09-15-2007, 02:45 PM
[quote Jem]For some reason it seemed the folks on the corners of the boat got more hits than those of us allong the sides
If you are on the corner then you can fish in an arc of up to 90 degrees or more. People on the sides are constrained to fishing straight out in front of them only. Because of the high density of hooks on the bottom, you stand a better chance of catching something if your hook is in an area of lower density. You also spend less time uncrossing lines and more time fishing.
Also, people who have been out before like the corners if for no other reason than fewer tangles. And what you may not know or realize is that people who go out a lot often use a new hook or sharpen the hook that they use. They also may be using live, fresh, or frozen minnows which are great for things like grouper. Or they may use cut bait or shrimp if everyone else is fishing with squid.
Last time I went out on a head boat, I brought a new hook (about $0.50) and about 25 live finger mullet that I caught with my cast net that morning. I easily out fished the people next to me 2:1 and I had far more grouper then they did. I came in second on the biggest fish of the boat pool although I hadn't entered anyway. Had I seen Jack's post earlier, I would have mentioned a new hook or at least a hook/knife sharpener.
Craig
If you are on the corner then you can fish in an arc of up to 90 degrees or more. People on the sides are constrained to fishing straight out in front of them only. Because of the high density of hooks on the bottom, you stand a better chance of catching something if your hook is in an area of lower density. You also spend less time uncrossing lines and more time fishing.
Also, people who have been out before like the corners if for no other reason than fewer tangles. And what you may not know or realize is that people who go out a lot often use a new hook or sharpen the hook that they use. They also may be using live, fresh, or frozen minnows which are great for things like grouper. Or they may use cut bait or shrimp if everyone else is fishing with squid.
Last time I went out on a head boat, I brought a new hook (about $0.50) and about 25 live finger mullet that I caught with my cast net that morning. I easily out fished the people next to me 2:1 and I had far more grouper then they did. I came in second on the biggest fish of the boat pool although I hadn't entered anyway. Had I seen Jack's post earlier, I would have mentioned a new hook or at least a hook/knife sharpener.
Craig