Caribbean - fishing from a yacht- despearate for advice!

[LBAYORKIE]

Hi

A friend of mine has chartered a yacht in Canouan (Grenadines) for 2nd week in August.

We will be sailing from island to island but i desperately need some advice.

I am taking my 6ft 20-30lb boat rod plus reel of same class and would like to fish!

Could someone advise me what lure to use, hook sizes, line strength, if i need wire traces etc and what I am likely to catch please? I assume we will be fishing whilst moored in bays etc as well as trolling between islands if this helps.

Alan Moore

[PanamaJack]

Hi Alan
And firstly welcome to the forum.

I guess the first observation to make when you're making passage between the islands is that the wind and sail area is obviously going to dictate your speed. And that's likely to vary! So, given that your 'likely' quarry will be Dorado, small Tuna and possibly Wahoo & Kingfish, I'd opt for a small straight running lure that's not speed dependent. Suggestions would be things like say Cedar Plugs, Dolphin Candy, Tuna Toast, Tuna Turbo or basic Trolling Feathers rigged to a short length of single strand wire and, based on lure size, probably 7 or 8/0 non-offset hooks.

If you're a gambler you may be able to source them when you get to the Caribbean, but....... Alternatively somewhere in this country like Harris Angling, Veal of Bristol or RokMax may have a selection. Then, and this is when I picked up the selection identified, the 'Stateside BassPro - on line shopping at http://www.basspro.com. Obviously if you're looking to the 'States you'd need to specify shipping by air mail (or carrier). The basic surface shipping can take up to a month and, in your case, that might well be brinkmanship!

Then, when you're close to the reef -where things like Jacks and Barracuda, and possibly Grouper will be encountered - and running slowly on the engine, it would be worth changing the lure to something like a Yo-zuri Hydro Magnum, again rigged to wire. I've also found things like Rapala Slivers are also effective, although they're not 'through rigged'.

Whilst you're anchored, particularly over coral or the edge of coral, the small jigs, with or without bait, will also work especially for the Snappers, Grouper and Jacks. Again there're a selection on BassPro's site but they're the type of things you should be able to source in the UK. Don't use one that's too big though.

Just a couple of further points when you're trolling offshore.

Make sure you put a safety line on your rod. I'm not certain what the butt of your rod is constructed of, but there's always the possibility that it may shatter on the strike.

Don't set the drag too hard. Somewhere between something that will prevent the lure itself stripping line from the reel and say a quarter of the line's breaking strain. Test it by pulling line off at the tip. Again the strikes are likely to be savage and fast, and too much drag will endanger your rod or break your line.

If possible use a butt pad. You may not find it particularly easy, with that weight of tackle, controlling it with the butt stuck under your armpit!

Hope that's given you some basic help Alan. If you remember though please post back with your experiences. It all helps other forum users build up background on fishing overseas.
Kindest regards
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Alan
That maximum of a 1/4 of the line's B/S I mentioned on strike can be pushed up to say a 1/3rd once they've got that first run out of the way.

You'll find as well that, especially with Tunas, short pumping is more effective that the longer pumps you're used to in this country. (By 'short pump' it's often just a quarter turn by quarter turn, but try and keep the fish moving.) You'll, after that first run, find that they will stay deep and, as you retrieve, you'll feel the constant 'bumping' as they're trying to get their head round for another 'power dive'. If you can, without popping the line, apply a little judicious finger pressure to the spool on the 'up pump' that can help shorten the fight. BUT, if they get their head round, make sure the fingers are off the spool instantly that's unless you want a blister!

As well as the short wire trace it's worth as well backing that up with a length of heavy mono. It will just give who ever's leadering the fish something to control it with.

And the small Yellowfin Tuna are by far the nicest eating Tuna – as well as lightly grilled try them raw, thinly sliced - Sashimi style - with Wasabi sauce.
Dave

[LBAYORKIE]

Dave

Many, many, thanks for this concise and informative response.

I never imagined I would receive such a comprehensive reply- you have answered all my questions and more.

I will follow up on the advice you gave and let you know how I got on

Sorry for the delayed response - I work away a lot, in fact this reply has been sent from the BMI lounge at Heathrow!

Thanks
Alan
N. Yorkshire