Billfish in our future?

Albacore Tuna Captain · 04-21-2003, 04:14 AM

I found an interesting study conducted by the NMFS for the year 2001-2002. It was the Drift Net observer program to determine just what is out there off the California/Oregon Coast. Now we all know how many blue shark we see when we are offshore after the tuna but I was shocked to see how many bill fish were present in relationship to the number of blue shark!

Number of drift net sets.......323
Number of blue sharks..........553
Number of Swordfish............364
Number of Stripped Marlin.......15
Number of Blue Marlin............9

You do the numbers but from what I take from this is to mean that there are almost as many billfish out there as there are blue sharks!

I have seen a lot of these animals over the years and last year there seemed to be a lot. Maybe someone should consider fishing for them????

Your thoughts.

Mr. Fisherman · 04-21-2003, 04:43 AM

Consider it considered :grin:

Popeye · 04-21-2003, 05:05 AM

Come on Mike.....You KNOW I'm going to fish for em :grin:

blubeast · 04-21-2003, 06:43 AM

I know at least one has Pilar's name on it!

Pilar · 04-21-2003, 07:26 AM

So, if there are almost as many Swordfish in these test drifts as there are blue sharks ....
I think the apex predators among us prolly ought to include swordfish in their diets.

Very interesting to see Blue Marlin in these drifts as well. Those bad boys can run to 1000+ lbs. Can we learn more about the test fishery? Maybe get access to the report and learn ..
1) Where, exactly.
2) What depths the nets were drifted at.
3) Time of day vs. species caught, if that matters.
4) Date, season, water temp, dunno, weather?

I dont know about you but I see a bunch of blue shark lolling on the surface offshore July, Aug and Sept.

Where are all the swordfish? Do they gather like the blues? Who's going to be the first to bag one?

Maybe we should consider an Oregon Swordfish Club.

Miss B Haven · 04-21-2003, 07:31 AM

Night Stalkers! :shocked: Muhaaahaaahaaaa! :grin:

Popeye · 04-21-2003, 07:38 AM

Pilar....I wanna be a swordboat cap'n sooo bad, I even bought the soundtrack to Perfect Storm :grin:

jcarufo · 04-21-2003, 08:16 AM

If you've ever tried to target swordfish you'd know why the major fishery is with crossbow and harpoon. Very rare to get them to eat a feather or Marlin lure. Typically, you find them sleeping/sunning on the surface. We used to see them alot when I was a kid deck handing in San Diego Albacore fishing. The ONLY way we ever got them to go was to literally bounce a big bait (tomcod, mack or something we could find in the bait tank) off their heads and **** them off. I've also personally seen them empty a 4/0 with 60# buttoned down in seconds. Awesome fish, I wish you luck. Fresh tastes good too.
Jean

Pilar · 04-21-2003, 09:09 AM

Popeye ... I want to be the deck hand on a swordboat so bad ....

Never mind sounds too much like a bad ad in the Willamette Week personals ...

Sorry Popeye .. try reading that section of that paper for a good laugh.

Like I was saying ... Have gaff and gloves, will travel .... If you need a deckhand or two (Jen would want it too), you got it.

Those guys will go from thinking you are crazy to thinking you know something when you beach the first one. :grin: :grin:

[ 04-21-2003, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

OceanBlue · 04-21-2003, 09:16 AM

Pilar: :shocked: You're scaring me! :shocked:

Popeye, Mike... Everyone that I've ever talked to about landing a billfish right here in Oregon thinks 1) That I am blond (everyone knows there aren't any billfish here!) and then when I explain that I know there are billfish here, they: 2) Think I'm crazy.

Yeah, I say... crazy like a FOX!

Popeye · 04-21-2003, 09:45 AM

This from the ODFW site:

There has been no recorded landing of swordfish in Oregon largely because it is not legal to use gill nets in state waters. However, an estimated 300-600,000 lb are harvested annually off Oregon outside of state waters and landed into California where the gear is legal

Miss B Haven · 04-21-2003, 10:01 AM

Maybe they just swim around Oregon to avoid Pilar and then come back in to shore so those Westport Tuna boats can catch em????

Bankbound · 04-21-2003, 12:28 PM

Billfish in oregon huh??!! I don't regularly come over here to the salty dogs board. But I should! You guys (and gals) always have some crazy tuna or rockpile story. I love to read them!!! I love to fish the ocean but as you might be able to tell cannot access it in it's fullest. So keep em coming.
So to my actual question who fishes for the sharks?? That sounds like a blast. I find it hard to believe that nobody targets them? Stories??? I saw one caught off the mouth of the Nehalem about 7 years or so ago, during salmon season. It blew my mind I had no idea that we had those off of our coast. Now you folks are talking about swordfish and marlin!!!!!!! :shocked: Talk about cool!!!!!

MH

puffins crew · 04-21-2003, 01:20 PM

Last year, while filling our limit of Halibut. Big Jon spotted a Blue shark cruising around, about 75 yards off our stern, heading away from us. He grabbed a lump of dead something or another we had on deck,(shad, maybe) and began to slap the water with it. Then he cast the lump of fish out into the water.

Mother nature called him to the side of the boat, and as he was taking care of that business, his line started to take off across the water.

It was quite a sight, As he was reeling it up, another Blue cruised in, and James flung another hook at that one. Two on at once.

They had a blast fighting them. Big Jon got his up next to the boat, it was a nice 5 footer. He cut it loose. James broke off.

I did not want anything to do with a shark. Not that day, anyway.

They seemed very aggressive, and curious about the slapping on the water. Interseting fish call.

Peace, Tom

Pilar · 04-21-2003, 01:52 PM

Sharks are attracted to noise in the water. Explosions or any manmade noise will attract sharks.

Ask survivors of shipwrecks about this.........

corrirod · 04-21-2003, 02:26 PM

Sharks are a hoot to catch but can someone tell me the proper way to get them in the boat! We had a hell of a time last year. Between gaffing it, harpooning it, roping the tail, stabbing it, beating it, the damn thing wouldn't die!

Everytime you'd try to bring it in by the tail it would turn on you, and those things can flex enough to bite their own tail.

Not to mention the fact that after we beat it, bled it, and let it sit in the hold for several hours, when I went to clean it about 5 hours after the catch it was still moving! No head, no blood, no guts, and sitting in the cooler for 5 hours and it was still moving while I was cutting off the fillets! It was worse than a sturgeon!

[ 04-21-2003, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

Miss B Haven · 04-21-2003, 02:39 PM

Sheesh Rod- From what I've seen in the movies (Jaws/Perfect Storm) sharks are easy to get in the boat! It's getting them back out without losing something important that's a challenge!

Reminds me of the time I caught a Wahoo in PV. The Skipper was pretty excited about it (best fish of the day- everything else was tiny tuna- Marlin bait size). Anywho... the skipper climbs down and gets the gaff out and sticks this thing. When it hits the cockpit it falls off the gaff, lands right between the skipper and the deck hand and starts flopping around like a loose sturgeon only it's jaws are working overtime while it's flopping.
For those of you who haven't seen a Wahoo up close and personal, they have a mouthfull of teeth exactly like a barracuda and this thing was looking for something to latch onto! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] Of course the skipper and the deck hand are both barefoot and in shorts. :shocked:

It was the funniest Mexican hat dance I ever saw!

I never did figure out what that tune was they were "singing" while they were dancing

Denali · 04-21-2003, 02:44 PM

The sworfishing done off the FLA coast (gulfstream) is all done at night and in deep water. It's a drift game with big baits and lighted sticks. They have been doing quite well since the net ban. Check out FloridaSportsman.com for more details of their techniques and gear.

CrazyFish · 04-21-2003, 03:07 PM

Yes in the summer we have a lot of blue shark out off the coast, and they will put up a tremenduce fight. I was told that you want to gut them ASAP or else they will pee themselves inside and destroy the meat.

Last year while after Halibut in the end of August they were all over the place at the chicken ranch (they were a pain in the butt). :tongue: They would come after any fish you brought to your boat, while waiting for the kid to get his fish to the boat I netted a 6' blue shark to get him out of the way

. When they are not on a line you can net them pretty easy, but when hooked they can spool you in nothing flat if they want.
We did keep one just to try it. In my opinion the flavor was OK but the meat was real soft, I didn't like the texture at all. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Rod,
As soon as you can get a rope around the tail hang the fish overboard and gut it. This is a lot easier with 2 people.

tailchaser · 04-21-2003, 03:20 PM

We landed about a 6 1/2' blue on a tuna jig no less. We were stopped landing two tunies on rods when a third rod went down. A guy grabbed it and said it was a good one when low and behold a shark was at the end. He loved shark and was excited as can be to have it in the boat. Well we gaffed it, sat it on the deck and he picked it up for a picture. No later than the flash of the camera and the sucker curled around looking for a piece of that hand that was holding his tail. Forgot to tell the guy they don't have a backbone and can curl up like a friggn snake. :shocked: Well he freaks, drops the fish on the deck and it goes hog wild with teeth showing after any ankle it comes near. You wanna see a bunch of grown men fly towards a fly bridge?? :grin: We spent the next 15 min. reaching down the ladder thumping it with the club before anyone came down to investigate. Pretty funny. I guess the guy said it was wonderful eating also.

Did also see about a 14' Great White up next to the boat on a tuna run also. Just saw a single fin sticking up about 6" above the water, nothing unusual until we cruised up next to it and it bellied up and showed the white underside. Holy mama's was it big. There was even a seal sunning himself about 200 yards away and I circled him for at least an hour wanting to see a discovery channel episode.

tc

[ 04-21-2003, 04:22 PM: Message edited by: tailchaser ]

corrirod · 04-21-2003, 03:32 PM

For those of you who don't remember last summers post:

-------------------
posted 09-09-2002 04:31 PM

It's true......
It all started with a harmless tuna trip....
3 guys just enjoying the day. No waves, no chop, sea creatures frollicking about......
and then it happened........
Out of nowhere came the Bodyless Shark!!
Nearly taking one of my crew out!
After a relentless battle we were able to save my crewman and cast the bodyless shark back to the deep.... So everyone beware....it could happen to you.......

Mello-Yello · 04-21-2003, 07:38 PM

I read somewhere that sharks don't convert salt water to fresh water like other fish do to keep their flesh moist. Rather, their urine soaks into their flesh, urea. The article suggested you soak the meat, I think in a solution of vinegar and water for 24 hrs. prior to consumption.

If you've already had some shark and didn't do this, disregard this message.

It's possible it's only some kinds of sharks, I don't remember.

Memory, it's the second thing to go. Damned if I can remember what the first thing was.

fishwhenican · 04-21-2003, 07:43 PM

Now I have to know! With 650yds of 50# power-pro will I be able to catch up to Mr. Bill before he strips me clean, ur-um the reel? :grin:

corrirod · 04-21-2003, 07:44 PM

Mello,

I soaked mine in milk for a day. I washed it off, spiced it, and baked it in tinfoil with butter and lemon and it was great. Even invited my neighbor over for a taste and he agreed.

I won't say it was the greatest thing I ever had but it wasn't bad either.

bait boy · 04-22-2003, 01:08 AM

The fog's just lifting. Throw off your bow line, throw off your stern. You head out the South Channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten Pound Island. Past Niles Pond, where I skated as a kid. Blow your airhorn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. The birds show up -- black backs, herring gulls, big dumb ducks. The sun hits ya, head North, open up to 12, steamin' now. The guys are busy, you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain! Is there anything better in the world?

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 05:56 AM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Albacore Tuna Captain · 04-22-2003, 06:40 AM

Here's the problem as I see it. Every year when tuna fishing, we get hit by something that immediately strips a reel of all line or hits a hand line of 300# test and breaks it off. Sometimes it occures 3+ times a day. We never know what it is that takes all the gear. Five years ago I had a Marlin striking at my gear and pulled the gear because I didn't want to lose it. The fish was very big. Seven years ago, Bill Tesky was operating the El Capitan and hook a Marlin and got it alongside the boat but decided to let it go because the fish was over 10 feet long and he realized he could never get it in the boat. So we know the fish are there, we get hook ups and lose everything and even sometimes can get them to the boat. And some smaller Marlin have been landed out of Westport. So why can't we fish for them and catch em??? GEAR! We are not fishing with the right gear and we are not targetting the fish. This is because we don't have a large enough population of the fish here to justify a fishery or so we think. I think if Popeye or Pilar were to bring one in, we'd have every Salty Dawg out after them.

OceanBlue · 04-22-2003, 06:58 AM

Mike - Several of us lost gear to "Bill" last year. Not just stripping line or breaking off... but breaking pole holders and taking the pole, reel, holder and all.

Pilar and I have the gear to catch one and bring it to the boat now. Whether we can actually get it in the boat is another story. We might have to call you over to haul it back to the dock for us

There's no reason we can't start a fishery here. We just have to be willing to work at it. After all, Ugly Green landed a 102lb bluefin last year. What if we started targeting those?

Heck, think of what we could do for tourism in this state! A guy from Idaho or Washington or even Canada who doesn't have the bucks to go to Cabo to look at one of these fish could certainly come to Oregon for a little dough and maybe not only see one, but actually get his hands on one. What do you think?

How about it Mike? Gear up for that big ol' striped fish? Just think what that would do for your biz!

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 07:02 AM

Mike.....HAVE the gear.....Have the boat.....Have the desire.....Have the know -how....Did I leave anything out?

The fog's just lifting. Throw off your bow line, throw off your stern. You head out the South Channel, past Rocky Neck, Ten Pound Island. Past Niles Pond, where I skated as a kid. Blow your airhorn and throw a wave to the lighthouse keeper's kid on Thatcher Island. The birds show up -- black backs, herring gulls, big dumb ducks. The sun hits ya, head North, open up to 12, steamin' now. The guys are busy, you're in charge. Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain! Is there anything better in the world?

Mark Mc · 04-22-2003, 07:21 AM

As Colombo would say, "there's just one more thing ma'am."

Bolt this to the deck of the Blitz:

web page

skein · 04-22-2003, 07:37 AM

Hey, BaitBoy, what is this? No fair making my blood pump like that so early in the day.

Man oh man, less than 100 words and I was on that boat, headed north at 12. What am I doin' at this keyboard? There's fish to catch. Big ones!

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Skein

bait boy · 04-22-2003, 07:48 AM

Here's where we may be lacking in some of these areas.

we troll to catch our tuna and most folks don't stop or slow immediately to get their fish.

Most of us are fishing with bottomfishing rods and reels that work great for albies but I think if bill get serious he can heat our drags so fast they seize, and our line cap. is around 300-500yds of line. We fish good gear but I really think bill would laugh in the face of a penn 330 or a daiwa 50H

I really think that due to the sheer weight of the fish and the speed you may be missing all of that line before you get the boat slowed down and the other gear cleared in enough time to save the whole spool of line. whereas you can probably drag that albie around if most of us button down our drags.

I'm talking 1000yds of 80 lb test mono to account for the speed and stretch to wrestle that beast to the top. and a gold reel with at the least a standup harness or a fighting chair. folks that know how to tame these fish spend hours to tame a large one.

What makes us think that we can do this on tuna gear? I hope I have the opportunity to hear the story from a fellow salty dog about how he got his "good" gear taken away by bill.

Can we do as some offshore charters do and rig up a special pole with a pitch bait? how do you keep that fish off of the other hooked lures while you get ready?

I don't have the answer to most or any of these Q's as I have not been there and done that but I think if we were to fish for tuna with sword gear we stand a fair chance at landing one of these beauties. conversely if we attempt to fish for bill with tuna gear we may just come home with a bunch of empty spools of line and smoked drags....

I hope some brave soul proves me wrong and I am on the boat that does it but I am a realist and I dont think most of us know what a 600Lb marlin or swordfish will do to our gear but I sure would like the chance to see....

Pilar · 04-22-2003, 07:54 AM

There's alot to handling a 10' fish with a bill. And yes the gear is different. Is it beyond our abilities?

I don't think so. The techniques are well known on the other coast and south in the land of fruit and nuts. The gear is there, if you know where to look for it.

To catch a Marlin, you will have to tease it into your wake by dragging noisemakers and teasers. Then you have to feed it a properly rigged bait. When the fish picks up the bait, you have to let him swim away with it .... and eat it before you put the steel to him.

Then the battle is on. How much line is enough? How much rod do you need? The fish will sound and lead the boat around by that thin thread on your reel. Then he will jump and wear and tear that hook and leader. The hook will work and open up the hook wound. The bill will slash and bang on the leader. Then the fish will circle as he tires and you lead him to the boat.

Then he is at the boat. What do you do now? Harpoon your trophy? Try to gaff it? How do you avoid getting speared? How do you pull 500 lbs of blue Marlin or hell even 150lbs of striped marlin into your boat?

Personally I don't have many of the answers or that much experience. But the good news is that it has been done before and the information is there for the asking. Someday we will see this as routine. But for now the challenge is there. Figure it out.

Not knowing means that you are about to learn something. That is why I am in the game.

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 07:57 AM

BaitBoy....Like I said...I HAVE THE GEAR...Full Penn International setup....7' Penn International 120# standup rod....Penn International 50VSW/with 1,200 yds. 80# tuff....built in rod holders w/lanyards. Any Questions :grin:

[ 04-22-2003, 09:00 AM: Message edited by: Popeye ]

bait boy · 04-22-2003, 08:16 AM

FISH ON!!!! Popeye :grin:

put it at 12 and lets go..... I'm working on my technique this spring on the Oversize sturgeon. I'm hoping that will [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] for my Sept. Costa Rica trip.

Ya know what? You're a goddam swordboat captain!

Miss B Haven · 04-22-2003, 08:34 AM

I've caught plenty of 150lb Stripes and 100lb sails in Cabo. Never used anything bigger than a 30W Penn. (They had larger gear on the boat for Blues but all the fish we caught were on Live bait thrown on a 30w rig). I'm not sure what actual test they had on it (looked to be 40-50 or so), but can't be all that much line considering the line diameter om mono.
I've never seen a Marlin run out more than a couple hundred yards before stopping the initial run (and jumping) and then sounding/circling.
Also- Stripes don't get that big- 200 lbs is a giant, 150 is really a nice big fish. These things do not fight any harder or come any bigger than a peeler Sturgeon. Same tactics too, if the fish doesn't stop then follow it with the boat!
The drag on a Sealine can be tightened as much as you can stand to hold the pole. Sure- the Gold Penns can probably be tightened down enough to snap 130 lb test, but without being strapped into a chair with a full harness you won't be able to hold the pole anyway. I have used the chairs but no straps/harness needed to whoop those Stripes!
I'm having a hard time believing that 50 lb tuff can't whip any Marlin that swims out here in Oregon. Ya- you aren't going to keep the boat running at 7 knots, but then I don't do that for the little Albies either.
Look at the IGFA records for Billfish and line classes. It's AMAZING what they can do (lots of folks say that it's really not fighting the fish - but you get my point).
I have no experiance with large Tuna, maybe that's what is stripping folks off, don't know. What I do know is that the line weight and line capacity on my Sturgeon gear matches the stuff I have used to catch lots of Stripes down South.
SO... .these Oregon fish just too dang mean or what? Is there something swimming around out there that we don't know about? (I haven't had the pleasure (agony actually I hear) of having a big Blue on so don't know what that would do to the gear. We have seen Blues twice and run up and thrown the bait. THe deck hand used the same 30W gear that he used for the Stripes. We didn't hook up but I know this boat had landed plenty of Blues (a 600 lber in a tourney in 2001) and the guy always uses the same rod to throw the bait!
Soo... what do you think?
PS- these fish are very lethargic once you get them whooped and to the boat. One guy grabs the leader then the bill, and lifts the fish partway out, second hand grabs the bottom half. In the boat for a picture and then back in the water we go.
For What to do with a giant blue or black.. read Hemmingway!
PSS- that's what they make transom doors for!

Mello-Yello · 04-22-2003, 08:50 AM

Jeez you guys! I just got setup for tuna!

:shocked:

Sheesh, guess it's back to Englund's.......

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 08:58 AM

Miss B....I agree, but if I catch a big Sword out here, I don't want it gettin' away! And as far as hoisting it out of the blue....I've got a 700# electric davit for that! :grin:

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 09:27 AM

Question....how come my # of posts isn't changing [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

Pilar · 04-22-2003, 09:29 AM

Popeye, log off and back on and see if it updates.

Also all of your posts (except those archived) will update to the new total when it changes.

Rueben4life · 04-22-2003, 09:36 AM

I think between all of your inputs put together, all of the pieces are there. I have had the blessed chance of losing a 200+ stripe in Mazatlan one glorious spring break for $40 a per person(that would be 4 of us) on a 44' boat and flat seas! Brought 3 to the surface and the big one sheared a 7/0 hook after screaming 600 yds of 80lb line in seconds!

The key was trolling teasers at the surface on the boat wake watching for the dorsal(such a cool take), letting them take the bait, waiting for the fish to sound then the recovering as much line and using the boat to your advantage.

Again, there are many parallels with fighting bills and gators, we just need to remember that be it a bill or gator its just a jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other! Your muscles still tire the same, keeping your mind focused on the battle and not the fish is key. Besides Flip double hauls larger versions of clouser minnows to 'em and he still gets them in with fly gear! Its all in the mind when the fight is on, and a good captain seems we have plenty of those on this thread!

Anywho, just reading about all this enthusiasm is awesome! Hopefully one and more will bring one of these awesome beauties aboard!

Brett

Miss B Haven · 04-22-2003, 10:00 AM

Ok- so here's something I've been kicking around in the cobwebs for a while. In Cabo- all we ever used was live bait for Mr Bill. Ya- drag around feathers all day, but when a Bill comes up or you see one it's toss the bait and fish on!
In PV though we used some live bait but also used a method I equate to Florida/East coast fishing, trollying Ballihoo (SP?).
The deck hand split dead bait fish and gutted them. He then ran a BA Hook (10-12/O ?) with a leader through the fishes mouth and out the split in the belly. Then he commenced to stitch this bait up with a large needle and what looked like nylon Sturgeon leader (maybe just cotton thread). He finished the surgery by sewing the fishes mouth closed around the leader.
You can troll these dead baits at 10 knots and they stay straight and on the hook without any problem!
Soo.. what I'm thinking is getting some fresh, fat Pilchards (Pacific Sardines) from the commercial docks in Astoria and sewing these up ready to go for next Tuna trip. Freeze em up all ready to go. Then drag them way out there on a long rod and behind everything else with a few oz of lead to keep them just under the surface. Maybe Bill or Mr Bluefin would like that? Assumes of course that the Albi's don't eat them first.

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 10:38 AM

Mel....I've got some Horse Ballyhoo comin from Florida, already rigged in a few days :grin:

Pilar · 04-22-2003, 10:44 AM

Mel, you are all over it. I would tease the fish to your wake and toss a dead bait rig to it.

You can charge around the ocean dragging Ballyhoo like they do in the Keys, but teasing the fish up first works better. They wil play with your tuna gear and might even take it but they like bait.

A small tuna or large mackeral (1 to 2 lbs) would be ideal but we might have to settle for 10" sardines.

Remind me to bring some dead bait wire leader rigs to the next TA meeting. These were made for Ballyhoo but could easily be used for larger sardines. The leader is 100# stainless piano wire about 10 ft long. Then a 7/0 longshank hook is twisted onto the end of the wire, the eye of the second hook is threaded over the point of the first with the point in the opposite direction. Where the wire twists onto the hook, a short end (1/2") is left poking out at a 90 degree angle. This serves to anchor the head of the bait to the rig. Also an 8" length of telephone (solid copper, 18 or 20ga with a plastic jacket) wire is twisted into the connection to the first hook. The bell wire is used to twist around the bill of the Ballyhoo, holding the mouth shut. It could easily be used to hold the mouth shut on any bait.

They do not gut the ballyhoo. The leader is pushed through the back of the bait and out the mouth. This is pulled untill the hook is buried in the back of the fish with the point exposed. The second hook is pushed through the other side of the bait further back along the back and the eye threaded over the point of the first hook. Then wrap the bell wire through/around the jaws of the bait to hold the mouth shut.

We dragged this rig in the Florida Keys at speeds of up to 12 MPH with an outrigger and they did well until a Dorado or Sail shredded them. The outrigger gave the fish a second chance to grab the bait while the slack in the line let the bait sink after a strike. If you did not also freespool immediately after the initial hit, you often missed the bite.

But the most effective method was to feed the bait to a fish playing with teasers. Keep the rod rigged and the bait on ice until that happens.

skein · 04-22-2003, 10:58 AM

Quote:
A small tuna or large mackeral (1 to 2 lbs) would be ideal but we might have to settle for 10" sardines.

How about a 1 to 2lb shad? Nice and shiny, oily, common to our coast.... and I will volunteer to collect hundreds of them to share. :grin:

Besides, if they don't work for Mr. Bill, they always make great crab bait.

Skein

Mello-Yello · 04-22-2003, 12:29 PM

AAAAAAAHAHAHA! Great one Mel! Stories are great, but a picture tells a thousand words!

bait boy · 04-22-2003, 12:35 PM

[ 04-22-2003, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: bait boy ]

Pilar · 04-22-2003, 12:38 PM

Hey Baitboy that looks just like the rig that's hanging from the wall of my antiproductivity pod. Now just add the second hook and you are the man.

Popeye · 04-22-2003, 01:23 PM

Beer Waggin · 04-22-2003, 03:45 PM

Mel- I think I could hold that rod until the 130# line breaks! :shocked:

Now, off to price one of them big gold reels.
Anyone know where I can find the strap that hooks to your reel and then wraps around your neck?

That would keep the rod in your hands!

Miss B Haven · 04-22-2003, 05:48 PM

Dave- I don't doubt you can hang on to the po but check my graphic above. Where do you think the saying "always wear your seatbelt" came from? :shocked: :grin:

skein · 04-22-2003, 06:10 PM

That looks like an Edwing boat, Mel. That...that must be... ME!

WhaaaaaHoooooo!!!!

Skein

Miss B Haven · 04-22-2003, 06:27 PM

Skein- waddya do- steal that boat? Weird- at least on my compuer- right now- part of the gif disappeared. You think it got edited? :whazzup: Crabbait- you lurking around here?

Hamachi · 04-22-2003, 06:43 PM

MATCH THE HATCH!!!

Feedin' a striper a ballyhoo is like offering a wayward northbound Mexican who's got a hankern' for burgers jerk pork! If he's travelled all the way up here it's for a reason. Offer him what he's feeding on. I would say mackeral. These fish have never encountered a ballyhoo in their life.

Just an opinion from someone who's only caught 1 striper incidently while trolling for tuna off San Diego in a 15' Bayrunner.

AND AS A FOLLOW UP........
If you DO land a striper.... what are you gonna do with it??? They're not that good to eat. They're ok to smoke. I kept the one I caught because of the novelty of it being my first one and in a 15' skiff... but I would never kill another. If I ever catch a Blue I'll keep it 'cause they're awesome on the table. :grin:

corrirod · 04-22-2003, 06:55 PM

Poor table fare or not, if I ever get one to the boat he will have made his last voyage I guarantee you!

Uglygreen · 04-22-2003, 07:18 PM

Live Mackrel trolled 50' down and 100 feet back on a Z-wing is going to do the trick. anyone finds live mackrel while Tuna or Salmon fishing I wanna know about it! Please!

Rapalas and shrimp flies to catch the Mackrel.

UG

[ 04-22-2003, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: Uglygreen ]

SouthCoastStu · 04-22-2003, 07:19 PM

"I think we're going to need a bigger boat......."

SouthCoastStu · 04-22-2003, 07:20 PM

[ 04-22-2003, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: DiamondBack ]

Miss B Haven · 04-22-2003, 11:05 PM

And if you have extra shad left over you can wallpaper the house with their scales! :shocked: :grin:

Pilar · 04-22-2003, 11:06 PM

BTW, I have about 50 of the 10" to 12" sardines individually vacuum packed for this very purpose. I am working on the 1 lb tuna or large mackeral.

The Sardines can be had at Fergus Mcberendse on 11th in Astoria for $15 a 22lb box. They look really nice too, big, fat and shiny with most of thier scales still on. When the sardine processors get going this summer in Astoria you can probably get it fresh and even cheaper. They package the sardines for the Japanese longline tuna boats.

Popeye, the billfish migrate all over the Pacific. They no doubt have seen Ballyhoo before. I bet your bait will just kick *** on Mr. Bill. :grin: