swhiting

This is an example of how great this forum is. This thread alone has so many nuggets of wisdom. I hope here's more:



Want to keep getting invited out in the Gulf, help the captain have peace of mind and comfort about the ride. Step up to the plate and block some spray. Know how to position your body to become a "human trim tab". Some of you may have to move a couple steps to balance out a ride. I've seen pictures of others that may only have to move their big toe to adjust the ride of the whole boat



These comments are just for the ride. There is way more you can do to for the pre-trip, fishing part and post-trip to ensure future invites, but they are covered in other threads.....

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"....during the public comment period that followed, comments were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal. As a result, NOAA fisheries reopened the public comment period for and additional 15 days, but there was no change to the results. The regional administrator of NOAA Fisheries announced that the recreational greater amberjack season will close for June and July as scheduled..."

captken

We live here. There is always next weekend. We don't absolutely "HAVE" to go. The older I get, the more my balls seem to shrink in size while my brain increases. I hate "Guts" tournament rules. As much as rescheduling a tournament costs, it is definitelythe prudent thing to do.

Slowing down helps most times. If you pay attention to your boat, it will tell you what speed is best for prevailing conditions. Load distributionis a huge factor as is judicious use of trim tabs and engine tilt.

Fishing is supposed to be fun. When I have to sit down and pull a butt vacuum on the seat just so I can fight a fish and stay in the boat, it isn't fun. The visit to the Chiropractor after a bumpy trip isn't fun either.

The balls/brain relationship I mentioned earlier has made me a safer boater and fisherman. As a charter captain for lots of years, I always paid attention to SCAs and SCCs. Common sense came into play a lot of times when conditions began to deteriorate. I'd imagine an insurance company would be none too happy if you filed an injury claim when you clearly shouldn't have been fishing. Fortunately, I neverhad to filea single injury claim on my liability insurance.

Be safe---not sorry. Being stupid can get you hurt or killed. (IMHO)

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Captken
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Badfisherman

Absolutely fantastic nuggets of info--To answer some of the questions--Chop to me is anything that I have to adjust trim or speed to deal with. I have a 65 gallon tank and a21' modified deep V hull. I am flirting with the idea of trim tabs and had the dolphin tab on the lower unit but took it off. Thanks for all the great info--you can't beat the PFF and all of it's members extensive knowledge.

SaltAddict

Seems most of the logical has been covered, so I'll be the comedian.



If you just can't stand it, & you have to go; just put in a mouth piece drop the hammer and go! Trim tabs down helps in this scenario. My glass guy loves this response.

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Telum Pisces

This is what I do as well. I only have a 19' boat. When there is even a moderate chop on the water it can bang my kidneys to death to run at speed sometimes. I usually have at least two fishing plans. One to head southwest and one to run southeast. And which one I end up doing is based on wind and wave direction if I can help it. The chop and waves tend to pick up in the afternoon. (Typically) So I do not mind heading into a slight chop in the morning knowing that it is going to be bigger in the afternoon. And I usually am up to running head on into thechop in the morning because I am rested and full of energy. After a long day of diving and fishing I like to have a following sea if I can help it.

But the next biggest thing is to not get in a hurry. With my size boat, I often times have to find the perfect speed to get in between the chop or get fast enough to get on top of it if it's a small chop. But there usually is an ideal speed that your boat will feel and take the waves a bit easier.

Pass Time

This is exactly what we do as well. Keeping up with the forecast and weather/wind trends can make for a more comfortable day going out, trolling, and coming in along with polishing your boat skills. Likesea monkeysaid too....its ok to "zig zag" for a more comfortable ride. Definately listen to Purple Haze advice.

dantheman

This Forum has a lot of good information,:bowdown

The trick is Trial & Error it is all about

your Boat and see what works best for you :banghead

for me it is a Fat boy i can move around to help block any spray .

skiff man99

Get something with a low center of gravity. IE .. diesel powered

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