Corpusfishing.com

[jgon371]

Quick question:

12 hr trip with DD on nov. 17. Which one to go: state or federal water? Thank you.

[bd0202]

Depends what you wanna catch, and what you might catch and may or may not be able to keep. And I'm surprised they're offering both options in one day.

Been on many federal trips - some good, some bad. Fed regulations are a lot worse than our state regs in most cases (see "THE red snapper"), but might also wanna ask what the captains are planning as far as type of fishing goes (i.e. are they going to bottom fish, drift fish, try a mix, etc). Usually if the boat's too crowded they won't do much drifting because the deckhands spend too much time untangling lines. That will severely limit what you might catch as well, depending on conditions.

Also, if one of them is a night trip, you might consider that. It's really different being out there at night, and also might catch different fish. Typically less people on the boat too, if you can manage to pull the all-nighter.

And my final offering, just as an example of what I'm talking about: Was once on a federal trip. We caught a lot, good trip overall. I got into a good 1/2 hour fight with what turned out to be a 42" bull red. Couldn't keep it at all because it was fed water - state oversize tag was not applicable. It hurt having to throw that one back over the rail (even though nowadays I realize that was a breeder and should have been thrown back anyway). I still have the picture, though. What it was doing so far out at sea I haven't got a clue, unless he was enjoying some good reef action.

If it were me, this time of year, I'd pick state water trip.
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[jgon371]

Thank you for the repy. They mentioned it was going to be a red snapper trip. How is the actual fishing time comparable on both? I have done a few night 12 hr trip, when the capt paul used to be the dolphin express.

[rodandroll]

If it's a state water fishing trip you should have more fishing time. But you might limit out and still have a lot of time left on the water.
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[jgon371]

Thank you!!!! I just called again and they told me that state will be on the paul and there can be up to 70 people. The federal on the dolphin and up to 40. I think for comodity, the dolphin is better.

[bd0202]

State trips are less than or equal to 9 miles out, which cuts travel time extensively, thereby potentially maximizing fishing time (except for when they try different spots every 30 minutes).

However, if they're focusing on snapper fishing, it's only fun until you limit out (as rodandroll mentioned) After that, they start asking you to catch fish for OTHER people. They GRIND on the bottom fishing until everyone limits out, and only then do they start talking about drift fishing, if there's any time left. I've been on fed trips that did the same thing. I actually stopped fishing after limiting out and giving away about 15 of my catches after that. Waste of money, IMO. (Or you can do what my dad did once and use an electric reel the way it's not meant to be used and hook an 84lb yellowfin tuna and burn up the reel. That was a fun trip! Deckhands weren't too happy - that reel went into the dogpile with a tag on it after that.) I don't think Dolphin uses electrics though, so you're good there.

Fed trips are more than 9 all the way to 50+ miles out typically on a 12 hour, so 4 of the hours is spent going out, and another 4 coming in. Max fishing time is 4 hours - again IF they don't keep trying new spots. But with THE red snapper out of season in fed water, that trip might be a little more interesting and a little less crowded.

There are pros and cons to both. What do you want to go after? Do you like fishing shoulder to shoulder with strangers? Do you mind sacrificing a lot of time for the possibility of different (and maybe better) fish? Who all is in your party and how well can they handle the open ocean?

That brings up another point: I've seen LOTS of people on first or second trips pay for the full fishing experience and end up getting seasick (usually by staying/sleeping in the cabin the entire time with no visual reference to the horizon), and ruining the entire experience for themselves. That may also depend on their own constitution and/or how rough the seas are during the trip, but I've seen people literally pay $125+ to not wet a single hook and just watch other people while in agony for 12 hours. So consider your own party as well. A state trip won't go as far, so less time spent travelling = less likely people in your party get seasick.

I hoped I have clarified things and not muddied them LOL but I've been on a few trips as you can tell. But do enjoy your trip! There's always something interesting about going out to sea, even if the fishing part of things doesn't go well.
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[Donnie]

I need to clip your post and keep it handy. Over the years, i had been invited by weatlhy friends - to go offshore in their 46 foot bertram or whatever - maybe 3 of us fishing, a crew of 6, captain, deck hands, cook, etc. And the people would sit inside, eating finger sandwiches - deck hand would yell - fish on - and whose ever turn - would run out, fight a yellow fin or wahoo or something, then go back inside, in the air conditioning. As i recall, each time I went, I got bored of the folks inside, and spent most of my time with the deck hands , listening, asking questions and learning.

As I have gotten older, I read about people taking trips off shore - on head boats, and I think - wow, i ought to go. But your words ' fishing shoulder to shoulder ' - got to me. Fishing down pins, when i cant see anybody north or south, has me completely spoiled. Anyway, thanks. But I do miss the company of those deck hands.
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