Fight N Lady BFT 08/09 wrap up

[birdhunter]

Two weeks have past since the end of the commercial bluefin season and I think the daze/haze has finally lifted from my brain enough for me to give a summery of what turned out to be a pretty good tuna season for the Fight N Lady. I remember it like yesterday I was with my father in a U Haul full of my brothers stuff heading to New York City. We were crossing the James River on I 295 and I was day dreaming of the geese that that we had murdered in years past while hunting fields bordering the river on Varina Farms when Shane called, “Be ready when you get back Tracey hooked one today on the eastside.” It was two weeks before Thanksgiving and tuna fever was already beginning to take hold in MHC.

It was a week later when tuna season started for the Fight N Lady. For forty days Shane, Don, and I left the slip before most of the “good people” of America even considered waking to meet the day. From that first trip before Thanksgiving until the last day of January we only missed two “fishable” days with one being Christmas Eve. Over those forty days a lot changed in what we did and how we did it becoming more efficient everyday in everything from setting the lines to washing the boat. However, what I think is more interesting is the things that did not change. Don always tied and untied the starboard side, he also put out the baits and brought them in on that side. We did not plan this it just happened that way. It is amazing how you fall in your own routine and the couple of days Don did not go with us it felt strange doing things on “his” side of the boat. Another thing that did not change was the constant trash talk and joking that went on. From the first day till the last something was always stirring on that boat. The last thing that did not change was the people. Yeah it was different faces and names on the boat everyday but everyone was for the most part the same. Everyday, it was the same questions and same expectations, everyone wanted to kill the giant. I guess it is human nature much like shark fishing or grizzle hunting, I guess man feels the need to justify our position as the alpha predator by killing things bigger and badder than we are. Lastly, from the first person to the last they were all good people. We had no problems at all despite me yelling and cussing to clear lines when we had a bite and barking orders to do this or that while we were fighting the fish, or when I would lose my cool and do the albacore stomp after feeding a beautiful 12” mullet that I had just rigged to yet another albert!

Speaking of good people, Shane and I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with several of the guys on the “yankee boats” and for the most part they were all top notch guys. From the biggest baddest 60’ Hatteras to the 23’ green Privateer that was trailered down from Maine, from one of the biggest names in charter fishing up north to the guy who came down on a shoe string budget , they all had one thing in common, they were here for the tuna and the were good at what they did. Everyone we came in contact with we learned something from. If you really want to be a good fishermen, talk to someone from a different area that does things different than you but also be willing to share. For the most part those “yankee boats” are some of the best tuna fishermen on the east coast and have been killing these giants for a long time.

As for us, like I said all things considered we had a good year. We killed eight fish but unfortunately lost more than our share including 3 separate bites one day when it was just Shane and I that all got away, that still haunts my sleep. We experienced the suspense and let down of being “in the bite” with people hooked up all around us and no bite. We also had a few of those late morning bites that scare the shit out of you when you are off by yourself with a handful of Doritos day dreaming of gaffers and warm weather. Then there were those bites right out on the text book, you mark the bait at first light, make your turn and both riggers come down and a planner bite, GOT ‘EM ON!!! Despite our missed opportunities the Fight N Lady held her on and according to our count finished up third in the fleet behind one Jersey boy who is pretty well known for his tuna catching and a local private boat with a great captain that went on a run the last week of the season.

Although tuna season is behind us, Shane and I have been very busy getting ready for gulfstream fishing this spring. It the past two weeks we have pulled the boat, painted the bottom, buffed and waxed the hull, splashed her again, done a lot touch up and clean up on different things, done some varnish work and are in the process of repainting the deck. After finishing the deck early next week we will be ready to go after the yellowfin and wahoo that have gone unharassed since tuna fever set in. Shane and I are very excited about 2009 so stay tuned for new trips and specials for the upcoming season.

www.secondtononecharter.com

[ffoley]

Brad,
Nice post! Thanks for sharing your perspective. It was a real pleasure meeting you and Shane. Congrats on your season.
Hope you get a nice spring YFT bight and stay busy. I will be calling you very soon for some witches so keep tying!

[freebird2]

What he said! It was a blast i am personaly ready to do it again. It sure makes it easier when you have good friends & nice people to work with.

[merry marlin]

Very Cool write up Brad, Thanks for sharing...
BFT was not good for us this year and I wish I could have fished after January 9th our last trip. Never got my friends to touch one!
But spring will be around the and we'll be glad to see the Fight N Lady hooking some other kinds of blue fish...
We wish you guys a great charter year.
MM

[Ponce]

I enjoyed reading your reports of the bluefin season.

Good luck this coming year.

[tolbard]

very nice
Good luck in 09

[clt_capt]

It was about this time last year that Shane hooked the first Blue Marlin of spring - Let's hope the year starts off with a bang and carries all the way through.

[SeaMarie]

Thanks for the wrap up Brad. Hope you guys get some early trips in for spring. Look forward to seeing you guys down there soon.

I'd say you have settled right into the whole fishing deal quite nicely! Congrats on a nice BFT season.

Allen

[bisquit]

Thanks for the summary, Brad...

[Nauti Natured]

Brad,

Enjoyed you write up very much! Gladly ... as you metioned, this is hardly the end, but now, the end of the beginning of a whole, new, beautiful fishery!

Cant wait to get after 'em this spring with all of you!

Cheers