11/20 Report

[BTH284]

Had another mate job on a small boat this past saturday. Headed out the inlet a tad late at 6 a.m. Owner pointed her south and let it eat 44 mph GS for 2 3/4 hours later found us in 35 fathoms in the mid 200's.

I had set 3 of the 5 rods out and before I could the set the other rigger we had a good bite on the long rod which did not come tight. Right after that the right rigger in the short position came down. I saw the bite and it looked liked someone splashed a grand piano on the bait. The drag was screaming on the 50. I told the owner to grab it. He came off the wheel and put his buddy behind the wheel. His buddy backed off the throttles and fish #2 gets away. I then proceeded calmly and politely to tell them to never do that again, always keep the boat moving unless I tell them different.

We get back in the game with a full spread. Not 15 minutes later the planer rod jumps and it is taking drag! BIG FISH! I had the conversation at the dock that morning about backing off the drag when the planer rod gets bit. The owners buddy backs it down to free spool then back up to strike. Bam! Wire leader breaks into. Fish #3 gone. I take full responsibility for that lost fish.

We re group once more and play for keeps this time. It slows for a while then the bite picks back up. Planer rod gets hit again at almost the exact same spot as the previous bites. It stays tight, and a 50 lb class wahoo gets iced down.

We keep pushing north. Some of the Morehead fleet starts to show on the horizon. We get bit again this time on the flat and put a football sized blackfin in the box.

A little later the left rigger comes tight and after a long fight we stick a 40 lb hoo next to his buddy in the box. Later in the morning after pounding that area some more the bite slows down so we head back south in the direction and depth to where we had the previous wahoo bites.

Did not make it all the way back when the planer rod jumps. This time I am ready, I yank up on the braid a few times to try and bribe another bite, ready to drop the drag down myself if the fish takes it. The fish did not want any part of it. I then tell the owner to dump the long rod for a 5-7 count and push the drag up with the clicker off. Not 2 seconds after he engages the drag.....the rod doubles over and FISH ON! The fish then drops it, I tell the owner to feed him again and stop the spool until you feel him pick it up then push the drag up and crank! BAM!!!FISH ON! I tell him to put the clicker back on. (BTW owners first succesfull drop back, he has been almost getting it most of the season) Short fight and we put a mid 40 lb wahoo in the box.

We make a turn back to the north about mid day. The bite goes dormant for us until 2 o clock and the flat line comes tight with another football black fin. We keep pushing north and start to see some grass forming up. On a pass by a small log and some grass a slinger mahi crushes the the flatline. He stays tight and gets a free ride back to the dock.

Final count was 3 for six on the wahoos, 2 blackfins and a mahi. Owner and his buddy were very happy and took home plenty of meat for the freezer and the table.

I could not ask for a better day offshore. Absolutely gorgeous day on the water. Highlight of my day was seeing a big blue girl completley airborne 40-50 yds off the port side chasing and scattering blackfins while we were in a turn on a bait mark in 55 fathoms.

The water temp, bait marks and gannet sightings on the ride home got me fired up to get on some bluefins in the coming future.

[Going Deep]

Nice report Brian, sounded like it was a good day to be in the bluewater

[crappiekrazy]

Great report Bryan, sounds like a good day despite the 3 that came loose. good job.

[weekender]

awesome job down south, making smiles