HOO bite was Off the Chain Yesterday

**Ace1st** · 11-16-2010 10:41 AM

To say the fishing was good is an understatement. The day started off no differnet than most for the DIRTY MARTINI crew out of Little River SC yesterday. Jeff Martini, Chance Martini, Jimmy Martini and myself headed to the 100/400 ledge in search of Blue Water. The ride out was great as I tended to daydream of Big Slob Wahoos. Been a while since the four us had been out together, so we were all hoping for good times. Little did we know what was to come......

Upon arriving we put out the colors and the troll was on. The first couple of hours saw no activity but at 9:30 that all changed. Suddenly all hell broke loose. We had a mixed spread of baits out that included mono Black fin tuna lures/ballys. It seemed that the Hoos knew which ones to target, so after about 20 minutes of full on strikes we were 0-5. I quickly changed up the spread and put out all wire. The next pass through, three lines went off and it was on. Two were boated after a short tug of war and a couple 40-50ish fish were decked. One pulled off.

We turned on the numbers and BAM A LAM down goes three more lines. This time I knew we had a big fish on the long center rigger, with 18 lbs of drag this fish literally smoked the reel for about 45 seconds as she ran for the horizon. This fish did something I dont think I have ever seen before though, it greyhounded jumping like a Marlin. It had about 350-400 yards out and I couldnt see it clear enough as it jumped but I thought for the first 10 minutes it was a Small Blue. It must have jumped 3-4 times. Soon we had her boatside and realized it was a big Hoo. She went 65lbs. The other two were again 40-50lb fish.

By now we take a break to clean the deck and we soon get back on the pull. The action slowed a bit for an hour so we went looking for more bait balls. Throughout this time we get a several more bites that either are bally cutoffs or missed bites. About 2pm we head back to the spot and off it goes again, two lines go off, one on the prop wash bait comes to the gaff and the other pulls off quickly.

Another pull through the HOT SPOT and the outrigger pops, soon another nice Hoo goes to the icebox. By now its gettin late in the evening and we are ready to go home. One more pass through the numbers and the flat line has a nice hoo sky on the bait. This fish was about twenty feet off the transom and we all got a face full of him. Awesome site to see that fish come out of the water. Only problem was the hook dint find the fish. Seconds later, another hoo comes through the spread and skys on the RUCKUS RAISER about the thrid wave back, once again the hook doesnt find the jaw. The usual suspects were the blk/prpl, blk/orage, blu/whit....the wolfpack didnt really have a preference. This was up close and in our faces, no matter we didnt hook those, the air show was worth seeing. What a way to end the day, in your face strikes with the fish still biting.

Every day isnt like this but when its HOT its great action. All in all I figured we went 7 for 15 or more.

Great to be back with the Old Martini Gang. If you can make it out, winter time Hoo fishing off NC and SC is worth braving the cold.