Thread: The Head Boat took a crap yesterday

It was pretty rough going out and a little rough while fishing, 4.5' waves. We hit a lot of spots, maybe about 10, and there wasn't much at any of them. A lot of people didn't have any fish, some had one fish fish a few had 2, like me, and 2 guys up towards the front had 10 between them, the most any one had. Only the boat boy and about a 12 y/o kid got seasick. I was surprised.

I have always heard that on headboats it makes a difference if you fish from front or back, you catch more fish. Can't remember which, does it make a difference?

If there is a lot of current its easier to fish the stern, less tangles.

That's fishing though, sometime you sit over a reef and mark all kinds of fish and don't get a bite. The next day its fill the coolers.

I leave my condo in Gulf Shores at 6:30 and usually get there before any of the, boat boys, skipper etc. arrive. So that I can get my "spot" at the left corner of the stern. I also use 25# fluoro. with 2 dropper lines with a good, smaller, size 2 circle hook, the weight is on the bottom. The hooks they provide are not good hooks and I believe they are to big for the little keeper fish that we catch. As far as tangles, the stern seems to be much better but it depends who is fishing beside you and if they keep there line tight. It also helps if the Capt. doesn't go in circles like one did last year. He is the one that hit the piling, not once, but twice, while he was trying to dock it. He hit it, went ahead and backed into it again. Randy was not happy with him, and never hired him again. It took Randy two weeks to fix the stern, my "spot"!

Originally Posted by witler

I have always heard that on headboats it makes a difference if you fish from front or back, you catch more fish. Can't remember which, does it make a difference?

There are several variables there, but the biggest is staying away from those who cannot keep tight line .

If you are using your own gear you want a heavier weight at the front so that you are more vertical than others, reverse at the back so you lay out away from the mob. I like the back corner on a boat where they let you fish a flat line. After you get your 2 red snapper you can king fish.

On dead calm days you inhale a lot of diesel fumes on the back, though.

The front pitches a lot more, so not a good place for the queasy.

Makes sense to me. We can't keep any red snapper or triggers now, or much of anything else. At least you are fishing and not working or shoveling snow, like I would be back in MN.