Finally South

[Lucky Duck]

Just a quick report for those, like us, who are not set up to travel to the canyons. Took our first trip south two days ago and fished from the claw, east to the inside fingers and south to the 31 fathom hole looking for bluefin in the cooler water and other things into the warmer. Never made it to the dump. Despite negative reports, we found loads of life at the claw - bait, probably half beaks, racing across the top of the water, busting bluefin tuna in the football size, leatherback turtle and few big, big splashes in the distance. Caught a bunch of bonito, but could not hook a "real tuna". From the claw to the inside fingers, only bluefish which proceeded to destroy two bars making them useless until repaired at home. Hit a 5 degree temperature break just north of the 31 fathom hole (68 to 73 degrees) and hooked more bonito, a 8 pound mahi and two big hits that never made it to the boat, one taking the stinger right off the bar down to the still clossed snap swivel. It was a bit bumpy on the way out, but all in all, a beautiful day. Thanks to Backman for encouraging everyone to go. Maybe tuna this weekend.

[Reel Pursuit]

Good effort, Dave.
As they say, "you don't know if you don't go!"

Trying to put something together for this weekend also.

[waggles02673]

Thanks for the report. I will be hitting that area on Sat and will post report when we get in.

Jon

[red herring]

Duck - thanks for the report - interesting that you were catching bonito while trolling for tuna/mahi. What were you dragging that the bonito loved so much?

Hoping to get out there myself in the next couple of days.

[Lucky Duck]

The bonito hit pretty much everything including a bird bar with purple and black squid, but primarily single feathers in a mahi pattern, orange and green.

[red herring]

thxz
looking to make maiden voyage to the area Saturday - weather forecast looks unbelievable.
Red Herring on 68.

[Poop Deck]

Thanks for the report, Lucky Duck! To add more information about the general area for those going out this weekend, yesterday I went south of Block Island, also looking for football sized BFT. Clear skies, a bright moon, and calm seas made for a nice boat ride and I passed the Fairway Buoy at first light. Started trolling from the south end of the Mud Hole over to the acid barge and then turned SE through Tuna Ridge and a little beyond before turning back to Point Judith. Wish I could say I saw signs of life out there, but I didn't. And no temp breaks to report, 68-69 degree water all the way. But on the bright side, I was fishing and only burned 14 gallons of gas. And as an earlier post wrote, "you don't know if you don't go". Good luck to anyone headed out this weekend. Hope this helps.