Almost doesn't count......

**BTH284** · 06-16-2008 11:14 AM

Purty day offshore. 30 knot ride out and close to 40 knot ride in. Such a small seas day kept me thinking of slow fishing from days past. We gave it a shot though.....

Had Lisa, Hunt4fish, his son Hunter and me on the shortbus this Saturday. Put lines in south of the 90 foot drop in some secluded 78 degree water right by ourselves.

First fish to the boat was a king on the long rod.

Oh, well, skunk was gone at least. Hunter had a ball reeling it in. A bit of time passes. Planer rod bounces, in short time a 20 or so lb Wahoo in the box. Almost 9 a.m. now. A few more passes looking meat and nada. ( I gotta learn how to consistently find the meat). We had some meat in the box and I had the fever for a shot at a bill. We start heading out to the deep. On the way out the deep, a few bite offs behind the hook from the shingles.

We hit 50 fathoms and Alan and I switch out the rigs. Moldcraft senior chugger w/ horse goes on the left. Blue crystal ilander w/select on the long rod. Standard blue/clear chugger select down the middle. Alan puts down the dredge. I deploy a split bill above and behind the dredge. Planer rod comes up. Just for good measure and maybe a gaffer bite. I leave out a witch on the right on a TLD 25. Big mistake!

11:30 a.m. I am watching the spread, Lisa driving the boat. Alan beside me with eyes peeled. Hunter fast asleep on the bean bag....Holy mother of sweet baby Jesus! Broom stick sized bill all over the witch! I fed him, he takes it. Spits it out, I feed him again, feel the spool speed up, Crank it....... comes tight for a secon then nothing. Feed him again and nada. Oh well, at least we saw one. I burn the bait to the boat to change it out. When it gets 20 yds off the back. From up out of the deep, he piled all over it! Only had him on for 20-30 seconds then it went limp. Leader was meat rig witch on 100 lb mono and almost chaffed through. He was 2 to 2 1/2 feet from one side of the shoulder to the other and way longer than the beam of my boat. Pec fins lit up but the rest of him was green/brown???? Maybe not too excited.????

My heart finally slowed down later as we pounded the area again for the next 3 hours. 1 more zzt on the long rod came back to the boat after 2 drop backs with the ballyhoo head only. White boy or flip flop...not enough experience to tell.

2:30 trolled back inshore w/ the meat spread out and got the token cuda. Headed to hill 4:00 pm with a slick calm ride in.

This billfishing is hero or zero but highly addictive. Still tons to learn here.

Enjoyed the weekend Alan.

Took Hunter spanish fishing Sunday. One of the live bait guys had a nice gaffer from the Sea buoy area. Hope the sails are not far behind.

**WAHOONBOX** · 06-16-2008 11:32 AM

FELT LIKE I WAS THERE WITH YA........

**mikelpl** · 06-16-2008 11:48 AM

I think that Marlin Fever is going around.....Great report there......

**clt_capt** · 06-16-2008 11:54 AM

Awesome report. You got the area right - that's the first thing - "Fish where the fish are" -

you'll get the occasional suicide marlin - baiting them takes practice - and it sounds like you're getting a good start.

**hunt4fish** · 06-16-2008 11:59 AM

Great report Brian,can't think of a better way to have spent Father's Day wknd.Fishing with my son and You and Lisa.We gave it a hell of a shot,and had a great time.We'll have to do it again,soon.

I'll post up a couple pics when I get home after work.