FS Digest

We're heading out from San Diego, California. Hoping to catch bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail, etc...

What are some good pieces of advice to catch more fish and make it a more comfortable trip on the boat?

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by SPF_Infinity

FS Digest

Dramamine, skip the beer, watch out for seals, and avoid cigar smokers on the rail.

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by BricksByStreetlight

FS Digest

Use the rail.

Get out of the way and just in general pay attention to the guys around you.

Puke overboard, not in the head.

No bananas. Seriously do not bring bananas.

If you are chunking, make sure the hook is hidden entirely in the butterfish. Clip the fins off so it doesn't spin.

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by EmbracedByLeaves

FS Digest

What’s the deal with bananas?

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by SPF_Infinity

FS Digest

Superstition that is taken very seriously.

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by EmbracedByLeaves

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

#1 listen to the Captain. and crew and follow instructions. They most of all want you to catch fish.

OU Sam Loc: Norman, Oklahoma

Sounds like an overnighter, get to boat early bunks are selected first come first choice, usually a line waiting to board and select their bunk. Often bunks are four or five high, sea sickness occurs and lower bunks not preferred. I like mid level, I also take a small battery powered fan to keep some air moving while sleeping. Often don’t sleep much, if we stop and catch bait then get up early, have coffee and ready to start fishing. Listen to crew they will show you how to put bait on hook etc. HAVE FUN TAKE BREAKS...

edkealer

As mentioned by a couple of guys above, LISTEN to the skipper and crew when thy tell you how to rig up and where to put your line into the water. Also, if you talk to a deck hand before leaving the dock, let him know that you have no experience fishing in salt water (whether true or not doesn't matter, just tell him) and ask him for help. If he is like deck hands from the 60's and 70's he won't be alongside you the entire trip but he will have his eye on you for most of your fishing time and may even help you get hooked up, or hook a fish and hand it off to you.
Another thing, before leaving the dock ask for the belly meat from any albacore that is caught. Other fishermen who know will also ask for this meat as it is the best tasting meat on the fish, but if you ask first you get the belly meat from almost all the fish caught that the catcher doesn't wish to keep.

The banana thing is due to the banana boats form way back when. The cargo was bananas period. And tarantulas made their home in the bunches of bananas so these boats wound up with infestations of tarantulas that were almost impossible to get rid of.

bucky buckner Loc: murrells inlet SC

Raw Dawg Ron Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Fish on the rail not in the bunk! Rest while moving between spots and hit the rail at every stop! Gotta have bait in the water to catch fish! Mates will inform everyone whats biting and what to use for bait! Where we fish its bottom fishing 90% of the time, get your baits on the bottom where the fish are biting at! If mates say bite is off of bottom, then fish up in the water column!

dafjib Loc: Asheville ,N.C.

First ,dress warm in layers ,take plenty of food and drinks ,water is best . Take a small firsaid kit ,good knife pliers ,or multi-tool.If an all night trip ,take a sleepingbag.Keep every thing in a dry bag ! And dont forget something to get your fish home in . #1 seasick pills and any meds you need . A lot of people forget this stuff and things like raingear and are sorry . I have worked a lot of overnight trips and know ,If it can happen it will .So take the advice of the crew ,and ask them what and how to do things ,every boat has differnt ways of doing things.MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE THE LIFE BOATS ARE AND HOW TO USE THEM!!! Have fun! An old mate .

dafjib Loc: Asheville ,N.C.

Above all be a good shipmate ,some people just need a little help !

greyghost

The one thing that gets most novices into trouble is not moving with your fish. When the fish goes off to the right or left follow it. You don't have to be crazy like some guys who run and push people out of their way, but pay attention to whether your fish goes over or under the lines in the way. If you let your line run across other lines one of you or both will get cut off, and it is usually the line that is not moving, so if somebody crosses your fish and does not follow, just let your fish run (loosen the drag) a little. That may seem cold, but some guys never get it. The advice about letting the mate know you are new to this is the best advice.

Dworm

Dramamine, ginger ale and saltines if you get queezy

Vindog1 Loc: Fresno CA

I've used bonine Dramamine can make you drowsy as mentioned above listen the captain he will tell you how the boat drifts and how to move to the side and keep your line in front of you as to not cross others people's line also it can get chaotic when you are on the fish just remember everyone is there for the same thing be a good sport one more thing try to get a bottom bunk to sleep in you don't want to fall out of your bunk it can get painful