Deep Drop Baker's Dozen

Last week, the OTW TV Crew jumped aboard the Voyager with the Reel Seat's two-day tilefish charter. With light winds and slow-drift conditions, Captain Jeff Gutman was able to fish some very deep water, and the result was thirteen different species taken over the two days of fishing.

By Jimmy FeeAugust 15, 2016

Last week, the OTW TV Crew jumped aboard the Voyager with the Reel Seat‘s two-day tilefish charter. With light winds and slow-drift conditions, Captain Jeff Gutman was able to fish some very deep water, and the result was thirteen different species taken over two days of fishing.

Photos by Matt Doucette

The primary target of the trip was large golden tilefish. This fish was the runner-up in the golden tile pool.

When fishing shallower water, a good number of blueline tilefish came over the rail.

A good number of white hake came aboard during the trip over deep, soft bottom. — This has been a big year for white hake aboard the Voyager, according to Captain Jeff Gutman.

Double-headers of blackbelly rosefish were common during some of the day's drops. These small, colorful fish are excellent eating. — Greg Hueth lands a pair of blackbelly rosefish. Double-headers of rosefish were common during some of the day’s drops. These small, colorful fish are excellent eating.

While we were spared from spiny dogfish on this trip, there was a close relative, the chain catshark, caught. — While we were spared from spiny dogfish on this trip, there was a chain catshark taken.

The surprise catch of the trip made by Dave Arbeitman, right, was this broad alfonsino, a beautifully colored deepwater fish with an enormous eyeball. — The surprise catch of the trip made by Dave Arbeitman (right) was this broad alfonsino, a beautifully colored deepwater fish with an enormous eyeball.

This barrelfish tied for first place in the edible species pool. — This barrelfish caught by Dave Torrick tied for first place in the edible species pool.

wreckfish_voyager — While fishing over rough bottom, several wreckfish came over the rails.

A few small hakeling were also taken during the trip.

In addition to the species pictured above, anglers also caught squirrel hake, swallowtail bass, chub mackerel, and a yellowfin tuna. Look for this episode of On The Water TV to air in early 2017.

Jimmy Fee

Jimmy Fee is the Editor of On The Water and a lifelong surfcaster. He grew up fishing the bridges and beaches of Southern New Jersey before moving to Cape Cod in his early 20s. He's pursued striped bass from North Carolina to Massachusetts. He began with On The Water in 2008, and since then has covered a variety of Northeast fisheries from small pond panfish to bluewater billfish in the through writing, video, and podcasting.

4 responses to “Deep Drop Baker’s Dozen”

Frank J. Parker
I was on that trip, it was a blast.

August 15, 2016
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chris
WOW

August 15, 2016
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chris
How deep were the drops in general?

August 15, 2016
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corkycape
250 /300 fathoms depending

November 12, 2016
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