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Random Quote: If we don't catch fish - you don't come back!
After getting my Pursuit in the spring I have been spending the last few months in the Chesapeake getting comfortable with it, learning the saltwater fishing game, and generally getting it and myself ready for offshore fishing, (this is far from my first boat, and I have crossed several oceans with the US Navy, but I am new to offshore fishing). I went on a few charter trips in the Caribbean to learn some tactics, and now I'm ready to plan my first offshore trips from either Cape May or Ocean City, (I know, just in time for hurricane season!). My question is do I really need to run all the way to the canyons for some tuna action? I have been studying some offshore fishing charts and recognized the names of several spots that I have heard reports from are only 25 or 30 miles from these inlets, (the cigar, hotdog, etc.). It would be nice to do the shorter run for my first few trips, but if chances of getting some action really lie in the canyons then that is what I will do. Does anyone have any thoughts or tips?
We ran to the 20 fathom fingers, approx 20 NM east of OC MD Tuesday and caught a couple of dolphin, then picked up and ran to the Hambone, approx 32 NM east of OC and started on the troll for some tuna action, trolled the Hambone and worked our way out to the Hotdog and the 30 fathom line (10 more miles out). Picked up another gaffer dolphin but the tuna bite was a little slow for us. They were picking up some yellowfin and bluefin out there.
A lot of folks have a tendency to overrun the fish. While we were out there there was a pretty good bluefin bite at the Jackspot (approx 21 NM SE of OC) if you could work your way through the bluefish. I think next week I'm going to chunk a flat of butterfish at the Jackspot and if no takers we'll run to a couple of the offshore spots and go on the troll.
From what I heard the tuna bite is south of OC, MD. The offshore spots like the hotdog, hambone, Elephant trunk, ect has been a little slow but could turn on this weekend with the great weather. I heard the charter boats and boats that fished the OC Tuna Tourny headed south. I also heard there was a good bite at the lumpy bottom and the crotch. Best thing to do is to look what way the charter boats were heading in the morning. They usually have great inside information. There was also an article in the Big Game Journal about fishing the inshore spots off of wachapreague like the 26, 21 hills and other spots there are also GPS numbers in the article.
You have a lot of options, like working the Dog or Trunk for BFT, then working 30-500 fathoms later in the day for YFT, Marlin, etc. We usually try to get our bluefins at first light, then move to the deep for the rest of the day.
That's great, thanks guys for all the good tips. Casey, I do read TF, but it is definitely geared more towards the bay. I have learned quite a bit on there though. Do you guys check with any of the marinas and/or tackle shops to find out what's biting where, or is it all local knowledge?
Noob offshore question-MD coast
