Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

Josh,
My favorite party boat fishing “technique” is “flat lining”. Drifting your line out with little (1-2oz) or NO weight. Reason being, I want my bait drifting freely and naturally along with the chunks in the slick. I believe mono line provides just a bit of buoyancy, hence the need for a small weight.
Your tangle concern does have merit. HOWEVER, when on anchor, 9 times out of 10, the boat is swinging. You need to be patient to time your drop in when the boat swings everyone else’s lines away from you. Once you’re 10-15 yards away from the boat you’re home free. Just feed line as fast as the current wants it with just SLIGHT tension with your thumb. Don’t be afraid to dump 3/4 of your spool on slow days. 30-40lb leader and a circle hook in daylight.

SHORTS

Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

What 2NA said...I most always go flat lining during the day with 40#, sometimes 30# leaders. My main line is the same weight as the leader...ergo, a rod for every line weight, that's not necessary--that's just me. Plus, all my reels have braid backing, same weight as top shot. Flat lining, I fish a sardine, scad or squid way out(300-400') and dead stick the bait-unlike Ol' Pedro, I've caught many tuna, 90% lft's that way but you can't do that with a butter, it will spin and your mono will be trashed, and I mean trashed. Trust me, I know!!! Remember to retrieve very slowly, you just might get picked up on the way in. We've caught that way too. What I've said is on days with no active bite. Obviously, if the bite is on, you want to be in it, down deep, mid-water or near surface--where-ever they're being caught. Hope this helps. We're going out tomorrow on a 36, will report after trip.

Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

Pennsy Guy (Chuck) is out as I write. He is one of the best bait fishermen that I know. I have spent 20+ years fishing with him. I also like to fish way back. I just don't leave it out there. Sometimes I bring it in half way and let it go back. Live squid and sardines are my go to baits. I catch my own squid when I'm out there. When I do fish butters I cut the tail off to help with the spin.(Chuck taught me this) When the tuna are eating the chunks(crew flushing the tuna stomach) I'll cut a butter in half at an angle and fish the head half. Some boats flush the first fish or 2 to match the hatch. I have scrounged squid from the flushes. Try and get good at one thing. Watch what's working and adjust.

Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

Thanks for the advice. So how did you make out?

Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

Joshmill, we did good, 32 yft 50-75#. Day bite & light was not right. I went 1 for 2, lost 1 one 40# test, got 1 on 60#They'd chaf through lighter leaders. 60-80 was way to go. I did make a report on trip earlier.

Re: Party boat rod holder question
 

Josh, that report is on middle of last page... "Gambler 36hr tuna"...