I fished my first ever tournament, the Mid Atlantic Tuna Tournament, aboard the Sea Splendour with Capt Ron on the sticks, Whitey and Double D manning the pit, and Adrian (sorry I forgot your last name), Eric McDougal and myself as anglers.
We sat out Thursday looking for better weather and it came on Friday. Set out at 4 for the Spencer looking for YFT. Got to the grounds at 7:30 and put out the spread. Lost a smallish keeper YFT early, got hammered by Skippies, and missed a White that didn't come tight. Then along came another White. We saw it for a second and it unloaded and came tight. The crew belted me up and it was game on. To the boat in under 10 minutes thanks to the awesome work of Capt Ron and Whitey got the release. Well guys, this was not only my 1st White, it was my first fish over 35 lbs -- yea I am way green. The crew estimated it at 70+ lbs. What a rush! No pics of this one -- sorry. Next up was the catch of the day. A 49 lb. YFT hit the bait and it was game on. Eric grabbed the rod and the crew went to work. Whitey and Double D put the gaffs in her and it was all over. Time for the scales. We were hoping she would make over 50 and put us on the leader board, but it was not to be. A picture follows.
Saturday morning saw us back out on the Spencer looking for meat. We had a few small YFT hit the spread but the action was slow all morning that is until the man in the blue suit showed up. Eric was on the rod and 20 minutes later the estimated 450 lb monster was along side the boat for another release by Whitey. Whitey has pics of it that I hope he will post. I am thinking to myself can it get any better? Well it almost did. A YFT hit the bait and started pulling drag, but only for 2 seconds. All eyes were on the bait only to see a YFT money fish launch completely out of the water for a second try. Unfortunately he missed.
Thanks go out to Capt Ron, Whitey, Double D and company for the incredible experience. I now know what it is like to fish with absolute pros. I will never be the same.
Thanks also go out to sportfisherman.com as without it this most incredible weekend would never have happened.
Awesome report! Thanks for sharing the excitement! You are officially 'hooked". Prepare to spend every last spare penny you have on gear, trips, fuel, tackle, etc. All it takes is one trip like that. i will never forget mine. I have been a complete addict since that day.
John, it was a pleasure having you onboard for the tournament and your always welcome back to fish with us. Besides we still have to throw you in the water for your first white and somehow we have to fgigure out how to pick Eric up to throw him in for catching his first Blue!
Here are a few pics I will get the rest up tomorrow.
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