Offshore fishing in a 22' CC

[hollywood9s]

Guys, i was in the OBX last week on a family vacation and we went out on a charter and caught a bunch of nice Amberjack. Now I've been bit by the offshore bug pretty hard and i'd like to start venturing offshore a bit and catch bigger, hard fighting fish.
Here's my questions.....
1) How far can i realistically (and safely) go in a 22' CC? I'm thinking 20-25 miles on days with good weather and little wind.
The boat is a 2008 Sea Hunt Triton 220.
2) What kind of fish can i get into within 25 miles of Indian River, Ocean City, or even Chincoteague?
3) Can anyone recommend rod/reel setups that will suffice without breaking the bank, and any other equipment i might need?

[Mako22]

I fish offshore in a Mako 22 (No surprise, huh...) - I have taken the boat from the Baltimore (from OC) to the Norfolk (from Chinco), on both day trips and overnighters. Start on the 20 fathom line, make sure you have the fuel range, and then work out deeper. Would I prefer a larger boat - yeah. But it is not in the cards, so I make do. I don't have outriggers. I may not set the world on fire - - but do come home with fish from time to time, and have fun doing it.

I fish Penn 114s (high-speed) with the lower end international rods - and have yet to be spooled. Largest fish so far is a 168lb BFT. I'm sure I will be spooled someday, but until then I find the smaller setups easier to work with on a daily basis. Cheapest way yet that I have found to break into the game. Reliable, no frills, but 114s can get the job done. I target YFT/BFT, not the Bigeyes and Blue Marlin...

Now is a great time to start watching the reports to see if the BFT are going to show up. If you start seeing BFT reports, it is time to head to the 20 fa line.

Watch the weather religiously, cancel if it is not ideal - have fun.

Also - get an epirb and unlimitted tow insurance. Both are a securtity blanket worth their weight in gold.

Good luck

[Gotta Gaff 'Em]

A big penn 6/0 is about as big as youll need to go. Make sure you get the highspeed though with the power handle or youll be hurtin in no time. An EPIRB is a definite especially if you arent buddying with another boat.

[Bend-Lure]

I have taken my 23' out to the canyons a few times. Also fish the inshore lumps. Safety equip is a must on any boat, but especially a small boat where things can happen fast. Extra bilge pump, extra radio, epirb, extra battery etc. My boat has twin engines which makes me feel a little more comfortable. I run mostly penn 114h reels also. Watch the Wx.

[hollywood9s]

How close do the Mahi come in during the later summer months. I really like tuna, but i LOVE Mahi, as far as eating goes. What kind of fish can be caught around the inshore wrecks, anything worth targeting?
Great info so far, really appreciate it and please, keep it coming!

Bythe way, do any ofyou guys know where i can find a map or something showing where these different areas are? (20 fathom, fingers, the canyons, inshore wrecks, etc)

[uncle Bob]

You can find offshore charts at any of the tackle shops. The charts show all these spots and have gps coordiantes, headings and distances listed
Bob

[Magic Moment]

Good advice here, but I believe the most important is to pick your days and don't force it. Most of us have learned that out of the OC area, any wind forecast out of the north can make it nasty in a hurry out there. Most of the time out of OC, or IRI your ride home is north to nothwest, south a south wind that blows up on you can still give you an ok ride home. Bottom line, if they are calling for anything in the 15knot range in the afternoon, think about a pass, or catch a ride on a bigger boat.

[hollywood9s]

Good advice here, but I believe the most important is to pick your days and don't force it. Most of us have learned that out of the OC area, any wind forecast out of the north can make it nasty in a hurry out there. Most of the time out of OC, or IRI your ride home is north to nothwest, south a south wind that blows up on you can still give you an ok ride home. Bottom line, if they are calling for anything in the 15knot range in the afternoon, think about a pass, or catch a ride on a bigger boat.

10-4 on that, trust me, i am very cautious, even when fishing the bay. I won't head offshore unless it's a real good looking forecast, and i'd head in at the first sight of bad weather.

I do have one other question though, would a SPOT satellite messenger suffice instead of a EPIRB for safety? I kind of like the idea of being able to send messages home occasionally.

[Regulator]

I fish offshore in a Mako 22 (No surprise, huh...) - I have taken the boat from the Baltimore (from OC) to the Norfolk (from Chinco), on both day trips and overnighters. Start on the 20 fathom line, make sure you have the fuel range, and then work out deeper. Would I prefer a larger boat - yeah. But it is not in the cards, so I make do. I don't have outriggers. I may not set the world on fire - - but do come home with fish from time to time, and have fun doing it.

I fish Penn 114s (high-speed) with the lower end international rods - and have yet to be spooled. Largest fish so far is a 168lb BFT. I'm sure I will be spooled someday, but until then I find the smaller setups easier to work with on a daily basis. Cheapest way yet that I have found to break into the game. Reliable, no frills, but 114s can get the job done. I target YFT/BFT, not the Bigeyes and Blue Marlin...

Now is a great time to start watching the reports to see if the BFT are going to show up. If you start seeing BFT reports, it is time to head to the 20 fa line.

Watch the weather religiously, cancel if it is not ideal - have fun.

Also - get an epirb and unlimitted tow insurance. Both are a securtity blanket worth their weight in gold.

Good luck

Yea I remember that night I was out in my 23 Reg that night too, broke off a few BFTs in the AM on light leaders and came back in the evening and boxed two 100+ pounders. When we left, you were in the heat of battle and that was at about 10PM, I think you landed that fish many hours later.

[rth3030]

I just went out of Cape Hatteras last Sat and Sun on my 21 foot Robalo Center Console 1997. I have a newer motor so I felt a little better. I had to spend some money to prepare. My brother from Florida brought and Epirb, I purchase Sea Tow and used my AAA card and got a 15 % discount. I also purchased an extra battery and brought along a back up GPS. I went out of Hatteras Inlet on Saturday for the first time, it was a little hairy compared to the bay. I went out on a good day 5 to 10 south winds and for the most part the ocean was calm for Hatteras. I went out 30 miles and caught over 15 dolphin before heading back. I tracked 93 miles trolling that day. The ocean is a little different when you get out in the deeper water, it seems like to waves are bigger but spread apart. The second day I went out of the Inlet with a little more confidence, but still had to take the waves head on. I went 24 miles to the Diamond Light House where my brother and I caught some amberjacks and barracudas with the butterfly method. Man do those Amberjacks put up a good fight. I noticed the waves and wind picking up so started the long trip back. I was ok the first part of the trip going about 28 miles in hour. I headed toward the beach to notice the Shoals in the distance. The depth went from like 80 to 16 and the waves started to stack up pretty good. I had to be in 5 footers. I had to adjust the throttle for the waves as I was going up the wave and down. I never felt scared but I would not want to be out in 20 plus winds or a Northeast wind off Hatteras. All in All my boat handled well and I had a great trip. It can be done but watch the weather closely and have all the safety equipment and you will be ok.