for the rest of the pics.
I’m with you guys on sharing. I’ve tried sharing very basic techniques that work for me. Mostly inshore as I have only been at the offshore thing for a couple of years now. People are very quick on this site to bash you if your info is’nt spot on. It’s made me very cautious about posting general info. I also realised very quickly that an advanced or senior member is’nt alway an expert. He could just be a guy who spends a lot of time on the internet.
John Yachini
26 Hydra Sports
I have found that the biggest red snappers I have caught are always on good ledge or hard bottom. Well No sh.t, but that being said I usually catch most of my mules with consistancy(sp) in 110 feet on smaller structure. I have a spot of Cape Romain that i know i can catch legal size fish but never any of the bruisers I have caught in a general area in 110 feet. To date my largest is 28.5 pounds, nothing walks you like a bottom fish over 20lbs. I agree that each structure produces differently. Some days you can get by with cigar minnows and other days live pinfish. Days I know I can target large fish I will take a live well full of pinfish. At our marina just a few pieces of fish tossed in a empty slip will provide enough for the day with one cast.
Anyone that can spend days offshore with a good bottom machine can find fish. So what makes some better than others. I fished with a captain growing up that taught me how to set up on structure. To me this seperates beginners from experience. Its not like docking in the sense your trying to stop directly over a 20 sft area that you cant see and is 100 feet below you while the wind and current are moving you. This is another No Sh.t point but think about the days when you are picking at the fish and the wind or current changes. As the boat swings you get over another part of the structure and catch different fish or bigger. This happens and if your trying to set up on a rock that is the size of your desk, you have to be set up directly over it. That comes with practice and time. That to me makes some fisherman better than others, the simple ability to set up on fish.
I have been doing it long enough to be able to see the signatures on the sonar and know what type of fish are holding in a area. BS! seriously if you look at the type of hit coming back you can see what is beneath you. Example: Bannanna Red Lines off the bottom stacked up are B-liners.
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Vertical s
b-liner display doesnt look the same when i posted.
I have got the fish ID pretty good on the sounder. I don’t feel that the quality of fish coming over the rails is the same as what I see down there all the time. I know your not going to put big fish in the boat every day. The setting up on the structure and actual tackle and rigging I think is the difference for me(where I need help). I’m new to this fishery. I am rigging a second anchor and will be trying to pinpoint my drop a little better as I don’t feel I’ve given anchoring a good enough try. Knowing where the different fish usually hold on a piece of structure would help too(divers would know). Snapper usually above it, grouper in it?, AJ’s and cudas mid level and so on. Putting the boat on the fish is the easy part for me, putting the fish on the boat is where I need the insight. I’m thinking of a underwater video camera if you guys don’t pony up the info!
Good stuff!
I am in for a trip to the C-town. I’ve heard of a good Hotel to stay, eat and dock the boat. Somewhere around Shem Creek. Can’t remember the name, anyboy know what I’m talking about?
Chris Walton
aka The Tequila Monkey
www.ChrisWaltonRealEstate.com
Court giving away good bottom numbers away is like allowing someone to sleep with your wife. Not really but pretty close, I dont give away numbers to productive bottom to just anyone. People i fish with regularly, family, and my best friend other than that its water depth and broad areas. I dont do it to be an a-hole just have spent a lot of time and fuel covering areas, and personally have a hard time just writing that down on a piece of paper and handing it over.
You will get the hang of it just keep firing them down. If it makes you feel any better about consistancy I know people that have been marlin fishing in tournaments for years before they finally caught one. I will admit this will be the first year since i was 10 years old that i have not caught a billfish. Kind of pains me. My 16 year streak is over. Oh well new job and blown motor have that effect.
As for your tackle questions I keep it ridiuclously simple and it works. I havent tried jigging because blew motor day after i got everything set up to try it so Im no expert at that. One thing I always do is make sure i have a big bait down all the time.
I use simple double loop rigs with small hooks and small pieces of bait until you get the fish biting hard. I have found that the grouper bite harder when there is a lot of action going on. If i hit a few quality fish I will use a bent butt rigged with a three way swivel enough wait to hold in current and a long florcarbon leader with 9/0 circle hook. Put hook through back of Tomtate or pinfish toss out and let it down very slowly. Hit bottom 3-4 cranks up and sit back and wait. Personally I rig my rod just like the fish finder flounder rig just more beafed up. It is harder to feel initial bite but you can feel the weight of fish when you lift rod tip.
I wish you well and hope you get the hang of it. Looking at your pictures you look like your doing fine. Defantly a sport that takes time and the longer you do it the better you will be.
thanks courtland
might as well be dead up here if i cant find that live bottom