First Bob likes to dive at night, when it quiet and the fluke are out actively hunting for prey. Myself never being a fan of night dives had to be convinced this was the way to go, and if the mean size of the fish taken is any indicator of when it’s a great time to go, night time is it - Bobs average mean fish for the year is almost 28 inches, with the total being close to 70 fish over the past six months!!!!
Now running at night is not for the meek and even those that do it seem to stay in the sea girt reef for the most part – this is not Bob’s technique, again experience shows through. As Bob states “you have to go where the Big fish are, and the past few weeks that’s been in the deeper water 80 to 95 feet range.
Bottom structure again plays a role in bagging big fish and Bob is Very Picky about his bottom structure. I can’t tell you how many times when I have been out with him at night that we had to go to a certain rocky out cropping. “This is where the big fish are, next to the big rocks, just waiting for the small sea bass or lobster to come crawling by” states Bob and again he is correct.
What really amazing about this guy is he brings the numbers he wants to go to with him on the boat!!! How many guys do that??? – Not many, most guys go around scrounging numbers from other the locals, doing very little to try and find new locations, Not Bobby H, he has spent years fishing for the largest fluke and has developed a library of bottom locations that meet his expectations. That along with detailed record keeping is now paying off in big fish all the time.
Last Friday night we went out to one of Bobs favorite spots, it was just Bob H. Capt Stan and I. As we motored out, I had my concerns, but Bob told me to relax, it would be good. When we arrived it was a quick drop, hook up and both Bob and Stan dropped in. After a nice 50 minute dive they returned with lobster and a HUGE 29 inch Fluke. I was impressed, Bob was not. He quickly explained he was expecting more fish to be here, but the vis was crystal clear on the bottom and there were fish around. Bob told me to “work the edges” and to “be open to learning what works and does not”. Capt Stan then said I should listen to him because “he know of what he speaks”
As I got down, with my bent pole spear (bob only uses a fiberglass version) I immediately started seeing fluke, now none were 28 inches, but all were over 20 and my best was 25. I quickly limited out and came running back to the line. As I got back, I was like there were fish all over, Capt Stan said yes but he is only after really big fish. Ok whatever; I will take the bigger than legal fish.
Well what can I say Night diving is not for the meek, but if you want the big fish with lots of meat on their bones, you have to go to where the lunkers hang out. On the way back, Bob explained diving like this is what its all about, good times and takeout pizza on the boat. lolol
i could not agree more
I remain
The Bartman-mosb
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