r/offshorefishing • u/DeathLock4201Alt • 9d ago
First time offshore
I just bought a 1971 mako 19'. We're wanting to go offshore SC and see if we can go for tuna or mahi or honestly any other gamefish we can manage. Any tips or info at all would be appreciated, if you have any questions I'll try to my best to answer.
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u/bam2350 9d ago
While I support the notion that 19' is a little small for what you initially posted, and I think regrouping to target reef fish is a good idea, my planned immediate reply remains -- Get to know your boat. Be able to know what can go wrong with it and how to overcome that. Know the wiring runs. Know the engine. Know your fuel consumption. Know what it means when you can't make normal RPM. Know your filters and what happens when they clog and how to change them. Know your batteries and bilge pumps. know what it means when water is suddenly discharging through one of your through hulls. What are you going to do if one of the through hulls fails? Know how fast you can really run, particularly as conditions deteriorate -- you're not likely to be running from lightning and wind driven waves in flat conditions. Knowing your boat well will serve you well fishing over the reef or well offshore.
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u/JamesHardensNutBeard 9d ago
Get an EPIRB, VHF radio and a seatow membership. In the gulf we had a guy who sells a book of common fishing spot numbers called Rik’s Book. There’s probably something similiar where you are at to get you started.
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u/dalamar112 9d ago
We had a 19' for a few years in the Gulf. I agree with everybody, 30-50 would be a risk. But in the 5-10 mile range with working gear, especially radio, there is a lot of fun to be had if you wait for the runs. Spanish, with the occasional king mixed in is a blast to catch. I definitely recommend a pellet grill and making fish dip to distribute to your friends, family and neighbors.
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u/Tweedone 9d ago
I don't know your present at helm experience, but it's always good to partner with an experienced skipper/another boat even when fishing near shore. Very advisable with a new to you boat even if you are a solid mariner type. When you have souls aboard the responsibility is weighty, allways.
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 9d ago
A friend of mine with some experience will be operating the boat, but I'll certainly keep that in mind
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u/what-name-is-it 8d ago
You’ve already been given great advice, but more importantly, how big is the fuel tank and do you know your hourly fuel burn? I’d at least wait until you’ve had the boat a few months to get an idea of how long you can go between fill ups. Offshore is a 2.5 hour ride both ways and I would hate to run empty out there.
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 8d ago
I've got at least 12 gallons, planning to get more storage. Don't know fuel usage yet, based off Google I can expect 6-10 mpg. Given the advice here and my own research I decided to stick to a artificial reef only 2.5 miles out. Now I have to figure out how to fish out there lol
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u/what-name-is-it 8d ago
Let me know if you end up getting out there. I assume you’re talking about Charleston Nearshore or Capers? I haven’t been out there yet on my boat but I’ve been meaning to.
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 7d ago
Yeah the goal now is Charleston near shore, was planning for this weekend but the weather seems iffy so it's not set in stone
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u/what-name-is-it 7d ago
I’m sure you’ve got it figured out but so don’t want to keep harping on it but that 12 gallon tank would make me a little nervous. Definitely have at least a 5 gallon can handy, if not two of them.
Boat fuel usage is typically calculated at gallons per hour. For example, with a 200 Yamaha, I burn about 7.5 gallons an hour cruising at just under 4,000 rpm’s which is around 29-30mph on my boat. Every boat and engine is different. I also wouldn’t rely on gauges on an old boat to be accurate. Spend a month or two learning your boat before going where you can’t see land. Charleston waters can be unforgiving.
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 7d ago
I found a 12 gal, and 5 gal being sold with an anchor, I'm buying that tommorow so I should be much better off
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u/smitty50000 7d ago
Tell us about the motor?
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 7d ago
I'm honestly not very educated on motors, but it's a 90 mercury. It runs good as far as we know
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u/smitty50000 7d ago
What year? I wouldn't go offshore with a older moter i didn't know about. Stay in the creeks and rivers until you get comfortable and knowledgeable.
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u/DeathLock4201Alt 7d ago
I honestly don't remember, I'll have to check next time I go out. We're gonna wait to take it out until at least this weekend while we get all the safety equipment and such we need, and verify that everything works as intended. Currently working on the trailer as the wiring was corroded
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u/LSBRSLMO 7d ago
Good luck! Lucky we have some close reefs. All good advice here. Don’t leave anything to chance. Mother Nature will teach you a lesson really quick.
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u/NoLab183 6d ago
If you have to ask.. you should probably worry more about developing your skills and learning your equipment.
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u/sailphish 9d ago
Honestly, that’s a really small boat to go offshore. Pelagics in SC probably average 50 miles offshore or more. Maybe they come a bit closer in certain places during certain times of year, but you are still looking at decently far runs into the Atlantic. I fish offshore pretty often in a much bigger boat. I have absolutely had days with great weather forecasts that turned bad. I really don’t recommend doing it in a 19’ boat. If you do go, make sure you have ALL the safety gear - type 1 life jackets, liferaft, EPIRB, vhf, handheld vhf as backup, maybe a satellite messenger… etc. File a detailed float plan with a responsible party, and make sure they have instructions on what to do and who to call if you don’t arrive back by a set time. Watch the weather closely, learn to read the weather on your own, only go on the absolutely most perfect forecast, and if you see the weather building when fishing you need to run home ASAP.