Late Report - Monday 3/23 Southport

[PurpleGold]

Headed off in slick calm seas last Monday with Tuna on the brain. Down here in the Cape Fear area, we get a very brief shot at the tuna in March and early April. Hit the numbers around 7:30 and put the trolling spread out. First pass over the spot no nibbles but the bottom machine was lit up like a christmas tree. Bait and bigger fish marking all the way from the bottom(290') to about 80' or so. Made a half dozen passes over the bait and finally pulled a football yellowfin off the school on the shotgun, things are looking better. Half dozen more passes and covered up in falsies twice so we made the switch..

Back over the numbers, first drop, 20lb blackfin in the boat. Caught on 6oz Pink/Silver generic jig(i'm a cheap ass when it comes to buying jigs). Couple more drifts we were trying to stay above the AJ's to pick up more tuna but again were being bombarded by the albies. Finally decided to go after some big AJ's, commercial permits means AJ's are gas in the fuel tank. They were a given on every drop past 180'. Smallest we caught was probably in the 50lb range, largest probably pushing 90lbs. Put a limit of AJ's in the box and started working on the tuna again. Put a few more blackfins in the boat as they were busting the water around us all day, along with the albies. Attempted for Groupers but couldn't keep the AJ's off the jigs long enough for a shot at one.

All in all an awesome day jigging, it was a rare occasion to get a jig back to the boat without a hookup. Beautiful flat seas, warm temps, and some much needed pullage to get over the wintertime blues. Came in with overflowing fish boxes and a good haul to unload at Tatum's, gas is now paid for, for at least a couple trips.

[SeaBiscuit]

Pretty work there Mr Pirate! I hope you kept a blackfin or two to eat.
Nice report and pictures.
SeaBiscuit

[Surfacegrinder]

Great catch and thanks for the report. Good to see some reports coming from that side of the shoal.

[captdavdavis01]

Way to get and catch them up.

That last AJ is a PIG. Nuthing wrong with takeing a few to market, regular folks gotta eat too.


Danny

[shoefish]

Great conditions and great fish- looks like a hell of a day out there! Thanks for bringing it to us!

[Custom Canvas]

Great report!! WHAT KIND OF PARKER DO YOU HAVE?

I HAVE THE 25SE AND I LOVE IT

CC OUT

[Anders]

great job guys, nice variety in the box there, can't compare aj to blackfin though

[PurpleGold]

Great report!! WHAT KIND OF PARKER DO YOU HAVE?

I HAVE THE 25SE AND I LOVE IT

CC OUT

The Parker is not mine, it's my buddies. It is a 2820XL, it's a great boat, tons of room in the pit.

[CoolChange]

Great report! I'm Jonesn to get in some water that looks like that.

[Shady Lady]

Nice blackfin and what a hog of a AJ! I fish out of Southport too. Pretty ocean like that sure is a bonus......Thanks for the report!