Commando Trip

[partsjay]

I'm planning my first ever , overnight commando trip, to a certain island. There are only 2 of us so far but that might change, not going till early July. What I was wondering is if any of you have done this before, and if so are there any tips about what I should bring or not bring. We are going to be on foot all night so I'll have to stay as mobile as possible. I was wondering how many eels I may need, fishing for about 13 hours total ( not just eeling though ) I will be pluggin and chunking as well. Any help about what I may need as far as gear, food , clothing, or anything would be a great help.

[fishweewee]

If you're bringing plugs to supplement your arsenal, I think you'd be hard-pressed to use 12-16 eels (which ideally are carried in a mesh eel-bag clipped to your wader belt) in the course of an all-nighter.

If it's where I think you're going, you should always have a few darters, needles, scandinavian swimmers, 5 inch blue storm wildeye rubber shads and 1.5 oz bucktails and porkrind (for white water!), tied off with some stiff 50-60 lb. fluorocarbon leader (for the rocks).

Korkers are a good idea, definitely bring a bottle of gatorade. A small plug bag and a day-hike backpack (with beverage holders) helps with the organization. Only bring food if you bring sufficient water - eating requires water! Bring enough meds you need in a zip-loc bag with you - always bring motrin or aspirin. Lastly, water proof flashlight with spare batteries and bulb and CELL PHONE IN DOUBLE-SEALED ZIP-LOC BAG WITH LOCAL POLICE NUMBER PROGRAMMED IN is very helpful in case you turn an ankle on a rock and need to summon help. And let someone know where you plan to be in case you lose touch or are in a remote area.

Asides from this pack as light as you can if you're going to hump it. Also pay attention to local parking rules if you're bringing the car.

[partsjay]

thanks weewee, any info will help, if the name of island helps,pm me.

[Joe]

If you can take the day off before and nap in the afternoon you will be much better off.
Don't eat a sleepy meal or dairy - and bring some fishing tonic.
Start a walking program or fish spots where you need to walk to get ready.
Take a break before it grays up.
Go back to the truck and sit down around 2-3 am and then do everything you need to do before heading back out. (Change leaders, batteries, check line.)
The big fish seem to get ya when you are at your most tired and your judgement is not what it should be - right around 4:00 am.
I lost the best fish I ever had on a commando trip, because when I switched from eels to plugs at grey dawn, I forgot to back off on the drag.

[Nebe]

redbull and snickers are a must!

[RIROCKHOUND]

Eben's right... but I like protien bars (the metrex ones dont seem to melt) and red bull... and a small thermos of coffee is a lifesvaer...

[hooked]

TP in a ziploc. Especially if you wash down a few protein bars with a couple redbulls.

I'd bring a backup reel (or rod and reel), a leatherman type tool and duct tape.

For clothes, layer and plan on getting wet so wear something other than cotton.

[spinncognito]

save up for a pair of those accurate pliers being advertised ina post very close by

[blackeye]

it aint the fishing that will kill ya, it's the drive home
I do a lot of kamakaze trips when my woman is working a double-drop her off at 3pm, fish all nite, and pick her up the next morning at 7
the drive home is dangerous after that many hours awake-take my word for it-that's how my father was killed

[John E]

And I thought going commando meant not wearing anything under your waders.

[fishweewee]

Originally posted by John E
And I thought going commando meant not wearing anything under your waders.

maybe that's why my butt itches

[blackeye]

never, under any circumstances, try to cure saltwater induced jock itch with tinactin-even if the can says you can.
I had to learn the hard way