Questios about the Florida fisherman

hello guys, thinking about doing the 39 hr trip in october, we've read everything on the website including the frequently ask question section but nothing like hearing it from people that have been on it, all the stern spots are taken till the endof the year, do u catch just as good on the sides, i only have 4/0 reels is that good enough and what lbs test would i need, how about spinning reels, and how many pinfish would be good to get, and would it be worth getting live shrimp, and what fish can we expect to catch in october, and also i"ve heard that on some headboats the crew keeps some of the fish, do they do that here? any other tips and tricks please share as this would be our first trip, have any of u ever calculated how many lbs of fish can u take home.
thanks guys
thanks guys
Replies
What you catch, if legal, is what you keep.
A 4/0 with 60lb mono should cover most everything. Hook size depends on bait size. Bring 4/0, 6/0 and maybe 10/0. Bring a variety of lead, you never know what the current will be like. Also leader material, maybe 30, 60 and 80lb flouro.
If you bring pins I'd keep them in a 5 or 7.5 gallon bucket with a good aerator. My pins died using the water being pumped in on the way out. Of course that depends on the red tide situation.
Why not throw in the live bait? I've done several Hubbard's trips and seems like I always have bait stealers.
Gulfstar was way more enjoyable in my experience. Have my own sled now so I just have to fight my buddies off the live well.
Thanks in adavance fir for your replies.
The newbies who are worth saving will come up to the experienced guys and politely ask what they are doing wrong and how they can fix it. They are the ones worth saving. They rest can be left to flounder.
One guy drags a lure from his spinning rod. Another has a huge Mann's. I don't know what this other guy was trying to pull, but it was going all over the place.
And this was the same day!
When I mentioned “newbies” I was referring to being the 1st time on this boat.
Appreciate your reply...
"all the stern spots are taken till the endof the year, do u catch just as good on the sides"
The Double Eagle Fleet are strong supporters Sector Separation.
The most productive time is between stops. Often the Captain will announce put out the trollers. Most either eat or sleep. Wish more trolled.
"what I want to know is: do “newbies” get an opportunity to troll? We all pay the same rate so I feel we should all have a chance to catch a tuna,wahoo, or whatever else may bite in the 20+ hours of driving the boat to & from...."
In addition, the Florida has a fishing coach, Mr. John Martin. There is always someone willing to help those willing to listen.
Typical lunch:
Typical dinner:
In addition, the ice cold drinks & snacks are great & there is an endless supply.
"wouldn't be caught dead eating the food on the Hubbard's boat."
Me either!
Those hot off the grill pan cakes have way too many fresh blueberries in them:
Never could stand center cut pork chops. They are way too big!
Who could possible feast on a cooked to order steak dinner with wild rice while 100 miles off shore?
It's harder to grab a seat on the Gulfstar, but it's a better seat. Fished with Captain Mitch a LOT when he had the Bluefin; one of the best headboat captains I've seen when it comes to putting a headboat on top of quality fish.
My apologies to the Gulfstar for my incorrect statement and Harbison, thank you for the correction. I agree totally with your stand on leaving politics at the dock.
Tight lines.