Need help first trip.

ibdfishkiller · Oct-18-2009, 02:44 PM

I plan on taking a 3 day trip next year and as it will be my first long range (plan on building to a 10 day) I need some help. I am cant make my mind on what boat.

Shogun 9-13 ($850)

Searcher 9-15 ($795)

Vegabond 9-27 2.75 day ($795)

Or any other sugestions

Can I get some sugestions to cover what rod and real combos will be needed. I plan on adding a few new rigs off your sugestions.

bassfishman · Oct-18-2009, 06:31 PM

You sound like you might be new to long range so I would definately take the Vagabond. I have been on the boat and Mike and his crew are first class in every way. They will help you, teach you, and show you a great time. Ive never been on a 3 day before, but I imagine the fish you will be concentrating on will be albacore, yellowtail, dorado, maybe white sea bass depending on conditions.

I would be taking about 3 or 4 rods with 20 to 40 lb tackle (maybe a 50 lb but I doubt you'd really need it). The boat will provide trolling gear if you dont have it. If you are buying a new rod/reel I would really consider Newell reels - they cast great, easy to maintain, and they can put the hurt on big fish too. A great set up for that kind of fishing would be a Calstar 870C (15-40lbs) with a Newell 235 with 5.1:1 gear ratio. It can handle 20 and 30# line and will cast live sardines or jigs just fine and the 5.1 will be great for yo-yo'ing. And when you go on a 10 day trip this rod/reel will get a workout too. BTW, start saving now for the 10 day because that will be your next trip after the 3 day.

The other thing I would concentrate on is tying hooks. Get really good at it before you leave. Pick a couple knots, get a couple hooks or swivels, and a spool of line (20 or 30# mono since that is what you will likely be using most of the time) and just sit and tie knots while you are watching TV. Tie them up and cut them off. Keep doing it. When you are in a wide open bite you will get cut off and you want to get back in the action quick with a perfect knot.

Good luck - have a great trip!!

strictly1 · Oct-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Personally i would say the Searcher. I started Long Range on that boat and have never had a bad trip. Art will do everything possible to put you on the fish. Kevin, Aaron,Kenny and Cole will be there to help you with whatever you need to learn. I learn something new from these guys every time i go out with them. I am sure you can not go wrong with any of these trips. All these boats are more than ready to handle your trip.

divegod1 · Oct-18-2009, 08:09 PM

I would say just go for it and do the Shoguns April 8 day to the rocks. It was my 1st. trip and I am still spoiled rotten.

ibdfishkiller · Oct-18-2009, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the info guys I have decided to take a trip on the first string in August. Guys what Avet reel would you match with the Calstar 870c. Thanks for the info Chip keep it coming please. I plan on soaking up everything I can from now to then.

shortbite · Oct-18-2009, 09:48 PM

Calstar 870c and Avet MXJ single speed, perfect for 25 or 30 pds!

freshwon · Oct-18-2009, 11:37 PM

i took my 2 sons on the Shogun 8 Day this year. Bigger beam than the Searcher and Vag, less roll in weather and a perhaps a bit more bait. All good boats but the Shogun is IMHO one step better as a fishing platform all things equal. Norm and Bruce are mellow guys. My firt albi was ona the Vag. Like picking Cheese cake or chocolate cake or apple pie and ice cream, its all good!

See which one is a go for sure and has the lighter load. We went to the rocks with 15, not good for them but great for my boys.

jpfilippi · Oct-18-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divegod1

I would say just go for it and do the Shoguns April 8 day to the rocks. It was my 1st. trip and I am still spoiled rotten.

like a rotten spoiled egg ? dude, what's wrong with your wheels ? It looks like it has shingles !

eightmd · Oct-19-2009, 05:17 PM

I see you have already decided on a boat and that's cool. BTW, in your above choices I would go with the Shogun because I have had good times on that boat. We all find our favorite boats.

About rods and reels; use what you have and don't buy too much to begin with. Start borrowing from the boat or your friends and you'll get an idea of what you want before long. The good long range boats will have good setups you can borrow for free or not too much.

A 2 or 3 dayer is a good way to start off. Those are all off shore fishing. After a few of those go for a 5 or 6 day in Aug. - Sept. Those trips go to the Lupe (hopefully) and Cedros/Benitos. The 5 day and longer trips include off shore fishing but fishing the islands is different and quite fun. It's a whole different trip. After that kiss your bank account good buy and start looking at the 7, 8, 10 day and beyond. This is the begining of the end.

ibdfishkiller · Oct-20-2009, 09:25 PM

Ok guys keep it coming I am going with an Avet MXJ and the Calstar 870c what other combos would you recomend. Would like to add another Avet. What about an SX??

What about any of the Daiwa saltist. I hear they are bullet proof.

JJONES660 · Oct-20-2009, 10:12 PM

SHOGUN would be my first choice coming from a guy that worked in san diego... but there really are so many great options that it doesnt hurt to search around a bit. I may be biased but spirit of adventure is my first pick for a 3 to 7 day cuz i worked it. but its a hard boat to get a spot on...usually chartered 2 years out but for great reason...

I would recommend finding out if your trips agenda is island/coastal fishing or outer banks fishing. that will determine necessary tackle. Odds are in August you wont see land once and will be chasing yellowfin, bluefin, maybe albies and yellow tail. dodos will depend on the water temps. 20 to 50lb test will cover you. usually you will use 25-30 the most and 50 if you get into better grade bluefin. never hurts to have a rod with 80 to troll or in case the 100 plus grade bluefin show up. In 99 we got around 50 fish over 80lbs on a 3 day with big fish honors coming in at 144 lbs. many fish over 100 that trip. only way to get them is to be prepared and you never know when or if youll come across them.

Dont forget to tip your crew if they treat you well and get you onto the fish. And dont be afraid to find a crew guy that seems cool and let him know its your first trip. He might just befriend ya and help you out when all hell breaks loose!

afraser · Oct-21-2009, 12:48 AM

As for rod/reel setups, if you are set on conventionals and going with single speeds, last year's daiwa saltists are good value and can be picked up on ebay or one of the boards for about $150. If you really want, upgrade the drags to carbontex and you can get 25-30# of drag out of a saltist. Also, spool up with Jerry Brown 60 hollow, it is testing out over 100# this year. As for rods, you could do worse than picking up an ugly stik tiger in the 20-50 or 30-60lb class, each less than $60. They are light and I haven't broken one yet and I was using one for dropper loop fishing with 80# for yellowtail.