I'm leaving for West End (OBB) this July out of Ft Pierce and am seeking some guidance about what to target while there. I went to OBB last June and didn't get to fish a lot as the weather wasn't cooperating but did manage to troll out front of the marina (ballyhoo and lures)from 300 ft to 1000 plus without much luck.I would like to be more successful this time around.Many of those I met at the resort told me summer wasn't exactly a great time to troll and suggested bottom fishing / deep dropping.
Of course I would like to possibly run to the NW providence channel and try my luck at tuna fishing and am toying with the idea of buying a deep drop set up.i really enjoyed my last stay there sitting by the pool and beach and just relaxing but want to focus more on fishing this year.
So... if you spent a week in West End in July would you invest in a deep drop outfit having no experience in this type of fishing? Get a couple big gold reels and try out tuna fishing? or just bottom fish or troll with my current gear?
I'm just looking for some general guidance such as is tuna fishing feasible right off West End ? I have seen a video on Florida Sport Fishing magazine out of Blue Marlin Cove where they caught some really nice YFT and after each fish caught there was a reference to "Right out front Blue Marlin Cove" which struck me as an advertisement.Are the YFT really right out front or would I be better off making the trip to NW Providence channel.
Im in a 26 center console twin 150's plenty of range, radar and nice bottom machine.My buddy boat is a large grady with twin 350's with open array radar. I'm also looking a getting a local guide for the day on my/his boat.Whats the going rate for a local guide for say a half day/day of fishing or spearing?
yes I know lots of questions just trying to prioritize my time there and not break the bank buying lots of new gear that I wont use often. I realize it's a lot about putting your time in figuring things out.Any advice or comments much appreciated.
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with a group of 20 boats.All we do is deep drop
we do a fish fry for the whole group so we need
to catch alot of fish.We drop with 3 rods at a time.
since Im going in July maybe I should scrap the deep drop idea as you guys will have already caught everything, jusy kidding. thanks for the reply
If you hire a guide use him to take you fishing in 150' or less. You don't need them for deep dropping but can be extremely helpful showing you the best way to catch big muttons ect. He may also hook you up with some "summer crabs" if you want.
As for tuna fishing; Yes you can catch yellowfins not too far from the dock however that if far from the normal. What I can't tell you strongly enough for that time of year is to fish until dark. The last 30 minutes of the day the bite can go from non-existent to on fire out in the middle of the channel. If you don't mind the fuel burn you really should run all the way to the canyon (about 40 miles). You can see them on google maps, 20 miles SSE of Lucaya that is were most of the yellowfins hold. If your just out in the middle of the channel you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding blackfins. Especially if you wait until the end of the day. Again no need to hire a guide for that. You can learn enough from this forum if you ask. Make sure you also have a good assortment of tuna feathers and don't be afraid to pull them quick and far behind the boat, up to 200 yards back if need be. If you find the weed there should still be some mahi around as well.
Now just hope for a week of good weather unlike what it has been like for the last 12 days.
privateer I tried Sandy Cay last year and chickened out when it started getting shallow.Is it better to access from the bahama bank side by first going through the channel (Goodwill Channel I think) or coming in from the ocean side? im only in a 26 cc.
Is it worth doing a day trip to the Grand / Walkers area for snorjeling or spearing?
Also looking for decent snorkeling for the kids.Sorry for all the questions had to hear it all year long about why I didnt do better on last years trip.
Thanks
Its not a bad day trip to run down to the Issac's in the AM looking for birds ect. Then fish/spear in the shallows or deep drop during the middle of the day. Work your way back towards dusk again looking for birds ect. It makes for a long day but you can knock a lot out.
Your numbers are public. I'd be pi$$ed if I was you.
PM messages show up and I have mentioned it a couple times and no one seems to care.
I would not send another message until someone addresses the issue.
For they always bring me tears
I can't forgive the way they rob me
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I really appreciate the information and owe you a couple cold ones if we cross paths.
Me? I actually am a "Nole on a Grady"!!
1) Run up past Sandy in about 100' and drift the bottom with baits. Jigs tipped with ballys, with squid, etc. The bottom in that area and depth can be jagged and I left a nice anchor up there 12 years ago!
2) Troll some big lipped plugs (north of OBB) in 40-60 feet over good bottom for Grouper and Muttons. If/when you get a hit, turn towards deeper water right away.
3) I have been told that when you come out of OBB, make a left and run to that point that sticks out and look in about 80-90 feet right off that tip for a small wreck.
4) Take the kids to the OBB fish cleaning table and walk past it a few yards and drop a nice little bait with no weight on it. There are are some pretty nice Mangrove Snappers in there! Do that late in the day or on a cloudy day.
5) Rent a car and make the 75 mile drive to the east end of GBI! Stop at Big John's about 60 miles east. The beach there is A-Mazing!
6) Dig back a few years and look for my two, long, lengthy, photo-filled Trip Reports from OBB! That should give you a few more ideas on some fun stuff to do!
Here ya go:
http://forums.floridasportsman.com/discussion/4972/obb-west-end-july-4th-weekend/p1
http://forums.floridasportsman.com/discussion/54032/old-bahama-bay-athon-18-nights-at-obb/p1
The above Reports are NOT Fishing Trip Reports but they might help you to see what else is available for you and your family. Make sure your wives read it and it 'shows' better on something bigger than a phone!
Couple quick questions- are pole spears allowed or just Hawaiian slings?
and are you allowed to bring any conch back?
next week i will let you know how we do.
Get a high end cooler? Dry ice? Anyone in west end to purchase bait from?
Probly a bad idea, troll up barracuda early in the day cut it up and use for tuna chunking later in the day?
Any ideas appeciated
some tuna in the canyons.Was terrible hot and mosquitos
were terrible.Have a good trip.
Anywhere to purchase chunk bait in west end?
Although I have never read anything about trolling up barracuda and using it for tuna chunking. is this a decent bait for that type of fishing?
Thanks guys for any suggestions
There are locals there that will cast net bait for you. Talk with Capt Keith, he has a few guys collecting bait for him weekly to feed the stingrays on his eco tours. He can have his guys get some extra bait for you.
If you troll in front of first rock island outside the entrance to OBB with tube lures you will quickly pick up a few cudas to chunk up.
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