6/29 A Giant......

[Riptide Charters]

.......WASTE OF TIME! I've been off the water for the better part of the last 10 days. I did get out a couple times for family trips and a short run with a seasick puppy (whole other story) But long and short of it is not much has been happening on the Riptide. So yesterday while eating grill lobsters (Thanks Ruge) I somehow got convinced that going out targeting giants would be a blast. I'm not sure how it happened, I know better, I know the odds are low and having done it before in a more condusive location, I've not really been inclined to chase them around here.

But after a few cocktails and a pile of tail meat the plan was set and the boat was being rigged for BIG'UN's. The small stuff was staying home, for this trip it was 70's a d harpoons. At 0300 we splashed in Sandwich and ran to the bait source to load the livewells with liveys for the day. Making bait went well and soon we were on site in the fog with 3 lines out all buzzing nicely to the tail beat of the bait.

It took about 2 hours before I was bored out of my skull. Maybe it was the zero vis, maybe it was being neck deep inthe radar all morning, or maybe it was the deathly slow pace of it all, but this is SOOOOO not for me. I stayed the course until around 11 when even the crew was getting tired of watching nothing happen. We did manage 2 very nice bass on the livebaits. One around 25# and one 32#er. As nice as they were, they barely put a bend in the rods and the 70VS proved to be a bit much for the bass.

Finally we pulled the pin and decided to look for some smaller tuna. We had 2 spinning setups on the boat and it didnt take long to find TONS of breezing tuna just under the surface. FOr the next 6 hours we set up on these fish and threw the tackle box at them. As is generally the case, the only thing they would even boil at was the big popper. We hada few half arsed swipes, but no takers. I did toss a livey into the mix and that grabbed allot of attention, but the bait was the last in line and after one cast he was allot less lively than he needed to be. He still drew half the school right to the boat, but nobody would comit to eating.

After what seemed like an eternity on the water we pulled the pin and not a moment too soon. The thunder roared and the lightning crashed as we dropped the riggers and antenna and screamed into Sandwich with seconds to spare. Final tally for the day, 2 nice bass as bycatch, a few bluefish cutoffs and a refresher in why I don't fish for giants around here. We covered a bunch of ground most of it was dead. We did mark some nice fish, found some solid bait and then located a ton of SBFT. THe water ranged from 80-500' over the course of the day. Most of the action was in the 120-180' range.

Overall it was a giant waste of a day and a tank of fuel. If I had it to do again, I would have passed on the giant wishin and taken the liveys to the school fish while they were still alive and feisty. I think the report would have read differently if we'd have gone that route. Hind sight is always 20/20. FWIW we did get some great video of the fish just no video of anyone catching one.
__________________

[Charlie Wade]

Sometimes, you just have to get it out of your system!

[fin-chaser]

Are you sure no one brought Bananas on board ??? Are you eating them at home ? There could be a carry over factor going on here.

Was Ruge on board ? He was there the last time there was a skunking going on if I remember correctly (sorry Shaun just had to say it).

I was not there this time, can't blame me for this one.

[Boonebird]

Now suposing you hooked up a grander giant and had your boat towed all over the bay for 6 hrs going on a natucket sleigh ride. You cant win if you dont play. I know skunks hurt with the cost of fuel adds salt to the wound. Its fishing.

[Riptide Charters]

Now suposing you hooked up a grander giant and had your boat towed all over the bay for 6 hrs going on a natucket sleigh ride. You cant win if you dont play. I know skunks hurt with the cost of fuel adds salt to the wound. Its fishing.

Very Very True!!!


....and YES Ruge WAS on the boat

[dunn6253]

Can you share a general area where you were Terry? Not looking for specifics, just something to maybe help from burning some gas. Even though they might of not been there for you, who knows where they are now.

[Therapy]

Terry, how did you do in the Bay last evening ? I passed you on Rt 6 Heading toward the Bay with your big Contender in tow, I own Vinnys old Seaker i didn't see any Little Tuna at all i really wasn't fishing we took the kids to P- Town for the day seas were mostly flat and the wife and kids will only go if it's flat but the deal is i can't fish so i only brought 1 Penn 950 just in case if you get a chance let me know how you did.
Thanx Therapy.