James Joyce II reports and pics

[Water Damage]

geez, been a while since I've been fishing, got to remember how to post a report!?!?!?!



had a fun trip planned last friday (4/18) with the owners and a couple of guests. Left the inlet around 5:45 and had a decent run out despite the seas being a bit rolly. Lines in just inshore the Rise before 8 and tried a little high speed across the rise to the swansboro hole, unfortunately had nothing to show for it. We changed it up and tossed the spread out and began working down the beach, actually made it to the 400 line and the water was just looking dead - no bait, no grass, no flyers - nothing. Headed back up and finally around the 500 line or so we had 3 lines come down - planer, short rigger and bird rig. Planer made short work of the first fish - a little hoo to bloody the decks. Second fish bit off the short rigger, took everything. 3rd fish was destroying the way back bird rig, he had nearly smoked a 50 wide by the time we got the rod down to the pit from the bridge and got the angler in the chair. Fought it for a couple minutes and it finally pulled the hook - it was about as fast as I have ever seen a fish take a 50 like that, musta been a NICE hoo, but we'll never know. Marked the spot and made a few more passes thru it - only picked up a small mahi and 1 other bite. We made it all the way to the Big Rock and then called it a day - mostly listened to folks talk about how bad fishing had been. We did not have all we had hoped for but felt we did as good or better than most.




Saturday we had our makeup trip with a really fun group of folks. Left the inlet a couple minutes late but made good time with the calm seas. Ran up the beach a ways with most of the fleet - put lines in around the 700 line. Fished for a bit with the crowd and marked a lot of bait but had no action, and it sounded about the same for the rest. Decided to work away from the crowd a bit and headed up the beach, got around the 730 and turned back around as the water was looing worse and was not marking any more bait. As I got almost back to the fleet around 11:30 it finally happened. BAM, short rigger comes down but does not come tight! Then a sec later the long rigger comes down and tight and SCREAMS!!!! Angler in the chair and the fight is on. Herb yells to me that the spool is emptying out fast but we kept trolling. The a rigger on the other side pops - again didn't come tight - dangit! Then I see a huge explosion on the right end of my spreader bar - tuna hit it but missed the hook - then another splash on the other side of it, then another big boil at the back - still nothing - then finally another smashed the thing and headed for the hills! By this time the 1st fish has never slowed down and really put a hurting on the spool - its almost time. I am about to give up with my 2 fish on and the way back bird rig comes down hard - got'em on baby!!!

ok, so now we have 3 nice tunas on and thye start tangling everything up. We start the process of working them all back and moving line over line, etc.. Spreader bar fish comes in first, gaff and in the box! A minute or so later the way back fish comes in, gaffed and another meets the ice. The original fish is still out there - fighting HARD! The guys finally manage to get him close to the boat, he is staying down and still pulling very hard. We finally see him and he is MUCH larger than the other 2. Herb reaches out to grab the leader and I hear a loud POP, I'm ticked thinking we popped the leader. Herb yells up and shows me - the 150# windon swivel had broke in half!!!!!! Best I could tell the fish looked a solid 50# plus, but again we'll never know for sure. Only other bite of the day was a little slinger mahi that hopped off just before they slung him in the boat. Beautiful fast run back on calm seas - what a gorgeous day on the water. Kinda weird, seemed to be slim pickings for most of the fleet again today - guess the fish have just been slow starting.





keep watching the board, we will be posting up other makeups as we have the availability. Hope to see a bunch of you guys out there!!

[Razorback]

Where are you docked at captain?

[austin ensor]

cool good report cant wait to get down there

[Water Damage]

Where are you docked at captain?

we are keepin her at Morehead City Yacht Basin, C dock

[Baywolf]

Hey Troy, the new ride looks sweet. Hope you have a great season man. I am going to make it over there and check her out one of these days, just had my own project on the other side of the street. Catch em up!

[clt_capt]

We were right there with you on Sat. She sure is a pretty ride.

[WAHOONBOX]

Where are you docked at captain?

WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN ALL WINTER???? ABSENTEEISM IN THE WORLD IS NOT ACCEPTED!..........MISSED YA BRO


PRETTY WORK THERE DAMAGE......I KNOW YOU WILL BE RIGHT IN THE THICK OF THE MESS WHEN NOAA GIVES US BETTER DAYS....


ROCK ON JAMES JOYCE...ROCK ON!

[hubris 1]

thats a pretty boat.....what is it? also, isnt that pirates cove? i love it there.

[Water Damage]

hubris - its a Glen Haught design (Jarrett Bay), built in Virginia - (Va Marine Institute I think). The pics on my website currently are from Pirates Cove but the one above is back at our now permanent slip at Morehead City Yacht Basin.


Thanks guys!!! Rick, think I kinda crossed behind you guys earlier that morning. Come on by and see us sometime. Can't wait for the thick of the season to get here - hell, as we sit now its getting pretty busy with all the tourneys the boss is wantin to fish!!!

again, thanks to everyone for all the help and support, and a big thanks to Byron from SFC who joined us on our makeup this past weekend - now quit lurking and post up some!!!!!

[hubris 1]

i saw that before......came right home and googled it. couldnt find it but it's nice looking. another guy, with talent, building boat's, laying low, its a nice looking rig,