That's Right Yellowfin on Inshore Lumps

[Pretty Work]

Well it seems the Yellowfin are inhabiting the area around the Hot Dog and the sausages
The bites are there on the inshore lumps with the Yellowfin Tuna, Capt. John has been putting meat on the deck for our charters. Most bites have been on Ballyhoo and in single’s. A temperature break would be a welcome sign right about now.

Capt. John Reports:

That’s Right stayed inshore again today, spent some time trolling amongst the chunkers, who have us trollers all messed up! We managed to catch 6 nice fish and let go a few smaller one’s. The water temps seem to be just about the same everywhere we go just a little change in the water colors. All our bites today except two came on the down rod with a spoon. We also had a few small dolphins to add to the mix. The guys offshore seemed to struggle today, just a few Marlin bite’s is all i heard about. We are back at in the am till then…..

http://www.thatsrightcharters.com/wp..._Capt_John.mp3

[SharkJP]

It would be great if you could offer a little insight for us here on how to still get bites in with the fleet like that. We were fishing through the obstacle course of chunkers over the weekend and didnt fair as well as yall. Any suggestions you have about increasing your catch when fishing in with a fleet like that is very welcome.

[MAKO19]

I was thinking the same thing JP. Capt.'s report says he got most bites on the deep rod with a spoon. Looks like the jiggers are catching well too which would make sense for a spoon to be productive. The problem is getting the lure deep enough. Planers only get you so far unless you run an old salty #32 inline from a planer rod which I think could get you down real deep. There are plenty of people catching on sardines and there are lots of flying fish around that area also so it's hard to see why a properly rigged ballyhoo positioned in the right spot could still not catch. Judging by the Sunset Marina reports Marli was on them pretty good amongst the chunkers a few days ago so this verifies my ballyhoo theory. The key is how? That's where the real skill comes from and these guys definitely have it. I guess the fish are just getting lazy with all that free bait just being hucked out of those anchored boats on a daily basis.

[Pretty Work]

It's all about color and patterns, for example.... this weekend on Dog and Hambone areas we found most of our bites on planner rod set at 50' deep with a No.4 Spoon and once that bite would come we would usually get bite on a long rigger and colors well that's a process of elimination and comes from paying attention to water color, the bait the fish are eating, sun light or lack of and sometimes the size of the Ballyhoos you have available to you. Sometimes large med and sometimes smalls. Patterns.... on dog I am most productive trolling east to west no mater what the seas are, so some days it can be not to favorable. And don't forget going everyday helps to stay on top of all this, cause it's not easy. Hope that helps

[Bonehead]

And don't forget going everyday helps to stay on top of all this, cause it's not easy.

Ah, that's the real issue right there. Many chances to try a bunch of different things and plenty of opportunity to catch. Tough for a weekend warrior to match a pro that's out there 5 to 7 days a week. We just have to do the best we can with what we've got. Some days you get the bear, other days the bear gets you.

[Breakin Loose]

Thanks for great info gentlemen. I am going to try jigging next time once I find some bait and see if that helps.

Any other ideas on how to get bait down deep without a planer?

[SharkJP]

It's all about color and patterns, for example.... this weekend on Dog and Hambone areas we found most of our bites on planner rod set at 50' deep with a No.4 Spoon and once that bite would come we would usually get bite on a long rigger and colors well that's a process of elimination and comes from paying attention to water color, the bait the fish are eating, sun light or lack of and sometimes the size of the Ballyhoos you have available to you. Sometimes large med and sometimes smalls. Patterns.... on dog I am most productive trolling east to west no mater what the seas are, so some days it can be not to favorable. And don't forget going everyday helps to stay on top of all this, cause it's not easy. Hope that helps

John, great post and thanks for the reply. This is the first season I have been forced to do the weekend warrior thing and it has really become frustrating for me, esp since I have not really fished the past few years. Im confident its just like any sport and PRACTICE makes perfect. We try to fit everything into one or two days of fishing and there is only so many tuna I really want to catch. Im sure if we stuck it out on the dog we would of picked away at em, but I def have billfish fever I have been toying with the idea of running the planner and it is going to get wet next trip. Now, at the risk of pestering you too much for info, how bout elaborating on the color choices with light conditions. I have my favorites I run, but with only fishing about once a week I start with b/w, pink, pink/blue, green, and crystal in the spread and adujust throughout the day with what is getting bit...and some days I just go with my gut

[Pretty Work]

Thanks for great info gentlemen. I am going to try jigging next time once I find some bait and see if that helps.

Any other ideas on how to get bait down deep without a planer?

You can use a Zwing or perhaps a Downrigger with 15lb ball....... kinda simple the fish that you mark should show at a consistent depth, so thats where you have to get your bait, time is all it takes. Good luck

[Pretty Work]

It would be great if you could offer a little insight for us here on how to still get bites in with the fleet like that. We were fishing through the obstacle course of chunkers over the weekend and didnt fair as well as yall. Any suggestions you have about increasing your catch when fishing in with a fleet like that is very welcome.

You just have to pick a pattern and stick to it with that many boats its tough, however if to get two points on these lumps and go back and forth you would be surprised at what happens. I tell the folks at the Saltwater Semi. to watch what the bigger boats do watch the ones you know produces and you can learn alot. Capt. Portter had a great day on Sunday but it took him and others of us Saturday to figure things out.

[Pretty Work]

John, great post and thanks for the reply. This is the first season I have been forced to do the weekend warrior thing and it has really become frustrating for me, esp since I have not really fished the past few years. Im confident its just like any sport and PRACTICE makes perfect. We try to fit everything into one or two days of fishing and there is only so many tuna I really want to catch. Im sure if we stuck it out on the dog we would of picked away at em, but I def have billfish fever I have been toying with the idea of running the planner and it is going to get wet next trip. Now, at the risk of pestering you too much for info, how bout elaborating on the color choices with light conditions. I have my favorites I run, but with only fishing about once a week I start with b/w, pink, pink/blue, green, and crystal in the spread and adujust throughout the day with what is getting bit...and some days I just go with my gut

sunny days i like colors like crystal with purpole skirt or perhaps crystal with green skirt. and the old black and blue is a favorite.