Deep sea off daytona beach

[cptafw163]

What type of tackle would I need for some snapper/grouper and the occasional mackerel on a party boat?

I have a spinning setup and normally run braid with a mono leader. I am just wondering what i would need to get the fish up quickly.

Also, what depths are being fished out there?

--Dan

[Seth]

What size is your spinning outfit and your leader? Go with 5/0 cirlce hooks and some type of live/cut bait bottom fishing rig. I'm not sure exactly where you will be fishing, but you could be in water up a couple hundred+ feet. You will want to get your bait on the bottom and leave it there. Once the fish takes your bait, do not jerk the rod (like you see on bass fishing shows), just reel fast and steadily. The key is not to horse the fish. Keep the rod tip up and keep reeling like crazy. Here is a picture of a solid rig. Note the sliding sinker above the swivel. This allows the fish to take your bait without feeling the tug of the lead. Also, there is a ban on taking red snapper until December ( I am pretty sure the ban is still in effect).

[cptafw163]

Stradic 5000FI reel, and Shimano Baitrunner70 rod. I fished 280-350 ft of water with that setup in California (Rock Cod party boat)

I was thinking 65# spectra and 50# flouro leader. I have 25# spectra and 25# flouro on there now. But I want to be able to pull the fish in faster. I had a 20lb pacific bonito on that tackle and it was a struggle. And, I lost a bigger fish in 280 ft of water just after it hit bottom (lingcod) when the spectra broke. So I would rather go overkill.

That looks like a good rig. My rig is simple as well but is more of an artificial rig:

1. 3 way swivel
2. 8oz Pline holographic diamond jig at the bottom (Basically a sinker with a hook)
3. At the other part of the swivel, i work a leadhead and swimbait as a teaser. Or fake squid, or live bait/cut bait. Or a swim shad.

I have had much success with rock cod (pacific snapper) and pulling in the occasional lingcod or tuna with that rig.

I didn't know about the ban on snapper. I plan on fishing the Pastime Princess and they seem to be pulling in some nice grouper and the occasional king.

Does yellowtail snapper count for the ban? They are getting some of those as well. And seabass.

I just want to get on a boat. They said they don't allow braid on the party boat, but i think I can work with them. i am not a stranger to party boats. I ussually get there 1.5 hours early and secure a spot at the back of the boat so the drift is negligible on where my line sets.

[Seth]

It looks like you have a good setup. If you can get away with braid then bumping up to 50# will be the ticket. You will certainly have the depth capacity. It is the red snapper that is banned. The grouper are going to the beasts you have to tangle with getting off the bottom.

[NorthernExposure]

I am very good friends with the owner and crew of the PasTime Princess, I used to be their PR guy when they first came down from Sheepshead Bay and I fish with them often. I will tell you, do not take the braid on the boat....there are safety issues involved and they simply won't allow it regardless of your experience. The ban on braid is not due to your experience level, it is due to the fact they have many first timers out there and they will make your day very long and aggravating if anybody on board is fishing braid. There are quite a few tackle shops within a few miles of the boat, I recommend getting some mono...if you go during the week you will not be fishing anymore than 80 feet of water, braid not needed. Sundays trip you may hit 110 feet, again..braid not required. You will have a good time on that boat, it is big and comfortable. I hope to see you post a report

[cptafw163]

I appreciate the info. I am going out for a sunday trip. So I might just spool some mono on there. I have never fished with 50# mono on spinning gear, but I think it will be ok. I just used braid for ease of use.

Now I don't have to break the bank getting 50# braid. Thanks for posting the depth, Northern!! 110 feet does not need the extra capacity of braid.

Actually, i might splurge and get 50# flouro. That way I don't need a flouro leader.

I will post pics after the trip. Too bad reds are banned. But maybe it is a good thing. i was in California in 2008-2009 when salmon was banned for the WHOLE YEAR. People were very upset about that.

[NorthernExposure]

Just an FYI....make sure you call the PasTime Princess number after 7 pm Saturday, the recording will tell you if the Sunday trip is a definite. There are many times recently when they have to cancel due to people backing out last minute. This is just a reflection of the economy and not the boat. I may be out there with you on Sunday, weather looks good!

[cptafw163]

I emailed the captain and he told me that he was doing a bird watching trip that day.

if you plan on going on a trip that sunday or monday (14th 15th of NOV), send me a PM as to where you are going. I would like to get on a good boat.

Capt George recommended a full day trip from the canaveral star from Cape Canaveral fishing charters, and Sea Critters.

I saw some nice grouper pics from the Canaveral star, so it looks like i will be going there if they get the minimum amount of people.

PM me if you know of some other good places. i will need about 3 places in case one/two of my top choices don;t get their minimum.

The canaveral star lets you fish with Braid. But if it gets to be a problem, they make you stop fishing with it.

Thanks a lot for the info!!!

[NorthernExposure]

No problem. I will go on a limb here...there is a boat in Sebastian inlet called the Rogue Wave, fishing has been really good there lately. The boat is a 30 footer and they run a first come first serve 6 pack type charter. They do only bottom fishing and I have been with them plenty of times, 6 guys pay about $140 apiece and you have a mate, the boat is an old kingfish boat that has been totally refitted and it's pretty nice! There are reservations but you do not reserve the whole boat. Again, it is a little bit of a drive but it's worth the hour travel

[cptafw163]

No problem. I will go on a limb here...there is a boat in Sebastian inlet called the Rogue Wave, fishing has been really good there lately. The boat is a 30 footer and they run a first come first serve 6 pack type charter. They do only bottom fishing and I have been with them plenty of times, 6 guys pay about $140 apiece and you have a mate, the boat is an old kingfish boat that has been totally refitted and it's pretty nice! There are reservations but you do not reserve the whole boat. Again, it is a little bit of a drive but it's worth the hour travel

That's what i like to hear!! Thanks for this info. I am driving from Arkansas to Florida, an extra hour is nothing.

Thanks for the info!