Discussion Board

Which Boats Have Skiffs?

After reading about the recent supercows on the Angler, I was wondering which boats carry skiffs. I've only ridden the Excel and Rooster, which have skiffs. I know the Qualifier runs skiff trips. I'm also pretty sure the RP does as I remember seeing them launch theirs at Clarion.

It seems the Angler does not carry one. The Supreme used to have skiff racks on their stern deck but I think those have been removed so I'm not sure if they have still carry skiffs elsewhere.

What about the other boats?

Thanks for any info,

Chris

02/04/2010 04:51 AM

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Long Range Fishing Reports and Discussion

Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 8684

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Bearwell wrote:
After reading about the recent supercows on the Angler, I was wondering which boats carry skiffs. I've only ridden the Excel and Rooster, which have skiffs. I know the Qualifier runs skiff trips. I'm also pretty sure the RP does as I remember seeing them launch theirs at Clarion.

It seems the Angler does not carry one. The Supreme used to have skiff racks on their stern deck but I think those have been removed so I'm not sure if they have still carry skiffs elsewhere.

What about the other boats?

Thanks for any info,

Chris

Interesting question Chris. Funny, I was just talking to my buddy Gary, who is gearing up for his RP Accurate trip. Just yesterday in fact.
Anyhow, we talked of the fantastic angling feat by Charlie on the American Angler (Kudos to Charlie for sure), and the need for a skiff.
I was surprised that Gary told me on the long trips he's been on aboard the RP the last couple of years, he said they don't take the skiffs anymore.
I was surprised to hear that, but I do know we stop the fish most the time now (provided anglers fill their reels up. That's a pet peeve I won't address here Roll

)

So, let's hear from anglers on their favorite boats: Do they carry skiffs?
I fish the Intrepid, and no we don't. There are plans towards getting one, but so far we get by on the backups.
Anyone else?

Prostaff for: Accurate, Seeker, Seaguar, Catchy Tackle, Five Star Fish Processing, Intrepid

02/04/2010 06:43 AM

Joined: 03/30/2007
Posts: 859

sactotuna

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

The Royal Star does not carry skiffs, just some backups w/1000+ yds of spectra.
Next?

Ancora Imparo, I am still learning.

02/04/2010 08:25 AM

SlideRight

Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 87

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Perhaps seeing less of them due to some added liability/risk for the boat/angler? There have been some very near misses - e.g. unscheduled swimming breaks amongst the last I recall. Kayak mother ship trips maybe another situation as the angler actually chooses from the get-go to specifically participate in that style of angling – e.g. crew/boat just providing transportation to the fishing grounds.

Lew H.

02/04/2010 08:52 AM

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Lew,

you remind me that I had heard there have been interesting skiff landings at Clipperton.

Chris

02/04/2010 09:05 AM

Moderator
Long Range Fishing Reports and Discussion

Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 8684

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Last year, I had 3 backups, and felt that I might have had a shot had we employed a skiff.

Now, I'm not so sure. I am not really a big fan of getting in the skiff. Not to say I wouldn't, but given the choice several times, most times I have opted to take my chances on the big boat.
Personal preference, not really a safety issue or fear issue.
I just like the big boat, more crew around.

Prostaff for: Accurate, Seeker, Seaguar, Catchy Tackle, Five Star Fish Processing, Intrepid

02/04/2010 11:51 AM

paulskier

Joined: 04/19/2007
Posts: 1763

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

I agree with David---why do it? As illustrated by Charlie on the Angler you don't need a skiff IMO.

Paul

02/04/2010 01:10 PM

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

paulskier wrote:
I agree with David---why do it? As illustrated by Charlie on the Angler you don't need a skiff IMO.

Paul

Paul,

Charlie did use the skiff to land (one of) his supercows, thus this thread.

“The whole time we have been keeping the rest of the fleet involved in our story, when another "do good" event took place. After hearing about Charlie's previous exploits, Captain Justin Fleck of the mighty Excel volunteered to come over in their skiff to take part in the drama. When he arrived Charlie got in the skiff accompanied by Justin and Shawn Steward (he was unquestionably in good hands) and the battle continued."

Chris

02/04/2010 02:02 PM

Joined: 03/22/2007
Posts: 180

Offshore6

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

In my opinion, if the weather is right and you have a big fish hanging, you are better off in the skiff. Now, I am a harness guy and my trip in the skiff on the Excel in January resulted in a 345 being in the boat. Out in the skiff, a mile away from other anglers, the line couldn't rub on the corner, no risk of tangles, a perfectly capable crewman all to myself. I could put as much pressure on the fish as I could have on the big boat. I had two hundred yards of line in the water so I knew better what the pressure was at the hook (as opposed to 700+ yards in the water, plus the drag of a backup rig with a float). My only worry (first time in the skiff) was what would happen when the fish got close. He had been WILD for three hours. When Mike hit him with the flying gaff, there wasn't a move. Tied him to the skiff and motored back. Some risk, I suppose, of a shark attack. If I was a rail-rod guy, the answer would likely be different. But I would do it again without hesitation.

Member of the Excel 300 pound club

02/04/2010 02:50 PM

Moderator
Long Range Fishing Reports and Discussion

Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 8684

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Offshore6 wrote:
In my opinion, if the weather is right and you have a big fish hanging, you are better off in the skiff. Now, I am a harness guy and my trip in the skiff on the Excel in January resulted in a 345 being in the boat. Out in the skiff, a mile away from other anglers, the line couldn't rub on the corner, no risk of tangles, a perfectly capable crewman all to myself. I could put as much pressure on the fish as I could have on the big boat. I had two hundred yards of line in the water so I knew better what the pressure was at the hook (as opposed to 700+ yards in the water, plus the drag of a backup rig with a float). My only worry (first time in the skiff) was what would happen when the fish got close. He had been WILD for three hours. When Mike hit him with the flying gaff, there wasn't a move. Tied him to the skiff and motored back. Some risk, I suppose, of a shark attack. If I was a rail-rod guy, the answer would likely be different. But I would do it again without hesitation.

But, and a big but at that. I have seen where we have a heavy hanging, so let's get him in the skiff.
Only to find the fish stays with the big boat, and twice an angler on the big boat hooked up, and burned off the heavy because now you cannot pass the rod around the other rod.
It is not always a great solution.

Prostaff for: Accurate, Seeker, Seaguar, Catchy Tackle, Five Star Fish Processing, Intrepid

02/04/2010 03:10 PM

Joined: 04/10/2007
Posts: 3196
Location: Walnut, CA 91789

themacs

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Excellent point David! If the skiff stays in close proximity to the big boat there are all sorts of issues. Usually you do go away, but a turning fish, back to the boat could create a problem for all.

Many potential issues but "usually" the angler gets (and stays) away from the big boat. I guess you call it on a fish by fish (and skipper) basis.

Scott

Affiliated with or pro staff for Accurate Fishing Products and Jerry Brown Line One Spectra

02/04/2010 03:39 PM

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Long Range Fishing Reports and Discussion

Joined: 12/31/1999
Posts: 8684

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

themacs wrote:
Excellent point David! If the skiff stays in close proximity to the big boat there are all sorts of issues. Usually you do go away, but a turning fish, back to the boat could create a problem for all.

Many potential issues but "usually" the angler gets (and stays) away from the big boat. I guess you call it on a fish by fish (and skipper) basis.

When we are talking big ones, strange things happen. I have seen twice where one boat's skiff came and their fish had wrapped our anchor, had to pass the rod around our anchor line.
And once where we all reeled in, and they went down the side and around the props and rudders (Linda Hicks that was)
Then it looked like the fish was going to spool the angler, only to have the fish come right back under the big boat.

And then I have a real scary skiff story that I experienced, but that's for another thread Toungue

Prostaff for: Accurate, Seeker, Seaguar, Catchy Tackle, Five Star Fish Processing, Intrepid

02/04/2010 04:57 PM

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Another instance where the skiff is handy is when a big fish dies well away from the boat. On the Excel last year, it took a guy an hour or so (can't remember if it was 2 hours), to crank a Super Cow off the bottom after it died. It was nice to have the skiff to go after the fish.

I remember reading that a big fish, maybe a Super Cow, died in a fight from a big boat. They had to tie off the line and after the bite shut down, pull anchor and go after the fish.

I'd imagine that's a bit nerve wracking if it's your fish just sitting at the end of the tied off line.

Chris

02/04/2010 05:17 PM

re: Which Boats Have Skiffs?

Another "disadvantage" of the skiff comes to mind.

I was on the Rooster at Clarion and we watched as the RP launched their skiff. A while later, we pulled anchor since the morning hit was over and we went trolling for Wahoo. I think we ended up going all the way around Clarion. When we got back and dropped anchor again, we saw that one of the boats had a skiff on the horizon and I figured we missed some opportunities while we were gone.

After I got home, I read more about what happend as it turned out to be the same guy.

If I recall correctly, a guy got bit using 60# line and was getting spooled so they launched him in the skiff, which is the part I saw. He ended being on the fish for something like 6 hours. The RP had to send another skiff out with food and water to the first skiff. He got the fish in the end.

The "disadvantage" in this case is that there is not much food and water in the skiff if you happened to be out there for a while. Maybe that's good as there's no head on the skiff either. There is the ocean.....

I remember that at the time, it was rare for someone to go out on the skiff with 60# line. The probability of landing the fish is low and it ties up the skiff in case it was needed for another big fish hooked on the right gear.

Chris

02/04/2010 07:32 PM