Help me plan my first mud hole trip

[superfitz]

I'd like to this to be a pretty open thread, so feel free to throw in any suggestions.

I am a relatively new boater (3 years) and looking to take my first trip out to the mud hole. Ideally an inshore Tuna would be nice, maybe a nice sized mako, or whatever else shows.
This coming Saturday (7/16) may be a good day for it. Forecast is looking like 2-3's with 0% chance of rain.

Equipment:
25' CC, Twin Yamahas, Full 140 Gallon Tank
VHF, EPIRB
Sidescan fish finder
Auto inflate life jackets and really all necessary safety items.

One 50W reel and two 30's. All spooled with Braid 60-80lb.
Trolling items: 9'ers green squid umbrella rig, a couple daisy chains, cedar plugs, and tuna jets.

A few speed jigs, a butterfly jig, some AVA's and other metals.

I'm leaving out of Raritan Bay and my plan is to head southeast towards the Arundo. Try my luck around there with some trolling and seeing what shows on the finder. Then maybe head in and check things out at the oil wreck. If nothing is really biting, throw out a slick and try for some sharks.

If anyone has any specifics on locations between Sandy Hook and that area I should check out, techniques, or other equipment, let me know.

[Hunter 2]

You seem to have your saftey equip, and the right gear,, You should get some helpfull suggestions on this sight for some hotspots. Do you have something to store large tuna or Sharks on the boat?  Fly gaff, Rope gaff are helpfull Good luck and be safe.

[Hotrod]

Nice sounds like you got your stuff together.

I would feel confident on that trip..


The chicken is a long ride from there.  but if you have the seas..  GO FOR IT

If you stop closer inshore...make sure they aren't bluefish before you send out 500$ in trolling gear

Sending bait down (Sardine)... won't hurt either.

Bring a couple light tackle rods with small jig heads... to throw strip bait at any Mahi that could make an appearance..

Be prepared to Jig if need be..

If you make it to the Chicken.. Scallop Guts with would the bait of choice.. along with a deep bait

Bring a lot of Sugar Filled Junk Food.. Strawberry Pop Tarts..  

Tuna and Dolphin are friends

Whales are happy they aren't in Japan

Get back at a good time that you are unloading and cleaning the boat before Sunset.

When you get home and walking to your house and feel land sickness or need to lean on the wall in the shower...  shake your head like an idiot. it will go away ( Thanks Greg for that tip)  

Channel 65 is your friend

Make sure you keep us posted

[Bottom Dweller]

   Good luck!

[superfitz]

Thanks for the input so far.

I do have a gaff and two large fish boxes that can hold a fish probably up to about 200lbs.

I hadn't thought of trying for some Mahi. Do I just look for floating debris and then just toss a little something at it?

I've read on other forums and threads about the scallop guts and getting them from the boats. I don't think I'm quite mentally ready for the chicken canyon yet, but it does seem like people are doing well there. Maybe after I get this trip out of my system.

I'll be monitoring 65 and thanks for the tip on shaking my head!

[Scott G.]

    GOOD LUCK & BE SAFE   

[wb]

if possible find a buddy boat to make the trip with you and help you get comfy with your surroundings.

[Treebeard]

Sounds like you got the gear and the gumption.. and as usual, all great advice here so far..   I've only taken a handful of trips out there so far, so am by not means an expert.. but I love it and hope to get out there in the next week or 2.. My normal routine has been to start at the Arundo, and troll out to toward Monster Ledge.. ..picked up a couple Bluefins in that area on my 1st few trips.. we'll also usually work the edges of the hole itself, often draggin lures close to the lobster pots that line both dropoffs.. good place to get Mahi bites.. in addition to the other advice, I would add: Find the right water .. the bluer the better.. watch for signs.. look for any kinda life, like  birds / tuna chicks, turtles etc.. watch for weed/debris line that may indicate a temp or current break, and hold bait/fish.. especially Mahi.. as for the them, Rod's advice of a light outfit rigged with a jig is spot on.. but I also try to drop the net and fill the livewell with peanuts or other small bait.. we'll usually take a break from trolling when in an area of lots of pots, or when we hook up on a particular pot/piece of derbis, and drift and throw some bait.. toss a handfull of livies or (even small chunks or spearing if you can't get livies) at the hi-flier, or other floatsam,  and watch for the Mahi to show themselves.. the bright green/blue will be easy to spot.. then throw them the above mentioned jig, or a drift a bait to them.. Best of luck on you 1st trip out there.. it is addicting. if I did'nt have a crew set on Fluking again this weekend, I would join you.. but I would be happy to try to hook up and buddy boat with you on future runs.. Catch'em up!      

[Fishin Dude]

I'm heading out in that direction on Saturday as well. Give a shout if you are out there. Main objective for us is a nice sized Mako, followed by anything else. All of the above advise is spot on, be prepared for anything out there.  Good Luck. <'((((><

[superfitz]

Great advice everyone. I ended up making the trip out with fair results for a first time. I followed my plan mostly and covered a lot of ground trolling. I went from the Arundo, out to Monsters ledge and back. Then trolled up towards the oil wreck.
I got started a little later than I planned but had lines in the water at 9am. I went with a three rod spread. 9'ers green squid umbrella rig, Chartreuse Stretch 25, and a black and purple cedar plug.
All the action was on the stretch 25. Started with an 11 lb bluefish, a couple run offs, then on the way back from monsters ledge I finally got the sound I was hoping for. It was a small bluefin. Right about 24 inches. Fought like a monster for a small fish. I got it to the boat and didn't want to gaff it due to the size being questionable. As I reached for the net he spit the hook. 24" is my guess. Just happy to see one in person. Trolled up another monster bluefish a bit later. By noon all the bites stopped and I headed in about 2pm.
Overall I'm satisfied with my first trip even though I didn't have anything for the dinner table. I'll be out there again.
Water was a nice greenish blue, temp 69 degrees.

Fishin Dude, I may have seen you out there. There was only a few boats out that way. Did you have any luck?
Treebeard, Thanks for the advice. I'll use those suggestions when I go for Mahi. I'd certainly be up for a buddy boat trip in the future. Feel free to shoot me a PM.

Thanks again to everyone.

[Bucktail]

Congrats on getting to tangle with your first bluefin!  Next one will go in the boat.

[Kenny]

 

[gymrat987654321]

Not bad for your first time  You'll get 'em next time. 

[Hotrod]

   That' great...  sounded like u fun trip at the least

[Fishin Dude]

Not bad for your first trip out there.    I seen a few boats in the distance, what were you in?  <'((((><

[Noworries2009]

Hey Superfitz ,congrats on the bluefin ! What's worked for me in the past in these areas is a 5 lure spread. 2 pinned down in the prop wash . I like Clark squid spoons #4's will work with drails,4-8 0z. on leaders. 2 on the riggers. usually zuker feathers in green/yellow or blue/white,red /white. Then a long line down the middle can be a bar of small squids or feathers, green machine/bird combo or so many things even ballyhoo/islander. I sometimes will sub 2 cedar plugs for the squid spoons. Most lures are trolled pretty close but experiment with distance for outboards,should be 50-75' with 100'for the long line. Generally deep running lures will take bluefish if they're around.  When skippies/bonito are present try using smaller  jap feathers in similar colors. Small daisy chains will work or singles too. Use good strong hooks/leader. With warm waters you never know what is around. Late afternoons can be even better than mornings especially on weekdays. Always keep some bait on board for mahi.They can be fussy.A spinning rod and a few small bucktails too. Trolling speed 6-8 knots or faster if blues persist.Good luck  

[Pops Soul]

SuperFItz congrats on your first Mud hole trip. ALeast you didn't catch the skunk and had some action, Nice report

[Hunter 2]

Glad it worked out for you.