Party Boat How To

[Billfish715]

I was impressed with the guys that I saw livelining for striped bass on the Mohawk last Sunday. I'm always anxious to learn about fishing and fishing techniques, so, first, how do the guys on the lee side of the boat ever get a chance to get a bite? Second, what weight snag hook is used when the bait is deep and you are on the lee side? I'm just wondering if the fishermen in mid-ships are at a distinct disadvantage over the fishermen in the bow and stern.

Lastly, if you lose your bait, or it isn't lively anymore, are you S.O.L. ? When the bait ball is no longer under the boat and you can't catch anymore until the boat moves to another school of bait, what do you do? Do you keep a 5 gallon bucket of seawater at your feet to store them?

[slammer]

If the boat is crowed the captain should give both port and starboard side of the boat equal opportunity to drift,like fluke fishing.Every one has to work together or you will get tangled and lose fish,Snagging bunker I have different weight snag hooks the deeper the bunker the heavier the snag hook.Some boats will have a community live well.Everyone tries to snag as much bunker as possible and fill the well.Then use as needed.If there's no well on the boat then its snag and drop.Mid-ship does not have an advantage in my opinion.I rather fish in the bow or stern,less chance of tangles.Your better off with a light crowd or limited load with this type of fishing.

[slammer]

I miss read the mid-ship part. I think you are at a disadvantage, more apt to get tangled.

[Skolmann]

I bring two set ups when live lining on a party boat. One is a spinning rod with bait runner type reel. I use this set up to snag bunker and when I’m on the windward side. I usually do snag and drop with this rod. The other set up I use is a heavy conventional set up rigged with either a slider for the sinker or an egg sinker (depending on water depth) to a swivel then a leader to a shelled hook. This set up allows me to get down under the boat to the bottom where a lot of the bigger bass waiting for the injured bunker to fall to them. I’ve had good success with both set ups.

I’ve been on some party boats that will have 50 gallon barrels that we all contribute bait to, so there is always a supply of fresh live boat. I’ve e also been on other party boats that if you lose your bait you’re out of luck until another bait pod comes by.

[fishunt]

i been on several of their trips last fall. fish were caught everywhere on the boat. he limits trip so their is alot of room to move around.

[Capt Sal]

Charter a boat for live lining.