BFTs the week of 3/8-3/14

[Kayak fisherman]

I've got that whole week open. Hoping for a weather window to get out there and hook into one of those big 'ole tunas. Plan on trolling (as usual), but I've got a boatload of jigs of all sizes. From recent posts, it appears you guys are just flinging the jigs at them (sight casting).

Is everybody doing that with the BFT's or are you having to find them on the fishfinder and then jig deep? If I've gotta depend on my Garmin 498 in the deep water, I'm screwed.

Come on weather!!!!!!!! Throw me just one calm day.

[Jrzrider83]

i believe the deepest that we marked fish was around 200ft.
so as long as you lock your machine on the top of the water column you'll find them.
we also caught fish dropping jigs blindly near other boats that were hooked up.
the fish will bite if you find em just make sure you and your tackle are ready.

[mainiac2]

I'm looking for some pullage, Sunday or Monday might be do-able, if you need a handy Ho please call Jon 757-897-8738

[Carson MAC]

I've got that whole week open. Hoping for a weather window to get out there and hook into one of those big 'ole tunas. Plan on trolling (as usual), but I've got a boatload of jigs of all sizes. From recent posts, it appears you guys are just flinging the jigs at them (sight casting).

Is everybody doing that with the BFT's or are you having to find them on the fishfinder and then jig deep? If I've gotta depend on my Garmin 498 in the deep water, I'm screwed.

Come on weather!!!!!!!! Throw me just one calm day.

You have a catamaran boat right? Where is your transducer?

[Carson MAC]

And my plan, if I was you, would be to troll first to locate the fish. Get a couple on the big reels and switch over to jigs after you have decked your fish. Flinging jigs to them would be cool but its not everyday that the tunas are up like that. Certainly not when it is calm and boat pressure is heavy. If your marking them and they aren't coming up on the troll, switch to dropping the jig down to where they are. Make sure your jig tackle is right or you will be donating lead all day. Good luck.

[Kayak fisherman]

I'm still watching the weather for a chance next week. I already have a crew chomping at the bit. You guys let me know if you're going too.

To answer one of the above questions:
I have a Sea Pro V-bottom, not a cat. Like I've said (ie, whined about) before, my Garmin 498 has a transducer on the transom that works perfectly well at finding the bottom and the fish...UNTIl I get to the dropoff. Then, my machine has trouble picking up anything when there are SUDDEN/steep depth changes. I have tried my darndest to "lock" the bottom at 150 to 200 ft, but I can never seem to pick up anything. Maybe, it's just because I was never over any fish at these times. If any of you has a similar Garmin and can advise on how to set it, let me know. I've taken my boat out there several dozen times in the two years since I bought it and we've caught fish 90% (more like 75% if you count a trip or two that was entirely wasted due to "personnel" issues), but I have no doubt I have missed some meat opportunities by not getting my fishfinder to behave itself in deep water.

[Kayak fisherman]

Monday and Tuesday 5-10k with 2-4ft. I could handle 2 to 4.

[Rebel]

Yep...Mon-Tues look good. We'll be out there. Leaving out of OI

[Kayak fisherman]

Tuesday is the day. OI vs HI. Not sure which. Aim for the temp break (Canary Islands)? Aim for the fleet? Aim for 300-line?

[smithbros]

I'm still watching the weather for a chance next week. I already have a crew chomping at the bit. You guys let me know if you're going too.

To answer one of the above questions:
I have a Sea Pro V-bottom, not a cat. Like I've said (ie, whined about) before, my Garmin 498 has a transducer on the transom that works perfectly well at finding the bottom and the fish...UNTIl I get to the dropoff. Then, my machine has trouble picking up anything when there are SUDDEN/steep depth changes. I have tried my darndest to "lock" the bottom at 150 to 200 ft, but I can never seem to pick up anything. Maybe, it's just because I was never over any fish at these times. If any of you has a similar Garmin and can advise on how to set it, let me know. I've taken my boat out there several dozen times in the two years since I bought it and we've caught fish 90% (more like 75% if you count a trip or two that was entirely wasted due to "personnel" issues), but I have no doubt I have missed some meat opportunities by not getting my fishfinder to behave itself in deep water.



Kayak,
Your transom mount transducer isnt going to give you much is greater depths. Besides you dont need to see the bottom unless your deep dropping, and only a good quality sounder and a powerful thru hull transducer will give you any detail or accurate data. When most people (offshore fishing) tell you how much water there in they are looking at there chart plotter and the contour lines on the charts.


You should maybe consider upgrading some electronics, a good bottom machine and a good thru hull transducer are worth the money. You can get a good multi function unit that will display all your data, radar, sounder and plotter like a raymarine c series or furuno navnet. those are great but you can also pick up a good bottom machine like a furuno for 700 to a grand that are very powerful units, then purchase a quality transducer and have it installed.

Its all pricey stuff and I aint made of money, I have had to piece together my electronics over time.

Good luck, I found a good site with really good prices on electronics ( www.consumermarine.com)

I hope you stick a pig this week, but just like conner said make sure your connections and tackle, drag settings and everything are perfect. Those big fish are a tremendous strain on your stuff.

I hope to be down in a week or two when I get freed up and I cant wait....

Taylor