Monster ledge 8-3

[damian]

Fished the area all day for shark. Had two small smalltooth sharks near a wreck in the area. Water quality was intermittent and at times very clear. 77 degrees. Flew the kite today and had an unfortunate angler trolled right into it. He did the right thing by going upwind of the slick but never saw the kite and was way too close. He couldn't of aimed any better and snagged my bait hanging from the kite with his outrigger. Way too close.. No harm done, other then getting my blood pressure to rise. Not to mention it could have been much worse.

Tons of horse eye jacks at the pots but no Mahi. And I do mean tons, they were everywhere. Anyone ever try using horse eye's as tuna bait? Turtles and sunfish too.

Also had a dragger come in tight to me and drop some floaters, then he blew his horn a couple of times. I didn't know what he was trying to tell us. Tried to raise him on the radio to no avail. Anyone have any info on what I could have done to communicate with him? It was like he was calling us to come in tight but I didn't know for sure, so we just stay on our drift. I wonder if he had tuna popping at the back.

[Peter Mancuso]

I think you did the right thing, sometimes you don't know what the draggers are thinking .
Better to be safe and no fish than sorry.

[sportfishingusa]

You can normally get any dragger up on the CG channel 16.. They always have a radio on it and once you get them ask them to head to say 11 or so.. or anywhere you feel you want to talk.. If he was blowing and dropping plastic balls i dont know what he was doing unless he was a net boat... but either way how did the kite work out other than te bone head hitting it?!? lol

[damian]

Thanks Sportsfishingusa. I will try that next time. What I meant by floaters was bycatch shoveled overboard. Had only one pop on the kite line which resulted in a run towards the boat and cutoff prior to triggering the release clip. Most likely a bluefish or shark. By the time I saw the strike, the line was already cut and the marker float was 50 feet closer to the boat. Not giving up though, I just need the proper fish in the area. (I hope).

[Sea Draggin]

My guess is they were signaling they had restricted maneveurabilty due to fishing operations and had the right away according to COLREGS.


Definition below:

(d) The terms 'vessel engaged in fishing' means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict manoeuvrability, but does not include fishing with trolling lines or other fishing apparatus which do not restrict manoeuvrability.

Vessels which are considering themselves engaged in fishing have to carry special day marks, which are not very conspicuous, and at night special lights which are more visible. In case of doubt better to consider that the observed vessel is fishing. The behaviour of these crafts (slow speed, erratic manoeuvres) is often a better indication that they are effectively impaired by fishing operations.

[Sea Draggin]

PS . I don't make the rules and won't argue the right or wrong of them, but if there had been an accident, he was effectively releasing himself from liability by signaling.

None of this ever makes a difference until something happens and you have to explain it in court. Then it matters.