Baffled?

[uncwredfisher]

I have read this forum for a while but I decided I would sign up and get some insight. I went to the stream last tuesday April 3rd. I went to a spot between the same ole and the nipple hoping to get some tuna and a hoo or two. Anyway, I get out there and put my lines in the water. I was running 7 lines (shotgun had a cedar chain, propwash had a yozuri plug and then I had an assortment of ilanders with ballyhoo on them for the other lines). Anyway, I pulled all day long and only mananged to produce one bite in which I lost the fish. All of my rigs are tied on 100lb mono. I was pulling at about 6-8 knots at any given time. There were boats around me catching fish and I seemed to be where the bite was. The big charter boats were around such as Pole Position and Eye Catcher and they picking up fish here and there. From what I understand, it was not on fire but there were enough fish there to keep the boats there. I was wondering if anyone could give me any insight at all. I was so frustrated and did all I could do to produce a fish. Thanks for the help and if anyone has any ideas of went wrong I would love to hear them. My baits even ran great and it still was not happening. thanks again

[JMS-ILM]

first off welcome....always good to see some locals.

ilanders have their place, but you cant beat a blue/crystal witch this time of year. also, maybe downsize your terminal tackle. try some 80 fluoro and long(er) leaders...maybe wind-ons.

sounds like it just wasnt your day....it happens to everyone. have confidence and keep at it....they'll be chewing the props off your rig sooner or later.

[Reel Fanatic]

Were you running anything down deep on a planer? Also, did you try running anything smaller than Ilanders?

[AdamM]

Run some spreader bars off the corners and bird/green machine on the WTFB. Proven tuna killers. The spreader bars make the spread look bigger.

[brandon558]

Run some spreader bars off the corners and bird/green machine on the WTFB. Proven tuna killers. The spreader bars make the spread look bigger.

Remember this is NC

[WAHOONBOX]

WELCOME TO SFC.........


DUDE....KEEP IT SIMPLE.....YOUR SPREAD SOUNDS LIKE ONE USED BY THE NORTHERN CANYON CROWD

SEA WITCH / MED BALLYHOO....BLUE CRYSTAL


WE ALL HAVE OFF DAYS ....SO KEEP AT IT

[clt_capt]

Islanders are fairly big baits - The sea witches look a lot smaller in the water - You want to try to "match the hatch" if you can.

It can be frustrating at times, but blue/white witches, blue/mylar or blue/crystal
seem to produce well year round.

[DH 111]

WELCOME TO SFC.........


DUDE....KEEP IT SIMPLE.....YOUR SPREAD SOUNDS LIKE ONE USED BY THE NORTHERN CANYON CROWD

SEA WITCH / MED BALLYHOO....BLUE CRYSTAL


WE ALL HAVE OFF DAYS ....SO KEEP AT IT

HEY HEY......WATCH IT THERE MR BOX SOME YANKEES WILL BE PULLING SOME CAROLINA SPREADS THIS YEAR

[uncwredfisher]

Thanks for all the input. I did run a small spreader bar when I first put my line in. It did not produce anything and then I switched over to a planer. I was running both off the downrigger. I was wondering if running floro was that big of a deal. Seems like there might be something to it. I am itching to go again but many trips like that and I will start to wonder. I was pulling both small and the larger ilanders. Guess the small ilander might still be a bit too big. Guess it can only get better from here

[shoefish]

Thanks for all the input. I did run a small spreader bar when I first put my line in. It did not produce anything and then I switched over to a planer. I was running both off the downrigger. I was wondering if running floro was that big of a deal. Seems like there might be something to it. I am itching to go again but many trips like that and I will start to wonder. I was pulling both small and the larger ilanders. Guess the small ilander might still be a bit too big. Guess it can only get better from here

Welcome to the site, and good job posting a question that many would shy away from. I don't know how long you've fished the waters down there, and I don't want to come off sounding like a jerk, but you should try to get into one of Box's classes, or just hook up with any one of the guys on this site- they treat bait rigging like a religion. They are unbelieveable. I witnessed it first hand and it is impressive. Like anything else when it comes to fishing it's all about the subtleties. Good luck, keep at it, and keep asking the questions- you won't be sorry.
Shoefish