WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[Baywolf]

Is it the purr of the engine, the sillouete of the boat, cant spell it, or the spread that draws the fish? There are boats out there that catch alot more bills and some that kill the tunas. Loud, color of the hull and bottom, and I know the baits are allways a factor. Or is it AC/DC rumbling the boat.

WOlf

[Capt-D]

I have always believed that it is commotion that gets the attention and the spread that makes them eat. Just in case this is what we did to the bottom of the old boat. Idea there, it surely couldn't hurt!!!!

-D

[RUGGERDUDE]

I'm still learning when it comes to the offshore game, but I'll throw out my thoughts. I think that it is a combination of factors. It seems like the guys who produce on a regular basis do the basic things correct to begin with and then they modify to adapt to the conditions as they present themselves. Sort of the bend - don't break concept. I personally have found it interesting how we have been able to raise fish on my boat. I'm running twin outboards - both Mercury EFI's not the quietest motors out there that's for sure. I think this actually draws the fish in, given the right conditions. Combine that with some great spreads put out by the likes of John Rogers and SharkJP and I think we put things in our favor.
Here are the factors that I think are important.
1. Start with the best bait you can grab
2. Put the bait in the spread of choice based on the conditions
3. Open your eyes and see the spread you are pulling
4. If you decide on something that produces, BELIEVE in it
5. Bend - Don't break
6. Try to find the sweet spot for your boat - this could be trimming the motors a certain way, adjusting rpms or raising or lowering trim tabs.

Just some thoughts from someone who is still very much an amateur.

Will

[freebird2]

Yes I had the Pink Squid painted on the Second To None until the last paint job. I dont know that it raised more fish but it did get alot of attention!

[Baywolf]

Shane I like them squids on the bottom, can you slik screen some of them on when we pull her in feb?

[Sea Draggin]

2. Put the bait in the spread of choice based on the conditions


Will

Agreed, if its a flat calm day go light(1/8 to 1/4 ounce head) on top and go deep with your planers.

If it nasty and rough, break out the islanders and heavier stuff.

[sportfish_1]

I saw a boat in OCMD a few years ago that had the squid on the bottom like the one in the photo. I thought that was a pretty good idea.

[Capt-D]

Even now if you drive through the fishing center or sunset you will see a handful of boats with squids.

-D

[Deep C]

There are so many factors it cant even begin to be covered in a single post or even a book. Its combinations of stuff. I have a spread for example that is pure death if I'm fishing 350 gas block motors, and the hull doesn't seem to matter. Albie, bertram,... that spread works with 350 block.
The same spread doesn't catch diddly on say 6-92 detroits. Now lets say I dial in a spread to go with 6-71 detroits. One boat it raises em and the next it wont. Yeah yeah I know different days stuff but when you've been at ot like me for a zillion years you can read a winner. Each boat needs to be dialed in.
Engines do part of the raising, hull does another part. My diesel albie raises the hell out of fish the same as the gas one I run. The spread in the diesel is similar but brought up closer. Speed , rmp etc all contribute to the dial in very much too.
Spreads... My spreads are basically set for blue marlin. I do catch whites and tuna but they are set to the blues. Noisy baits... Whites require more wiggle and less bulky noise. I think tunas are drawn more toward slither and little noise...

[In_Pursuit]

Wow Deep that's an amazing concept. I wish you could post a drawing or give some general guidelines for the spreads. I'd like to test the concept just to learn more. I know JD has 6-71's and the boat I normally fish on has 6-71's but my friend just bought a 43 Viking I think with cats so it would be cool to try.