How many people fish on passage?

[foolishsailor]

I just bought the "Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing" as I wanted to up my fishing game.

I am what you would call a lazy fisherman. COuple hundred feet of fishing line with a wire leader and something shiny with a hook at the end. Tie this on to the aft stantion and add a bungie to keep it from breaking when a fish hits it.

So what are some of the rigs you carry on your boat?

Any recommendation for rods and reels?

Bait types? Something more specific than "shiny with a hook"

Anyone use a downrigger? Good depths for different fish in different regions?

I can catch whatever swims past me hook, but would really be a novice at this so would invite any knowledge...

thanks

[Dulcesuenos]

We dragged rattle jets from Tampa bay to key west non stop. We caught dolphin, mackerel, lil tunny, blackfin tuna, and cobia.

[captain58sailin]

Any number of jigs, Mexican flag is a pretty good color. I prefer hand lines to reels & poles, I am more interested in eating than fighting. I go with the KISS principle, sounds like you have that already in hand. Doesn't hurt to check your gear now and then to insure no weeds are interfering. You can also piece together some old cds on a line to act as a teaser.

[zeehag]

i use 100 pound test with a double hook lure trailing behind me boat---i dont use a pole--just a slip knot in the line from my aft mizzen shroud--slip knot slips out, fish is hooked and i have dinner. awesomeness..and good for the lazy at heart fish lover.

[Cotemar]

How do you reel in a fish with a hand line.

[foolishsailor]

slowly..

seriously tho, bigger hits tend to cost me a lure so i dont end up with bigger fish to haul in - but that also could be chalked up to inexperience...

I use gloves and pull in by hand. I have aft cleats that are very convient to run the line to and then start taking more in. If the fish is too large or surging, i let it drag behind the boat till it learns some manners and then come back to it. Sometime i lose them this way as well - either they tear off the line or maybe sharks or larger fish?

Like i said - less than optimal solution so looking for other tips...

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

How do you reel in a fish with a hand line.

is why i use 100 pound test-is thicker and easy to hand over hand into boat--gloves are good--saves paws from line rash...i pull fishie in fast so it planes and doesnt fight so hard--after all is for dinner, not play.

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

How do you reel in a fish with a hand line.

Use a Cuban yo-yo. Gloves aren't a bad idea. And a squirt gun or bottle loaded with high proof alcohol. A squirt or two in the gills and you've got a sedated fish on board.

[zeehag]

keep it simple.
the fishies dont care what ye use--i dont use anything other than the line, rigged lure and the slipknot--isnt rocket science and the fish dont care how ye catch em--

[barnakiel]

I do not fish anymore: the horrible smell, the blood everywhere, the worms in the meat, the pangs of consciousness, yuck!

I say live and let live.

Still have the gear though: 1) plain rod (very short ad stiff) and 2)'spinning' type of reel. 3) The secret lure. This gear seems to work very good for me, plenty of fish attracted. But, as explained above, no more.

This much said I love the flying fish, fried. I try to toss them overboard when I can hear them land on deck. But on a noisy night I sometimes miss them and then in the morning the only thing to do is either feed them to the (bigger) fish or have them for breakfast.

b.

[Katiusha]

Bought that book prior to leaving Toronto, did outfit the boat [Jeanneau 35'] with six rods, a serious downrigger, and two hand lines , a.k.a. Cuban yo-yos, fish cleaning table, salt water pressure wash, etc.

Over the years and some serious ocean cruising realized that we mostly use hand lines and sometimes a trawling rod. Well, and the fish cleaning table with a salt pressure wash. Sold the rest and are now very happy. Thinking of possibly selling the trawling rod as well.

[sww914]

I always have a line in the water. They did a poll here last year about lures and the winners were the cedar plug and any old hook with something shiny stuck to it, even some white plastic trash bag.

[youmeandthed]

Fishing is one thing, catching them is another. I always have a rod out, but I only once caught mahi mahi by sailing behind a sport fishing boat.

[Cheechako]

Short stiff rod, at least 60 lb test, 3 ft of SS leader, weighted rubber squid (greeen/yellow is good) large hook. If you see stuff floating on the water go as close as possible for mahi. Also better along the ridge where the sea bed goes from deep to shallow.

[Hud3]

You don't need to let out much line at all, contrary to what you might think. I had great luck catching mahi-mahi with a cedar plug skipping on the surface about 60-70 feet behind the boat. My rig was a 66" Penn Senator (stiff) rod, and 90# mono on a Shimano reel. I made a rod holder out of PVC pipe and two SS hose clamps, attached to a push pit stanchion.