I was speaking of 10-15 boats in ONE area, and the last time I was there was 4 or 5 years ago; probably changed some I’m sure; however the friend I was with was out of Marlin Quay and knew the charter cpts. We were within 1 mile of the most popular chater out of MarlinQuay, so I would guess we were in a honey hole area, not with the masses. The other times I was with a friend out of Georgetown Marina, and we trolled it seemed like for 30-40 miles total in 3 different areas, and we typically could only see 10 or so boats at any one time. That was 20 years ago, so obviously that situation has changed; but I don’t ever remember seeing anywhere near 100 boats all day long total, and we trolled from 7:00-3:00 or 4:00. That trip as previously stated by someone, is not an easy or inexpensive trip, so I can’t imagine the pressure being enormous that far offshore, plus as I stated, the weather has cancelled more trips than have been made. I now fish the Commanche areas, and we have had far more trips cancelld lately than we have made, so other than July-August, which is hotter than I like for fishing; the weather is protecting the fishery very well. I imagine July-August at the Hole is like a parking lot, and possibly 100 boats is not too unlikely. That’s only 2 months out of the year, so the pressure should be sustainable I would think; but I’m not qualified to comment on that area, except the few times I have been there. “Ghost Town Hole” is a thing of the past pretty much, but personally I feel safer that far offshore in a crowd, and being the occasional fisherman cornholin’ and cf.com are about all I have to hope for to catch fish…
Fish Swim in the ocean. they don’t float unless they are dead. So whats the point of giving #s where you caught tuna or didn’t I can guarantee you they won’t always be there the next time you return unless some japs have surrounded them with a net off of Mexico
Well said Chum King, hit and miss, wrong bait/lures, wrong speed, you name it, the likelihood of catching Tuna of any species is VERY slim; thus, where’s the pressure? Commercial longliners catch more Tuna in one trip than weekenders catch TOTALLY all year…
There are lots of fishermen who NEVER post on this site, and they fish their secret honey holes with very little bother;
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>
Ding, Ding, Ding…we have a winner!!! There are lots of fishermen who never post on this site, down here in Hilton Head, none of the top fishermen (with a few exceptions) post their reports here. The reason they do not post reports is that they do not want to draw attention, crowds, regulation, you name it…and when other people start posting what they are keeping on the down low, it understandably drives them nuts.
Understanding there are going to be crowds and actively participating in activities that increase the size and frequency of the crowds are certainly two different things.
Well said Chum King, hit and miss, wrong bait/lures, wrong speed, you name it, the likelihood of catching Tuna of any species is VERY slim; thus, where’s the pressure? Commercial longliners catch more Tuna in one trip than weekenders catch TOTALLY all year…
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
Mac daddy, is it possible you are missing something? Pressure comes in many forms... Re-read Marsh Tacky's post here for some insight:
quote:I observed the show from another boat and it looked like alot of fun. Not pointing the finger at courtland, yall seemed to keep to yourselves, but some of the other boats were charging right through the schools then casting, pushing them down. If this is going to become popular which I am defenatly going to try just remember how spookey these fish can get. I think we ended up with 9 fat ones.
The bottom line is that you CAN teach people how to catch all the blackfins they want over the internet, but people choose not to because they don’t want to be encroached upon by “other boats” that are “charging right through the schools when casting”… People want to know a lot more about catching and a lot less about COURTESY!!!
If one does not believe that the internet can draw attention to a certain spot, then they are either BLIND or they are FOOLS!!! You can argue that all you want, but the first time someone posts the report “THE YELLOWFINS ARE FINALLY BACK AT GT HOLE” with a bunch of pictures, you can almost be guaranteed to see 100 boats at the GT Hole the next saturday it’s calm. Ask yourself this… Are you REALLY TRYING TO ARGU
Well said, Catalac; we ARE all on the same page as to respecting each other’s opinions and goals; no problem on that. You are right about the difference between realizing and participating; bottom line probably will be the weekenders/occasional fishermen don’t worry about the crowds, and the serious fishermen very much worry about the crowds. Why can’t we get along with our differences, we’re searching for that answer here. My opinion is serious fishermen will ALWAYS catch 10-1 more fish than weekenders/occasional guys, so I don’t see the threat, except now the serious fishermen only catch 100 lbs.-300 lbs. per trip rather than the unlimited catches of the past. Even my trips to the Hole with very little experience, we caught 100-300 lbs. per trip, I can only IMAGINE what the serious boys get on an average trip, and still want to complain about declining #'s. On my personal boat, I never expected to catch more than 3-5 KM per trip, and was happy with that, bottom wise I felt keeping 25-30 fish average for 3-4 fishermen was enough. I feel if a fisherman wants to justify his expenses with catch, then it is not a hobby, but a business, and he shpi;d consider commercial fishing with a license. None of us are all right or all wrong, but I personally can’t stand the thought of and pictures of a cooler full of fish brought back to the dock when several should have been released. If the serious guys REALLY care about the resource, practice catch and release, and don’t fight the SAFMC closure.
bottom line probably will be the weekenders/occasional fishermen don’t worry about the crowds, and the serious fishermen very much worry about the crowds.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>This answer is slapping you in the face!!!
You seem to be oblivious to the fact that fishing in a crowd decreases your chance at catching fish!!!
Skinnee: I’m not denying any of the things you say are true, thay are; I"m just saying some fishermen are ok not catching many fish, and dealing with crowds; for those people, me included of course, the internet talk is fascinating and somewhat helpful; but it is not nearly as helpful in my opinion as it is in your opinion, dur to the “general” nature of the info. Believe me, I understand fully your point, my Dad HATED crowds on the pier, and cornholin’; I heard that all my life. That’s fine, no problem, just don’t tell the rest of us to react the same way as you and I won’t tell you to react the same way as me. I believe truly this thread has touched every group of salt water fisherman, except the surf/pier guys, Sharky should chime in somewhere about their crowds/cornholin’, if this were not the offshore forum we would have heard from him. This problem is inherent in fishing, even in ponds.
Skinnee: I’m not denying any of the things you say are true, thay are; I"m just saying some fishermen are ok not catching many fish, and dealing with crowds; for those people, me included of course, the internet talk is fascinating and somewhat helpful; but it is not nearly as helpful in my opinion as it is in your opinion, dur to the “general” nature of the info. Believe me, I understand fully your point, my Dad HATED crowds on the pier, and cornholin’; I heard that all my life. That’s fine, no problem, just don’t tell the rest of us to react the same way as you and I won’t tell you to react the same way as me. I believe truly this thread has touched every group of salt water fisherman, except the surf/pier guys, Sharky should chime in somewhere about their crowds/cornholin’, if this were not the offshore forum we would have heard from him. This problem is inherent in fishing, even in ponds.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
Yeah. I think what really got me interested in responding to this thread was the people who said that they didn't understand why people were tight lipped and when they chastised people who "kept secrets". I just wanted to point out how foolish that train of thought is.
Again, I am not against reports or getting people pointed in the right direction. I just think it’s foolish when people don’t take notice that the internet DOES have SOME effect on the fishery. I won’t pretend like I know exactly what effect it has, but I won’t ignore it either.
My reference to Sharky and the surf guys was a good example, he constantly INVITES more people to get involved with his fishing on this site; so do some of the pier fishermen on this site. Some people just want to share a good thing and some just want to keep it to theirselves. Different strokes for different folks, sums it up pretty well. I respect your opinion Skinnee VERY much, hop you can respect mine, too. What’s your opinion on catch n’ release for the fishery’s sake, and with your opinion why not support the closure for the fishery’s sake? Just wondering, not being a smart^^&.
My reference to Sharky and the surf guys was a good example, he constantly INVITES more people to get involved with his fishing on this site; so do some of the pier fishermen on this site. Some people just want to share a good thing and some just want to keep it to theirselves. Different strokes for different folks, sums it up pretty well. I respect your opinion Skinnee VERY much, hop you can respect mine, too. What’s your opinion on catch n’ release for the fishery’s sake, and with your opinion why not support the closure for the fishery’s sake? Just wondering, not being a smart^^&.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
Does Sharky invite people to come fish with him on a personal basis, or does he just write whitepapers about how to catch the most surf fish that you can catch on the internet?
I have no problem that people want to catch and release, but I am not oblivous to the fact that God gave me inscisors and canine teeth, and made my body dependent on rich sources of protein, all of which involve eating MEAT…
As far as closures… You only support closures if:
You think that there is a massive problem that supports a closure…
OR
You aren’t creative enough to think of “additive” ways to improve a fishery (restocking, habitat restoration, habitat building\development, etc).
Let me ask you this… If you were a farmer that owned a 1 acre cornfield that fed you and your family and realized that you were starting to run low on corn, but unfortunately, it’s your ONLY source of food… If you don’t do something, your food source will be completely depleted in 3 years. If you close the field, you will starve and your family will die… If you reduce your consumption, you may stretch it out to 5 years… What do you do?
Skinnee…I know you have missed me…I hope that you understand that I have no problem with keeping secrets…I certainly keep them now and used to keep them when I did fish offshore years ago…and I totally understand that the more and more stuff is spewed over the www that it increases pressure…but I hope that you also understand that the ocean belongs(unfortunately) to all of us and that some of those people choose to share info with others on the www, that’s their right. I do not think it is your duty to share info and I just thought it was a little much to say “what’s in it for me”…that phrase simply yanked my chain because I see a lot of that type behavior anymore and it gets my “goat”. Scootin pm’ed me and said you were a class act–I believe that…back when I fished we didn’t really do www forums, we simply chatted over beer at the marina…if I fished again today would I post it on the www…probably, but I would do it kinda like courtland did by not giving specifics…thereby preserving my secrets and yet also “chatting” as it were…
Skinnee…I know you have missed me…I hope that you understand that I have no problem with keeping secrets…I certainly keep them now and used to keep them when I did fish offshore years ago…and I totally understand that the more and more stuff is spewed over the www that it increases pressure…but I hope that you also understand that the ocean belongs(unfortunately) to all of us and that some of those people choose to share info with others on the www, that’s their right. I do not think it is your duty to share info and I just thought it was a little much to say “what’s in it for me”…that phrase simply yanked my chain because I see a lot of that type behavior anymore and it gets my “goat”. Scootin pm’ed me and said you were a class act–I believe that…back when I fished we didn’t really do www forums, we simply chatted over beer at the marina…if I fished again today would I post it on the www…probably, but I would do it kinda like courtland did by not giving specifics…thereby preserving my secrets and yet also “chatting” as it were…
adios...
I only have 2 questions left for you...
Did you or did you not say this:
quote:Ahhh...... Mr. Courtland,sir......thanks for the info as I also have never understood why some people are so secretive(childlike)....
And question #2… Was it BEFORE or AFTER I posted a list of “reasons”?
You tell me that you were responding to my comments, but that is not what the chronology of this thread implies…
Now, I will check wikipedia, but I am at least 47.867% certain that when you call someone
I would think that the MB, Charleston, Hilton Head area dont see nearly the fishing pressure that the outer banks get from Morehead all the way up through Orgeon inlet. The same would go for flordia and the keys being heavily fished.
The reason is it is just to far to get to the stream on a regular basis from charleston on most days, and they charter captains in the Hatteras area will fish everyday that its not blowing more than 25kts, while that most boats in SC stay home on days like that.
Just go to www.hatterasharbor.com to look at some of the past reports. They hammer the fish all year round up there. From Bluefin, to yf to BF to dolphins and kings in the fall.
Other captains get upset when people start catching tuna on kites vs trolling in hatteras because it makes them work harder. I think kite fishing is more fun than trolling as you get to see the bite and hook up.
There are tons of boats fishing the same area on any given day and the fish still come to the docks.
Skinneee… I simply don’t think you need to make such a big deal about it is all…it sounds…um…“childlike”…kinda like you have some special stuff and nanny,nanny,booboo,etc…I hear a lot of younger people on this and other forums saying keep it quiet,keep it quiet like they got the secret keys or something…please give me a break already…as I said earlier I don’t need your secrets …I’ve got my own…I simply enjoy hearing the reports is all…at ease…
Hey Skinneee…I think you better hightail it on over to the “Offshore Discussion” section before Sellsfish gives away all the jig fishing secrets and creates another “apex predator” like yourself…and also you might want to deal with reelhunter who is giving away spinner secrets…omg…to think that reelhunter actually sells stuff to these no good newbies…he’s really creating monsters(apex predators) by doing this isn’t he? I know that he is ruining your fishing by making a living isn’t he?
Skinnee: Catch & Release usually means keep what you REALLY need to eat, and release the rest. The Outer Banks story makes a lot of sense to me also, plenty fish for everybody; especially if we practice catch and release like good stewards of the sea. I once caught 35 KM in two days and kept {5}, still had more than I needed and felt guilty. That kind of thinking would keep us from overfishing the resource, instead of being concerned how many boats are in one spot. I know I’m dreaming, but catch and release should be the theme of this site; yet we never hear those words here, AND we congratulate those who bring back excessive amounts of fish to the dock. Example, the charter boat that kept {60} Dolphin last year, fortunately some did chastise that cpt. for being greedy on this site. Of course, that decision was up to the party more than the cpt., but the cpt. should have encouraged catch and release after 15-20 for a party of {6}, maybe he did, we don’t know. I know the limit is 10 per person for a reason, but we don’t always need to take the limit. The limit for KM is too high when {6} are on board also. All these subjects have been hashed over and over on this site, except catch and release and closure from the side of being in favor of closure for a short term, which I understand your point that it will probably not be short term. When the KM limit was first imposed fishermen got irate also, but the long term effect has been good in my opinion. Now not many care about the KM limit due to the mercury content in KM, otherwise we would be still hearing negative comments on that threatened closure too. If I remember correctly, we have a precedence on closure when the KM had a closure in the Gulf for a short time, I may be wrong, but that’s what I remember.
I would give the ole left testicle for a shot at one of those Blackfin with the fly rod. That looks like a blast. Nice catch!!!
Really?
Yes sir. You don’t happen to need a left testicle do you? Catching different species on the long rod is my passion, other than watching my dog work.
I find that disturbing... You are supposed to save the left one for something VERY special... Like maybe one night with Penelope Cruz, or winning the lottery, or a 65' sportfisher... Catching a blackfin on a fly rod is something easily attainable if you try, so I find that you shouldn't go about spending your nutz so frivilously!!! Nutz are not like real money. You can always get more real money, but you have to save your cadbury eggs for something big!!!
Dude that may be one of the funniest things I ever read about my testicle. I prbably had a better chance at Penelope than waking up tomorrow morning finding a 32’ center console or for that matter, anything to get me out that far. If it is easily attainable than hook a brother up. And by the way may