A Non-Drama (I hope) FISHING Question

[Enough Already]

Made a very wet and bumpy run out last night from Boca, took 2 hours to get out to the 49 line off PE. Kept telling myself and crew of 3 newbies that you can't catch fish on the couch. Set up a couple miles north of a line of blinker bouys at 9:30PM thinking there was plenty of space for us both to take the NNW ride. Within 45 minutes, it was apparent the bouy line was moving much faster than we were. When the gap closed to about 200 yards, we hauled in everything and took a run west to clear the last bouy. No radio flames, so I guess we didn't get too close. Pretty sloppy night and we called it quits after 3 hours and 2 chummers. Took another hour to get back in to Boca.

Question - Pretty sure we were both getting hit with the same wind from the SSE. Why would the bouy line close the gap so fast on us?

Offer - I'm putting in the time and think we got the rigs and gear right but no fish in the last 5 trips. Several slashers, a couple tight for a few seconds but no fish near the boat. I've got a no-strings open spot next time if you think you can help me with my game. Send IM if you're feeling charitable.

[Hicatch]

Actually the buoys are less affectd by the wind than your vessel; so the buoys actually maintained a direction more in line with the flow of the current. Meanwhile your boat was subjected to the affects of the wind as well as the current causing you to be pushed into the gear.

[Beerman]

Hit me up. What he said

[2ndChance]

Enough Already, Swordfishing is an art and not an exact science. To answer your question in reference to the Bouy gear verses your drift.
The bouy is moving with the current of the stream and there is very little effect of the wind on the bouys. Your boat however, is being affected by both wind and current.

For future reference setup West or South of the Bouys.

[Nightfighter]

Originally Posted by Enough Already

Within 45 minutes, it was apparent the bouy line was moving much faster than we were. Question - Pretty sure we were both getting hit with the same wind from the SSE. Why would the bouy line close the gap so fast on us?

The buoy gear is being towed around by the deep currents, where as you in the boat, are mostly affected by the wind and surface current. Kind of like the way the floats/jugs drift apart when they are at different depths.
As far as not getting a fish yet, keep at it. Ask Nick C. how many trips it took him.

[Flatsfish B]

Originally Posted by 2ndChance

Enough Already, Swordfishing is an art and not an exact science. To answer your question in reference to the Bouy gear verses your drift.
The bouy is moving with the current of the stream and there is very little effect of the wind on the bouys. Your boat however, is being affected by both wind and current.

For future reference setup West or South of the Bouys.

Correct, except you can not setup any place around a bouy unless you know what the wind is doing. If you setup south of a bouy on a south wind you will catch the bouy.

I was out in that crap last night as well. Had one run off that is it. The wind was out of the NE causing your boat to slow down, the bouys were just going north with the stream and were not effected by the wind like your boat. The bite sucked and the water was dirty. We setup on a temp break on the 51.

[TOPPDAWG]

We Were Out In That Bullshit Last Night Too. Went 2 For 3 With All Small But Legal Fish. Released Them Both. I Saw Some Bouy Gear As We Drifted Through It But I Wasn't About To Reset My Drift Bc Someone Wasn't Tending To There Bouys. We Called It Quits After We Ran Out Of Captain And Coke.

[Enough Already]

Originally Posted by Nightfighter

The buoy gear is being towed around by the deep currents, where as you in the boat, are mostly affected by the wind and surface current. Kind of like the way the floats/jugs drift apart when they are at different depths.
As far as not getting a fish yet, keep at it. Ask Nick C. how many trips it took him.

Yep - familiar with the Nick C. legend! . . . but I think he ultimately figured something out. Re: drift - thought I had it figured out - stream current north, SSE wind, set up north of the line because my boat would have more windage and drift faster north. Maybe the deep bouy gear was grabbing more north current than estimated or I got directionally confused. Learning experience every time I go out.

[Nick C]

Must be the squid you are using. They suck

[CAPTINMITCH]

Originally Posted by Nick C

Must be the squid you are using. They suck

Says Mr. I-started-out-zero-for-47.

[Enough Already]

Originally Posted by Nick C

Must be the squid you are using. They suck

Yeah, they seem to get sucked right off the hook. I assume you put as much care and attention into rigging them as you would your own!