Blue water hunting tips

[elnq]

Hello everyone:

I am about to set out on my second Blue Water Hunting trip. I have only been on one BWH trip out of the Banks, AU. This one will be out of Acapulco, Mexico. We are aiming for sailfish since in recent days quite a few have been caugh on line, but other pelagics will be welcome.
So, I am just looking for any advice you can give me. All of the spearos on this trip are pretty good divers but completely inexperienced in BWH, so any advice will be quite helpful (use of flashers, burley, approach, etc...).
Thanks a lot!

Eduardo

[deep thinker]

Hey there, email miles, hes the king DB member of BWH here in sa so he mite be able to give you some good ideas.

[miles]

Hiya

The biggest secret to succesfully hunting BW fish is quite simple...... you must first FIND the fish!!! This is where a local skipper will be able to assist. Quite often, you'll be hunting in very deep water, with no structure, such as reefs. Here, local knowledge of the area is of great importance.

Lets say you've now found an area which you'd like to work. There are quite a few different methods of hunting:

ANYTHING floating will hold fish. Logs, weed patch's, bouys, etc. Small fish are attracted to the floating object, which in turn attracts larger predators.

Birds working. This is a sure indication of fish feeding. Simply run up to the action, stop JUST before the birds working and swim a short distance towards them. Get too close and the fish will sound. I've also had good success with looking for birds simply sitting on the surface. When you get 10-30birds just sitting on the surface, either you've just missed a rise or they will rise soon. Often i've found YF tuna under those birds.

Using flashers. ANYTHING shiny and noisy will attract game fish. Rob Allan makes some great flashers. I normally add a Halco GT JIG lure, with its hooks removed, to my flashers. These things rattle like crazy and works very well at attracting fish. Set the flasher at a depth all the divers are comfortable diving to. I set mine at 6-12m deep, depending on the day. Dive AROUND the flasher and not directly at it. You will see gamefish approach and come in very close for a look.........BANG!!

Chum. Not advisable if the area is know for large dangerous sharks. Chumming will also attract small fish, and sooner or later, larger predators will turn up.

I know the marlin guys pull hookless teasers behind the boat. Once a marlin is spotted, the boat stops and the spearo's jump in. Pretty much the same principle the flyfishing guys use to tease billfish right to the transom of the boat.

Current Lines. This is where there is a big difference in water temperature. Sometimes its easy to identify, as the water colours are different. Normally a flat clam peice of water, littered with debris and dead small fish. MANY fish LOVE hunting on the current line. Always worth a look!!

Best advice i can offer: NEVER GIVE UP!!! Even if you haven't seen a fish whole day, motivate yourself by say: "i'll get one on THIS dive!!". Makes you more alert and motivated. BW hunting is filled with lots of time with little activity and then lots of action is a very short space of time.

Hope you guys have fun!!

Video clip of YF eating chum, here in SOuth Africa:
YfTuna - yftuna1.wmv @ ZippyVideos.com - Free Video Webhosting

REgards
miles

ps. we want pic's of the fish you're going to get!!!

[elnq]

Deep Thinker and Miles:

Thanks for the prompt reply and the very appreciated advice. I have read quite a few threads from Miles....quite a legend in BWH!
Until recently I was living in Sydney, AU, and used to go spearing with the guys from Extreme. Miles, you have quite a reputation over there as well.
It's great that you take the time to share your knowledge.
Anyway, thank you again!
I'll let you know how it went!

Cheers from MEXICO!.

Eduardo

[covert]

now the question is ... is Miles famous or Infamous

[Pocoshower]

Hi

Did you guys finally bougth big guns????

Carlos

[elnq]

Well, the arsenal up until now consists of a couple of Riffe Baja plus, a Riffe mid-handle #3, a Rob allen 1.4, and a 1.2. I am hoping we got the right equipment. Now it should be a matter of finding the fish and of course, skill. If it is not there yet, it will certainly be a trip of learning.
We'll get there.
I'll keep you posted,

Eduardo

[Pocoshower]

Buena Suerte !!!

[miles]

Hiya

When choosing guns, use the LONGEST gun in your arsenal!!

One of the biggest problems i had was adjusting to the exceptionally clean water. A 80-90kg (200lb) tuna, swimming 10-15m (30-50') away from you looks like a 50kg (100lb) fish swimming 5m (15') from you!! You always hear of Blue Water hunters talking about shots falling short, due to them mis-judging the distance or size of fish. The longer guns simply give you a greater range, especially helpfull when the water is VERY clean and the fish are spooky.

Another big help is SLIP-TIPS. If you can, USE THEM!! It's holding power is far more superior to a normal fixed barb. The downsides to them is their cost and that they're a nightmare to remove from a fish!!

Regards
miles

[penguinator]

Elnq, I am from Sydney and I hang around Extreme quite alot

Who did you go spearing with? I probably know them.

[elnq]

Hey penguinator:

I used to go spearing with Tom Bansford, Ben, Ed Hor, Shaun Swan, Jamie, Erez Beatus. I also did some freedive training with Nathan Watts, Ash, Erez and Ant. I learned heaps from all of them, they are all great blokes.
When you see them please tell them I said hi.
Cheers,

Eduardo

[waterboy]

ola Eduardo.
Long time mate.
Glad to c you manage to do some diving...
Good luck, and keep us posted.
Erez