The captain and crew can put the boat over clouds of feeding fish but it's ultimately up to the angler whether or not one of those feeding fish ends up hooked and landed. Here's some of the most important mistakes in my opinion specific to the very popular and at times overwhelmingly overcrowded "party boats" as we call them here in Southern California:
* Trying to stop a fish's run by clamping down on the reel spool with your thumb - A properly set drag and keeping constant tension on your fish will greatly improve the chance of landing the fish. This is easier said than done on fish like Albacore which have no neck and are very strong fighters and can be difficult to "turn" or bring it's head toward the boat and not away. Ask your deckhand or a veteran fisherman for help in properly setting your drag for your setup and target fish.
* Not knowing where your line is - This is especially true on potentially crowded "open party boats". The golden rule any Captain, crew or veteran fisherman will tell you is "no angles, no tangles". What this means is current, depth, amount of weight and factors like if the boat is "dragging" on the anchor where the boat anchor isn't holding the bottom and the boat is moving around all affect where your line is at in the water. When surface fishing live bait for Yellowtail, Bonito or Calico Bass (3 local favorite targets) a good bait will optimally swim straight out from your spot at the rail, thus no angles. If this isn't the case and your bait swims to the left or right of you (angles) politely ask the guy or lady next to you if you can go under or over their line and spot to get your line out in front of you again so you don't tangle them. Some people you may find aren't willing to give up their spot at the rail so if this is the case reel in, cahnge bait and try again. Look for the liveliest bait in the well...the one you can't catch. Regardless if the bait isn't swimming at all or taking you under the boat then do everyone a favor around you and reel in immediately to avoid tangles. When fishing the bottom this can be more difficult to determine where your bait is in relation to your spot - if you are fishing the bottom watch the current if there is one and pitch or let your bait go slightly up current so by the time it reaches the bottom it should be directly below your spot at the rail. Increase the amount of weight in a strong current. If you are not sure how much weight to use by all means ask the deckhand or any crew member. No angles is most important when surface fishing and "flylining" live bait for or on a tuna trip where the boat doesn't anchor and teamwork from every passenger is key to the entire boat's success by being willing to do the "tuna shuffle" where everyone starts on one side of the boat flyling bait and everyone "shuffles" in order to keep your bait in front of you.
* Poor knots - Self explanatory. For San Diego sportboats ask a deckhand or fisherman next to you how to tie a dropper loop, palomar knot, double improved cinch are all common knots for monofiliment lines used in San Diego.
* Old or inadequate line - Respool with fresh line each season and if you do it yourself I like to put my spool in a bucket of water or the bait well on a boat. Common size line for most half day and three-quarter day trips is nothing over 25lb test. Uses heavier for the kelp, lighter over open water.
* Anglers failing to follow their fish - because yellows will get an angle on you and quickly go under the boat or into the rudders. Especially be cautious if anchored and the fish tries to break you off at the bow by wrapping itself around the anchor line.
* Over-aggressiveness or lack of patience - it's better to work a fish using a nice steady pump with a good drag than to jerk up and slam the rod down. New circle hooks and fish like Halibut and Barricuda require to just start reeling with no hook set. Also, be pateint! If everyone is heading for the galley if the bite seems slow stick with you plan and be confident. I've caught more fish when other's have given up and head to the galley before the day is over.
* Lack of flexibility - such as an unwillingness to switch from lures to bait or whatever is working. Be persistant. Certain colors work in certain parts of San Diego. That's another article. Stick with it.
* Not changing bait enough or picking a poor bait - Try to use the bait thats hardest to catch in the well. Leave your rod at the rail on half day trips and three-quarter day. Get a new bait if you grab one and drop it and change your bait often. If you don't get bit after about 2 minutes tops reel in and change bait. If sea lions or seals are around stick with the anchovies.
Well that's a start, more to follow. I hope this helps.
Rob Mailly
sportfishsandiego.com
by Rob Mailly