[Warren_Brantley]

I agree with the Post Above about the boat being the primary attractant. Wooden hulled boats such as the 31 Bertrams at Tropic Star and Jimmy Grant's old boat in Venezuela ('Waterman') seem to have the ambiance of a rich cello or finely tuned guitar when it comes to attracting billfish. Second place is wooden boat coated with fiberglass. Third is an aluminum or steel hulled craft and last place is any of the above with a radio blaring music as it is amplified by the water. As we all know, billfish and baitfish do NOT listen to music as part of their daily activities. Thus it is something that would make them wary or to be avoided. Speed is second. Spread of the lures is important as well as size; but we've caught blues and whites back to back in Laguaira on blue water bottle caps with holes carved in them with a pocket knife and they make wonderful water jets; just attach hook and ballyhoo. Top that off with a seasoned captain and crew; proper tackle; and the right season; and that's no big deal if you lose some of them; then it boils down to some luck as well. There are other ideas too. Unfortunately most captains are steeped in their homeport fishery and have not traveled around and captured ideas from others. So it is difficult to get them to try new ideas. They run the same patterns, baits, and route day in and day out; often spending too much of the day over dead waters where fish are not located. That's called "a boat ride". I don't take those. Lots of beginners in the sport do; and I did my share. Just some thoughts. Cheers all,
Doc