Easy bottom trip for the lame and elderly

[DrRalph]

On nice days when we are feeling our age but still want to fish, we troll large diving plugs (Mann's Stretch 25 and 35) just off the reef. We'll leave Seaspray at maybe 10 AM, run SMOW channel, turn WNW, then work along the outside of the reef in 50-60' of water. We pull just two rigs, one 75' back, and one at 150'. We troll at about 4 kts, this gets the plugs down to 20-25'. You really have to watch the water ahead of you as well as your scope, because heads will come up into that range and the plugs will foul. We work along MOW, Fowl (stay outside the park), Scotland/Guana, and then work through the reef and either anchor up on North Beach for a swim and a rum thang, or run into the settlement and walk up to Nippers. We've had good luck on some days, although by mid-July the heat has pretty much spoiled the bite. But it's a nice way to catch some good fish!

[SamFamAustin]

Hey I resemble that remark! But, "lame," "elderly" and "bottom trip" don't seem to mix too good together. :D

Anyway, I do enjoy a nice boat ride and listen for the drags to scream, hopefully not "bottom." It sure is easy on the bones. About the only thing easier is to drift fish using free-casting and no weights - sorry DrRalph, it's a bait thang. :eek:

And I know why you're jumping in the water off Fowl or Nips. One or two Kalik or rum thangs and there I have to discretely dive into the ocean too! :o

I especially appreciate the course headings and precautions, sir. /Sam