Can someone tell if the fishing is good this time of the year off shore of Va. Beach and how far will I need to go to get into some good tuna and Mahi Mahi action? I have a Shamrock 246 with 110 gal tank will this get me to the good fishing grounds?

pony3385

My advice for you would be to target the Hot Dog.
I think its about 32 miles from Rudee, but other guys on the site here might have more exact mileage data. There will be no mahi or yellowfin tuna at this loction at this time of year, however it is time for bluefin tuna action and this is a very good spot. You will also catch bonita, perhaps some king mackeral and you can count on hordes of chopper blues for sure.
On the mileage/fuel question I would suggest the following. Top the boat's fuel tanks as full as you can possibly get them, set you GPS distance meters to "0", depart from the port from which you intend to fish offshore, and run to the Hot Dog, fish all day and run back. Top of the fuel tanks again as soon as you get home, measure the fuel burn and record you mileage. Running this fuel/mileage curve in the ocean conditions will give a decent idea of you boat's fuel burn and mileage capability. Usng this actual data and allowing for a safe reserve, you can easily figure out what offshore location you can comfortably reach. Doing the fuel usage curve is a pain in the butt, but it will bolster your confidence a lot when you are 60 miles offshore and wondering "what have I got left?"
It is a terrible feeling worrying about the fuel all day whren you are out there. Detracts from the fun alot.

Pony,

What kind of power do you have pushing your shamrock?

--Brett

Breet, I have a volvo 5.7

gradyman is right ... you need to get a handle on your fuel burn in ocean conditions. my bet is with a volvo 5.7 you will burn from 12 to 15 gallons per hour depending on your speed. 3000 rpm will be closer to the 12 range 3800 closer to 15 ... open the 4 barrel ... listen for the sucking sound!

Gradyman is wise, he makes much sense. I had a Shamrock 26 Stalker that carried 100 gallons of fuel, and I fished the Cigar and points east with it. That was with a repower Sea Maxx 5.7 liter HO with fuel injection, and I followed a very simular procedure to Gradyman when I was testing it's range. Started out wreck fishing for a couple weeks as I charted where I could go and how much fuel I burned. I never took it to the canyon though, because that would have required 20 or 30 additional gallons and I didn't want to risk a serious proble. Good luck with yours.

I had a 246 with the 5.7 efi and did fish the cigar and more. I always came home with plenty of gas left. I would still check your fuel burn but you should be ok. Tuna should be getting to the fingers soon. Fingers are @ 40 miles from Rudee.

should be plenty of gas to fish the fingers and beyond, i fished my 24 alby plenty of times with the same motor at the canyon with 120 gal, no problem

Strictly a personal opinion - you need a decent fuel flow meter if you're going out to the deep blue.

Besides giving you accurate, real-time numbers (flow, remaining fuel, gallons burned, etc..), it lets you know when something is not right - for example, I usually burn 20-25 gallons on a normal all day bay/inshore trip. One day I burned 32 on a fairly short trip. Inspection found a blown exhaust bellows.

http://members.cox.net/eva_k1/EVA%20K%20RP...uel%20Table.xls

R

Totally agree with a flow meter for going offshore unless your tank is so huge it's never an issue. The problem is different sea states gives different fuel burn rates. I remember one long range trip where I head 4-5 foot head all the way out. It was suppose to lay down. Not only did it never lay down, the wind changed directions and I had a head sea all the way home. Normally you can count on a following sea in at least one direction. Fuel rate on trips like that go way down. My yamaha guages are spot on calculating MPG, GPH, and total fuel burned. It also helps find that sweet spot to get the absolute best MPG playing with speed, tab, and trim.

[/quote]

I remember one long range trip where I head 4-5 foot head all the way out. It was suppose to lay down. Not only did it never lay down, the wind changed directions and I had a head sea all the way home.

[/quote]


HA!!!! Lemme take a wild guess - December 10th, 2006 east of the Cigar????

R

[quote=Eva K,Jun 8 2007, 02:25 PM]

[/quote]

I remember one long range trip where I head 4-5 foot head all the way out. It was suppose to lay down. Not only did it never lay down, the wind changed directions and I had a head sea all the way home.

[/quote]


HA!!!! Lemme take a wild guess - December 10th, 2006 east of the Cigar????

R

[/quote]

10 Dec was bumpy both ways too but I was talking about this one.

http://sea-duction.net/sea-duction/24_mar_07.htm

i really agree with the fuel flow meter. i have a navman 2100 on my boat, and it is cheap insurance. i cost just over a hundred bucks and it is pretty dag gone accurate.

using my navman i found my most economical cruise 25 knots at 10.5 gph burn, and play with my tabs and tilt to make sure i stay in the zone.

besides ... it makes it easy to split expenses on trips where i do not fill up when i hit the dock!

bo


bo

Ditto what Woody said, there is nothing like the peace of mind that you will get when there is plenty of gas left and no land in site. These things are amazingly accurate. Just like an auto pilot , get one and you will never be without one.

Not to Hijack the thread, but where the &^^% have you been Carroll?

It's time to hook up for some Tunah!