Somebody wanna help me out? Trying to learn the offshore thing.

[redneck7]

I've got a 23' center console, (Fish Nautique...full inboard) and 2 6/0's, 2 wide 4/0s and a big penn spinning reel, 750 ssm I think. Anyway, I have no idea what to do aside from drag ballyhoo...I don't know the particulars of how. I have no idea where to do it except that it's east of where I'm sitting right now, but again, I don't know the particulars. I've chartered quite a few times, run out on other people's private boats when I was younger, but since I've been truly interested in doing it on my own, seems like my opportunities to go with folks dried up. I've read up and asked a few questions here and there, but inshore I seem to learn better by reading up, asking a few questions and then giving it a shot for a day or two, then asking more questions...In any case, if someone knows their stuff and would like to ride out with me some day, or maybe I can pay for some gas and head out with you and kinda learn the ropes before I just go burn a tank of gas dragging dead fish aimlessly?

I should be down in Kill Devil Hills this coming Sunday for two weeks if money is right, so Oregon Inlet or Hatteras would work better for me, plus the bite seems to look better down there if the fishing reports don't lie.

Suggestions are always appreciated.

-Ryan

[ocnslr]

I'm sure you will get some good responses.

I will provide a few points:

a) The boat is probably OK for days with good conditions. Do you know your fuel range? Rule-of-thumb is 1/3 fuel for trip out, 1/3 for return, and 1/3 for safety margin.

b) Safety gear for offshore is a lot more demanding than inshore. Make sure you are prepared. Proper lifejackets; good VHF; back-up VHF; GPS; back-up GPS....

c) Boat in best condition it can be.

d) SeaTow or TowBoatUS probably a good idea.

e) The 6/0s might be OK. The 4/0s and the 750SSm might be easily overpowered by most of the feesh out there...

Best wishes for every success, and a safe trip out and back.

Brian

[redneck7]

I'm sure you will get some good responses.

I will provide a few points:

a) The boat is probably OK for days with good conditions. Do you know your fuel range? Rule-of-thumb is 1/3 fuel for trip out, 1/3 for return, and 1/3 for safety margin.

b) Safety gear for offshore is a lot more demanding than inshore. Make sure you are prepared. Proper lifejackets; good VHF; back-up VHF; GPS; back-up GPS....

c) Boat in best condition it can be.

d) SeaTow or TowBoatUS probably a good idea.

e) The 6/0s might be OK. The 4/0s and the 750SSm might be easily overpowered by most of the feesh out there...

Best wishes for every success, and a safe trip out and back.

Brian

a.)Carry about 80 gallons and back when the flo scan worked I got between 1.8 and 4mpg depending on speed, seas, etc. I spear-fish out of the boat up to 30 miles offshore and have never had trouble with the seas nor the fuel, but I truthfully don't know my range persay...could be a problem and that's one thing I've thought about more than once.

b.) life jackets got em, 2 vhfs, 2 antennas, gps, handheld gps.

c.) new this season: engine, prop, strut, bilge pump, batteries, wiring and rebuilt tranny.

d.) not yet, but I agree...I feel like it's a good idea.

e.) I keep getting mixed responses on the 4/0's. Some said 4/0's are all you need, some said go with 9/0's, so I got 2 6/0's and two 113 wides. I'll go from there.

Appreciate the suggestions and well wishes.

[teasersportfish]

Ryan,

You're welcomed to take a ride with me and I'll show you what I know.
I'm based out of Wachapreague, VA. 28 Carolina Classic, twin 330 hp
Cummins, Licensed Captain. Cut my teeth out of Carolina in my early years
and did some fishing both out of Australia and Hawaii (4 years). Been fishing
out of Wachapreague offshore since I returned from Hawaii in 98. I'm by no
means an expert but will share what I know.

Bmail me if you want to head offshore with me.


Keith
Teaser
Wachapreague, VA.

[Darren]

Your 4/0's are enough reel to handle most fish out there. The problem you will have with them is line capacity. You'll have to pull them on the flat lines, or very short on the riggers. Of course Murphy says the monster is gonna swim right in to that rod, which is what almost always happens.

[gary49]

A big wahoo will cook the drag washers on a 4/0. 6/0 Penn Senators will catch 98% of what you will hook out there. Another nice option for those on a budget is the Shimano TLD 25. Rod belts are needed for sure, and a stand up harness if you plan on managing to catch something big without getting beat up and/or passing the rod.

[Fishboy OV8]

Murphy says a 70lb YFT or a 100+lb Big Eye or a 400lb Marlin or a 125lb BFT will take that 4/0 to the cleaners. There are soooo many fish out there that will over power a 4/0, not worth the risk of losing a fish of a lifetime. But , you can catch all the Dolphin you want with that 4/0 and even a few Reef Donkeys.

[JTB]

Do what I did in 2004 for my 1st offshore trip. Go to Frisco Rod and Gun on your way t0 Hatteras, I would put in at Hatteras Village Marina. Tell the guys this is your first time and get a waterproof chart from them and ask them to show you where Diamond Shoals Light is. Buy a handfull of these baits called Rattte Jet I think is the name. They are already rigged and need no ballyhoo. Remember... first time out let's keep this thing FUN and simple. Also get a Sabaki Rig to catch bait and a few fish finder rigs and a couple of 3 way swivels and a few 16 oz sinkers and some live bait hooks for small croakers, pinfish ect... and bring a pack of squid.

Put the boat in at hatteras Village at 5:00am and ease out of there past the rock jetti only about 100 yds and tip your Sabaki rig w/ squid and catch say 15 small fish for the live well, by then you will be able to see out of the Inlet. Follow a big boat out.

Head streight for the DS Light Tower which will be NE and once you get there head out due east a mile or so out infront of it. Put out your rattle jet baits and troll about 5 to 6 kts around all the grass. Swing up close to it and you will catch dolphin. If you get whacked by a particular grass bead turn back around and break out the spinning gear w/ squid(even ham works) or a 1/4 oz bucktail tipped w/ squid and load up ALWAYS keeping one fish in the water while hooking and fighting others.
You can keep 10 per person.

When that gets old ... rig up a fishfinder rig w/ your small bait fish and go back to the DS Light. Pull up close and drop him down... if you can see the amberjack under the boat take off the weight and free spool him. If the current is too strong put on a 3 way and troll w/ the bait around the tower and the donkeys should come kicking.

Again this is exactly the trip I started on and it was a blast. Go have fun and don't worry about tuna, wahoo, billfish ect... just have fun make some mistakes and learn and then after a few of these trips over your vacation then you can venture out to other things. Please be safe and have a blast!!! Let me know how it goes.

[get the net]

a 4/0 wide will hold a lot more line than a tld 25, and everybody loves them. 600yds is plenty. You should be fine with them, I agree that you should run in of the flats or short to the boat. Use the spinning reel to bail dolphin on weedlines, debris ect. Read the article on the TF main page for instructions on this.

[TerpHeels]

Sounds like you've got a fine arsenal for the mahi bite you will encounter. Meat behind a witch is irrestible to a mahi, wouldn't bother w/anything else.