Run them down vs. Back down

[frankypettolina]

Alex, I will send you a PM.

Bill, in answer to your last question I would get the quick release going backwards if possible and then while all the distractions were gone go back to the pod when I could maneuver the boat in whichever direction it turns best.

[fishskipper]

I think the question here is whether to back down or chase down... I've done both depending on the boat .... some boats don't back worth a damn... I think what Hubie is trying to say is what degree do you back down... and most the time you can just put her in reverse till you start putting some line back on, not having to black smoke her. But there are times when you have to get a little more aggressive on the throttles before you get spooled.... Hubie, backing is the best way to put line back on the reel, when you go to the chase you'll pull off a lot more line before you put line back on.

DON'T BE SCARED OF REVERSE !!!!

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Thread hasn't even hit the fourth page and your BACKING UP HARD....
Holwachagot

you win frank.......the vote is in. thank you to everyone that reinforced his credentials. and by the way frank.......you dont know anything about me. but the minute you start living better than me, let me know......i'll follow you! until then, stop taking yourself so serious. peace. and another thing....to many of you guys take what i say the wrong way......i'm not calling anyone any names here. if that's what you want to do to me, go ahead. i laugh at it. but really, how much of a conversation would this be if we all thought the same way. i type like i talk, thats all. if we were in the same room you wouldnt think anything of it. im not trying to play my credentials against anyones. but most of the statements that get mentioned dont come from me. first of all i am not an interenet whatever. i say the same thing in person. fishing is a hobby, not my life. and im glad its not! when i hook up, i like to slowly move forward and plane the fish up, moving back only if i have to but my main goal is forward. its an opinion, not an election. and sometimes for fun.......i'll take a position i dont really believe in, just for fun! peace out.

[Rhodekill]

one more question bill, ive seen a lot of guy's go into reverse so hard and fast both engines cough black smoke like their on fire.........is that part of it too?

That is definatley part of it. Every money tourny I have fished the smoke on the water is so thick you almost need a gas mask.

The hardest I have ever backed down was with Butch Cox in Venezuela. You could water ski off the front of that boat he is backing down so hard.

If you get to much in there just put her on the pins and it will all run out. Whatever it takes to get the leader.

[Big Jay]

That is definatley part of it. Every money tourny I have fished the smoke on the water is so thick you almost need a gas mask.

The hardest I have ever backed down was with Butch Cox in Venezuela. You could water ski off the front of that boat he is backing down so hard.

If you get to much in there just put her on the pins and it will all run out. Whatever it takes to get the leader.

Hardest I have ever backed down was last season when we had a 200# blue come up and eat a black and purple feather on a 20# outfit with 30# mono meant for dolphin around some weeds.

I was down to like 100 yds. on the spool screaming at my father to back down. When he did he backed down so hard my 280 lb. little brother went from the cockpit to the helm in the express and fell

[whitey]

If I don't see black smoke and walls of water comming into the cockpit then im not having fun.

[Sterling]

Great topic, and I can say that I don't have a set style here. We fish short handed a lot on my boat so on a larger fish often I'm clearing lines and running the boat then backing.

I have fished with captains that have a very set method when it comes to billfish that involves both chasing and then backing. The chase was a relatively wide turn shortly after hook-up that closes the gap and ultimately puts the fish back behind the boat. Then it's time to back down for the release. Honestly I was so focused on the fish I never nailed down the pattern but it was impressive and the result was a very quick release. The downside is that if you don't get it right the odds of running over the fish (line) are high.

I've also talked to a number of guys in the NE that will back immediately, even over lines, to secure a quick release on whites.

[Big Jay]

I've also talked to a number of guys in the NE that will back immediately, even over lines, to secure a quick release on whites.

Thats just an excuse to back down haha.

Just make SURE your scuppers are clear and the bilge pumps are on manual overide.

[Sterling]

I just read something in Marlin about guys using blocks to cover their scuppers when backing. I didn't spend much time on it because I don't get a lot of water in that way, but it fits this thread. Also seemed a bit dangerous as it seems it would also block clearing the water out. If I find it, I'll post the month.

[Big Jay]

I just read something in Marlin about guys using blocks to cover their scuppers when backing. I didn't spend much time on it because I don't get a lot of water in that way, but it fits this thread. Also seemed a bit dangerous as it seems it would also block clearing the water out. If I find it, I'll post the month.

We have the flappers on the scuppers. Not open ones.

Interesting though. You see the larger boats without the flapper and open hawse style scups. If i was full blown backing down on a fish in that situation i would want the scups open.

Like i said, I would want to have my bilge pumps manually flicked on.