Thursday Jamaica Sea Bass Trip

[tautog]

Went out with a group of 35 or so to the sea bass grounds. Had a pretty nice ride out. Once we went outside to fish, I could already tell that the wind was coming on early than expected. During the dark, there was a pick of mixed sized sea bass and lots of jumbo hubcab porgies. The current wasn't bad for a full moon time trip so I could even fish a light rod for an 8oz sinker for the porgies. Once the sun came up, the sea bass came on much better with bigger fish and the porgies started getting bigger too.

I had my porgy limit by around 8:30 and took to around 10:00 to get my sea bass limit as I wasn't bothering with anything under 16". It got progressively more sporty. I was doing great on 3-4lb sea bass and porgies in the bow, but had to retreat once the bow started to bury into the waves. We just keep shifting around the one wreck because moving would have been tough once the seas got to 6-8 feet.

I wound up with a porgy limit and a sea bass limit. No super jumbos on sea bass but most 3-4 1/4lbs in my limit. My porgies were huge. I had 3 that were 4- 4 1/4lbs and 10 over 3lbs. Guy next to me had a legit 5lber. Pool was a 6lb plus sea bass and 2nd pool was a 5lb plus sea bass. Saw a 3lb lobster caught and a 3 1/2lb pollack. Most had a limit of sea bass and some had a limit of porgies. Ride in was interesting 6-9 feet in the trough for the first 3 1/2 hours. Still got in a bit early.

Helpful hints, use heavy leaders and decent mainline. Saw lots of guys using 20-25lb leader getting bitten off by monster porgies that swallowed the hook. Even my 1/0 hooks are on 50lb because big choppers often get hooked deeply and can bite through a light leader. As for mainline saw a number of guys fishing 20-25lb break off 4lb plus sea bass trying to swing them. Use at least 40 because you need to be able to swing anything under 5lbs. Don't say you aren't getting bites when all three of your hooks are empty every time you reel up. If your rod tip looks like it is conducting an orchestra, swing.