OC Tuna Tournament Report

[Squidnation]

Fished on the Darlin this weekend in the OC Tuna Tournament. We layed friday and hit the inlet sat to flat seas and a pretty ride down to the crotch. Around noon after a fruitless morning we got bit on the deep rod with a white/white Squidnation Big Heavy. I unfortunetly grabbed the rod and sat in the chair. Turned out to be a pretty easy fight using Bieb's 80w with his custom rods with 180 flouroleader. Got him in the boat and then had to pick the strategy. find some yf's which are basically non-existent or head south to the hill for an under. We chose the wrong option and headed for the deep. never got a bite so we went to the scales with our single fish. 137lbs

Sunday's ride sucked. 4 hours of dead head sea crap. Started a little north of the crotch because of the long run. finally got to within a 1/8 of a mile of where we caught our fish and the right long goes off. Bill gets in the chair and once again whips the fish pretty quickly. put him in the boat and this time we had to head to hopefully catch some yf because a single under wouldn't do it for us. Found the marks at the washington lumps but never got bit. Went to the scales with a 131 and finished the tournament out of the money but had a great time with a fun crew. just remember you got to have thick skin to share the pit with this crew

[flndrpndr23]

Team Southport fished the 22nd annual Ocean City Tournament this weekend. Aboard were Matt Dubnansky (28 Southport owner), Tyler Terry (AGYG Sales Manager) and myself (Doug Curtiss Sales/Manager Ocean City location).
We fished Friday the 10th. The forecast called for 15 to 20 knot winds from the NE, 4-6' waves. Not the best of forecasts. Made the decision to go for it.
The plan was to fish the near shore lumps and catch Bluefin Tuna. We decided to fish an area near the Hotdog. The 40 mile run at about 23 knots was relatively easy. I was even able able to rig baits on the way.
We started trolling a 6 rod spread. Two 50's with select ballyhoo/islander combinations fished WWB. Short riggers had a spreader bar and bird Islander combination. Flat lines had another spreader bar and sea witch ballyhoo rig.
First fish was a nice gaffer Mahi. Got a free ride to the scales.
Continued fishing and moved inshore to work two 20 fathom lumps SW of the Hotdog. Good bait and birds. At about 12:00 the left long way back goes down hard. Nice fish. It was decided that since Matt had the first fish that Tyler or I were to be the next angler. Needless to say I ran for the the other side of the boat to "clear lines". I did not want any part of what appeared to be a nice fish.
We were fishing with some of Matt's rods. 50 Avet on a Star rod with 60 Momoi Blue, 200# wind on leader and a Blue/White Islander with Mylar flash. Great set up, very smooth. After an hour battle and a lot of effort ,two gaffs found their mark after almost an hour battle.
Trolled for another couple hours working the area and had one other pull. Fish come un-glued after about 10 minutes. Hit a Pink/White Squidnation Big Heavy.
We decided to run home.
Fish was third place for a while. Then we were bumped to a tie for fourth. Day two had even more more fish an I think we may be in the top ten.
Out day two found the seas slick calm with 3' swell. Headed for the same area. Covered up with dolphin 3 different times and put 3 gaffers in the box. Nothing to weigh. Made 30 knots on the way home. We burned 151 gallons for two days.
Doug

[homewrecker]

Squid,Darlin is a Stolper express correct? One of the guys that fishes with me does canvas work and I helped him a while back with the enclosure.If thats the boat,that girl is pretty tight.

Congrats on the tuna !!

[bobdu11]

Nice job..so Southport sponsored you guys ?...that's awesome....Bob

[Squidnation]

Squid,Darlin is a Stolper express correct? One of the guys that fishes with me does canvas work and I helped him a while back with the enclosure.If thats the boat,that girl is pretty tight.

Congrats on the tuna !!

Yes it is. Actually commented on the glass work this week because one of these years I need to get some curtains for my boat. That boat is incredible. The coolest thing is the reaction time. Most boats have a little delay. This boat hops around the ocean doing whatever you ask it to do on the dime. It is for sale and will make someone a hell of a fishing boat.

[flndrpndr23]

We fished as a part of the sponsorship of the tournament. Had a slip right next to the scales. Great exposure !
Doug

Nice job..so Southport sponsored you guys ?...that's awesome....Bob

[Randy Stinchcomb]

We fished as a part of the sponsorship of the tournament. Had a slip right next to the scales. Great exposure !
Doug

yup you sure did have a great spot and was a pleasure in meeting you Doug

Bill, tuff-luck, you'll get 'em next time

[Capt. Terry]

GREAT TOURNAMENT HANGING FISH BOTH DAYS BILL.

NICE WORK ON YOUR FISH AS WELL DOUG AND YOUR CREW.