I want to plan a trip south (probably NC) for the winter bluefin bite and I have a couple of questions for those from the area:
Are there locations that hold small mediums/mediums close to shore? I have a 25' CC with radar, 2 vhf, 2 gps, epirb, liferaft, etc. and normally fish between 45 and 75 miles offshore here in NJ when the weather cooperates.
Are the weather windows small, or if it looks like a decent week ahead can I hope to get 2 days fishing out of 4 or 5?
I have a flexible schedule and can wait around for a good day if need be, I'm just interested in finding out if any of you natives fish similarly or feel it's possible or safe to do so.
As long as you pick your days, you should be fine. Sometimes our weather windows are non-existent, sometimes you get 4 or 5 days in a row that a small boat can fish. I wouldn't hesistate to go in a 26, I regularly fish a 28, as long as the weather is decent.
Capt. Lyndon
These fish can be found very close to shore.. I have hooked them in a 19' flat bottom in 18' of water.. This is not super common, but it happens. Most of the fish are within a reasonable distance. Just pick your days. The weather is spotty. You may have two weeks of nothing but wind and then 4 strait days of slight to light. Just keep an eye on it.
guys in a 24 bay boat killed one off southport last year. most fish within 25 miles and they can be big.....600+. we don't really get the small to mediums very often. get some large mediums in the high 60's to low 70's. Lots of stories of them running bluefish and other fish all the way up on the beach in the hatteras and morehead area.