Transit/Fishing Report VB-MHC 11-12 May

[Tuna Taxi]

First off, what a great time it was fishing with GlennW, #1Gaffman (knifeman, see below), Billy and my son Garrett. 2 great days on the water, couldn’t have picked 2 nicer days to make the trip.

Left Little Creek at 4:30am on Friday, rounded Cape Henry and headed for the Point, 100nm away. The fog socked in at False Cape, and we were in it until we hit the nice temp break about 10 miles north of the Point. I hate fog! Not a breath of wind and a few rollers left from the storm, but a nice easy ride, at least the part I could see.

Put in at that warm finger and trolled a bit til we hit the southern edge of it and the cold, green water. Picked up and ran to the point and set in and started trolling around the Point and south. Put 2 mahi and 1 small YFT in the box, that was it for the day. Not a breath of wind and slick calm all day, with the left-over rollers from the blow during the week. Picked up and ran to HI hitting the fuel dock about 6:30.

Took advantage of the “prop-polishing” services that the Hatteras area provides as I rounded the channel marker leaving Teach’s and heading into Hatteras Landing for the night. Silly me, I thought if you round a marker and head straight for the next one 50 yds away, you’d be in the channel. Must be a Hatteras thing. Oh well, that coating I put in the running gear a couple weeks ago was probably just slowing me down anyway.

Left Hatteras the next morning with the fleet and headed for the 000’s. We put in at about 25 fathoms where a temp/color break and grass line formed up. Put a wahoo in the box on the planer rod, then caught a slinger (between a bailer and gaffer) mahi, then a skippy on that line. We trolled across the green water that showed tons of life, but no bites, til we reached the blue water out near 100 fath. Then we started trolling south.

SLOOOOOOOOOWWLLLYYY.

The stream was not kind to us and it was a slow trip south. We stayed mainly on the 100 fath line, dipping in and out in a search pattern. Picked at the mahi all day, putting about 9 slingers in the box and having another half dozen knock-downs that did not come tight. We did try to gaff one dolphin and #1Gaffman showed us why #1 is optimistic! Could have fished the left long by itself that day, all the hits came there. Picked up another wahoo and had a wahoo hit the blue marlin bait and thrash it a bit. Finally made it to the 900 line and started marking all kind of stuff on the bottom and a nice boomerang about 60’ down. But, since we bucked the current all day we were out of time and could only circle a couple times to try and scare something up. Didn’t happen, but that spot is in the plotter for next time.

Picked up about 3 and set out to round the knuckle buoy and head into Beaufort Inlet. After Hatteras, I could have done it with my eyes closed. (but one of you nice MHC guys needs to clue me in on the cut so I can go north without running all the way around the shoal!) We get to the dock, fuel up, and start trying to scrape 2 days worth of crap off the boat. #1 & Billy head to the fish cleaning table, armed with 2 knives and several scared fish. Luckily for the fish, both knives made it in the drink. Never figured that one out. Luckily we had more knives. Rick (Baywolf) and Lou (Bite Me) stopped by to say hi and it was good to see them. Lou said he was glad the dock was going to have some class now, I feel bad that I’m going to have to disappoint him.

We all headed back today. GlennW, Bill, and #1Knifeman headed north in a rental car (was supposed to be a Cobalt, but lanky Billy coerced me into renting an Expedition, a moment of weakness). My wife and I and the kids headed north a short time later. I got a call about 2PM and Glenn said they were somewhere that needed the sunlight trucked in, and I heard Billy in the background yell that he just saw the guy from Deliverance! I haven’t heard from them since, but with it being Mothers Day I hope deliverance guy didn’t make new mothers out of them. Either way, I made it home, caught the end of the race, and had a beer or 2. Hope they made it back.

All kidding aside, GlennW, Billy & #1 were a pleasure to fish with. #1 worked his ass off rigging, watching, hook-setting, cranking, gaffing (well, maybe not). Glenn & Billy are always great to fish with. Couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of guys to make a 2 day trip with.

Now the games begin, I get to fish with the big boys in some water that actually has some fish.

[Glenn W]

Always a plasure riding on the Tuna Taxi--- thanks Bill.
Bucking a 3kt current sure does make for a slow troll down the beach. Pretty work on reading the water-- seems our box was fuller than most.
There was a pretty good Blue Marlin bite out of Hatteras on Friday so we were fairly optimistic, but didn't hear of a single Blue on Sat while working our way to Morehead. In the spirit of being as politically correct as possible, given recent events-- no favoritism was shown to the Horses. Moldcrafts and Ilander, products rcieves equal time.
This is going to be on heck of a season downeast--- no doubt.

[#1Gaffman]

Bill, Awesome 2 days. I had a blast and really enjoyed myself.

Glenn, always a pleasure my redneck buddy.


As far as the gaff thing, WELLLLLLL, how was i suppose to know someone dug a grave behind me?

Least ya didnt mention the mahi spanking i got


Once again, thanks alot for everything bill and GW, cant wait to fish with ya guyz again.....

[bobdu11]

Great report....fantastic writing....Bob

[O-SEA-D]

Glad you guys made it down safe.

Pretty work on your fishing on the way down too.

Saturday there was a couple bills caught. 2 blues and 1 white that I know of for sure further down the beach.

We picked up a Sail on Friday.

Bill, if you need any help with anything please let me know.

We will be fishing tomorrow. If your out there give Captain Brian a call on 18.

I will try to get over to the dock to meet you soon.

[Tuna Taxi]

As far as the gaff thing, WELLLLLLL, how was i suppose to know someone dug a grave behind me?

Least ya didnt mention the mahi spanking i got

You're right, I forgot about the pit trap Billy set for you. Luckily there were fish in there so there was a softer landing when we put GAFFMAN-INDA-BOX.

That mahi slappin you in the butt while you were getting the hook out was priceless, it will be a while before I forget about that one! I would describe it for the board, but I doubt I could do it justice.

between the comedy, you put out some very pretty baits, and they swam like champs. You drug some good stuff behind the 'Taxi on this trip.

[brandon558]

Glad you guys made it down safe. You guys had just arrived to the dock as we were packing the truck and leaving.

Nice job on the fishing..seems like you all had a great time. Look forward to meeting you in the near future!

Brandon

[Bite Me]

Great to see you guys at the Dock. D dock at the MHC yacht basin is moving up in the world.

Look forward to seeing you guys slinging lots of meat on the dock.

[bigfishhulin]

Hey Tuna Taxi. Welcome to MHC Yacht Basin. I fish on the Fin-Addict(53' Hatteras hull/converted to a express) and looking forward to meeting you on the dock there. We will be down fishing Sunday and Monday. Hope to see you then.

[Tuna Taxi]

Hey Tuna Taxi. Welcome to MHC Yacht Basin. I fish on the Fin-Addict(53' Hatteras hull/converted to a express) and looking forward to meeting you on the dock there. We will be down fishing Sunday and Monday. Hope to see you then.

Bigfish,

Thanks, I've seen your ride a few times down there and it was a head-scratcher for me. I could tell it was a Hatt, but was very unique. Very pretty boat. I saw you heading out for what looked like a Mother's Day cruise last Sunday. I may be down this weekend, certainly Mem Day. I'll stop by and say hi.

Bill.