Best Bluewater Book for Friend

[Stormin' Norman]

This summer I became good friends with my neighbor Jay, down the street. He is chief mate on a 1000’ container ship that runs from San Francisco to Asia every 70 days... (at sea for 70 days, then home for 70 days). He’s hoping to make captain very soon and works very hard on his qualifications and skills. Jay is a west coast guy, but relocated to the area in order to be closer to family. Flying back and forth to San Fran is just part of his job, and I think not that uncommon for people in his line of work.

This summer Jay purchased a used 36’ Luhrs that came with a pre-paid slip on the bay. The boat is in good shape, but needs a little work and he’ll be spending the remainder of this season getting her dialed in. He has access to some of the worlds best marine mechanics, and I’m sure he’ll get that boat in top notch condition. I’m also sure he’ll have every aspect of safety covered.

Next season Jay plans to keep the boat in either Lewes, Indian River, O.C., Chincoteague, or Wachapreague. He’s new to the area and will need to investigate this and get ideas from people on the pros and cons of each area. He’s also going to be breaking into the east coast blue water fishing scene, and knows little about it. His fishing experience is all west coast, especially in the Sea of Cortez. He’s got some new things to learn about the way it’s done out here. We’re planning a few blue water charter trips for later in the year and that should help use both understand things better. I’m a Chesapeake bay guy, so I don’t really offer much help on this.

Jay is getting ready to ship out in a few days, and I’d really like to get him a book on east coast blue water fishing. He doesn’t get much free time at sea, but I’m sure he’d enjoy the read in the small amount of down time that he gets.

Is there a de facto standard book that describes / teaches blue water fishing in the mid Atlantic? Is there a book that is considered the bible in this area?

Thanks in advance for any advice here.

Norman

[Chumlord]

Tales of Swordfish and Tuna by Zane Grey, excellent book. On the Run by David DiBennedetto not offshore but good. Both available at local bookstores. Additionally, Practical Fishing Knots by Mark Sosin and Lefty Kreh is also excellent.

[Capt Nemo]

I would go with ordering some back issues of Big Game Fishing Journal magazine.

[Fishwagon.]

'Offshore Pursuit' -John Unkart. Can sometimes be found at a tackle shop/barnes&noble. Its mostly mid-atlantic style bluewater trolling.

or here: the second or third book down Serious how-to/where-to fishing books

[rbr]

A great book that gives a lot of insights as to "why?" rather than "How?" is A Fishermans Ocean by Dr. Dave Ross.
Ross is a Phd in Oceanography and the book is basiclly about the relationship between the biology and oceanography regarding the habits of gamefish.
Perfect for novices and Old Timers alike.

Bert

[captdavdavis01]

might try to find Offshore Fishing- Virginia to Texas, by Robert Goldstien

its more of a method type book than a book of stories. it covers tackle, how to read charts, rigging, and evolution of the sport and scientific info on pelagics and offshore bottomfish.

its also the right size for his carry on bag at the airport.


Danny

[jtb67]

Offshore Pursuit would definately be a good read for him.

[surferbill]

I highly recommend "Hatteras Blues" by Tom Carlson.

It chronicles the family business of the Foster family, the birth of offshore fishing in HI, and the history of the Albatross charter boat fleet in Hatteras Village.