http://pswsfa.com/deepdropping.htmhttp://pswsfa.com/grouper_tip.htmhttp://pswsfa.com/wreckem_up.htmThe hardest part is simply finding them in a giant ocean out there. They are structure oriented fish and just because you are on structure, doesn't mean there are fish there, or at least the target fish you are looking for. Don't expect too many folks to just give you numbers as deep drop anglers hold their numbers very close. One thing I did was buy an electric reel. We use the electric when hunting in new spots to drop to see what's there. Most of the bottom fish do mark well on your FF but best to zoom in on the bottom to see them better. Once we know something is there, then we mostly use torium 30 with 65 or 80 lb braid. Use the smallest amount of weight to hold bottom and this can vary greatly depending on drift speed and current. Always best to bring a variety of bait from squid to any cut bait, fresh is better but frozen works too. The blueline tile and seabass dropping, a piece of squid on a double dropper hook works well. If grouper or golden tile hunting, significantly upsize the bait, hook and leader size.
Tilefish, at least blueline tilefish is like croaker fishing at 300 feet. They are along the 50 fathom curve on a rocky bottom north and south of the norfolk canyon. You can see them on your fishfinder and are often mixed with seabass. Double bottom rig with squid or meat, sharp 5.0 to 7.0 hook, 16-32 ounces of weight depending on drift speed. Braid will get down with less weight. A reel with a faster retrieve ratio like a torium is better for getting up faster. Couple of ways to hunt them.
1. While trolling, keep an eye on fishfinder and when you see good marks on the bottom, drop a waypoint and come back later and drop on it.
2. If you see other boats dropping do as the romans do.
3. Use radar to locate boats dropping.
Golden tiles are better eating, live in deeper water but I have not boated one yet so I cannot speak on the subject (yet). Groupers are out there too but I'm a virgin there too.
Electrics are not needed at 50 fathoms (my opinion). Besides, you cannot register a citation using an electric. Now fishing for goldens in 100 or better fathoms, an electric is nice. I don't own an electric but friends who have fished on my boat have them. They are nice to drop to see if there is anything there before the non-electrics drop.
Once you crank up a tile, drop you a waypoint and don't share the number. These fish do not migrate if you want there to be tiles there when you come back, keep the number to yourself. This is why folks don't like sharing their drop numbers. They are excellent eating and save the day when the troll bite is slow.
Good hunting.
Rember if you are drop and not searching out new numers you are going to fish out your spot and make it barren in no time. make your drifts longer each time to find new pockets of fish.