CASTAFARI EXPERIENCES EPIC CANYON ADVENTURE FOR BIG GAME BATTLE TOURNEY OUT EAST

[cappyD]

After experiencing some incredibly slow fishing and rough weather during the block island tri state event, we dug deep and had to regroup. We were beat up and frustrated to say the least. The seas were unforgiving as was the fishing. I decided to go east this time around as we went west in block and it was the wrong way without a doubt...very little action! But the water to the east looked great...hot water sandwiched against cold stuff all over the place. Most of the winning fish came from out east...it was a no brainer. This would be the first canyon adventure we would take in 2011 that would involve a defined temperature break. I couldnt wait to get there.

We registered at the captains party and planned to get an early departure to get out to the edge by 6am. At 1am we left a noisy nantucket boat basin...passing the gazibo and a parade of yachts that lit up the harbor like battle star gallactica...all we needed was the star wars theme. We welcomed 1st time castafari guest, Tom Hudson and crew...great bunch of guys. 5 hours later we were deploying lines just northwest of welker canyon on a break ranging 68 to 75 degree water. Shearwaters and petrels appeared, then a slick, and then BOOM! Our first and biggest yellow...65 pound class. It didnt take long for clips to pop and lines to peel...over and over...3 at once...4 on...2 on...then a white..pulled hook. Eventually I left the area to deeper water and look for blue marlin as were were maxed out with yellowfin points. Its a high class problem when you have caught too many yellowfin. lol

2 hours of trolling across the 500 fathom line with the castafari marlin spread(for sale on website) in the drink...CRASH..."right short!" the Ladonia Lady got inhaled and the Alutecnos 80 wailed. The fish took a relentless and crazy run...literally non-stop for 90 seconds or so...close to 1000 yards. By the time I began backing down we soon realized the fish was off the bow a 1/4 mile away!...the belly in the line was downright frightening...reel still screaming Eventually I had to jolt the castafari hard to port to prevent us from running over the line which was draped all over the waters surface like silly string. Eventually after a stressfull obstacle course of driving and reeling we were tight! 20 minutes later we released our first blue about 300 pounds. Off it went into the depths lit up. This was Tom's first ever blue marlin! Now we were in business. Theres something special about catching a blue marlin..,.words cant describe it and it never gets old...noi matter where you are.

We jumped back on the troll and headed along the 500 line. Soon after a flash appeared in the spread...then CRAASH! Huge wahoo blasted on the L Lady and my 80 started screaming. This was a huge hoo. Unfortantely the fish came off after a 30 second run...ladonia lady skirt anihilated.

We continued trolling, catching a bunch of mahi and a few more tuna. Then a few mintues after fishing time for tourney concluded...we kept trolling for fun. It didnt take long for a huge fin to slice its way across the spread and rise behind out right short. This was a blue marlin...lit up the ocean like a xmas tree just berfore tearing into the Roddy hayes Andy. Before I had time to scream BOOM! The ocean exploded and my rigger bounced violently. Off she went...another huge violent run. After 2/3 of the spool had vanished the spread was clear and the Castafari lurched into reverse. Then the rod went slack...we screamed and reeled and screamed...reeled...while the castafari now shot forward in a cloud of black smoke. The furious fish was charging the boat and I had no idea how close....but I knew she was still there as the slack continued...that is until the fish literally shot out 50 feet behind us. It was then that we all watched in awe...a 600 pound plus monster above the sea...in our world now. She greyhounded 6 or 7 times...blasting completely out of the ocean with a stealth like grace...lure dangling behind her...the magazine cover shot we see on a monthly basis...right here in massachusetts How does a fish that big jump that high...I asked myself each time she vaulted through the atmosphere...seemingly higher each time. Eventually she tired and we got the release 30 minutes later. This was Cliffs first blue as well! Very big fish...back into the depths for a release.

We spent a great relaxing night out there. Everyone caught up on zzz's. I think I slept for 8 hours! 5am came quick...and soon we were off and trolling....looking for the elusive bigeye. There were a few taken the day before so I knew they were there. The charter all asked me about bigeye tuna periodically throughout the trip, and all had mentioned how nice it would be to see one. I started marking bait along the southwestern wall of the canyon and I committed, circling around...and around...and around...as I knew there would be gamefish in the area. How could there not be? acres of squid clouding the screen. But nothing...time for breakfast. Then out of nowhere BOOM! The Castafari MM Chain got hammered..."eyeball!" is all I heard as I was busy wolfing down some peanut butter captain crunch. By the time I glanced behind the boat all I saw was a hole and a bent rod. Once again...another fire drill and blistering run...another huge fish only this time...heading straight down. I called a few boats to tell them we were tight on an eye and within 15 minutes this obscure piece of faraway blue ocean resembled the southwest corner of stellwagon on a sunday afternoon! The radio turned into a constant clamour of excited chatter as boats stopped suddenly, crews scrambled, lower backs were punished, rods arched, and poons shot into the sea...literally all around us. It was absolutely the most incredible bigeye bite Ive ever seen. Some boats caught 1...some 2...some 4! and ALL at the same time. Some boats ran 5 hours...showed up...fished 2 hours filling their boats with tuna, and then returning to port grinning and home in time for lunch.

Mike Platt battled his first bigeye and 45 minutes later we connected the Castafari to a 250 pound class brute with a poon...game over. We kept the fish in the water and towed it while trolling. We hammered away on a bunch of mahi soon after we saw a blue marlin terrorizing a high flyer...sending peanut size mahi running for the hills.

Unfortunately our 2nd day time was very limited as one of our crew had a plane to catch at 530pm...we had to leave this spectacular bite 2 hours early! and we payed for it lol...lotta fish caught in the late hour 9th inning...but thats fishn...no complaints here. Weather was perfect. So we pushed north knowing time was limited and just before we had to pack it in trolling in cooler 70 degree water the left short LLady got hammered as did one of our long ballyhoo baits run up the middle. Two whites tearing it up...one came off and the other got wrapped up and stayed hooked. This was a big white too...at least a 100 pounds. After a quick release we were blasting toward the little patch of land mass on my plotter 100 miles to the northeast. Pulled into Nantucket with taxi waiting Sold the bigeye and some yellowfin for a nice bonus for a hardworking crew.

Overall the Big Game Battle was a great event..well run and a lot of fun. It certainly helped that the fishing and weather were spectacular lol Great bunch of captains boats and crews to boot. Castafari took 3rd. Castafari team member John Galvin running the vessel Real Estate crept up and stole 2nd by a thread in the end...and 1st went to Tom Mitchell on Happy Jack. All boats were within a very close range which made for some good excitement! What a blast..back at it on wed!

Its time to get ready for the Oak Bluffs Challenge!! If youre a canyon fishing enthusiast and you enjoy tournament fishing, please visit www.obchallenge.com

Tight lines!

[Parapapam]

I can only dream.... Now lets hear your story Johnny!

Mike

[sears720]

Great read. Thanks cap.

[backman]

committing to the bigeye bite - circling the wagons - that's the discipline I need to learn...

[FHC]

Thanks for sharing....this one had it all - love the crazy battle details!

[cappyD]

heres a couple more blurry pics of eyeball...fatty

[BIGJAHOOTIE]

DAMON THAT WAS AN EPIC BITE . BUT IT WAS NICE TO SEE HOW EVERYONE WORKED TOGETHER UNLIKE UP ON THE BANK. THANK GOD THOSE FISH END UP UP AND DOWN.

IN THE END WE GOT THREE AND WE SHOWED UP LATE
MY BEST DAY ON THE WATER EVER

[dougsulser]

unbelievable!, great story cap and congrats on a great run

[cappyD]

Were headed back out there on thursday...will be on 68 if anyone else is going. Only a month left until the 2011 Oak Bluffs Challenge. Check out www.obchallenge.com

[grumpyjk]

what did ou catch near the high flyer Saturday morning an Eye or the marlin.How about

caroline and his 4 eyes.