MHC 8 Aug Trolling / Jigging, Bottom Bouncing

[Ponce]

Headed out of MHC yesterday broke the inlet at 0500 first lines in the water at 0645. Caught a snake King on the WB B/W Islander about 0700. Never had another sniff trolling, trolled 20-60 Fathoms water temp 81-84 degrees. Very few flyers and or weeds never was able to find any decent break.

About 1200 we decided to do some jigging and bottom bouncing on some numbers I have in the area. First stop in about 330ft, first drop I get a Grouper. What’s funny is just about every time we’ve done this I’ll catch a Grouper on the first drop then that’s it for me from a Grouper stand point. We’ll it happened again today. The other guys using bait managed a couple more Grouper a huge trigger and a Sand Tile.

We fished 3 different spots 330, 220, and 180 feet and had hits / fish on all 3. I managed 4 AJ’s between 40-60lbs just for fun. As usual my go to jig was the Eastern Tackle Katana 240g Pot roast.

The ocean was beautiful we ran out and back as fast as we wanted to run. I talked with Caleb once on the radio and it sounded like they were picking away at them trolling. From a radio stand point it sounded like most folks where picking away at the fish with a mix of Sails, Whites, Blues, Hoos, with a Mahi or two thrown in. We just never had any love trolling.

We saw two really cool things; when we were trolling we got stampeded by a herd of Dolphin (mammal). I have never seen a school this big off my boat it had at least 40-50 they came from our side at warp speed jumping and playing some went to our bow to play some went right through our spread then they moved on. Then right after we cleaned up to bottom fish a White Marlin came hauling butt about 25 yards off our side free jumping which was pretty cool.

All in all another great day on the water with friends

[calebw]

Great job with the groupers Ponce. We only managed to get two wahoo (35 lbs each) off the bridge pole. Had 6 more cut my 80lb mono on the dinks. We were targeting whites and sail dogs and only had a wire bait on the bridge pole. Next time I won't forget the #8 piano wire at the dock .

[crappiekrazy]

Nice report and some great pictures, makes me want to go fishing!!

[merry marlin]

Pretty work on those good looking deep water scamps and thanks for the report...
Those sand tiles must be one of my favorite baked fish
Seems like some nice flat water at last, it must have been a smooth ride in.
MM

[BTH284]

Way to stay at it and take it to the bottom

[Jared D]

Excellent catch. Way to mix it up and fill the box.