Suggestion: split your attack fleet in two, with one smaller and faster than the other. One goes in on the LEFT side of the phaselane and then moves off to draw away the attacking forces. The other then goes in to the RIGHT side of the phaselane, and then penetrates to the other end of the gravwell and jumps beyond the chokepoint while the first scrams. You might lose the other fleet but you'll be able to dislodge the choke point at least.

-- Retro

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to try a blockade run first. I set the game on a relatively big map but small fleets. All this did of course was set the supply level on ships larger, the AI still rolls in gigantic fleets. I might toy with a scout or two and see what I can manage though. It was wrong to put small fleets in a big setting but heck...I like the challenge!

Well if you can establish a base in the planet before the planet you want to strike heres a plan.

1) Have all the tactical slots of the planet be repair stations having their effect area overlap to speed up repair rates. And have many ship factories as logistical slots

2) 2 or 3 (3 recommended big to middle sized fleets.
Big:
3-4 Caps
20 skurmishers
15 - 20 Assailants
20 Enforcers

Medium:
2 Caps
15 skurmishers
10 - 15 Assailants
10 - 15 Enforcers

(so three of them)

3)Phase one fleet into the the combat zone.

4)If there are any inhibitors take them out first no matter the cost. If you don't it will leave your fleet destroyed in thte next parts.

5)As soons as one of the captial ships shields have been destroyed or more than 20 frigates or cruisers have been destroyed order every remain ship of that fleet to phase back to the planet with the repair stations. The Assailants can cover your escape. (If you didn't take out the inhibitor your screwed for your escape)

6) Just as quickly phase in your second fleet. To replace the ones that jumped.

7) Move your previous fleet into the repair stations have them repaired. Any missing ships rebuild them.

8) When the fleet that is in battle has a cap ship with shield down or 20 ships gone, repeat the cycle.

9) It works best with 3 fleets cause having 3 you have more time to rebuild and repair.

Works for me so far...it might be tedious and if you lack attention you might lose too many ships.

It was a random large size map. I ended up baiting them in after a culture bomb. Then I skipped the planet in question and jumped to one of the system "arms" and started taking a couple planets. This effectively split the teams from making a 2x large armada to come after me. I had to pretty much wait until I was at max fleet size to do it though It was a lot of waiting and building with no action.