Bluefin Season Half Time Report

[Mako Wish]

I have not commented or posted due to the fact that I have no computer with me here on the Nighthawk. But after returning to Beaufort, I now have a computer and would like to post a mid season report.

After arriving here 2 days after Thanksgiving, and started fishing Dec. 3rd for 2 hours and caught a 92" 352 core and following it up on Dec. 4th ith an 85" 251 core, It looked like were were in for a busy season.

After some blow days and some looooong days on the troll, we have had 1 bite since then. Everyone I have talked to has a different theory why there are no fish here. Some days its 1 or 2 fish caught out of 40 boats, some days its no fish outta 60 boats but as far as I know there hasnt been a day with more than 14 fish killed. The weather does seem warm to me compared to years past.

Tons of bait around however. There are lots of talk of fish still to the north of us so we are gonna just have to wait for some cold weather to push some fish our way. It has been a pleasure to fish with Marty again this season and we are looking to score big here in the second half of the season.

I feel fortunate to catch the 2 we caught right away because there are many excellent bluefin fisherman here in MHC that have not even caught 1 yet.

There are some boats who have been scratching off their share of fish such as the "Runoff" and the "Fighting Lady" but for the most part its been a long December. We are getting organized and ready to fish in January and I look forward to contributing reports...

There are many Bluefin that have there destiny yet to be fulfilled at the end of my "POON" and dragged through the door of the Nighthawk this season.

This report says it like it is here commercial fishing for Bluefin here in MHC... If it was easy or the fish just jumped in the boat we would all be driving new trucks and riding in 60ft. custom boats.

Many people think they are going to go to MHC and make a pile of money catching Bluefins. Its not always fun and games 3:45am alarms, peanut butter and jelly's, windy days, eating at the Golden Coral,fog, and days without a bite.

I could make just as much money working at Wal-Mart and sleeping in my own bed with the "pitchick". But my love for these amazing awsome fish make me not able to stay away.

I wish the best of luck to all that are chasing Bluefin in January and may we head to the fish house may times !!!

Capt. Mike



This is the NO BULLSH*T report from MHC

[Tenacious]

Straight from the horses mouth!! Thanks for writing and sharing your experiences. We down south may never get to see one of theses beast if it weren't for you bringing us into your world. Thanks again, Tenacious

[JD5652]

Thanks Capt for the report.....see you for the 3rd quarter in a few days....

[frankypettolina]

Capt. Mike said it well.

My stats are very similar to his, only our bite on Day 2 was not landed successfully.

Its funny how many phone calls I get this time of year from people who want to come down and ride along for the chance to earn some big bluefin dollars!!! This is not a gold mine kids. It is long hard days waiting for maybe a bite.

But I am not one to whine, much, so I will just say best of luck to everyone in january- hope to see you all at Homer Smith's- or at least the Golden Coral

I am back at it Jan 5. So hopefully the fish get the memo and show up snapping.

[EMTAE]

Spoke with a FISH BROKER that told me there has been a total of 67 killed and shiped from MHC.

[southshore30]

Dismal numbers, but a good report Mike. You are certanly right about the warm weather, last year it was freezing cold on the ride out and into the morning. This year, I think we only had ice on the deck in the morning one or two days! Things really need to cool down and hopefully the slaughter will happen!! Hope you had a good Christmas Mike, I should be back down soon. Boss wants to come down too for a week. Unless something really happens I will wait to go down with him. 1/15 probably. Catch em up!! Don't give up on the word of the day.!

[swell rider]

Well put Mike. Like he said this has been a tough season for most of us but like any commercial fishery it's all about the bottom line when it's all over. Every year is diffrent, we've had some very good seasons in the past this year is just going to take alittle more patience and Coming off a charter season were we saw the highest fuel price's and less charters due to the economy well just have to wait and see what January has in story for us...Were keeping the faith here on the SWELL RIDER!!!! KEN

SWELL RIDER SPORTFISHING
www.swellriderfishing.com
ATLANTIC BEACH, NC
910 233-1714
910 200-2502

[ElMar2530]

Hang in there, I'm sure your luck will change.

Give em' hell.

[dunn6253]

Im sure you two will have to clean a lot more blood out of the pit on the Nighthawk the second half of the season. Its always going into the third and fourth quarters where the real men and women come to play, and im sure you two won't dissapoint. Hopefully when I come to stay with Box in a week I will be able to help clean up some carnage on the Nighthawk one day.

[John from Madison CT]

Good to see you're online again Capt.. Nobody on earth can say you don't put in the effort. I know you guys will have a great run real soon. It's just a matter of time.

See you in a couple weeks............16 days to be exact.