Offshore fishing on your Quintrex
Territory Legend or Cruise Craft boat, delivers some of the most thrilling angling experiences
available, but success requires specialised equipment built to handle powerful
fish, deep water, and challenging marine conditions. Whether you're targeting
tuna, marlin, kingfish, or bottom species on distant reefs, having the right
fishing gear makes the difference between landing trophy fish and watching them
break off. Here's what you need in your offshore arsenal.
Rods and Reels: The Foundation
Offshore rods must handle extreme loads while providing
sensitivity to detect bites in deep water. Invest in quality conventional reels
(overhead reels) in various sizes: smaller 15-30 pound class outfits for
smaller tuna and kingfish, and heavier 50-80 pound tackle for serious game
fish. Spinning reels work for certain applications like casting lures or live
baiting, but conventional reels dominate offshore fishing for their power and
line capacity.
Match rods to your reels appropriately. Lightweight graphite
rods provide sensitivity for detecting bites, while heavier fibreglass or
composite blanks handle the punishment of repeated battles with powerful fish.
Most offshore anglers carry 3-5 rod and reel combinations covering different
techniques and target species.
Terminal Tackle and Rigging
Quality hooks, swivels, and leaders separate successful
offshore anglers from frustrated beginners. Use chemically sharpened circle
hooks for live bait applications, they reduce gut-hooking and improve hook-up
ratios. Sizes range from 6/0 for smaller baits to 10/0+ for large live baits
targeting trophy fish.
Fluorocarbon leaders (30-100-pound test) provide abrasion
resistance and near-invisibility in clear offshore waters. Wire leaders become
necessary when targeting toothy species like mackerel, wahoo, or shark. Stock
various sinker weights such as ball sinkers, bean sinkers, and snapper leads for
different depths and current conditions.
Pre-tied rigs save time on the water. Paternoster rigs,
flasher rigs, and sabiki bait-catching rigs should be ready in your tackle box
before leaving the dock.
Live Bait Systems
Offshore success often depends on quality live bait. A
properly functioning live bait tank with adequate aeration keeps pilchards,
slimy mackerel, or yellowtail alive and frisky throughout long runs to fishing
grounds. Invest in quality aerators, and consider insulated tanks that maintain
stable water temperatures in varying conditions.
Bait nets, cast nets, and sabiki rigs help you catch and
transfer bait efficiently. Long-handled dip nets allow you to select and deploy
live baits without exhausting them through excessive handling.
Lures for Every Situation
While live bait excels offshore, lures provide versatility
and can outfish bait in certain conditions. Stock skirted trolling lures in
various sizes and colours for targeting tuna, marlin, and dolphinfish.
Deep-diving bibbed minnows reach depths where predators lurk, while surface
poppers and stickbaits create explosive topwater action.
Vertical jigs like knife jigs, slow-pitch jigs, and
mechanical jigging lures effectively target bottom species and pelagics holding
deep. Their compact design allows you to cover the water column efficiently
while triggering aggressive strikes.
Safety and Navigation Equipment
Offshore fishing means venturing miles from shore where
conditions change rapidly. Quality fishfinders and GPS plotters help you locate
structure, mark productive spots, and navigate safely. VHF radios provide
essential communication for emergencies and weather updates.
Safety gear isn't optional offshore. There should be life
jackets for every passenger, flares, an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating
Radio Beacon), a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher on your boat. They could
save lives when things go wrong far from assistance.
Storage and Organisation
Tackle boxes, rod holders, and gaff hooks keep gear organised
and accessible. A quality landing gaff helps boat large fish, while release
gaffs allow catch-and-release without excessive fish handling. Insulated fish
boxes or kill bags preserve your catch in prime condition during long days
under the sun.
The Investment Pays Off
Quality offshore fishing gear represents a significant
investment, but durability matters when fish, salt, and sun test equipment
relentlessly. Build your offshore arsenal gradually; buy buying quality products
in Bargain Boat Bits and Tackle World marine shops and prioritising
quality over quantity, and you'll enjoy countless successful trips targeting
the ocean's most prized species.