Party boat question (gear related)

[Lendawg24]

Never been out on a party boat before so just basically wondering what specific gear to bring. We will be going out for fluke half day. I only fish from shore and have all that gear but I know my bucktails for surf aren't going to be any good since they are basically 1/2oz - 1oz at best...
Boat says they supply bait and rods.. I'm planning on renting a rod as I dont want to ruin or screw up my nice surf rod.

So basically for bucktails what size am I looking at?
Should I even bother getting bucktails or is there something different to use out there?

Gulp, should I get the bigger size?

Any help is appreciated

Thanks and tight lines all

[Gremlin2009]

Stop by Atlantic Bait and Tackle . Talk to Pete he will set you up nicely

[stugots]

3-6 oz bucktails possibly a few heavier ones incase the current is strong. Definitely get some bigger gulp grubs. 5-6 inches.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Great advise above. Only thing I would add is if you have a spinning outfit besides you surf rod (way too long for a party boat$ that is in the heavier side I would bring it since it can be challenging using a boat rental rod to Bucktail. They are usually conventional rods and reels more meant for dragging bait.

[Lendawg24]

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski

Great advise above. Only thing I would add is if you have a spinning outfit besides you surf rod (way too long for a party boat$ that is in the heavier side I would bring it since it can be challenging using a boat rental rod to Bucktail. They are usually conventional rods and reels more meant for dragging bait.

If using the conventional rods they provide.. do they normally provide sinkers? Or is that something I would have to bring

Thinking of doing the hi lo with gulp and sinker as alternate to bait if the bait is slow that day or both

Thanks for all the great advice/help so far

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Lendawg24

If using the conventional rods they provide.. do they normally provide sinkers? Or is that something I would have to bring

Thinking of doing the hi lo with gulp and sinker as alternate to bait if the bait is slow that day or both

Thanks for all the great advice/help so far

I think most boats are providing at least your first rig/sinker for rental poles and you pay after that... I would call the boat you're fishing on and verify.

Your High Low rig with a sinker on the bottom is worth a shot but bring your own gulp since they don't provide that... I would still bring some bucktails and use that instead of a sinker in case that's what working that day and you can hold with a bucktail...

You are likely going to be inshore/close on a half day boat and even if fishing with gulp, I would tip your gulp with a spearing since inshore fish sometimes want meat.

If you have no drift, bucktails are the way to go... You can cast out and work it back to the boat to get some movement instead if sitting still on the bottom... This however is best done with a spinning rod.

[frugalfisherman]

WHAT BOAT ARE YOU GOING ON.

[Merle31483]

Using a rental rod and reel from a party boat I would leave those bucktails home jigging them all day long with a rental rod your arms gonna fall off I would suggest buying some different color 6" gulps green, white, pink a pack of circle hooks 6/0 and some bank sinkers 6 to 8 Oz and good luck

[Fluken-Around]

Plus on rental rods they are all heavy mono so going to make it tough to hold bottom with lighter bucktails. 99% of the guys you see bucktailing are using lighter braid line which enables them to get away with lighter gear. I fished my 1st party boat for fluke in over 10 years on Monday with a buddy that wanted to go! I rembered real quick why I don't fish party boats for fluke anymore!! There was 48 customers with people trying to use 2 oz bucktails while everyone else was barely holding with 10 oz sinkers. Tangles gallore and a lot of inexperience! Boat did a great job trying to keep us on the meat but I'm just not into the combat fishing. I will stick to my kayak, private boats and limited trips from here on out for fluke. I'm not knocking party boats and it's just my personal opinion. I will continue to bottom fish on them but just not my cup of tea for fluke!

[Lendawg24]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

WHAT BOAT ARE YOU GOING ON.

didn't mention because wasn't sure if that was allowed or not
didn't want to have any issues