17 hour Deep Drop Trip Dec 28th - Space Available

[toyomo]

I was wondering if a jig could be used on one of the dropper loops like is done with certain flounder rigs...that way there can still be a weight or another jig on bottom.

[MetroMan]

I'll be here at work making rigs today. Slow day at the office lol...

[Shawn L]

Thanks Metroman. I'll get to rigging some up before the trip.

[moc]

Guys... I cannot wait for this trip. I am excited to be fishing with all of you. We should have a great time on this boat and if there is a football game, we maybe able to see a playoff game on the trip back in.

I am not sure if Tufnik mentioned it, that a folding camping chair to sit on incase we do not get enough seating would be helpful. I saw some anglers last year bring two. and they used them on the boat.

[Shawn L]

My son and I are heading down Friday afternoon and look forward to meeting everyone. I have two Penn 330GT2 reels mounted on heavy Penn Slammer rods. Not a fancy or expensive set up and I am wondering if they will be ok for this trip. The gear ratio is 3.6:1 with 16lb drag and they are filled with 400 yds of 50# PowerPro. Any suggestions?

[tufnik]

The main fishes in Deep Drop now are sea bass, tiles, and grouper. And I guess tog, but I've never seen anyone catch this on deep drops. And you use bait, not lures.

Now, you can jig with lures, but why would you want to jig when it's much easier to hang bait, especially in deep water.

When in deep water, jigging is likely limited to several hundred feet in open water. You could entice passing fish. Maybe blue? You're probably not too effective in the deep because you can't do proper jigging with another 10-20 ounce of lead on the leader to get to the bottom, if you really want to jig the bottom.

At the first fishing spot after about five hours of travel, we'll likely fish around 200-300'. This is probably your best chance to jig. Main fish will be sea bass, and maybe blueline tile. If you're lucky, you can catch some odd ball fish like blue or flounder or whatever.

After a while, the boat will probably go to deeper water, around 400-600'. Jigging at the bottom is probably not at it's best here. Dropping bait is best. Here you'll likely get bigger sea bass and blueline tiles. Maybe golden tiles.

If the wx and seas look good, the boat will likely go to deeper water around 900'. Again, sea bass and blueline can be caught. But now the chances for golden tiles go up. G-tiles are bigger than bluelines. G-tiles are mostly found in deep water in burrows at the bottom. Your chances for grouper also go up.

To go to deep water, the wx and seas has to be good. If not, you have many issues:
- With long lines out, boat drift and current only increases tangles; then you cut lines with bad tangles and consequently have shorter lines
- With current/drift, it's much harder to fish the bottom; you have to use heavier sinkers and that decreases bite sensitivity
- With current/drift, mono gets pushed around much more than braid
- With current/drift, you can't fish straight down, which is best for catching fish

Ok, that's the general plan the boat will follow. Some variation I guess.

If you want to jig, here's an option. Rig plastic to a hook on one or more of the droppers. Do not use lead on the plastic/hook. In other words, use the same rig you would for baited hooks. Drop the leader, then jig or twitch the leader near the bottom. In this set up, a weighed hook or heavy metal lure may not be as enticing as fluttering unweighed hook/plastic. As you may know, white twister tails attract sea bass. Not sure if plastic attract tiles.

Shawn,
- Your reel should work fine.
- At 3.6, you'll have good torque, but you'll crank a lot. My reel is at 6:1. I don't have as much cranking torque as with a lower ratio reel, but I do less cranking. Low ratio allows you to crank up the load relatively easily. I'll have a harder time if I crank to pull up the load, but I don't rely on cranking to pull up the load. I prefer using my body leverage to pull the load by leaning backward, and then I crank as I let the rod forward. So, in effect, there is less work on my cranking arm. The work gets distributed to my body thereby "saving" my arm. I will say, many people prefer lower ratios.
- Your reel is on the heavy side, in the upper 20s, but it's a proven workhorse. I prefer lighter reels, and my my Fathom weighs 19 ounces.
- Am not sure of the lure/line rating of your Slammer, but it sounds like it can handle heavy sinkers.
- Braid at 50# would work, but in the future, I'd put on at least 65# if you continue to do deep drops. Or maybe get electric.....lol..
- You should definitely try your combo, and see if you like it.

[toyomo]

I am bringing a few jigs and i may never bring them out if bait is working well. I heard that bigger tilefish love jigs but then i also heard that record tilefish were caught on bait so we'll see. Is anyone else bringing any other type of bait? Shrimp, crab etc? unnecessary?

[Shady]

I have a bunch of leftover crab shrimp and squid that im bringing

[tufnik]

I have a bunch of leftover crab shrimp and squid that im bringing

Looks like we'll have tog hunters.

[Shawn L]

Thanks Tufnik. Look forward to meeting you. This trip has inspired me to get back to the gym but it may be too little too late

[Shawn L]

Just got a call from Ruddee Charters. The trip is ON!

[moc]

Just got a call from Ruddee Charters. The trip is ON!

Harmat and I, also got the call...Yippi!

[sparky1423]

Be good fellas and stuff those coolers!!!

[tufnik]

Never tried it, but going to bring this.....freeze-dried squid. Just add water. It was in my Captain's bag from a recent yak fishing tournament. Hope the big tiles like it.

[Shawn L]

My son and I are staying at the Blue Marlin Motel and we should arrive by 8:30ish tonight. If anyone would like to grab a bite to eat with us I can be reached @ 443 286-6520. Look forward to some good fishing and making new friends.