Captain Chaos - Report from the Baltimore...10-12-08

[MAKO19]

Well I wish I had some good news but all I can say is we are all brusied and battered from a terrible day as far as the fishing goes in the Baltimore yesturday.

With hopes of again finding some Yellowfin or Longfin, figuring it has just got to turn on any day now, the tuna fishing continues to be non-existant for us. Captain Paul was kind enough to take us out again on the Captain Chaos yesturday with a crew consisting of FightingIrish45, mcc, JB, Harry and myself. The weather in the morning was a little bumpy but it calmed down pretty good as the day went on. At least the weather man was on the money yesturday. We left Wildwood a little after 3:30 a.m. in route to the Baltimore. We started our troll between 40-50 fathoms in route to the tip hoping to find some Wahoo inside of the hundred. Well that didn't happen. We threw everything at them yesturday. Starting off with almost a full spread of wire leaders and large skirted ballyhoo on every one of our heavy hitter Ilander and seawitch lures, the big chugger down the middle and a few spreaders bars on the short riggers. Once on the hundred we trolled by a red hull Contender center console that was hooked up and watched him boat a nice Wahoo (he said about 60 pounds) good job to this skipper and crew if he is a barn member. So we worked this area hard with nothing to show for. We then headed over to the East side and trolled down the wall and did manage to put 3 Dolphin in the box. After we got down the East side toward the bight we shot over to the West side and back up toward the tip. NOTHING!!! It was getting late at this point and we took a vote. Hang around and continue to pull baits through the dead sea or head inshore and hope to snag a Bluefin. Everyone agreed it was time to head inside.

The first stop inside took us to the base of the trunk on the 30 and the water was cool at 64-65 degrees and dirty. There was apparently 68 degree clearer water there the day before but the hard NE blow on Saturday moved it out or somewhere else because it was no where to be found. Time to engage plan "C" and head to the 19 fathom lump. Upon arrival we spotted 2 scallopers working to the south. We loaded them up with some much needed supplies in exchange for some bait and a few pounds of tasty morsels to take home with us. With fresh guts now on board we fished behind these boats with 2 baited rods and even jigged for a while without a touch. The good news is one of the Captains said he did see the Bluefins there earlier in the day but we got there very late at about sunset and simply ran out of time. We even tried the WWWWWB and planer inshore Bluefin technique with Blue/White and Blue/Pink large skirted ballyhoo a country mile from the boat and trolled there for a while without a touch.

Once word describes the way I (and I am sure the rest of the whole crew as well as the South Jersey fleet) feel right now and that is FRUSTRATED!! Frustration to the point where everyone said they are done going offshore unless they get a good report. I personally can't settle for defeat and I am sure once the smoke clears the guys will want to try again, at least I hope so because there are still 3 more weeks before the Stripers will be worth chasing around and other than that I am not sure there is anything else worth fishing for right now .

Props to Paul, JB, Dad, Harry and Tyler for sticking it out and using every second of daylight trying to put a tuna in the boat yesturday. At least we can fry up some fresh scallops tonight as a substitute for the seared tuna and hopefully watch the Phils kick some Dodger a$$.

[bigfish4me]

You guys gave it hell thats for sure...you cant win if you dont play...nice report and better luck next time out fellas.