InTheBite

  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Featured Stories
    • General News
    • Captain of the Year
    • Tournament Results
    • First Builds
    • Splash Reports
    • Old Salts Rule
    • Tackle Tips
    • Dock Talk
    • Crew Records
    • Conservation
  • Tournaments
    • Calendar
    • Captain of the Year
    • Champion’s Cup
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Subscriptions
    • Back Issues
    • Shirts
    • Hats & Visors
    • Miscellaneous
    • Release Rulers
  • Classifieds
  • Job Board
  • Contact
    • Contact InTheBite
    • InTheBite Media Kit
  • Log in

Making the Long-Range Offshore Trip

April 5, 2022 By InTheBite Digital Editor

boat trip in the gulf

By Capt. Adam Peeples

With today’s high-tech center consoles, multi-day trips are becoming more prevalent as the load carrying capability, range, and creature comforts continue to improve. Planning a long-range trip aboard an open fisherman requires a multitude of inspections, safety checks and logistical considerations, but with proper attention a trip over the horizon can be both rewarding and productive.

Safety should always be at the forefront of planning a long-range trip and venturing offshore without an EPIRB, life raft and ditch bag with basic survival gear and handheld VHF radios should never be an option. The adage, “Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have,” applies foremost to safety gear. A satellite phone, SPOT, Garmin inReach, or other satellite-based communication system is a must to have on board, and don’t forget about leaving a float plan.

Equally important in this groundwork is the consideration of the realistic range of the boat. You need to have a good idea of the vessel’s fuel burn under a heavy load in moderate seas—not what the boat burns with a quarter tank of fuel on a flat bay. When calculating range, I recommend leaving 20 to 25 percent of your fuel as a reserve. This also ensures that if your estimates are off due to weather, or if you end up pushing the limits of your range more than originally planned, then you can still make it home, and with some fuel to spare.

It is also important to consider the amount of fuel that will be burned at idle and while fishing for the duration of the trip, not just what you burn from point A to B. Many crews in the Gulf employ the use of fuel bladders to extend their range for multi-day trips and when properly and safely used, a fuel bladder can allow for a much longer trip duration.

tuna from a long gulf trip

In addition, always make certain your outboard maintenance is up to date, keeping in mind that the motors could accumulate 40 to 50 hours on a two-day trip with constant use. Inspection of props, seals and fluid levels prior to departure is a must and can identify minor problems that could become major issues once offshore. Keeping a couple of spare props on board is never a bad idea, and in the event of a spun hub it could be the difference in salvaging the trip or limping home.

With safety, maintenance and fuel range taken care of, it’s time to turn your attention to loading the boat for fishing. One of the more common issues I see on a regular basis is the desire to take way too much stuff on these types of trips. While I do not want to be without a necessary piece of gear while drifting 200 miles offshore, it is important to have the essentials organized and accessible.

Being realistic about the gear required and not overloading the boat aids in organization and will assist the entire crew with the knowledge of where things are and how to access them. Devising a load plan for the boat and keeping that strategy similar from trip to trip will help both the captain and crew to be a more effective and efficient fishing team.

Simple organizational tactics such as keeping food and bait in separated coolers may seem like common sense, but more than once I’ve had a sandwich that tasted just a little too much like ballyhoo. Ice consumption is also an important aspect to consider. Keeping food and drinks cold during the summer months burns up more ice than you would think. One crew member should be tasked solely with cooler duty, making sure that the food coolers stay drained of excess water, the bait and catch stay well iced, and that the ice levels are monitored and restored. No one wants a waterlogged chicken wing for lunch on the second day of the trip!

Keeping live bait for long periods during the hot summer months can be problematic as well, especially with some of the less hardy species such as sardines or herring. Make certain that you have as much bait as possibly needed but remember that an overloaded livewell will create a bait shortage just as quickly as not catching enough bait in the first place. Don’t overlook catching bait on-site.

Sleep is also an often-neglected aspect of spending a long period of time on the water. Apart from a few of the new jumbo center consoles, the odds of being equipped with a cabin are slim. Bean bags, inflatable sleeping mats and even empty fish bags can make for a decent place to get some rest. Try to have a plan in place for everyone aboard. Even a quick 30-minute nap can make a huge difference in alertness and performance.

If you are considering venturing out on an overnight trip for the first time, or if you are a seasoned pro who runs multi-day center console trips regularly, there is always room to learn new things to make life easier. Take note mentally of things that can be improved from trip to trip and apply those changes as you strive to become a better fisherman.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.

    Filed Under: Adventures, Featured Stories, Fishing Tagged With: Boat Safety, boat trips, Center Console, fishing trips

    Recent News

    Costa Rica’s Largest and Richest Fishing Tournament

    Quepos, Costa Rica—The 7th Annual Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament makes Costa Rican and Central American sportfishing history two years running! With a record-setting 94 teams and 553 anglers catching and releasing 1,131 billfish for more than $ … [Read More...]

    A Taste of Sportfishing: Blue Crab Claw Rolls

    By Holly Hearn of Game Girl Gourmet Blue water and blue crabs. These two things pair beautifully in the case of this blue crab claw roll. The rolls are light, sweet, savory and just a little bit spicy. This makes them the perfect lunchtime … [Read More...]

    The Masters Celebrate 60 Years in Style

    Costa Rica never disappoints; calm seas, a world class fleet and fast billfishing for 30 Master Anglers who gathered together at Los Suenos on January 24th for the annual boat draw. Veteran anglers welcomed five "freshmen" into the club and after … [Read More...]

    Pelagic’s Vaportek Fishing Shirt

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B32l2Wwscak Check out the video to see why Pelagic’s Vaportek is the lightest and most breathable fishing shirt. The Vaportek Fishing Shirt features full-length fine-mesh vented panels that allow for optimal airflow … [Read More...]

    Performance by Design

    By Christopher Swanhart The same reason water floats our boats also slows them down. Water is dense. Pushing a hull through the water, and maintaining planing speeds, requires an appreciable amount of power. The resistance profile of a hull is … [Read More...]

    Leave a Reply

    Connect With InTheBite

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Subscribe to InTheBite Magazine Today!

    InTheBite current cover image

    Our latest issue is hitting the docks now! Be sure to subscribe to the hottest bluewater mag on the market. Purchase or Subscribe »

    InTheBite Champion’s Cup

    InTheBite Champions Cup Logo

    New for 2022, the Champion’s Cup is an optional paid entry with a winner-takes-all prize format for teams who want to up the stakes in each division utilizing our longstanding tournament scoring formula.

    Captain of the Year Cup Standings

    COTY / ITB Cup Logo

    News

    • Proposed 10-Knot Restrictions

      Proposed 10-Knot Restrictions

      It’s Not Over! The Viking Yacht Company and the marine industry’s grassroots campaign to stop the advancement of a proposed 10-knot restriction along the Eastern Seaboard continues into 2023. And now, thanks to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), we have a tool at our disposal that makes it super easy to make your voice heard. In one click, send a pre-written letter... [Read More...]

    • Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

      Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

      By Carol M. Bareuther, RD The moon and stars shone brightly in the pre-dawn night as Capt. Eddie Herbert started the engines on the 80-foot Merritt Reel Tight. His destination, the Virgin Islands’ North Drop. Reel Tight owner Jim Lambert Sr. took his passion for fishing seriously. He wanted to be first off the dock so he could catch and... [Read More...]

    • Splash Report: Bayliss Boatworks' Overtime

      Splash Report: Bayliss Boatworks' Overtime

      Every boat built by Bayliss Boatworks is a truly custom project. In the case of Overtime, the newest 67’ 6’’ build to hit the water, the sportfisher is the weapon of choice for a Cabo-San-Lucas-based program. With the help of the experienced captain and owner team, Bayliss Boatworks designed a sportfishing yacht unique enough to meet the demands of conquering... [Read More...]

    • First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

      First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

      By Nichole Osinski "If you’d asked me when I was 16 years old if I was going to build a boat, I would have told you you’re crazy," says Jarrett Bay Founder and President Randy Ramsey when recalling his 30-plus year career in the boat building industry. But to understand how the company has risen to where it is today,... [Read More...]

    • InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

      InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

      In addition to the other products listed below, InTheBite is offering two amazing holiday gift deals: a free gift subscription and a hat, shirt and sticker bundle. Act now before the offer ends on December 24th at midnight! Christmas Special: Hat, Shirt & Sticker Bundle (While Supplies Last) Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the fisherman in your life?... [Read More...]

    Search InTheBite

    Copyright © 2023 InTheBite, LLC · All Rights Reserved.