Revenge of the Anchovies
Who would think that the little guys in the bait tank could be the key to your undoing?
Anchovies and sardines in the livewell.
- Plugged scuppers – skiffs usually don’t have large scuppers. A fish like an anchovy or small sardine can get jammed in the scupper, rendering it unusable. Take on some water, and you could be in for trouble if you’re down to 50% of your self-bailing capacity. Keep an eye on this and clear the scuppers ASAP.
- Slipping on bait on the deck – This, and blood on the decks are why you should wash/hose down your decks regularly. With low cockpit depth, and low or no railing, a slip can put you over the side.
- Leaky bait tanks – since live-well plumbing often goes under-deck, you may not see a problem until it is too late. Here is where a bilge alarm would be a good thing.
Staying Aboard
We hate to keep dwelling on this point, but staying in the boat should be a major priority. We’ve already talked a little bit about staying in the boat when the boat is running, or while casting. Once you’re hooked up, what should you be watching out for?
Harness issues – Harnesses are most used for heavier tackle, when the angler has difficulty holding the rod upright under heavy pressure. Since we rarely use tackle heavier than 60 lb test on Toy Boat 2, we don’t use a harness. But if you are so inclined, please be aware of the following issues:
An example of a release knife. Photo courtesy Sportsman Release Knife.
- If you’re standing up and trying to move around while using a harness, you need to exercise extreme caution. If you slip and get pulled overboard, you may not be able to unclip and get out of the harness, or find a way to break the line before being pulled underwater. Several sources recommend carrying a release knife, or attaching it to the harness, to allow you to cut the line or harness straps. The same thing applies to the person acting as mate, since they could get tangled up in a heavy leader.
- Moving past things like outriggers can be difficult, as you need to unhook in order to go around the obstacle
- If you don’t have a fighting chair, you gain a lot of stability by leaning against something like a leaning post, or livewell. On larger boats you might lock your knees under a gunnel combing, but that may not be an option on your skiff.
- Or, if you think things are really sketchy, leave the rod in a rod holder while you fight the fish, or rest the rod on the gunnel. Use the motor to spin the boat to get a good angle, and just have the angler crank. While it’s not IGFA legal, being safe is way more important.
And lastly…
Don’t back down on a fish in a skiff! While a standard tactic for big boats, trying to drive a skiff backwards in rough seas is a recipe for disaster. Besides, you are not nearly as mobile as when you are going forward. Position the angler so that he/she is fighting the fish off to one side, preferably in the bow quarter.