Run-Off Weekend Report 4/18-4/19

[Dave Sikorski]

No thanks to Virginia traffic I made it down to MHC on Friday night and met BOX, Ponytail, Glenn W, and Overboard @ Beach Bumz for a bite before hitting the sheets. Buffalo Hunter, Nick were already back at the hotel and Stretch and I stopped in to say hello and BS a little.

We pulled away from the dock at 4:30 and headed south to a piece of water that had some promise. The moon lit the way through a beautiful ocean with a decent groundswell and little wind. We set the spread in 68 degree water and worked our way along the edge that Capt. Brian was looking for.

We had a slow pick of Mahi's and the radio chatter sounded like we were experiencing the same as everyone else. I headed up to the bridge to BS with Capt. B for a little, and Overboard Jake called out a splash and a fin off the port side of the boat. All eyes turned right, and a 150-200lb blue one paddled in under the right teaser, lit up it's pecs and gave a half ass look, before not being seen again.

The mango/pineapple platter and marble bundt cake that the Capt. sent down from bridge were great for crew morale. I still don't think I've ever seen such a ripe mango.

We worked the area over for a few more ours, then decided it was time to head to the reef donkey place to wear everyone out and make the jig makers happy.

Brian gave the signal to drop on the wreck and we proceeded to hook up on jacks until time ran out. Everyone had a few toothy critter bite off a jig or two. I couldn't stop a few fish and lost a few to the wreck. I had the drag all the way down on my Cabo 80 and wouldn't stop whatever I hooked. It was a great way to end the day, and with the clock running out, we picked up and headed to the hill.

Day two started early again, and even with the 25knot winds blowing to the north, that's the way we headed. It got a little sloppy as we neared the magic spot, and the fliers started showing themselves and the 70+ water looked like it held some promise.

We shortened up the shortriggers in the swell, and the Mahi's found us first. I tried my best at letting the first one go with a terrible gaff shot, but she finally made it in, and we had 3 in the box before the tunas found us. Capt. B had been repeatedly marking tunas and bait in our area and it was only a matter of time. We had a pair come up and eat the flats and the mayhem ensued. With the wind blowing the lines were everywhere, and the swell made getting around the pit interesting. Stretch got in the chair and started going to work on the first fish, and I grabbed the other and fought it stand up. With a little game over over and under, we had a pair of 40lb yellowfin bleeding all over the cockpit. Hearing the first tail thump of the year was a VERY welcome sound.

It turns out we missed a few other bites in the cover up, but all in all I was happy to have some tunas in the box.

We stayed in the area again and got covered up by mahis. Again, it was a mess with lines and leaders all over the place. I gaffed 3 or 4 in the starboard corner and somehow I was able to avoid the standard mahi ball slap before getting them in the box. Somehow, two of the smaller cows ended up escaping through the scupper, you can only imagine the look I got from the bridge

We worked up sea for a while to lessen the blow on the ride home and went 2 for 3 on wahoo. 2 smaller ones came up on the long riggers and one cut the mono right at the boat. The 3rd came on the planer rod and was on the deck in no time.

A snake king joined the box before it was time to head home.

Once again the Run-Off handled some sloppy conditions with ease, and Capt. Brian and BOX took great care of us and sent us on our way with plenty of meat and some great memories.

Thanks again fellas. It was another great weekend with old and new friends.

I have to load some new software then you'll get some pics.

-D

[gottaflylee]

About time you woke up...you know that this thread is worthless with out pictures.... Hurry up!!!

[calebw]

Finally the fishing is starting to heat up

[hunt4fish]

Nice write up D,hate we all couldn't get together @ sometime.. Now I'm expecting pics..,glad you guys had a good and safe trip.

[clt_capt]

This report would be complete with a few pictures

Glad to hear that some tuna are showing up and that you had a pretty good day of Meat in da box...

[Tenacious]

About time you woke up...you know that this thread is worthless with out pictures.... Hurry up!!!

Awesome report but I'm with Lee, we need some footage of this adventure! We expect alot from our members on SFC

[Dave Sikorski]

Here's a few....

No certain order.

-D

[Dave Sikorski]

more....lost my UV filter for camera so I stuck with polarized for this trip. First try for my 40D too. Have a little tinkering to do.

I didn't take as many pics as I'd like, but BOX's footage will fill in the blanks.

-D

[Dave Sikorski]

More stuff.

-D

[reelreturn]

Great write up- even better with the photos. Looks like a great day on the water.