Dusky BlogCustom fishing boats since 1966

Noah spent quite a while as a guest of Joe Dimaggio Childrens Hospital. But last night he was a guest of “Fish to Make a Difference” and Bouncer’s Dusky 33. He and his brother caught several sea trout and snappers. The best catch was Noah’s 30 pound tarpon.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

Yesterday we picked up an afternoon trip. We caught plenty of herring and small runners at Bug Light. Then we kite fished in 150 to 190 feet of water. We caught a 15 lb mahi, 18 lb kingfish and a silky shark. We had several other good bites.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

Sunday fishing was very slow when we got out at 1 PM. After a couple hours nothing, we went trolling for groupers.

We caught 3 grouper trolling Xrap 30s in 20 feet of water. Unfortunately they were all 23.90 inches. Where was the fish stretcher?

To finish on a high note we fished shrimp off the beach for about an hour and caught 2 feisty tarpon and a spanish mackerel.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

It was a little rough today with a SE current into the wind. We fished a kite and a bottom rod working from bottom structure to bottom structure. At times we were able to fish a flatline as well.

We finished the day with 2 sailfish, 2 mahi, a nice black grouper, a kingfish and a bunch of silky sharks.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

We are lucky to have a terrific winter tarpon fishery off Miami Florida from November through June.

We are so spoiled that our catch tonight of 3 tarpon up to 100 pounds was a slow night for us.

Our tarpon trips are from 5 to 9 PM and offer a great way to end a day.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

Not all days can be great. We had super sailfish and mahi conditions yhr last couple of days, but slow results.

Tuesday we caught a few mahi to 16 pounds and a couple of bonito and sharks.

Then we went in the bay and caught 4 nice gray grouper.

Yesterday we caught a sailfish, 2 mahi and 6 small sharks. We fished 6 wrecks without a good bite.

The barometer is changing and I expect better action now.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding fiberglass boat construction revolve around the techniques used to secure the fishing boat deck to the boat liner and the corresponding attributes of the end product.  This article will shed some light on the types of fiberglass boat construction and give you some insight into often overlooked aspects of boat ownership.

How exactly is the boat deck secured to the boat liner?

1. In two piece fiberglass boat construction, the boat deck is secured to the boat liner with screws, rivets and/or adhesive.  This typically allows for potential issues in the future as the screws and rivets work loose.  Additionally, the negative impacts on the overall “ride” of the vessel are noticeable due to the jarring impact of having two separate pieces distributing the shock of the waves when running.
2. In three piece fiberglass boat construction, the boat deck is bonded to the boat liner by glassing the two pieces together.  This provides a stronger, more secure bond between the two pieces, disallowing for any shifting.  The overall effect is a more comfortable ride and stronger side walls.

Benefits of three piece construction:

• Increased deck space.
  In three piece construction, the liner is pushed directly against the hull.  This can equate to as much as 6-8” of additional boat deck space.Two piece construction has a different cap and mold design in which it is impossible to get the hull and boat liner flush together when building a fishing boat.
• Toe kick.
  Three piece construction allows a “toe kick” area in which your feet (and knees) can slip under the gunnel.  This allows for increased stability when fighting a fish or any other activity which requires you to lean against the sidewall, as well as less instances of stubbed toes.In two piece construction, there is either no toe kick or just enough room cut out for your toes which leaves your knees to take the abuse.
• Rod holders, rod holders, rod holders.
  Rod holders are an important part of any fishing boatand the differences in installation in two piece and three piece fishing boat construction are pretty big.  In three piece construction, rod holders can be installed virtually anywhere.  Since you can easily access underneath the gunnels, you can bolt down any rod holders installed after the boat leaves the factory, and it doesn’t involve hours of tedious work to do so.  Additionally, the rod holders are able to drain directly onto the boat deck.In two piece construction, you can only screw down rod holders from the top and you either have to run hoses for drainage or risk them draining directly into the hull.
• No coaming pads needed.
  Remember that toe kick we discussed earlier?  In two piece construction, many times coaming pads are used to give you that little bit of extra room.  This further decreases your available deck area and adds cost and extra maintenance.  In three piece construction they are solely an option and less of a necessity.
• Ease of installing under lighting and DC outlets under the gunnel
  This follows the same concept as the rod holders.  In three piece construction you’re able to easily install lighting or outlets (shore power, DC outlets for electric reels, etc.).  Additionally, the outlets won’t stick out and catch on legs as you’re rushing across the boat deck get to that screaming reel.In two piece construction, there’s nowhere to hide the lighting and outlets, making it unsightly and bruise worthy.

All things considered; three piece fiberglass boat construction clearly has the advantage over two piece construction.  While the overall cost of the three piece constructed boat may be slightly higher than that of a two piece boat, the long term benefits and conveniences will negate the additional investment.

For more information or to find the right boat for you, please visit www.dusky.com.

Buying a new or used fishing boat isn’t as painful as it’s made out to be, provided you know what to keep an eye out for.

First, determine what type of boat is right for you. Choices can include: aluminum boats, bay boats, cuddy cabins, center console boats and inshore fishing boats to name a few. Each one is capable of providing you with hours of fun and enjoyment. After all, there is nothing like spending time on the water, fishing, skiing or just cruising around, to bring a family together. One of the most common mistakes people make when buying a boat is to buy the wrong kind of boat for their needs. Make note of the primary use of the boat, average number of people on board and climate considerations. The best boat to buy is going to be the one that is suited to YOUR needs.

Next, thoroughly inspect the boat.  Make sure to do an in-water inspection as well as out-of-water. Be sure to include the following in your in-depth boat inspection: 

• Engine (outboard motor, diesel engine, etc.)
• Bilge pump area
• Electronics
• Steering and throttle controls
• Batteries
• Boat fuel tank
• Floor and hull condition
• Upholstery (boat seats, cushions, cuddy cabin area, etc.)
• Rigging (hardware)
• Propeller and shaft

If you are purchasing a used boat, be sure to also check the maintenance history, storage history, hours logged and ensure everything is in working order.  This includes lights, batteries, hatches, horns, etc.

An independent marine surveyor can be a valuable asset when purchasing a used boat.  The National Association of Marine Surveyors and the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors both offer licensed professionals to help you evaluate the condition of the vessel and make an educated decision.

Boat shows offer a great opportunity to get specials, rebates and other incentives when purchasing a new boat. They serve as a terrific resource to compare models and brands as well as affording you the chance to speak directly to the boat dealers and manufacturers. Another ideal time to consider is winter and spring. Most boat dealers and manufacturers are clearing out the previous year’s inventory to make room for the new year’s models.

Now that you know what model of boat you’re looking for and how to inspect it, it’s time to start narrowing down the search. You’ll no doubt realize that there are a variety of outlets available to you that have boats for sale;  including auctions, third party (internet, newspaper, etc), dealer networks and factory direct.

My preferred course is factory direct for a number of reasons:

1. Factory Direct: This means you get to deal directly with the manufacturer. No middle-man and no dealer to contend with. Eliminating the boat dealer also means a HUGE savings for you. Without all those hidden charges to worry about, it’s entirely possible to get into a new boat for the same price that a dealer is asking for a used boat.
2. Customization: Rather than accepting whatever boat the dealer happens to have in inventory (or paying delivery fees for them to order a model with the specific features you require), a factory direct, custom sport fishing boat manufacturer will typically build to order. This gives you the opportunity to work with them to design your dream boat exactly the way you want it. Some manufacturers will even allow you to see your boat going through the boat construction process.
3. Warranty: If you have any warranty issues that need to be addressed the dealer will have to research the issue then consult with the manufacturer to get an approval to perform the work. This leaves you out of a boat until they get all their paperwork together. If you’re buying from the manufacturer, this step is eliminated and turn-around time will be much quicker.
4. Experience: Most factory direct, custom sport fishing boat manufacturers have seen just about every feature available on the market. Some of these will work and some of them will cause more issues than they are worth. Their experience can help guide you along the purchase process and prevent you from making a mistake that could cost you down the road.
5. Relationship: Building a trusting relationship with the manufacturer is much easier than someone you found listing a for sale ad in the newspaper. They’ll be able to provide you knowledgeable and accurate answers to any questions you may have. Additionally, their follow-up is above and beyond that of any third-party individual.

For more information or to find the right boat for you, please visit www.dusky.com.

Today we caught a sailfish, 5 mahi, 2 bonito and a dozen sharks. With 3 knot north current and 15 to 20 knot NE winds we expected more sailfish.

Tonight USA Olympic wrestler Steve joined Dan and John to catch 4 tarpon along South Beach.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/

Today we kite fished off Government Cut. The water was clean green. We raised 3 sailfish in 260 feet of water and 1 in 120 feet. The 2 we caught were on the deep line.

We caught 2 kingfish about 20 pounds each in 140 feet of water.

We also caught 1 mahi, 2 barracuda and 12 silky sharks.

Tonight we fished live shrimp. The night started slow, but got better as the trip went along. We ended catching 4 out of 5 tarpon and a big ribbon fish.

To book a charter with Capt. Bouncer of Bouncer’s Dusky 33, please visit http://www.captbouncer.com/