Hydro report 8/7 to 8/8

[getreel]

Took the long run to Hydro on CatJa, 38 Out Island. Great crew onboard and we fished hard. Weather window was not bad, fishing was a little slow. I think the final tally was 7 YFT in the 50# class and 1 YFT 25# (bleeder) kept and a bunch of YFT rats released. Plenty of mahi on the night chunk, but they were on the small side between 4 to 6 pounds. No exotics landed, but a few nice fish were lost. One hook got bent open on a nice fish. No more Mustad 34007 hooks used in ballyhoo pin rigs for me!

We got a later start on Saturday and did not start trolling until after 3pm just to the North of the tip of Hydro. Got a couple fish and worked this area for while. Eventually worked our way to the east wall to set up for the night drift with quite a few other boats in the area. Plenty of bait in the area as we got set up for the night chunk. I dropped a jig down and hooked up with a skippy. Started with our Sword baits and netted some squid for tuna baits. To get ready for the cruising mahi, I tied on a cheap 5/0 hook with no swivel straight to 40# yozuri hybrid topshot for flipping chunks. John pitched it out beyond the lights and was soon tight to something other than a mahi. At just short of the one hour mark of the fight, I made the mistake of saying if this goes on any longer we are going to get sharked. Not five minutes later the line began to scream off the reel and the fish got a lot heavier. John upped the pressure and was able to get the fish away and amazingly enough we were still connected to it on the 40# mono and even more amazing was it still had a tail and some fight left. It was a lucky day for this tuna to escape the grip of the shark, right up until we wacked him in the head with the gaff five minute later. Amazingly enough this fish made it to the deck and the hook was deep in the gullet and did not chafe off and the shark just grabbed, held on and did not take a big chunk.

Hoopa demonstrates the technique of the shark bite. Judging by the bite marks, this was no small shark and it could have easily had half of this fish in one bite. Note the bite marks go around from behind the dorsal, to the belly to just behind the pec fin. Could have easily taken the whole side of this fish. Must not have been very hungry.

Other than the one tuna and mahi, the night bite was quiet. The deep sword baits got sharked a couple of times. The dip net kept Fred entertained and well fed throughout the night.
Up on the troll by 0500 and had some good action early as we worked the west wall back up our chunk line towards the tip of Hydro. Most action was in the 400 feet range on the west side flats. All single fish committing suicide. The only multiples were with small fish. Put another six fish in the box and this bite shut off around 0800. We trolled north for a couple hours and pulled the plug around 1015 for the 130 NM trip back to the dock. 400 gallons later we were safe and sound in the slip. CatJa ran great and drifted comfortably at night in less than ideal conditions.

A shot of Fred and Paul showing some love to the little rats prior to releasing. Who said Fred is a babykiller? The way he kissed some of those baby fish, I would say more of a pedophile. I swear he slipped them some tongue.

The first steps to some fine sushi begin.

The sun sets on another fun trip. Looking forward to the next one!

[Crazy Ivan]

Not a bad trip! Good to get that tuna away from a shark!

[backman]

what is that short fat yellowfin on the cutting table? I wonder for the 2nd time.......

[timothy11]

Did you happen to catch the name of the boat in the last picture?

[getreel]

what is that short fat yellowfin on the cutting table? I wonder for the 2nd time.......

Could be, didn't even notice until you pointed it out....a proper liver autopsy was not done.

[backman]

same shape and size as the one in my video last week and Christian's stunning in water photo.

The boat in the picture is named Fishfinder - one of many commercials from western climes who are making a killing on those 2$/pound 40# cores.

[timothy11]

same shape and size as the one in my video last week and Christian's stunning in water photo.

The boat in the picture is named Fishfinder - one of many commercials from western climes who are making a killing on those 2$/pound 40# cores.

Thanks I thought it was.

[On The Edge]

Pics came out nice Will. That yellow on intended light mahi gear was a surprise and more fun then the 25lb yellow on squid gear last year. Would have like to have seen the toothy that hit it..

[Albatross32]

Nice job guys......sounds like a nice trip with some fishy dudes.

All big eyes are born at 100lbs tho......you should know that Lawrence...haha....

[simonsez1]

Great job guys awesome pics too! Guess Fred is a softy after all! Who knew?