FISHIN DAYS WITH JASONB REPORT

[Baywolf]

Got a call from my buddy Marty last weekend. Told me about Jason, that he had taken his rigging class, that he was in the military, was nuts about offshore fishing and wanted a chance to practice what he had learned in the class on a big boat. God that sounds a lot like me, just like me when I got started. Marty says he wants to get on a boat and do it all, rig, leader, gaff, shag grass, do the planer. I said boy don't that sound familiar, I got to go with you and Brian a bunch and practice what I learned, right on man. Marty got Jason up with Tim and I.

Jason was very eager to get to it. He met me at the boat yesterday at 0845 military time. I already had the spread set for tomorrow and he said I got some stuff in my truck will you take a look at it and see what you think, yeah man. He pulled out a strip teaser, we dug through and found a pretty black and purple JAG, and a blue and crystal mylar sail lure. Ok, we're going to run the B/P JAG on the rt long and the sail lure on the lt short. Show me your wire twisting prowess. Needs a little work there, practice, practice, practice, soon you will be able to do it with your eyes closed. We went over a couple more things, asked questions, and he seemed locked and loaded; ready for the kill the next day. It was just Jason and his 8 yr old son and he wanted another rider or 2 just in case the hoos were really chewing. His wife and son are from Thailand and eat fish daily, so I brought Chris my GF who loves to offshore fish.

We leave the dock at 0415, throttles back, 440 line 30 ftms just as it is breaking daylight, awesome! Chuck the gear overboard quick, with the full moon hoping they are chewing, everything is perfect. Beautiful sunrise, about an hour into the troll I looked at Jason and said, " Man I can't believe we haven't had a bite yet". About that time the lt flat snaps from the clip and gives a short burst and comes loose then the rt long goes off and keeps going. Here we go. SO, do you want to crank or do the pit I ask, I'll do the pit he says, so I get to crank a fish. Felt good to be on the working end for a change. Jason cleared what needed to be cleared and stuck the 40lb hoo like a pro, pretty work man!

Was pretty much steady action for the morning, few mystery bites here and there and some bailers, About 930 the lt short goes off and Chris gets her turn in the chair, handles it like a pro and Jason is back on the leader, nice 32 lb gaffer. Not long after that the lt short goes off and Jason gets his turn on the rod and I get my old job back and we shove a nice 30lb hoo in the box. It slowed for a while, we heard other boats were seeing a few sails, when is it our turn, be patient Rick. Jason is sitting on the lt side when the lt short, zit, zit, DUMP IT! He is all over it and does the dump. I heard the fish pick it up and run then drop it, STOP and start cranking, he did. When the lure broke the surface I could see the snake wake, Tim and I both shouted at the same time, DUMP IT!!!!! He did, down the hatch and got him on! We got his 8 yr old son Paul in the chair and the father son team brought the big fat dog to the kennel. That was cool! The bite slowed and was a little chunky so we headed up the beach for a better ride home. Found a rip with a weed line and picked at the bailers and pulled another nice hoo out of it, which Jason put the steel to.

Jason told me on the ride home he had been on some charter boats that wouldn't let him do anything but sit in the chair and crank. I know where he is coming from. For us charter guys we can loose sight what it is really about, the party having a good time and being able to participate. The focus is on what we throw on the dock at the end of the day.

Jason and Paul we had a great time with Ya'll today, keep practicing and soon it will come naturally. You will look back like I have when you get someone on your boat and walk them through the steps and pass on what you have learned. That my friend is what it is all about! Was a pleasure to fish with you today and I hope we can do it again!

[Nauti Natured]

Thats awesome. I know that feeling on charters. It drives me nuts when I cant help. I love to crank but co much of the experience comes from prep, work, and clean up.

Pretty work guys!!!

[clt_capt]

Great report Rick. Sounds like a heck of a day - Pretty work Jason

[Foul Hook'd]

JasonB is now armed and dangerous, another fish kill on the Fishin Days, good job guys.

Foul Hook'd

[WAHOONBOX]

JASON IS GOT IT BAD I TELL YA! CONGRATS TO HIS 8 YR OLD WITH THE DOG!


GREAT JOB RICK AND TIM............

[gottaflylee]

Tim, Rick, great job on the fishes. Jason sounds like you are a natural in the pit and things are comming nicely. Stick with a great crew like you found and you will get there quickly...

[yachtsnc]

Here are some pics of the day.

First Hoo of the Day


30lb Gaffer


Saildog on the wire


Jason and Paul

[Squidnation]

great story and nice fish. congrats Jason crew.

[Nauti Natured]

Great pics!

[rarhomes]

Congrats Rick on the great day and great story.