Multi-species angling in the canyons has two major benefits, it allows you to constantly have rod bending action, and gives the angler a feeling of accomplishment in landing different species on the same trip. This article will divulge the details that I have honed through the years that have allowed me to land up to six different species on a single offshore trip.
PLAN TO SUCCEED OR SUCCEED TO FAIL
If everyone had a crystal ball, fishing would be easy, however, there are tools that are at our disposal which stack the odds in our favor. Offshore water temperature charts and chlorophyll/ turbidity charts are a huge advantage. Offshore Satellite Services offers these services and more in the Northeast. When I read these charts, I look for warm core eddies that break off the Gulf Stream. I track them until they hit the continental shelf. When they do, I take a second step by confirming its clear cobalt blue water by checking the turbidity image. I then do a confirmation on my Garmin GPS to match it all up. Then I take coordinates and calculate fuel burn. At this point, I line up the particular canyon I am fishing with proven tilefish locations and plug in counter way points of inshore hot spots to fish for bluefin on the way out. I also try to line up some of my offshore wreck positions in my waypoints I will follow for the day, and other deep holes that will hold lobster pots such as the Chicken Canyon, Glory Hole, Mud Hole, etc.
PREPARATION IS THE KEY
Presently I run a 31FA Contender powered with twin 250 four-stroke Yamahas. Its a fish around design with a cabin in the middle which allows 360-degree fishing yet a sleeping cabin at night for the crew. Probably the most important feature of this boat is rod storage for all of the rods we employ for all of the different species we may encounter. My boat is configured with rocket launchers, gunnel rod-holders, and T-top holders to hold 24 rod set-ups. Seems excessive, but when I go into detail regarding the number of different species we hunt for on a trip offshore, it will make sense. When we leave the dock we are completely set up for everything. Its all done at the dock prior to departure. We make sure we have nine trolling set ups ready to go with lures attached. On our boat we employ a nine rod W pattern. We deploy single lures or deep-diving lures on the flat lines, daisy chains or dressed ballyhoo off rod tips on the third wake or one wake in front of a spreader bar. Spreader bars are located on the short-riggers fifth wake back, dressed bally-hoo off the long-rigger one wake behind a spreader bar. Lets not forget the time proven green machine with bird or large dressed horse bally in the way, way back position.
Once drags are checked we store the rods above in the rocket launchers where they will be fished. We position four rods in the order they will be deployed on the starboard side and same for port. Next order of business is four heavy duty yet light-weight conventional outfits loaded with 450 yards of 65-pound braid and 25-foot 60-pound fluorocarbon wind-ons.