I've been a bass fisherman through and thorough since 2011. Tried the deep sea thing about 3 years ago here in NC. Trip was 3 hours on the boat to get to the spot. 2 hours to fish. And 3 hours to get back with the boat. Me and the three guys I went with got sea sick (all but one actually). So Father's Day weekend this year June 20th we are trying the in shore fishing trip in NC. Guide said it is on a 24 foot boat. Will be me and three friends and the guide. The guide said there will be plenty of room. He said he uses spinning gear and baits just like bass fishing baits. He doesn't have any bait casters but we can bring our own. He said this is the case because not everyone can use them efficiently. He said there are mackerels, shark, blues, and other cool species. He sai sea sickness is almost not possible as it is very calm. He said at any point during the 50 mile trip we are 5-10 minutes from a marina. As opposed to the 6 hours of travel and only about 2 hours of fishing with the deep sea, he said we will be at the spot to start in about 10 minutes and have 8 hours of true fishing. Basically 6:30a-2:30p fishing.

So my question is this. Is it possible to get skunked out there? Also how many fish can we expect to catch?

Shackleford Banks is one of the spots we are hitting. He said we will use poppers, plugs, jigs, and live bait and other lures too.

On the deep sea trip the people on the boat caught about 20-30 fish each in about a 2 hour fishing time. We will be out fishing for 8 hours.

I just want to make sure we are catching a bunch. The possibility is always there to get skunked but hopefully a whole lot less of a chance in our cicrumstance. :-)

Skunked is always looming,But I doubt that trouble if you have decent wx.Don`t try to be inventive with your own ideas. Do what the mate/capt  tell ya because e they want  you to catch fish.

The comment about spinning  vs level winds is a bit different. Usually it the other way round. Best of luck and don`t get sick.

C22

I've never been with a saltwater guide that furnished anything but spinning gear, deep sea uses conventional reels without a level wind.  I would use the guide's gear.

Well, the guide does this for his job and if I want the total experience with as much fish as possible, I may bring my spinning gear. I'm comfortable with it. I'll bring the BC too in case I feel froggy. Regardless I'll stick to what he says the day of. :-)

Do I still set the hook on ocean fish? The species he listed include albacore, blues, bluefin tuna, bonita, cudas, grouper, jacks, kings, sharks, spanish, stripers and tarpon.

Do I still set the hook on ocean fish? The species he listed include albacore, blues, bluefin tuna, bonita, cudas, grouper, jacks, kings, sharks, spanish, stripers and tarpon.

I've caught every fish on this list hundreds of times, with the exception of spanish mackerel and smaller stripers a bass combo isn't going to hack it.  I'm sure you're catching 10 &12# bass all the time, please believe me a tarpon, jacks, tuna and kings are not quite the same.  Unless you are targeting only smaller fish, you'd be taking a knife to a gun fight.

If you find a place there's never danger of being skunked let me know so I can move there forever.

Do I still set the hook on ocean fish? The species he listed include albacore, blues, bluefin tuna, bonita, cudas, grouper, jacks, kings, sharks, spanish, stripers and tarpon.

The guide will tell you how you want to fish every single type of fish.  He is typically going to know what you are targeting in the area you are on so he can base your presentation on that.  All of those fish take different methods of fishing and what you target will depend on whats hot, what the tide is doing, what the weather is doing, etc.  Just like you would change the areas you target bass.

 

Don't stress about it and enjoy the trip.  

Yah man, you are going with a professional guide. Relax, stop overthinking it and let him do his job. He will put you on the fish. Side note: leave your gear at home, he is a professional and has the tools of his trade. Don't be the guy that bring the knife to a gunfight as stated above.

The guide will tell you how you want to fish every single type of fish. He is typically going to know what you are targeting in the area you are on so he can base your presentation on that. All of those fish take different methods of fishing and what you target will depend on whats hot, what the tide is doing, what the weather is doing, etc. Just like you would change the areas you target bass.

Don't stress about it and enjoy the trip.

Thanks Kirby!! Makes sense. :-)

Yah man, you are going with a professional guide. Relax, stop overthinking it and let him do his job. He will put you on the fish. Side note: leave your gear at home, he is a professional and has the tools of his trade. Don't be the guy that bring the knife to a gunfight as stated above.

Well, I will still have to bring my lucky pliers lol.

Well, I will still have to bring my lucky pliers lol.

Lol, pliers and sunglasses are it!!!