tilefish - wreckfish

[niko]

so i was out codfishing the other day and heard one of the charter capts say they caught a wreckfish. at some point i'd like to try deepdrop fishing. anyone ever try the deep water water east of stellwagen for these critters. what time of year are these species available and where should i be looking for them

[numbskull]

They are primarily canyon fish, I believe. I have a friend who runs out there a lot, primarily to do the nighttime deep drop stuff for swordfish with some tuna on the side, but when things are slow will go after tilefish. According to him the latter live in "colonies". Once you find one on your sounder you can go back to it time and time again. You probably need a damn good sounder and transducer I'd suspect. Not to mention a lot of money for fuel. Sounds like he uses electric assist reels, wire line, and 5 lb sinkers....fishing 1000 ft down..... but I'm not certain. If you are serious I can (with his permission) put you in touch with him. I think there are party boats (NY area) that run tilefish trips in the late fall as well.

[MakoMike]

Tiles and wreckfish usually live on the bottom in 50-60 fathoms. Usually out near the canyons, they are there all year round. Several NY and NJ party boats target them all through the year. A lot of guys on the tuna fishi party boat trips will drop down looking for them while the boat is drifting. Stout rods, reels that hold lots of line and 3 to 5 pound sinkers on a double hook righ are the usual gear.

[niko]

thanks guys. sounds like i need to do some reseach and probably go the party boat route for a first shot at them. i'm running out of new critters to catch. looks like i need to start exploring canyon fishing

[angler229]

Originally Posted by niko

thanks guys. sounds like i need to do some reseach and probably go the party boat route for a first shot at them. i'm running out of new critters to catch. looks like i need to start exploring canyon fishing

I think you're gonna need a bigger boat.

[niko]

dan - never underestimate my hoing abilities. i'm gonna do the overnight tomorrow and blow off tonight

[likwid]

Originally Posted by numbskull

I think there are party boats (NY area) that run tilefish trips in the late fall as well.

Viking does Tile trips out of Montauk.
Been thinking about doing one.

[niko]

been checking out the video from the trips, pretty cool. sucks that it's out of montauk that just adds a pia factor.

[macojoe]

I hear there are Great Whites off of Chatam??