The best boat fishing tip

Joined: Oct 11, 2009 Posts: 3

Im new to boat fishing, i bought a bayliner speedboat 5 weeks ago, 3 7ft boat rods with multipliers, every lure, jelly, jig u can think of. I fish out of Port Richborough going into the Channel outside Ramsgate and in 3 trips i run 3 rods, 2 with lug worm, one 2 hook flapper, one 3 hook flapper with a 5oz grappler, 3rd rod pennel rig full unwashed squid. So far in the last 2 weeks the squid has had nothing, couple of bites only, the other 2 have caught 30 odd whiting and 8 dogfish. Dont know if this is good or bad, but when im out for 4 hours at a time it keeps me occupied. The grappler is fixed on a swivel, so although i would like cod, im not gonna change my combos as they catch something, better than blanking..... Garmin Chartplotter/fishfinder comes in a couple of weeks too.... big grin

Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:31 pm

RE The Squid...............try 'scoring' it to release a scent trail, ie keeping it whole but cutting lines along the lengh of the body to let the juices flow

Occasional Joined: Oct 30, 2009 Posts: 127

Keep your rigs as simply as possible.

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:58 am

My advice is- copy the bloke who is catching the most fish!
I have worked on charter boats on and off for 30 years. I am always amazed at the way people doggedly stick to a method that isnt working.
I match fish on boats 3 or 4 times a year and am not embarrassed to say at times I have had to copy a rig that a fellow competitor is using to get among the fish!
My secret of success (I have had plenty of it) is to make sure you do your homework, get the right bait and plenty of it. Use clear line on all snoods of a good make, hooks must be Varivas and brand new everytime, use tackle you are comfortable with.. don't use a multiplyer if you cannot cast with one!
I always have at least one baited rig ready to swap over with the one that is fishing, use gemmini links to swap quickly.
Change bait EVERY cast no matter what it looks like. Use a knot that you trust for attaching all your bits together a GRINNER is the best by far.. My opinion. I never use a shock leader (may be controversial- but make sure you put your lead in a saft location over the side if casting) I have seen loads of really good fish lost when the leader knot jams the tip eye with weed!
Keep warm and dry!