2/9 - Keep Trying - Any Advice?

[Enough Already]

Made it out of Boca inlet around 4:30 and started setting up to this.



Thought we had a huge head start and were set for a great night. Only action all night was this toothy imposter. Baby Dusky?



First set-up was off PE around the 52. Current pushed us east, so that off Boca, we were around the 49. Current/wind seemed to be ripping, pushing us at 4 knots per the GPS. Was using Nick C squid and tried multiple depths, 100 - 300ft. Fished 32 oz. weight/light combo appx 50 feet from the bait. No action other than the shark. Radio was pretty quiet, so maybe it was just a slow night.

Frustration is setting in. Couple of questions:

Last two times out, it seems all the boats are lined up way east of us. Map I have says off PE, bottom structure is between the 53 and 50 line. Am I setting up in the wrong spot?

Weight/light combo a bad idea?

Sword light was off the side at an angle, telling me we were drifting faster than the current. Time to get a sea anchor to slow things down?

[CJDcatch22]

The recent trend is to fish deep. that's probably why you saw boats to your east, 47-49. Gotta have a sea anchor, the slower the better. 3-4 kts is pretty fast, it was a fast drift tonight with that wind. Maybe push that light closer to the bait, 15-20 ft. Keep the lead far away.

We were 2 for 2 on the 50 - both small fish. Don't let your baits just soak all night - reel em up once in a while, one at a time. They'll bite - just keep trying.

[swordstalker]

Exactly what Catch22 said. Keep trying, just try a little further east this time of year. We've been doing pretty good lately in the 48-50 range.

[CARBEN COPY]

1st tip.....worry less about posting the second you get home in the wee hours of the morning. 2nd tip... go another time or two with some (or at least 1) experienced guy. If you let me know what nights you have available I might be able to help you out. As for going deep or shallow......When I was out thursday night some guy said he was getting bit on the "55" true, not true? Others were deep? you cannot rely on anyone but yourself. Get a feeling and go with it.

[billspilingup]

Find the bait and you'll find the fish. Had tinks chewing the bottom of my boat off and went 3-8 last night.

[CJDcatch22]

Tinks, Where?

[Nick C]

You were in the right area... the bite was pretty slow last night.
The bulk of the botton structure is on the 49. But the fish move. Some night try inside, others try out side, and others, try right on that 49.
Check you baits and move them.
I was covered up in tinks last night and only got one bite.

[Nick C]

Originally Posted by CARBEN COPY

1st tip.....worry less about posting the second you get home in the wee hours of the morning.

So what .
And yes the guy fishing/catching on the 55 was legit.

[Another Grand]

I think I know that guy that has been catching them in there too

[Enough Already]

Originally Posted by CARBEN COPY

1st tip.....worry less about posting the second you get home in the wee hours of the morning.

No worries! Might as well do something productive if you're wired up from red bull, diet coke, spicy fried chicken and no-catch frustrastion.

[CARBEN COPY]

I hear ya on that one!! Like I said, feel free to gimmee a call anytime. More than happy to give ya a helping hand!!

And to the "infamous" shallowman.......I figured that was you. Heard you the master of fishin INSIDE. That's where you got that torny winning fish if I'm not mistaken!! Congrats on that slob, very noice fishy!!!!!!!

[Nick C]

never mind...

Mike, next time you're avalible, lets go. My boat or yours.

[ContenderWays]

Get one of these great guys out on the boat with ya or I strongly recommend you charter someone out like New Lattitude charters. You can see exactly what they are doing. And once you have had a few fishless trips, everything he does will make sense.

Split the charter with 2 other buddies and enjoy youself.

Good Luck

[NightCrawler]

Everyone goes through a bad patch from time to time. You may not be doing anything wrong. It happens to everybody and taking out a so called "expert" does not guaranty a fish in the boat. Just keep doing it and trying new things and most important don't get discouraged. That's the worst thing on a boat. Having said that, would be happy to do a trip with ya. I actually met you in lake boca coming in one night, was fishing with Darren.

[Nick C]

never mind...

[CARBEN COPY]

. No shame in asking for help. It took me 3 or for trips with more experienced than I till I got the hang of it and I learn more with every trip!

[NightCrawler]

i drink to peace on earth

[Flatsfish B]

Originally Posted by Enough Already

First set-up was off PE around the 52. Current pushed us east, so that off Boca, we were around the 49. Current/wind seemed to be ripping, pushing us at 4 knots per the GPS. Was using Nick C squid and tried multiple depths, 100 - 300ft. Fished 32 oz. weight/light combo appx 50 feet from the bait. No action other than the shark. Radio was pretty quiet, so maybe it was just a slow night.

Frustration is setting in. Couple of questions:

Last two times out, it seems all the boats are lined up way east of us. Map I have says off PE, bottom structure is between the 53 and 50 line. Am I setting up in the wrong spot?

Weight/light combo a bad idea?

Sword light was off the side at an angle, telling me we were drifting faster than the current. Time to get a sea anchor to slow things down?

Mike, Call me tomorrow...

I almost always setup on the inside of the fleet in the winter. Thats were the bait is usually stacked.

Use as light of weight as you can, don't use 32's on slow current/wind nights. The lighter the better and will save you $. LP is fine, but you can fish them at the top of your wind-on.

You can use a sea anchor but not sure where you would deploy it. Probably off your straboard rear cleat.



I fished thursday and friday and got only 1 fish each night, it was a slow week after the moon. If you want to maximize your bites I would move your tip rods all the way up and all the way down, check baits often, and vary depths until you find a sweet Area. Other then that if you don't get a bite move in or out, but just remember the bite sometimes just turns on and you want to have a full spread in the water. This is what I do, who knows if it is the best for you but it works for me.

How tight is your drag in the rod holder?? Are you fishing balloons/jugs of floats?? J/W.

[Enough Already]

Thanks everyone - appreciate the input! I'm out of town for a few days and when I get back, I'll post some photos of my rigging. Not whining here - just if I'm burning the gas and staying up half the night - want to improve my odds. Almost always an open spot on my boat for friendly experts.