Deep sea fishing from a party boat.

[alec bailey]

This summer me and my buddies have got a beach trip planed, and one of the things we plan to do is a fishing trip on a party boat. Were are going 40-80miles out on a 12hr trip. Ive been on a 8 hour trip before and had a blast. But there was a clear difference between us and the people who knew what they were doing (the ones catching bigger, better and more fish). My question is do any of you guru's out there have any advice for this trip? Some of the things i did notice were they had lures and bait, not just plain bait, and they all seemed to be at the back of the boat?

I would greatly appreciate any advice, thanks in advance.

[MDMEADTX]

If they are tying off to platforms, I would prefer the back of boat as well. Also stay off the bottom. IMO bigger fish will be suspended, some times only half way down.

[Ruark]

I can answer your question, but first I need to know if you're bottom fishing or drift fishing. Huge difference.

[alec bailey]

I can answer your question, but first I need to know if you're bottom fishing or drift fishing. Huge difference.

All i know is they go out, stop the boat, and you drop your line. Squid is provided for bait.

[stickman]

Bottom fishing=big live baits or big jigs tipped with whole squid
Drift fishing=skirts on ribbon fish or cigar minnows

Regardless of whether your drift or anchor figure out the current and adjust depths till you dial in where the bigger fish are.

[FeetDown]

Back of the boat is always coveted it seems. I think typically it puts your hook first in line for anything following the chum slick (or smell of all the baits in the water). Gotta get there early and stake your turf.

[doug]

What boat u going on and when?

[alec bailey]

What boat u going on and when?

Galveston party boat, the 12hr trip on june 23. I believe the boats name is the new buccaneer.

[Ruark]

Sounds like you're bottom fishing, then. Drift fishing from party boats is a pure crap shoot. Bottom fishing can get you a little more action, if you apply some skill. This is what works for me.

Be one of the first on the boat and grab a spot in one of the stern (back) corners. Tie your rag around it to "claim" your spot. Why do they catch more fish off the back? Because the boat is pointed upstream. The current carries the bait scent off the stern; the fish smell it, swim towards the boat and reach the stern first.

If at all possible, bring your own rod/reel, but it's ok if you don't. Look for a 50-80 lb. class rod with a sensitive tip. Ugly Stiks are wonderful for this kind of fishing.

Tie your own two-hook bottom rigs using 60-80 lb. clear flourocarbon. Sharp hooks are EVERYTHING. Carry a little hook file in your pocket (looks just like a regular shop file) and touch up your hook now and then. It should be sharp enough to stick you before you feel it. If you don't want to tie your own rigs, at least bring the hook file. Those party boat hooks tend to be as dull as a ball point pen. I use 6/0 or 7/0 saltwater hooks (no circle hooks, thank you).

Stand at the rail holding the foregrip in your L hand, controlling the line feed with your left. The INSTANT you feel it hit bottom, click the reel in gear and take up the slack, just enough to straighten out the line. Let the rod rise and fall with the boat to keep it straight. You will instantly feel fish chewing on the bait. When you feel a solid bite, jerk the rod upward to set the hook, then lower it back down and repeat - you'll often catch one on the other hook. If you don't anything within a couple minutes, reel up and re-bait; your bait's gone.

The important thing is that those schooling bottom fish will attack your baits instantly. Note: if you're tied up to an oil rig and you're not cranking up a fish within 30-40 seconds, your bait's gone. Many people don't realize this and sit there for hours holding an empty hook and complaining because they're "not catching anything."

An optional trick is to bring your own squid. Put it in a plastic tupperware-type dish the night before, soaked with fish attractant.

Sometimes you can catch bigger fish by cranking up 8-10 feet off the bottom. The big sow snapper will often suspend about halfway down. If you have a chance you can ask the captain if he sees any on his sonar. Sometimes I hold it at about 30-40 feet for a minute, then let it down another 10-12 feet at a time, until I get something. The main thing is to keep your rod pointed down, and be ready to set that hook instantly, and I mean instantly.

Anyway, that's my approach to party boat bottom fishing, and I consistently catch fish continuously, nonstop, the entire day. Won the boat jackpot several times. I haven't been out in a few years, since the snapper limits went to crap.

[alec bailey]

Sounds like you're bottom fishing, then. Drift fishing from party boats is a pure crap shoot. Bottom fishing can get you a little more action, if you apply some skill. This is what works for me.

Be one of the first on the boat and grab a spot in one of the stern (back) corners. Tie your rag around it to "claim" your spot. While do they catch more fish off the back? Because the boat is pointed upstream. The current carries the bait scent off the stern; the fish smell it, swim towards the boat and reach the stern first.

If at all possible, bring your own rod/reel, but it's ok if you don't. Look for a 50-80 lb. class rod with a sensitive tip. Ugly Stiks are wonderful for this kind of fishing.

Tie your own two-hook bottom rigs using 60-80 lb. clear flourocarbon. Sharp hooks are EVERYTHING. Carry a little hook file in your pocket (looks just like a regular shop file) and touch up your hook now and then. It should be sharp enough to stick you before you feel it. If you don't want to tie your own rigs, at least bring the hook file. Those party boat hooks tend to be as dull as a ball point pen. I use 6/0 or 7/0 saltwater hooks (no circle hooks, thank you).

Stand at the rail holding the foregrip in your L hand, controlling the line feed with your left. The INSTANT you feel it hit bottom, click the reel in gear and take up the slack, just enough to straighten out the line. Let the rod rise and fall with the boat to keep it straight. You will instantly feel fish chewing on the bait. When you feel a solid bite, jerk the rod upward to set the hook, then lower it back down and repeat - you'll often catch one on the other hook. If you don't anything within a couple minutes, reel up and re-bait; your bait's gone.

The important thing is that those schooling bottom fish will attack your baits instantly. Note: if you're tied up to an oil rig and you're not cranking up a fish within 30-40 seconds, your bait's gone. Many people don't realize this and sit there for hours holding an empty hook and complaining because they're "not catching anything."

An optional trick is to bring your own squid. Put it in a plastic tupperware-type dish the night before, soaked with fish attractant.

Sometimes you can catch bigger fish by cranking up 8-10 feet off the bottom. The big sow snapper will often suspend about halfway down. If you have a chance you can ask the captain if he sees any on his sonar. Sometimes I hold it at about 30-40 feet for a minute, then let it down another 10-12 feet at a time, until I get something. The main thing is to keep your rod pointed down, and be ready to set that hook instantly, and I mean instantly.

Anyway, that's my approach to party boat bottom fishing, and I consistently catch fish continuously, nonstop, the entire day. Won the boat jackpot several times. I haven't been out in a few years, since the snapper limits went to crap.

Thanks man, that actually helps alot

[TallTexan]

Sounds like you're bottom fishing, then. Drift fishing from party boats is a pure crap shoot. Bottom fishing can get you a little more action, if you apply some skill. This is what works for me.



Be one of the first on the boat and grab a spot in one of the stern (back) corners. Tie your rag around it to "claim" your spot. Why do they catch more fish off the back? Because the boat is pointed upstream. The current carries the bait scent off the stern; the fish smell it, swim towards the boat and reach the stern first.



If at all possible, bring your own rod/reel, but it's ok if you don't. Look for a 50-80 lb. class rod with a sensitive tip. Ugly Stiks are wonderful for this kind of fishing.



Tie your own two-hook bottom rigs using 60-80 lb. clear flourocarbon. Sharp hooks are EVERYTHING. Carry a little hook file in your pocket (looks just like a regular shop file) and touch up your hook now and then. It should be sharp enough to stick you before you feel it. If you don't want to tie your own rigs, at least bring the hook file. Those party boat hooks tend to be as dull as a ball point pen. I use 6/0 or 7/0 saltwater hooks (no circle hooks, thank you).



Stand at the rail holding the foregrip in your L hand, controlling the line feed with your left. The INSTANT you feel it hit bottom, click the reel in gear and take up the slack, just enough to straighten out the line. Let the rod rise and fall with the boat to keep it straight. You will instantly feel fish chewing on the bait. When you feel a solid bite, jerk the rod upward to set the hook, then lower it back down and repeat - you'll often catch one on the other hook. If you don't anything within a couple minutes, reel up and re-bait; your bait's gone.



The important thing is that those schooling bottom fish will attack your baits instantly. Note: if you're tied up to an oil rig and you're not cranking up a fish within 30-40 seconds, your bait's gone. Many people don't realize this and sit there for hours holding an empty hook and complaining because they're "not catching anything."



An optional trick is to bring your own squid. Put it in a plastic tupperware-type dish the night before, soaked with fish attractant.



Sometimes you can catch bigger fish by cranking up 8-10 feet off the bottom. The big sow snapper will often suspend about halfway down. If you have a chance you can ask the captain if he sees any on his sonar. Sometimes I hold it at about 30-40 feet for a minute, then let it down another 10-12 feet at a time, until I get something. The main thing is to keep your rod pointed down, and be ready to set that hook instantly, and I mean instantly.



Anyway, that's my approach to party boat bottom fishing, and I consistently catch fish continuously, nonstop, the entire day. Won the boat jackpot several times. I haven't been out in a few years, since the snapper limits went to crap.

Sounds like a lot of good info

[be12hunt]

I use 6/0 or 7/0 saltwater hooks (no circle hooks, thank you).

There is alot of good info here but I was under the impression it is a federal regulation to use a circle hook in federal waters. I am not saying I always do but they might check you getting on the party boat.

[alec bailey]

There is alot of good info here but I was under the impression it is a federal regulation to use a circle hook in federal waters. I am not saying I always do but they might check you getting on the party boat.

It seems like i remember hearing that. Anyone know?

[AntlerCollector]

Galveston party boat, the 12hr trip on june 23. I believe the boats name is the new buccaneer.

I've been on that boat a few times. They stop the boat you drop the squid to the bottom. If you have never been, you are basically shoulder to shoulder with fishermen right beside you. There is no casting out. You drop the line straight down. Most likely you will be after red snapper. They supply everything to fish with.

[ken]

It seems like i remember hearing that. Anyone know?

It is a federal law that circle hooks must be used when bottom fishing in federal waters.