Quote:
Originally Posted by fish raptor
I found your post most interesting.... I just can't envision night time manuvering on the boat. I guess with a full moon it might be doable but without..... how do you see (avoid) all the lobsta buoys ? it's not the getting to and from that I am worried about, it's hitting something in between. I should either try something simple (close) the first time or.... go with someone else at night to get a "feel" for what to expect.
Where do I meet you....  |
First ..it's amazing how much you can see when your eyes adjust... local knowledge is a great help as well... It's 12 miles from the mouth of the river to my honey hole on the beach...most of the lobster line is in and around 30' of water... run @ 50' and keep your eyes peeled... most nights are easy... 16 knots is comfortable on all but the darkest nights... I "plink" a pot buoy now and again but it's rare.... nights with a "salmon chop" are the worst.. hard to pick up the pots in the chop. .. I run a SS prop in case I pick up a line... take it out of gear and if it's not cut it float free... I've been making that run since 1972... only damaged a few props ( mostly in my younger days when speed was more of an issue) and one lower unit. That was on a submerged telephone pole ( that could have happened during the day just as easily) .. it could have ended badly. luckily I only broke one tooth on a pinion gear.. I limped home no issues... I caught a floating gill net once... that required getting in the water with A knife in my teeth. Rambo style.. I also run tight to the beach ... if I know there are no surf casters about... most around these parts anchor bait on the bottom and have lights on the rods.. I can see them a long ways off.. those that don't have lights hit the head lamp and I'll move out a bit and give them a wide berth. Most of the time. I'm aware of where the fish are( or might be) so I'm looking for fisherman... right now there is a piping plover ban so I know where there are no surfcasters and where they are allowed to fish. That changes by mid August...Thousands of trips very few incidents... it's second nature this stage of my life.
you make your way to Plum Island Mass during a week night I'm heading out ( I don't do weekends).. you're more than welcome to come with...