BIG ROCK SPREADS ??

[Fishwagon]

I don’t know much about Marlin fishing (at least as much as most people on this board), and no first hand experience trolling circles. With the dismal hookup rate, I figure my .02 could only be so bad.

I've noticed from fishing in the Caribbean that some captains are getting really attached to running more teasers, a few hooked baits, and relying more on their drop back rigs to make up the difference. The hookup rate with circles on the drop back is ridiculously better than trolled circles. Some sailfish charters out of guatemala/Costa rica/Belize actually prefer them.

The last time I was on the Marlin Prince, the mate said if it were up to him, he'd only run a couple hooked baits (we only ran three), and the rest would be teasers(as we had three huge ones out), because he claimed that big blues get so aggressive once they are in the spread, they will pretty much swat at everything in sight, hoping for some flesh. He would rather count on the few hooked baits, and a couple of j-hooked pitch baits.

Im guessing in tourneys there may be more of a steer towards using 2-3 pitchbaits, and possibly more teasers to improve the hookup rate. It seems that if it is executed well, (rigs ready with coiled line held by hairbands to toss in while teasers are cleared)-it may make the winning boat in more tournaments requiring circles. Im guessing that 2-3 well timed pitched ballyhoo on circles have a better chance at hooking a marlin in the spread than some of the trolled circle rigs.

Just something that came to mind. I dont claim to know much about this stuff. I do find it interesting that circles are preferred by some sailfish charters that rely on pitch baits.

[ncnarc809]

lots of pulled hooks were not marlin as stated above, time of hook up and release breaks ties in some situations you rather call the hook up and be wrong than to be beat to the punch IMO

[tunatamer4]

Some may be correct in saying wrong species hooked up but at the same time, there may have been THAT MANY bills raised.

I for one beleive there were close to that many hooked this year. Consider the reports from the area and how many CONFIRMED MULTIPLES have come up.

I can attest that even though we only were able to get sponsored for the Lady Angler end of it, we went 0/4 on them in a six hour period. And I can say it was due to using the circles and not being practiced enough with them.

[deadbaiter]

By looking at the hook-up ratio it is obvious that the majority of the boats were pulling lures.

Your not going to stay tight on every shot you get regardless of what your pulling, but especially with lures, higher speeds and more action, along with more ferocious strikes lead to a lower percentage of caught fish. Thats lure fishing.

There were a few boats that called in wrong species, but I am sure there were alot of boats that didn't even call in hook-ups before the hook pulled on blue ones. Alot of experienced captains wait to call in a hook-up until they get on top of fish, or know the species, and/or know they have a good hook in her.

[Water Damage]

we pulled all lures, much as I hate to admit it. In the Swansboro and the BR - both of our 2 big fish came on the same Bart lure in the same spot, right behind my favorite teaser! Our big fish in the BR came up, sucked the squid off 1 teaser, then went after the other before finally chomping on the lure behind it.

I did have 3 or 4 other hits on a longer bridge pole with a moldcraft on it - but with 1 exception they all came off, and typically before I even got a chance to add much heat to'em. I know our 2 bigger fish were lost due to waaaaaayyyy too much drag - a fact that has had much discussion since!!!!

i know very few folks trolling meat in the BR or other such tourneys this year, most seem to be using it as a pitch like we are.

I did hear some guys call in hookups and later say it was wrong species, but I would agree that many were calling in every hookup and then calling pulled hook when the truth came out. I had a couple strong hookups that I never saw the fish, but did not call them in because I did not know for sure. Hell, the blue we released friday did not get called in until we stopped it and it finally showed itself enough to be certain.

[rarhomes]

I heard several reports about fish that where i.d. and got off before they could be wired.

Do you think most were on lures and J hooks or circle hooks and pitch baits?

[Water Damage]

i doubt seriously there were many pulled hooks with circles, for a couple reasons - 1, it is tough to pull a circle hook out and 2, I doubt there were many hooked with circles during the Big Rock