Pack hunting ? From MR. Ignoramus.

id. painter · 01-29-2003, 08:11 AM

I like to have a pretty good mental picture of what im going to be doing, before i go do something. All the info and insight has been a great help for me . Thanks to all.
I still have ome questions, but dont want you all to think im any dumber than you already do.
Im sort of like the kid in your class who always had his hand up to ask a question.
O.K. When you guys take off from port to chase tuna, do you try and fish togetherand stay within sight of each other?Do you have a common way point in your G.P.S's and meet before running back? How do you stay together? id. p.

corrirod · 01-29-2003, 09:13 AM

ID,

We usually all run together headed to a common point and from there we disperse depending on whether or not we found fish. Once a boat reports a fish-on then we usually rally the pack.

The benefit of the pack really kicks in when the fish are spread out. We all separate, sometimes as far as 10 miles apart, and we individually search for the signs like jumpers, tuna birds, dolphins, and warm water pockets. When someone finds these clues and hooks up then everyone is notified via VHF and the slaughter begins! It's also good because we all tend to use different types of lures and widgets, and when someone sees a pattern we tell everyone so they can switch. A good example was last season when Seasquid spotted a bunch of birds and started to hookup. Gregotis got there and did the same and by the time we got to the spot we had hundreds of dolphins, thousands of birds, and jumpers everywhere. We found out they were biting cedar plugs so I switched every rig I had and the next thing you know, BAM, we're getting doubles and triples as fast as we can get the lines out.

id. painter · 01-29-2003, 09:36 AM

O.K.. That makes sense. I need to get more farmiliar with my G.P.S.. You would give me the lat. and long. , i mark the way point, and then drive to it. Sounds awsome... id. p.

Uglygreen · 01-29-2003, 09:54 AM

id. painter

GPS and a good VHF equil fish. Usually there is quite a bit of discussion before any trip on the board as to SST charts, recent reports, locations, and plans for the trip. Rod hit the nail on the head as far as the pack hunt goes. With Tuna more boats seemed to be more of an advantage as far as locating fish and turning the bite on.

I had a couple times where I was getting fish, but it was kinda slow till a couple other boats got there. The extra boats in close proximity seemed to turn the bite on. Or perhaps helped locate the fish better? Not really sure, but more boats seemed better than fewer boats every time.

UG

Lepper · 01-29-2003, 10:39 AM

Well you guyes better be ready for the LEPPER to join ya this year. :smile:

dave

id. painter · 01-29-2003, 12:14 PM

Thanks Threemuch. I had gotten that impression. I figured that after getting to know some of you for some time i might wiggle a coord. out of someone, for a hali hole. But you all have been so nice , i didnt want look like i was asking for the world right off. I know some killer Elk and Mule deer hunting spots, maybe could make a swap someday. id. p.

fish assassin · 01-29-2003, 12:22 PM

Hey Kurt,

How much is a consistant 26-32 fathom halibut hole worth to you?? I
don't exactly have the numbers, but I can tell you how to find it by
looking at the land-marks!!

-assAssin-

PS, you need to fish just South of Haystack Rock south to the
Nestucca River ...

-assAssin-

corrirod · 01-29-2003, 03:47 PM

Kurt,

I might not even un-blindfold the crew when we got to the spot! :shocked: They'd have to fish blind! :grin:

01-29-2003, 08:45 PM

Rod,
Just make sure you take off their blindfolds when the marlin are jumping :smile:

Lepper · 01-29-2003, 09:06 PM

Have numbers WILL SELL! or maybe ebay.. ummmmmm..

id. painter · 01-29-2003, 11:22 PM

O.K. This just keeps sounding better and better , Lots of company and no resentment.
Last spring while fishing the big C. I had two encounters with other boats that put a little dirt on my memory of the trip. One was a guide, he was trying to keep me from anchoring in a slot on a hog line. The guide wanted to back troll the same slot, when i threw my anchor he yelled , " you have the whole G--d--- river to fish and you have to fish right here" I politely smiled and said" yes". The other was a boat that ran right up to our lines and threw his anchor out, we instantly lost 4 or 5 kwikfish on his rope. I ended up moving. I love the freedom of big blue. id. p.

Threemuch · 01-29-2003, 11:42 PM

I don't hesitate to call in others on a good albacore or salmon bite. Bottomfish, well, that's another story. I will share numbers with people I know, and with those who have shared with me in the past, but I am reluctant to give numbers to my best bottomfish spots to strangers.

I always giggle when I see people looking for numbers to a halibut spot in less than 30 fthms. If I had a spot where I could get flattys all season, I wouldn't even tell my wife. I would blindfold crew and throw handheld GPS overboard and shut mine off when I got to the spot before I unblindfolded the crew.

Alas, I have no need for such extreme measures, shallow halibut are a mystery to me.
KB