Run them down vs. Back down

[gottaflylee]

Another thing that comes into play is, what kind of boat is it. Now take Hubris boat, I would not back it down hard at all, its going to the bottom being more like an express boat but with no raised helm station so to speak (I think). Now on the "Predator" boat that I run, a convertible, has a raised solon floor and closed door, so water in the pit not that big of a deal, when that big dog comes up and is close to the back of the boat...lookout cause we going backwards...
As with all boats, some turn well and some back up well. We all do what the situation calls for, wither its chasing or backing, both comes into play and are necessary tools to use...

[Deep C]

Looking through some of this thread I see some derailing but glad to see it back on track. The choice of back or forward on a fish and how hard really comes down to a personal preference. I stated that I do both. Its seldom that you will see me going nuts backward. Most boats weren't made to go that way for very long. I've heard of guys backing so hard they bust couplings or shafts. That is not a good thing...
I've had engines quit when goosing them and have had trannies go on strike when being on the abrasive side of nice to them. For me safety comes first. I'll go back but not to the point of abuse... Having had the above mentioned things happen I carry that same caution to docking... Theres no need to risk man or machine by playing macho at sea where you could have issues getting home safe or back in port where somebody standing on a dock could get hurt.

[Big Jay]

Another thing that comes into play is, what kind of boat is it. Now take Hubris boat, I would not back it down hard at all, its going to the bottom being more like an express boat but with no raised helm station so to speak (I think). Now on the "Predator" boat that I run, a convertible, has a raised solon floor and closed door, so water in the pit not that big of a deal, when that big dog comes up and is close to the back of the boat...lookout cause we going backwards...
As with all boats, some turn well and some back up well. We all do what the situation calls for, wither its chasing or backing, both comes into play and are necessary tools to use...

Very good point, we have an express with a 10" raise up to the helm. Anything over 10" and water is going to start coming into the engine compartment.

However, it is an Albemarle and built like a brick shithouse.

[Mako Wish]

Backin up and Blowin the BLACK SMOKE..... Unless the fish gives you a great angle to run up on him.... That happens one in evey 30 times..

[Spencer]

Bill I said I was sorry about that, I did not mean to hurt your feelings . I dont do that any more .

[hubris 1]

fishskipper, that's really what i think..........i mean cmon, how hard lee, your right......back that blackfin up and bury the stern. goodbye! not worth it and not gonna happen. ive said it before. if the fish goes to the horizon and never looks back, i'll throw him a kiss. thanks for the memory. and ron i have a swim platform on the back......i know its gay, but on a blackfin with the trim tabs and rudders aft, its a nice visual for a guy that doesnt understand to keep the line away from the boat. an angler see's it and understand's better. i just think its better to plane a fish forward than running him down, never being able to turn his head. and the last place you want to turn his head is 15 ft. from the transom green as can be. i started out fly fishing for trout.......i always enjoyed bringing the trout to me, not me to the trout. but i did have to run downstream sometimes, rod in air as the rainbow trout fell with the current trying to get away. but that was not to be and if the truth be told.........black smoke came out of my exhaust, you couldnt see it but you sure could smell it.

[waynofish]

Hehehe

[reel fishy]

I don't like to put all that green water in the cockpit. It gets into everything and some boat manufacturers don't seal hatches and doors well. I have been on boats where the captain backed up and put so much water in the cockpit the high water alarms were screaming. It just takes that much longer to clean the bilge and lazarette at the end of the day along with everything else. If the bait cooler is floating and the pitch bait buckets are rolling around the cockpit it is too much. All that extra stress on the running gear just shortens its life span. It's really impressive to back down hard and rip a trim tab off because you forgot to retract them. Saltwater in the hatch where your fresh ice maker is plumbed sucks. Tournaments are another story I guess, but I don't like to be over aggressive when the weather is rough. I'm not there to impress anyone with my smoke show, just to help my team catch as many fish as possible. The boat goes much better and faster in forward then reverse.

If you are a captain that likes to rinse the decks often atleast let me soap them first!

[Spencer]

WHOA! look at slugo go . Go getum Wayne!

[Squidnation]

I think Hubris does react a little different to backing down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sky_0sLxt74