esquired

Just read a great article in the New Jersey Angler Magazine about how the boat's hull and prop wash acts as an attraction for offshore fish holding in deeper water. The author explained how the fish are drawn to the boat initially because the fish down hundreds of feet view the commotion as a possible bait school. Makes sense to me.

The author showed how some captains paint fish or squid shapes on the bottom of the hull to increase this effect. I have also heard of using holographic decals or stickers to do the same thing.

1. Does anyone here do this?

2. What type of paint do you use?

3. How about holographic decals or stickers?

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RI Popper

I've never heard of it. What do you do when you feel that THUMP on the bottom of the boat?

Armand

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Bryan A.

There is a guy in our yard that does it on a 45 Hatteras. I never spoke to him but he does it free hand and I believe he just uses a different color bottom paint (white). I have seen stencils but that seems like a pain. I have also heard of captains chroming their props or one blade to set off more commotion. I have no experiece with either but any little bit can help, can't hurt I guess.

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2003 Parker 2530 "El Mar".......click the pic
1973 Seacraft 20SF

Devils Fiddle

Birdsall Marine makes a mullet looking reflective sticker. Might try them for fun 24 in a pack. Easier than the paint routine. My catch rate with these should go through the roof.

Tracker

Would make sense! Only thing that I see as a problem is when a large billfish deceideds to stir things up a bit with its bill in your artificial bait school! Could be interesting. If you did that you might want to have some real short lines for the poor frustrated fish to take his fustration out on!

H'Islander

I never tried to paint a hull with fish...I heard that King Arthur was once required to cut down a tree with a herring (Ni!)....

In all honesty it sounds like overkill. It would take some pretty comprehensive field studies to convince me that gamefish are further enticed by, or would even notice, the effort.

Good luck with it though!

Reel Draggin' Tackle

I have seen a few boats outa Ocean City with bait either painted or stickers attached to the hull, not sure which. I have never had the opportunity to discuss results with anyone though.

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esquired

Thanks for all the great thoughts - I am still undecided as to whether I will try this or not. When I read the article it seemed like something new to try, now I am thinking it probably does not matter and I certainly do not need to waste time doing added work to the boat.

I heard from a boat in my area that is painting his lower units with Mahi colors to try to see if that works like keeping one in the water. Will report later in the season with results

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old mud

LOL. do MAKO's like Mahi's ????

Don

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Bryan A.

That could make for an interesting trip.

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2003 Parker 2530 "El Mar".......click the pic
1973 Seacraft 20SF