Sport Fishing Boat Vs. Private Boat

It’s a Big Ocean

First off, it is a big ocean. We all have seen or at least have heard stories of battles between sport fishing boats and private boats. Either the big boats move in on little boats, or little boats move in on big sport fishing boats. All very frustrating. There are a lot of fish out there and a lot a spots to find them.

Recently, I was out on Tribute Sportfishing for a charter and we were in a pretty wide open yellowfin tuna bite. Fish everywhere. At one point, we had at least 20 boats in tight on us. Not good.

I get it, the big boats have a lot of bait and provide a lot of chum when out on the water. Crowding these big boats just isn’t courteous and nice when out on the water.

Keep Your Distance

Everyone seems to have their own opinion on how far to stay off of the big boats. But if a person on either boat can cast an Iron and hit you, you are TOO CLOSE. Keep some distance and definitely out of casting distance. Even if you are out of casting distance, you still may be too close. If you or someone on the other boat hook up and your fish makes a run, you definitely don’t want to get tangled up with their line. Just keep that in mind when you are setting up to anchor or for your drift.

Setting Up Around Sport Fishing Boats

When setting up for your drift, keep in mind that most big boats drift stern first with the wind. What that means is that they drift backwards.

You may see the deckhands standing up on the bait tank throwing bait to the back corner of the boat. The boat is actually drifting into that chum line and the chum heads towards the front of the boat. That said, setting up directly off of the stern of these boats for a drift really does you, or the sport boat any good. You aren’t getting any of the chum that they are providing and you are doing nothing but pissing off the boat and the passengers.

That all said, most boats don’t mind if you set up off of their bow. Keeping in mind the distance factor, you are better off setting up off of the bow of the boat up wind, drifting in the same type of direction as the big boats. You will then not be in the boats way and you will eventually be able to benefit from the chum that these big sport fishing boats are providing. Again, don’t get too close.

Video Example

Here is a quick video example of what I am talking about. This was a little later in the day when the bite slowed down, but we were definitely still on fish. Setting up directly behind the boat didn’t benefit either of these boats and only increased the aggravation of the captain, crew and passengers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lets all be nice out there. There are too many issues out in the world when we can all get out here and enjoy the water and catch lots of fish. Keep your distance, this goes for big sport fishing boats and small boats.

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Now get out and wet a line!

Happy Fishing!

Davey