RUN OFF spring break April 10, 2008

[SeaBiscuit]

Since the father - kid tourney got blown out last week, I've been keeping a close eye on the weather hoping that we'd a get a little break long enough to take the Lil' Biscuit out on the water. This week is spring break in our area and the little man earned a fishing trip by bringing home a good report card.

The break that we did get was not suitable for a Seabiscuit boat expedition. 6 foot seas with some wind chop. Gratefully captain Brian and the black boat were available and came to the rescue!

Nick (Slip Slidin) and Geoff (Holwachagot) joined Jason (Lil' Biscuit) and I yesterday on the Run Off. As expected, when we got to the boat a 4:45 AM she was spotless and captain B and John (O-Sea-D) were smiling and ready for war! No less than 12 tiagras were in the pit, 5 dozen worms lined up in the bait tray and enough blue and white to think it was Greek Independence day!

Rough going in the slop and heavy fog on the way out. I felt the boat slow a little earlier than expected and stepped out to see what was up. B was playing games in the dark and had run the boat right up to a massive commercial ship. The sight of a quarter mile of steel moving fast through the twilight darkness and thick fog was enough to erase any ideas of sleep or further queasiness from my mind!

Bites came steady in the morning and although the water was rather warm (77+) the pattern was an early spring one. Kingfish, little tunnies and blackfins. Lil'Biscuit was the designated cranker and he stepped up to the task admirably


The blackfins were good sized ones


A left flat bite broke the rubber band, but the fish, a nice bull dolphin, took an interest in a middle flat bait before being coaxed to return to the left, be fed and nicely hooked by Slip. Lil' Biscuit did the honors again and after a few minutes the biggest dolphin of his young fishing career was laying on the deck


A lone yellowfin came to play and he too joined his blackfined cousins and the bull on ice. By mid morning the kill box was looking very respectable and the beast was looking very determined:


Out came the 80's, horses and poppers and off we went passed 100 fathoms. I have clear memories of springs gone by when big schools of yellowfins hung offshore the rock attracting the attention of blue ones. I have clear memories of the black boat finding both with out another boat in sight. It was not to be in this rather unusual spring season, but definitely worth a try.

Heading back toward the rock and the fleet, it crossed my mind that Jason was a wahoo away from a Carolina meatfish slam. seeing John getting the captain's OK to set out the planer road, I felt good about our chances. We had wire down, on the flats and the bridge pole. The toothy rascals found several of our mono baits, stealing John's witches and "upsetting" the good captain. A cute little fella made the mistake of making a pass at the bridge pole bait and captain B was soon handing down the rod that would complete Jason's slam




We ended the day with 4 blackfins, the yellow, the bull and the weehoo. Brian forced John to also throw some "trash" in the box, which was, gratefully, separated from the good meat by a generous layer of ice (thanks John!)

I can't thank Brian and John enough for once again taking good care of us and working hard to make the trip successful and enjoyable. The black boat and it's crews hold a special place in my younger son's "outdoors" growing up experience.
Looking forward to my next trip on the Run Off!
SeaBiscuit

[Tuna Taxi]

Great report, Nick. Makes me wish I wasn't sitting at my computer. When you started talkin' 80's, horses, & chuggers I thought we were in for a great story. If anyone can sniff out a blue in the early season, the Beast & that black boat sure can. It won't be long before he snags one.

Glad you had a good time, Congrats to Lil' Biscuit on the good report card and some good crankin'.

[shoefish]

If that isn't passing on the knowledge and the passion from one generation to the next then I don't know what is. Congrats to captain and crew on a nice day, and especially to Jason for his first Carolina meatfish slam....the first of many I am sure. Keep up the good work Jason!

[gradywhite273]

thats some great stuff, wouldn't expect anything less from that all star lineup. great going guys.

[merry marlin]

Great report and pictures...
We'll need to get our boys to fish together one day. A lot better being on the water than in school!
MM

[crocker on cape]

great report..sounds like a good day. Better than being in school all day

[reelreturn]

Great pictures Biscuit !!! Great to see the Lil Biscuit join in on the fishing trip.Let's hope for some smoother seas to get our boats out to the fishing grounds. Tax season is over for me now and I'm ready to fish every day !!!

[austin ensor]

Grad slam..nice work

[Dave Sikorski]

Pretty work Lil Biscuit!!

Nothing finer than a day on that black boat.

I'll be down on the 24th and 25th and still need a few fellow anglers!!

-D

[TriAngler]

Nice meat slam, Jason! You're one lucky dude to take a trip like that - must be some gooooood grades. Just one question though....Who's short guy with long hair?!

Come see me,

K