Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project

[rustybucket]

I think you are 32Volt. Which livewell pump do you use? The Rule 32V are junk, I'd like to get a better one .

I have a 3/4hp spa pump (with filter basket). I think it's a little overpowered and I'll go with a 1/2hp when it dies on me. I prefer using ac pumps where possible.

[rustybucket]

Using live Bonita for bait?

Yes sir, also blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, skipjacks, rainbow runners, jacks...etc whatever is available.

[rsmith]

You use them as a pitch bait or traditional live bait presentation?

[rustybucket]

You use them as a pitch bait or traditional live bait presentation?

We pull 2 or 3 of them at 3-4knts. One off each outrigger and one short (or super long) in the center. Baits are bridled with heavy mono or fluorocarbon and a big circle hook.

When artificial trolling we have one ready as a pitch bait as well.

[rsmith]

You have trolling valves to get that slow. Even one engine I’m at 5 kts. We live bait googleyes and greenies when we fish sails south of Stuart but off FtPierce live bait isn’t that productive the fish aren’t that concentrated and trolling covers more territory. We’ve tried 5-10lb boneheads bridled up here and in the Bahamas but it seems they just attract sharks. I guess if your going to all that trouble it must be effective in the gulf.

[rustybucket]

You have trolling valves to get that slow. Even one engine I’m at 5 kts. We live bait googleyes and greenies when we fish sails south of Stuart but off FtPierce live bait isn’t that productive the fish aren’t that concentrated and trolling covers more territory. We’ve tried 5-10lb boneheads bridled up here and in the Bahamas but it seems they just attract sharks. I guess if your going to all that trouble it must be effective in the gulf.

I've got stbd engine idled down to a hair over 450rpm. I am going to take it even further. Into current stbd in fwd gives me about 3.5-4knt.

We live bait troll around oil rigs and weed lines holding bait. When traveling from spot to spot we drag a couple of marlin/wahoo lures, with a couple baits bridled and ready to go. If we spot a fad or weedline we troll by with the artificials, then pull them in and come back through and drop some livies on it.