February fishing

[mitchell]

I’m coming to Abaco in early February and hope to be doing a lot of fishing. I’d appreciate any suggestions on best tackle/bait to bring, general tips/advice re: local fishing. I live in the NE US and have the typical array of tackle for targeting stripped bass, weakfish, fluke, blues, seabass, blackfish from the ocean surf, dock or boat (in shore/near shore). I’m bringing a light tackle rod/reel and am thinking about my 4pc travel surf rod (9 ft) & a couple spinning and conventional reels (will rent boat rods). Also curious about the boating conditions, I hear it tends to be windy this time of year, might like to get out to the reef if conditions permit. I'll be by Tilloo Cut. I’m renting a boat 23’ boat & have a boating experience. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[DrRalph]

Check out Fishing in Abaco (http://www.drralph.net/FishininAbaco2005.html)and How Rough is the Sea of Abaco (http://www.drralph.net/How_Rough.html)?

[SamFamAustin]

Oooh, Tilloo Cut, I always wanted to hang out there. Excellent access to the sea but if you have to fish the lee of the barrier islands and reefs, hey no problem - those smallish yella and mutton snapper and grouper are what you want. Winter and spring mean lots of wind, so don't be disappointed if you really can't get outside much.

The big game in town is wahoo, if you can get outside to the Atlantic. This is a like a big mackerel on steroids, one of the fastest fish in the ocean, and it is pure white meat that is not bloody or greasy. Try to get thee one, you will thank yourself. I like it so good it eat it raw sometimes. You will need a 25 to 50 pound line-test boat pole to catch this kind of fish. A TLD-25 could handle it.

Welcome to the forum and hey, all we ask is for some pictures, happiness, smiles, and good times. /sam

[Abacobrad]

I suggest you bring some frozen baits with you. Squid blocks and package or two of shrimp. We've caught several Hog Snapper on shrimp. A few rigged ballyho too for when you get that window to chase Wahoo. Fast trolling ballyho with an inline cigar weight works well just outside the outer reef. We use Baitmasters (google them) in Florida and bring over in a small cooler. (no dry ice)

Brad

[FishDancer]

why not dry ice?? is it not allowed at port of entry? The reason I ask is we are coming over at the end of May from FL and want to bring some Ballyhoo with us and were planning to use dry ice. One more question if you don't mind??? IF I catch live bait (gogs, runners et al) in Florida can I bring those with me as well? Thanks in advance

Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDancer.net

[DrRalph]

Down through the years we have had people experiment with preserving baits in dry ice. You have to remember, it loses about 10% of its volume per hour. Packing bait in traditional coolers with block ice seems to work better. Remember, either way, it's very heavy.

[Abacobrad]

Baitmasters ships UPS ground with dry ice, but you can't check or carry-on a cooler with dry ice onto a commercial plane. Careful about rigged HOO too. I lost a few packages on one trip because I was carrying on the bait- I could hook some on on board with my bull bally hoo? Sad to watch them throw that out... I would think bagged frozen bait is fine whether you caught it or bought it. We just wrap our (bagged) frozen bait in newspaper that is it. I like the squid blocks because they act as an ice block. We net pilchards for live bait in Abaco so bring a cast net. Bribe a few locals or fisherman to tell you where they hunt for them. If you are in the GTC area- PM me and I'll share a few areas where we hunt 'em. Nothing better than dropping a live Pilchard down! Well maybe a small live yellow tail! :cool:

Brad
why not dry ice?? is it not allowed at port of entry? The reason I ask is we are coming over at the end of May from FL and want to bring some Ballyhoo with us and were planning to use dry ice. One more question if you don't mind??? IF I catch live bait (gogs, runners et al) in Florida can I bring those with me as well? Thanks in advance

Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDancer.net

[FishDancer]

Practice -- and a little bit of voodoo, makes perfect.

http://fishdancer.net/jobu@macallan.JPG


Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDacncer.net

[Patti Puzo]

Yay! My FAVORITE FishDancer!:rolleyes:
Haven't found Pig Nose yet Brad.....

[mitchell]

Thanks Sam, Brad, Dr. Ralph - my tackle suitcase is up to around 45lbs now so hopefully I'll be prepared to catch something picture-worthy.

[SamFamAustin]

Thanks Sam, Brad, Dr. Ralph - my tackle suitcase is up to around 45lbs now so hopefully I'll be prepared to catch something picture-worthy.

I've always wanted to try some speed jigging off the reef on the drop-off.

[Sapelo Son]

why not dry ice?? is it not allowed at port of entry? The reason I ask is we are coming over at the end of May from FL and want to bring some Ballyhoo with us and were planning to use dry ice. One more question if you don't mind??? IF I catch live bait (gogs, runners et al) in Florida can I bring those with me as well? Thanks in advance

Jeff
FishDancer
>>))))))">
http://www.FishDancer.net


The "No Dry Ice" thing is for commercial flights.....we have always brought whatever we thought we might need, and then some, when we come on our own whether by boat or plane without any problems. We have never brought live bait but I feel pretty sure you wouldn't have any problems. We have never been boarded during the "clearing in" process.

Live bait catchin' is one of the few things we have yet to master in the islands. We have heard that they are there but, we have yet to find them in the concentrations we are accustomed to back home. However, it might have something to do with how well we have mastered the art of finding "rum thangs"...........we do real well with them, then seem no to care to much about live bait.........or the early tuna bite!

[raptor]

I've found in recent years that I can decent rigged and unrigged Ballyhoo and other bait at Lighthouse Marina. You can also get a bag of local Ballyhoo of assorted sizes near Rich's in Marsh Harbour. Not worth the hassle of bringing bait in my opinion. If only there were big buckets of frozen chum, life would be complete. TLD 25's work just fine. Caught a 70# Wahoo on one.

[Hank g]

Mitchell - When will you be there and where are you staying? Lubber's? I'll get down late on the 8th for awhile and could show you some fishing spots. If you're staying at Summerview Cottage, Eddie will gladly do the same.

Mutton on the grill Tuesday night, y'all!:p

[Head Kned]

Raptor is right, the little market right by Rich's rental is called Skaggs. They have frozen block squid, ballyhoo, cigar minnows, rigged ballyhoo, and all kinds of other stuff. Plus they have huge Stone crab claws that are REALLY good. They are frozen, but submerge them in cool water and let sit for about an hour and they are great.

I am coming down there the end of Feb the 25 - 1st and I plan on hiting this place as soon as we get there for bait.

[DaGoose]

Mitchell,

Get a Dodge Guide http://www.wspress.com/ if you still have time.
It will help a bunch with navigating and has a good chart of the drop off just outside Tilloo with some spots marked too. I'm by no means a local expert, but we have fished it a few times and done well on that drop off. You don't have to get but 1/2 mile out the cut before you're into the fish. You'll probably see the big boys out there trolling too.

Be cognizant of the tides before going outside. The Sea of Abaco is a huge body of water and when it's a draining tide, it really jacks things up in the cuts. So if it's sketchy on an incoming tide, its going to get much worse when it swings.

I bring my handheld GPS with all the key spots punched in from the dodge guide as well. Plus if you find a good bite pattern, you can mark it. Most rental boats don't have sounders so it helps out a bit.

One more thing........we've done well on the inside using Berkley Gulp for bait. I used to bring frozen squid but the fish seem to like the Gulp just fine too.

Have fun and post a report with lots of pics!!!!

Rick

[SamFamAustin]

True dat, a lot of us fishers have switched to artificial lures from bait. It's certainly more sporty, and you don't have the mess and stink of rotten bait. The Berkeley Gulp is one kind, a scented plastic that works very well.

As to ballyhoo, they make plastic ones too. Calcutta, Williamson, and Mann all make fine ballyhoo, something around $10. A pre-rigged frozen ballyhoo costs about the same coin, and won't last more than a few hours. (Unrigged ballyhoo can be much cheaper, abut a buck each for mediums).

For you Survival Show types, you can get a good start by getting some free conch guts from the conch cleaner people. Use small hooks and catch small fish. Some of the grunts and UFO baitfish make excellent bait, either live or as cut bait. Live bait is great for deep-digging grouper.

Another angle is to go offshore with some medium to small lures and catch a bonito, a small and very pretty (false) tuna that is absolutely no good to eat. That bait is worth saving on ice it works to well, although be careful, the sharks think exactly the same way!

So I agree with Rick - and I'm just a pendejo. Try fishing the top of the incoming tide at Tilloo with the wind from the southeast, maybe, and yes the Dodge Guide is a must. -sammie

[mitchell]

Thanks Sam, I getting there on the 6th and staying at Summerview. Haven't spoken to Eddie yet but it would be great to get a head start on some local knowledge. 5 days - counting down now.

[Abacobrad]

You are arriving in prime wahoo season. Lots of peanut size dolphin too. Fast trolling lets you cover a lot of ground. You can almost troll on plane. Like Sammie said as soon as you are across the outer reef you can put lines in and work the drop off. Take the weather windows when you get them. Good luck!

Brad

[BahamaAngie]

Hope you catch wahoo....we were never lucky enough to buy any. No one would part with it. They froze it and brought it back home. I don't blame them! Well maybe someday we will get wahoo again. Probably be in Hawaii though. It seems easier to get it there. (at least for us).

[mitchell]

Thanks Rick, that's great information. Especially that warning about the outgoing... I've been studying the Dodge guide for a few weeks, have the waypoints loaded on the gps, couple bags of gulp, frozen squid and spearing and lures of all sizes and shapes, #2 hooks on floro leaders (from what I read this is a good size if using bait for yellowtail). Wasn't planning on bring much lead, just some split shot and a couple 3oz sinkers. Any other rigs I might want to make in advance?

[SamFamAustin]

Thanks Sam, I getting there on the 6th and staying at Summerview. Haven't spoken to Eddie yet but it would be great to get a head start on some local knowledge. 5 days - counting down now.

Gosh I bet you're excited, and Summerview, wow. And I agree you need some local expertise about the bite, like talking to the locals when you get there (hint, hint). People can be bribed for a Kalik or buying some stuff you don't need at the bait store.

I've always wanted to see if those satellite maps work good, like looking for rips and water temperature breaks and weedlines. I think that can help, and we're religious about it offshore of Texas. A sweet rip close into shore has to do something good, right? Now that's doing some research!

The last ingredient is those frigate birds. I now swear by them and that's the truth. They are very large dark sea birds with some white on them. Every time we've been buzzed by them offshore, at least one pole will go off. If you see some congregating, head their direction - they don't lie.

A wonderful trip across the pond and ... tight lines!
sammie

[mitchell]

That Wahoo's sounding interesting. Never fished for Wahoo before. How deep do you want to troll for them?

[Sapelo Son]

There was a very good/informative thread a little while back about catchin' wahoo by "Head Kned". Down in the thread is a link to a wahoo rig that worked well for him. Looked so good I got me some.......

http://abacoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5050&highlight=head+kned

[SamFamAustin]

That Wahoo's sounding interesting. Never fished for Wahoo before. How deep do you want to troll for them?

Maybe fish a spread with a few Ilanders with ballyhoo and a Mann Stretch 30 in the corner, should get you down about 20-30 feet. Just a suggestion.

[DaGoose]

There was a very good/informative thread a little while back about catchin' wahoo by "Head Kned". Down in the thread is a link to a wahoo rig that worked well for him. Looked so good I got me some.......

http://abacoforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5050&highlight=head+kned

How did I miss that!!!! WOW, my head is spinning. All I need is some 480lb cable and let the rigging begin. This is going to be way too much fun :D

Thank You Both

22 days and counting...................

Tight Lines,

Rick

[Head Kned]

Rick, I think we are going to be down there the same time you are. Feb 25- Mar 1 We are leaving the wemen at home so there will be plenty of time on the water. We are hoping to find some Tuna on early arrivel, but wahoo will be the main event. Best Sashimi I ever had. Taking down 3 tubes of wasbi just for it. Give me a holler if you'd like to share a Kalik and tell some fish stories.

[DaGoose]

Rick, I think we are going to be down there the same time you are. Feb 25- Mar 1 We are leaving the wemen at home so there will be plenty of time on the water. We are hoping to find some Tuna on early arrivel, but wahoo will be the main event. Best Sashimi I ever had. Taking down 3 tubes of wasbi just for it. Give me a holler if you'd like to share a Kalik and tell some fish stories.

Well be on Guana Feb 24 - Mar 11 with a 23 foot Albury Feb 25-Mar 5. Would love to get together and tip a few and trade stories or even buddy boat first then eat sashimi! Are you staying on Elbow? Sounds like a great boys trip you got going there.

Our crew is Tina, my friend RT (we've fished the salt together for 20+ years) and his girlfriend Irene. We're bringing plenty of Wasabi and will have soy handy. I've never had hoo sashimi, but it sounds great. Add a nice yellowfin or two to the mix, how fun would that be?

Working on my Hoo rigs now and bringing some bars and dredges for the tuna and whatever else wants to chew.

Let's keep in touch......

Rick

[SamFamAustin]

I've never had hoo sashimi, but it sounds great.

That's how we ate about 20 pounds of it one time, mostly raw or "burnt on the edges" like yellowfin tuna. Being in Texas, ceviche is real popular, raw fish marinated in limes, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and whatnot. Teener Neener knows how to make Poke, too, I think. You can even make it like a conch salad, maybe? Over-cooked wahoo tastes horrible, so be careful on the BBQ. And to be honest, I never put wasabi on 'hoo before.

I just snort the wasabi straight out of the tube, mon. :D

[BahamaAngie]

You guys really know how to hurt a girl.....with all this wonderful wahoo tallk. Boo! Hoo! We have not had it in a couple of years.....gotta find some here. I tried but they could not get it....I need to try harder.

Have a great time you all and raise one for us!!!

[Head Kned]

Rick, we will be on Elbow, we are staying in Conched out just North of White Sound. We got the new twin Albury 27 from Island Marine. We are going to spear up some lobster also, we got our limit everyday last time we were there.

Sam, your right, i made the mistake of over grilling some of the Hoo we had last time and it was terrrible.

I have not found a good Tuna Poke recipe yet, it might be my favorite. Love to get a hold of that.

All about it, we can swap contacts in the coming weeks. I am having a hard time sleeping and its 3 weeks out.

[Summerview]

Here is mitchell with a nice yellowfin grouper and a mutton.

He has done real well all week and has been eating fish everyday.

He will be back home in a few days and I am sure he will post more pictures. It has been real fun meeting you and Tina!!!!.