MATES....ARE YOU SURE ABOUT YOUR?......

[Baywolf]

GEAR!


I fished several boats this past 6 months and the one consistency was the inconsistency of the gear on each boat. Offshore fishing with 8 50's and 3 different colored lines I couldn't even guess how old it was and different lb test. Preset drags that would have pulled my truck out of a mud bog. I know drags wear differently but there shouldn't be a huge difference Some clickers that would work and some that wouldn't. I got to go up north and do some learnin on how they do BFTing up there. What a blast and I did learn a lot. The Capt wanted to do all the rigging and call the shots, I am a student so I sat back. We had 4 130's with different size top shots with different colors and lengths, not to mention different size leaders. I'm sorry I like consistency. I am not opposed to different leader size on one or two reels in a bft spread but I would like to know the reels are pretty close in set up and drag, old Penns are tough but you can get them, close.
I needed a change of scenery when I got back from my trip up north and got on the boat I finished out the season 2 yrs ago. There was no prep time, he called we went the next day. The rods had been badly neglected, the Aftco guides covered in a nice coat of green, half of the rollers were froze up and I couldn't get any of the reel drags close, I mean not even in the same county. We fished every fishable day till the end. At the end of the season I offered my services to crack open the reels and do the maintenance. How many mates can do this? Four of the reels were 1970's, 2 the grease was hard and I had to scrape it out. One had the old asbestos plates and a rock must have gotten inside the inner drag and ground a deep crevice in the metal drag plate. One the clicker wasn't working, is now. Thanks Fishfinder for the parts and helping me get them back on line. I broke down each rod having to pound out some of the inner bushings and sanding them down and lubing them up. The guides are pitted but not green anymore with a thin film of grease. All is well for me or whomever fishes this gear next year. Most Capts. do their own reel maintenance or send them out, they don't expect their mate to do it. I can do it but not for free. It takes over an hour to break down, clean and put back together a 50, 80 or 130, a 25 is just under and hour. That's not identifying bad parts and replacing.
When you work on the same boat all season or year after year you get to know your gear inside and out. What goes where and whats what, how do you do when you move from here to there, how do you adapt in short order? I know what guys are getting for reel maintenance, $30-40/ plus parts and I don't think its the mates JOB to do it but it is a very good thing to know. A Marine in combat in battle has a misfire, he doesn't call the armorer to fix it.
I put up this post to future mates that might want a leg up, you got to know your gear, a bullet don't do no good if the gun don't don't shoot.

[Deep C]

I havn't got a full time mate so its up to me... No excuse for sloppy. My sets are all done over and over by me. That way I know what is going to get fished. I have sets for different things but when their respective seasons are done they get a thorough going over.
Even my twelve pound set. They get used for only one tournament a year. The day after the tourney they get tore down respooled and rerigged ready to go for next year.
I bring three seperate sets of 30, 50, and 80 class to the bahamas with us. When a set gets tired, its pulled aside and replacement set in place keeping the third in ready. At night I tear that first set down and get back ready to join the rotation.
Shark or sword gear is kept seperate from general trolling gear which is seperated from chunking gear up north. All of our gear is ready to rock all the time.
Has to be that way. Line spooling is starting to hurt financially with the amount of tackle we run with. Though very expensive initially we may go to jerry brown under and ajust replace topshots instead of going whole spools for the whole set.

[Baywolf]

Deep thanks for the reply. Sorry it wasn't an insult to Capt's. It was for mates to know their gear and what they are working with. Some Capt's. aren't to worried about it and the way times are don't care, more cost.

[dunn6253]

Great read Baywolf, something very important to consider. I know I am pretty new to this game, but I can tell/feel when the gear on the boat isn't right. Not a very good feeling......

Now this is the perfect reminder for me to go down to the basement and start checking over the gear. Tuna show up in another four months up here....

[WAHOONBOX]

Great read Baywolf, something very important to consider. I know I am pretty new to this game, but I can tell/feel when the gear on the boat isn't right. Not a very good feeling......

Now this is the perfect reminder for me to go down to the basement and start checking over the gear. Tuna show up in another four months up here....

THATS THE THING THOUGH...YOUR YOUNG AND YOUR CAREER IS IN FRONT OF YOU...I EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM YOU IN THE NEXT 30 YRS!!! CAUSE YOU GOT HEART, DESIRE, AND YOU ARE A FINE PERSON!

YOUR DAY WILL COME.....AND TAKE THAT TO THE BANK...I MEAN PIT!


GREAT READ RICK!

[clt_capt]

Great reminder Rick - Even for us non-Pros.

We may only get a few shots every year - the gear has to be in top shape.

[Mako Wish]

Every Capt. and Mate should know when the line was put on and inspect the line after every trip. It is THE most important thing in every set-up. Its like the tires on a race car, its what keeps ya in contact with the fish.

As far as reels go on the way in on every trip if there is something not right with the reel it should be labled and fixed when you get in. Capts and Mates should know how to take down and replace most parts on the reels and be able to do maintence such as clickers. The other thing is lube the handles so many boats I have been on there is at least one stiff handle in the mix.

Roller guides are awsome when they are taken care of but if they dont work the become a big problem..

Also I agree with the point that chunkin, sharking and Swordfish rods need to be kept out of your trolling spread. They get abused way more than trolling rods and the line gets trashed attaching weights and ballons and glow lights. They also need to be checked during the trip nevermind when you get home...

Great topic Rick... its this stuff that sets guy's like you in the pit way above the rest !!!

[zar2754]

i am meticulous when it comes to our gear.

mainline, leaders, windons, swivels, crimps, knots, guides, reels, drags, levers, handles, rod holders, outrigger clips, lures, hooks, monel. is all considered before it sees action.

as far as lines go, i check for abrasion and wear constantly,

running the line between your thumb and pointer finger every time you check a bait goes a long way. you'd be suprised how many lines get damaged just being dragged around that wet stuff

[sushi42]

Attention to detail-...nuff said!

[zar2754]

Attention to detail-...nuff said!

THE DEVILS IN EM!