[jtzannes]

I haven't been on a tuna party boat yet, and I was wondering about the bait situation on them. I understand that the west coast long range boats catch their own live baits, but from what I gather, the only live bait on party boats around here is squid if you can catch it. Is that right? Also, do people ever bring their own portable livewells for bait? When I go out on my friends boat to the canyons he always brings a livewell full of snappers, it seems like that would be a big advatage on the party boats too?

 

[TonyTuna]

On the partyboat I fish the live bait is
usually what you catch yourself squid,
mackerel, ling etc.The mates if they have the time try to catch some bait and hand it out.They keep a portable livewell on board in case a large amt.
of bait is caught.

 

[fishologist II]

live bait

I'm no expert,having only fished twice on over night party boats.
Took the wife on the Atlantis Princess,out of Staten Island,in Sept 2001.Nobody was fishing for squid that trip.
The following Sept we went on the Explorer from Sheepshead Bay.The mates and several fares including myself were fishing for squid,which was shared.
Neither trip got alot of fish.I think my wife is bad luck,but you didn't hear that from me,lol.
Pete