Harker's Island pilgrimage 2010

[SeaBiscuit]

A week downeast with good friends, plenty of boats and tackle is what we have come to look forward to every fall. This is the second year downeast without Ed. His presence was strong each time we rounded Shackleford banks headed for the Cape. Thanks for watching over us old salt.

Started with a bang last Sunday, fishing offshore on the West side. Squid was the lucky hook



Likely to never see one like it ever again. Grateful to have laid eyes on this one.

As always, wind dictated our movements around the Cape. Strong West, SW breeze most of the week kept us on the East side.

East beach was "alive" on Monday









Looking kings with the Merry Marlin boat, I got the "thumbs up" from Jacques.....



.....and the motley crew sign from Slip



Plenty of kings all week. Only 2 out of two dozen died. The rest released to play again









Did not get enough breaks from the wind to seriously bottom fish, but did check out some familiar waters....





...Got to find a couple new places too.



After a week of renewing bonds, beating up little boats, eating like every meal was our last and drinking the island dry of cold miller lite, we returned to our families wore out but happy.

Downeast is a special place.

Life is good.

SeaBiscuit

[merry marlin]

Always a pleasure reading a Seabiscuit report but it has an extra special meaning when it's from the "Downeast" retreat...
Thanks for giving me and the boys a chance to share some of the finest grilled fished around on your first evening.
MM

[BTH284]

As always I enjoyed reading of your adventures and thank you for taking time to write about it for us. Glad you were able to get out with friends and enjoy what you guys like to do so much! Pretty work on your fishing.

[Squid]

Thanks for the invitation to spend some time with you guys again this year! As always, I enjoyed it and look forward to next time. Maybe next year that snapper will have grown up a little more for us!

[Sea Draggin]

Nice snappers. Any groupers this year?

.

[Ponce]

This is one of the reports I wait for. Again it was worth the wait. Glad you guys had a great week and thanks for sharing.

[gottaflylee]

Ah yes...nothing beats a trip downeast. Glad you all had wonderful again this year. Nothing beats spending time on the water with great friends...

[Nauti Natured]

This is one of the reports I wait for. Again it was worth the wait.

Totally agree... I love hearing about this trip. It motivates me to establish some sort of yearly trip like this..... I just have to learn how to catch fish

[Mustang Sally]

Great report and pictures. Carteret County in the Fall is my favorite place to be!

[SeaBiscuit]

Nice snappers. Any groupers this year?

.

Caught a few gags this year Jim. Many shorts, a few keepers. One pretty little snowy I neglected to photograph. I think the Merry Marlin crew has exterminated the East side gags!