The Local Fisherman » Party Boat

Party Boat Striped Bass

Dennis Suler — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 03:34:36 +0000

Striper fishing has become one of the most sought-after fish for anglers. Anglers catch many bass that are sometimes as large as 30, 40 or even 50 pounds, providing some of the most exciting fishing that you can find.
Those with their own boats can get in on this fast action, but those without boats must rely on the kindness of others or pay for a charter or head boat. Of the two, a head boat is less expensive. While a charter boat is less crowded, there is no reason why a head boat trip cannot be equally enjoyable.
Have Fun With Strangers on a Party Boat

Fishing on a head boat does require interaction with strangers. Following some basic rules will ensure that you fully enjoy your party boat experience.
The first stranger you will meet is the mate. He will greet you at the dock, help with your equipment and get you situated at a place along the rail. The mate will be your primary contact with the crew because the captain will be in the wheelhouse for most of the trip. The mate should also treat you well because he works for tips. He also knows more about head boat fishing than you do, and the prudent angler will heed his advice.

Head boats attract a cross-section of society. I have fished alongside doctors, lawyers and people who had no discernable source of income. There will be English teachers, or folks who do not speak any English. Experience will also vary, with there being salty regulars and newcomers.

If you work together with your temporary family of strangers, you will not only improve your chances of being successful. You will also enjoy the trip more. I have fished on party boat trips where I had made many friends and continued to fish with those people after the trip was over.

Party Boat Tackle

Most party boats will supply tackle to those that need it. The boat will supply tackle for the day, either free or for a small fee. Because their tackle sees some pretty severe use, it could be worn and a bit heavy for your taste.
On the other hand, light tackle has no place on a head boat. Do not take anything on board that cannot control the fish you are trying to catch. If you try to fish with light tackle and hook a striper, when the fish runs, it will tangle all other lines near you.

Your new temporarily family of strangers will not be happy with you.

If the boat is drifting live eels in deep water, a Penn 320GTI, spooled with 30-pound test, is as light as you want to go. If you are casting bucktails or jigging metal lures, an Ambassaduer BG7000HS is a good choice.

When matching the reel to the rod, be sure the rod has plenty of backbone in case you have to lift a striper over the rail. I use braided line on both of my outfits. Be aware that in a head boat situation, it is sometimes necessary to cut the line when tangles are severe.

Terminal tackle should mimic the type used on the boat. When drifting eels, most head boats will use some type of circle hook rig. I prefer to tie the leader directly to a 3-way swivel, but others still use a fish-finder rig. I find the circle hook works best. By tying the hook to the swivel and placing the rod in a holder, the striper will hook himself when the line comes tight; no setting the hook is required.

Size Matters

When tying on a lure or sinker, make sure everyone around you is using the same weight. It is critical that every rig hit bottom together and is carried by the current at the same rate. Different weights will drift at different depths and will tangle with those running below or above. Once again, this results in unpleasant encounters with strangers.

Drifting Eels

Many head boats drift eels for fall stripers. This is a pretty easy method where the eel is hooked through the mouth with a circle hook and dropped to the bottom. When a striper picks up the bait and brings the line tight, he hooks himself.
Some boats will use a fish-finder rig live eels. This requires a bit more interaction by the angler. The striper is allowed to run with the eel for a few seconds, then the angler engages the reel (if using a conventional reel), lets the line come tight and sets the hook.

If the angler is using a spinning reel, they must pay attention to the reel and be ready to open the bail if a fish takes the bait. After letting the fish run and inhale the bait, they then close the bail and bring the line tight. Remember not to set the hook when using circle hooks, as you will lose the fish.

Once the fish is in sight, do not tighten the drag. Bring the fish to the surface but do not lift him out of the water. Back away from the rail, and give the mate plenty of room to net your fish. Most head boats have a high rail and it is not easy to net a fish from this perch. Trust the mate to do the job without directions from you. Do however, follow the instructions of the mate, or your prize may be lost.

Casting and Jigging
Some boats will target striped bass with casting lures, including metals and bucktails. A white bucktail with a white plastic tail is the standard bait, but a Storm or soft shad body has become very popular. The idea is to use a lure that will cast well and sink quickly. I choose a Stingsilver or other metal lure, especially on windy days.

Get Down!
When stripers are on the surface, there are often larger fish under them. Try to get your lure on the bottom and work it slowly to imitate a crippled baitfish. In this case, a bucktail with a Mr. Wiffle is the ideal bait. It only takes a slight resistance to get the tail moving in an enticing manner.
Most folks will cast to breaking fish. However, there are times when a cast is not necessary. If all around me are sending lures to the horizon, I will drop mine straight to the bottom. Sometimes this works, and sometimes not, but at least I don’t get tangled with the mob.
Fishing for stripers on a head boat is not only fun, it is inexpensive. I have seen entire families out for a fun trip and go home with a limit of stripers. Go grab a few fishing buddies or take along the family for a good and productive striper trip on a head boat. Have fun!

Bower's Beach Flounder Action Continues

Dennis Suler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:41:47 +0000

Shirley aboard the Reliable II said that Sunday morning started off with lots of Headboater enthusiasts who had one thing on their mind — winning the Reliable’s June Mega Monster Cash Pot Contest.

The June Mega Monster Cash Pot had jumped to $149.00. Several flounder shorts were caught and a heartbreaking almost close legal flounder was caught by Fay Griffith, which was 18 1/4″ long and thrown back.

Not a one croaker was caught or even seen. Finally, cries of “Fish On” broke the silence. Fay Griffith from Seaford, Delaware hooked into a big one. At first, she thought it was a skate, because it did not want to come off of the bottom.

The flattie put up one heck of a fight and ran several times. Fay was in complete control and handled the fight like a pro. Fay’s Flounder weighed in at 5-1/2 pounds and 25 inches in length. Congratulations to Fay.

Fay also won the onboard fish pool which was quite large with her flounder. Shirley said that she is sending a challenge to all of you guys out there in computer land, she said that she hopes you are not going to let a sweet little lady beat you out of this month’s Cash Pot.

As of the last day in June, if no one else beats Fay’s Flounder, Fay will be the winner. The Mega Monster Cash Pot Contest for the Month of July will start this coming Wednesday. The annual Mega Monster Cash Pot Contest is over $200.00 and will only get bigger as the 2009 fishing season gets underway.

The annual cash pot will be worth several hundred dollars and may be over $1,000 by season’s end.

Starting Wednesday, July 1, the Monthly Cash Pot Contest will start all over again. The annual Cash Pot keeps rolling over and over to the end of the Fishing season.

Bowers Beach Big Flounder Pool Grows

Dennis Suler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:18:46 +0000

Faye holds the current leader of the Monster Cash Jackpot

Shirley aboard the Reliable out of Bowers Beach, Delaware recently told us about the boat’s “Mega Monster Cash Pot Contest” This is doing really well and everyone is so excited about it. The pool increases every day of the month, and is currently up to $160. The next monthly cash pot should be well over $200. Not bad for a day’s fishing.

The way that it works is simple. Every day, the largest pool fish is entered into the contest. At the end of the contest, the largest flattie wins. Pretty simple.

So get down to Bower’s Beach now and get in on the Mega Monster Cash Contest. For more information, contact Shirley at 302-335-3500.

Ocean City Party Boat Fishing

Dennis Suler — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:32:25 +0000

Many anglers love fishing on party boats. They do it for the adventure, the comradery and the sheer convenience. There’s something about fishing with a group of strangers who become your best friends by the end of the trip.

I have to admit, I’m one of the crowd. I have been fishing on party boats since I was a kid, and I hope I never loose my passion for hugging the rails.

For many anglers, party boats, which are also called head boats, are an inexpensive and uncomplicated way to get into bay and ocean fishing action. Generations of anglers, like myself, have grown up on head boats, learning to fish from the old timers who seem to be fixtures on many of these boats. Party boats are also a great way for a novice or family to get exposed to the challenges of big water fishing.

Ocean City Offers Many Party Boat Opportunities

For those anglers seeking to enjoy the adventure of headboat fishing, a number of boats are located in Ocean City. Charter boats in Ocean City will also occasionally act as pseudo head boats and promote make-up or mixed charter trips to help small groups of anglers cut costs. They will mix and match individuals for a day on the water. It seems this happens more often than not during the peak of the offshore tuna run. To find out about getting in on charter make-up parties, first check with the local marina.

What Fish Do Ocean City Party Boats Catch?

Party boats, because of the nature of their business, usually target seasonal migrations of several types of schooling fish. This strategy basically means more fish for a larger group of anglers. Thus, popular species will include sea bass, tautog, bluefish, flounder, croaker, mackerel, and even tuna, when conditions are right.

In most cases, Ocean City head boat action traditionally kicks off in the early spring, coinciding with the annual Boston mackerel run. These fish have been very sporadic over the last few years, with catches good some days and weak at best on others.

Mackerel are fun to catch and if the run is solid, and an all-day boat can switch off to other species to finish out the day. The “other” species during this early spring season typically means tautog, and the occasional stray ling, pollock or cod.

As inshore waters begin to warm up, sea bass, the primary fish for most of the Ocean City head boats, will make their appearance in large numbers. These good-eating, little fighters will move onto inshore wrecks, sometimes literally covering them.

“There are days when we are catching so many sea bass that they will hit anything dropped down to them. Its not uncommon for us to sometimes catch fish on bare hooks,” says Captain Monty Hawkins of the Ocean City party boat Morning Star. The spring sea bass run usually gives anglers their best shot at citation sized fish.

As spring feeds into summer, head boats will continue to target sea bass and tautog, but also seek out flounder, triggerfish, and bluefish. And with these warm waters, it’s not unusual to also see spadefish, cobia, amberjack, false albacore, and sharks occasionally come over the rails.

In the last few years, the inshore wrecks have produced a plethora of species, reflecting the health and quality of both natural and man made offshore wrecks. Bravo to those who participate and support artificial reef program development.

During late spring and throughout the summer, there is an assortment of small inshore head boats which primarily fish for flounder and croaker in the back bays of Ocean City. They include everything from pontoon-style boats to 60-foot party boats. These boats run half-day and are perfect for anglers constrained for time or families wanting to experiment with fishing. Don’t think these boats are just for novices, as I’ve seen some big flounder come off these boats.

Fall offshore party boat fishing continues to produce sea bass, but croakers, seatrout, and rockfish will also fill the card. It’s also usually the last shot at tautog before winter sets in. There is plenty for Maryland coastal head boat anglers to choose from on almost a year-round basis.

What To Bring On A Party Boat Trip

Party boat fishing is only as complicated as you want it to be. Most boats will supply you with all the tackle you need, such as rods and rigs, for a nominal fee. Most of this gear is good quality stuff. They want you to catch fish, and they need tough tackle to stand up to the punishment of daily use by both amateurs and seasoned veterans alike.

More seasoned anglers, like myself, like to bring their own gear. Depending on what type species we are after, I usually opt for one conventional outfit and one spinning outfit when fishing in the ocean.

My primary conventional rod is usually a 7-foot, medium-heavy combo. I spool this with 30-pound test line, which can easily handle seabass, tautog, rockfish, and triggerfish. It can also take on bluefish or false albacore, should they hit my bait.

My spinning gear is usually a fast taper, medium-heavy 7-foot rod, spooled with 20-pound test line. I use this for jigging sea bass or finesse fishing for tautog. It can also be a blast when hooking up with triggerfish, flounder or bluefish.

Besides fishing tackle, other essential survival gear on a party boat includes

sun block
shades
hat
food and sandwiches
camera
plenty to drink
a cooler.

Get Out and Try Party Boat Fishing

If you’re ready to catch some fish with a bunch of seasoned and not-so-seasoned anglers, the headboats are calling your name. So get out and get on the Ocean City party boats.

Crisfield Party Boat Fishing

Dennis Suler — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:18:23 +0000

A couple of party boats run out of Crisfield on the Chesapeake’s Lower Eastern Shore. These boats run during the fishing season for a variety of species, depending on what’s running.

Charter boats in Crisfield will also occasionally act as pseudo head boats and promote make-up or mixed charter trips to help small groups of anglers cut costs. They will mix and match individuals for a day on the water. It seems this happens more often than not during the Chesapeake striper run. To find out about getting in on charter make-up parties, check with the local marina.

What Fish The Lower Eastern Shore Headboats Catch

Party boats, because of the nature of their business, usually target seasonal migrations of several types of schooling fish. This strategy basically means more fish for a larger group of anglers. Thus, popular species will include spot, seatrout, croaker and rockfish around the Chesapeake.

Croakers are the go-to fish for Crisfield party boat anglers. This hard-fighting, little crowd pleaser becomes the focus from late spring through early fall. Crisfield boats will also target spot, flounder, black drum, seatrout, and bluefish, especially during the summer months.

By late summer and early fall, it’s not uncommon for anglers to return to dock after having caught a half dozen different species. Chesapeake late fall fishing includes chumming for school sized rockfish, which is always a blast on head boats. In the past year, head boat fishermen caught some of the nicest yellowfin spot in years, as well as good-sized flounder only a short ride from Crisfield Harbor.

What To Bring Party Boat Fishing

Some anglers, like myself, like to bring their own gear. In the Chesapeake, conditions are not as testy as fishing over wrecks. Here, the angling is done either drifting over sandy bottom or anchoring up over oyster shell reefs.

My favorite rod is a 7-foot, medium-spinning outfit, spooled up with 20-pound test line that can handle both terminal tackle and jigs. It easily handles school stripers, sea trout, flounder and croakers.

Sometimes, I opt for a conventional rod, which is a 7-foot, medium outfit, spooled with 20-pound test line. I prefer to use it if we are drift fishing.

Besides fishing tackle, other essential survival gear on a party boat includes sun block, shades, hat, junk food and sandwiches, camera, plenty to drink and a cooler to hold it all in along with your fish. Some boats don’t like a pile of big coolers clogging the deck, so check before you board. Most boats also limit rods to no more than two per angler for the same reason.

Try Fishing Aboard The Party Boats and Hook Up!

Head boats, party boats, it doesn’t matter. They all mean the potential for great day on the water with a group of anglers who all love to catch fish.