A View Offshore – September/October 2026

BACKUP PLANS & PIVOTS

By Jim Hutchinson Sr.

After more than 75 years of fishing, I am often asked the secret to catching fish. There are numerous factors going into catching fish, but I have learned the most important one is flexibility.

I am not talking about physical flexibility. Although that comes into play when more than one of us have hard fighting tuna on the end of our lines at the same time.

When I decided to talk about preparation for what might come your way while fishing, several traits came to mind. I thought about reaction, changeability, adaptiveness, backup plans, thinking on your feet; but my word for the day is flexibility.

I intend to talk about the ability to be flexible in your fishing on any given day. A successful captain and his anglers can increase their catch by adapting to unexpected situations.

We all leave the dock with a plan for the day in our minds. There are times, however, when our prearranged plans run into a brick wall. For one reason or another, the day will turn into a bust if we follow our original path. That is why you should have several ideas in mind as you pull out of the slip.

Maybe unexpected anglers showed up for your trip, or there were no-shows. Maybe you get ready to fish only to discover your bait is still back at the marina.

There should always be backup plans in mind before leaving the dock. There are so many factors involved in heading into the ocean in a boat that it is foolhardy not to be prepared for the unexpected.

Probably the worst situation requiring action is nearing one of your favorite fishing spots and finding other boats have arrived there ahead of you. Have you planned alternate choices nearby where you can fish for the day?

Weather is always a factor. A savvy captain begins checking marine weather forecasts several days prior to a trip, keeping in mind that weather forecasts can change from day to day, even hour to hour.

Weather can affect us in diverse ways on the water. There are times when high winds and rough seas make heading miles offshore a risky maneuver. This type of situation is a no-go with a move toward safer fishing conditions the only choice.

It is important to know the experience and tolerance of the anglers aboard for a day’s fishing. How will they function fishing in unpleasant weather conditions? Will they be able to fish successfully in a rocking boat, or even worse, will they be lying down in the cabin with a severe case of “mal de mer?”

Maybe turning that offshore adventure into an inshore bottom fishing trip might be the best move of the day. A prepared captain will have the necessary fishing equipment and bait on hand for just such an unexpected situation.

I was recently communicating with Capt. Dave Wittenborn of the Benita J, which fishes out of Beach Haven, New Jersey. A day after hearing positive tuna fishing reports from the canyons, Capt. Dave headed east expecting a banner day for his group of anglers. Unfortunately, it does not always work that way.

When the Benita J reached the tuna grounds they encountered a massive fleet of boats. There were no visual signs of life around, with few birds and not much bait in the area, and shaky water quality. They worked on the edge of the fleet and briefly hooked a marlin. One tuna bite resulted in a nice 60- to 70-pound class yellowfin.

Knowing his anglers wanted more action than this, along with fish fillets to take home, Capt. Dave made the decision to switch to tilefishing. This decision paid off. The anglers landed more than 20 golden tiles in one drift, saving what was a slow day, and everyone went home with a pile of fish filets.

While talking to Dave about flexibility, he mentioned he has changed his reservation procedure for offshore October tuna chunking trips. He now gives his clients a three-day window for their trip so they can fish on the day with the best weather. Date flexibility helps deal with the unpredictable fall weather.

Another problem that can ruin a day of fishing is electronic failure. If all your fishing targets are on that little machine, you must be prepared if it goes on the blink. Having a backup portable unit can save the day.

While fishing for summer flounder many moons ago. I kept my live baits in a plastic bucket with holes. While fishing, I tied the bucket over the side to keep the minnows fresh.

One day fishing several miles offshore, we finished a drift and moved to start another. Like a dummy, I forget to lift the bucket back into the boat. As we sped across the water, the bucket slammed against the boat, shattering the bucket and setting our bait loose.

Back in those days I carried an old jar of pork rind baits on the boat, and they became the bait of choice. Having that backup resulted in fluke fillets for dinner.

So, if you want to enhance your chances for successful fishing, be ready for the unexpected and be flexible.

If you would like to ask me a question or just tell me what a dope I am, please feel free to drop me a line at jamesghutch1@aol.com