JULY 3RD OFFSHORE REPORT

[Phillyfisherman]

Left out of Cape May NJ at 7:00 AM and steamed about 25-30 miles offshore to the Misty Blue. Because of wind and tide, we headed to the East Lump so that our drift would eventually put us in the area of the Misty Blue.

Got a real good slick going and our gear in the drink by 8:30 AM. The wait begins. Thirty minutes later, one of our bottom lines takes a monster run. Start reeling and feels like nothing's on there. As we get the fish near the boat, it sees the boat and starts peeling line and diving deep like there's zero drag set. Still have no idea what it is. Starts coming to the surface, so we think a BIG shark. Then 2 more deep, line peeling runs....this isn't a shark. Get the fish near the boat again and we think he's had enough because he runs under the boat and breaks off. Capt Steve's been big game fishing 25 years and although we never saw the fish, he was thinking tuna. I fought the fish for about 5 minutes before handing the rod off to Capt Steve and the fight was unlike anything I've ever tangled with before ....brute force!

We set our lines back out again and wait. And wait. About 10:30 AM, one of our mackerel baits gets ferociously smacked, float disappears from the surface and the fight is on. Fifteen minutes later, we have a 6' Brown shark boatside. Nice set of choppers. First offshore shark for me!! Pop the hook and he swims away to fight another day.

Set our lines out a third time and after about 30 minutes, another mackerel bait gets slammed and the fight is one. A much bigger shark on but after 3 minutes, he spits the hook.

We had a couple of nice browns cruising along side the boat but couldn't get them to take baits we were pitching to them.

Around 1 PM, we had enough and ran 25 kts inshore to the Cape May Reef. A couple of skates and increasing wind made us call it a day by 3:30 PM.

[shoefish]

Man that's too bad about losing that first fish under the boat, but other than that it sounds like a great day!

[flappyj]

feelin your pain, we were out sat and lost the 1st and only mako of the day when he decided to release himself courtesy of the prop. i also think you might be right about it being a bluefin, i remember a barta episode where they were layin baits on the bottom for them.

[Phillyfisherman]

feelin your pain, we were out sat and lost the 1st and only mako of the day when he decided to release himself courtesy of the prop. i also think you might be right about it being a bluefin, i remember a barta episode where they were layin baits on the bottom for them.

FlappyJ:

Tuna is one fish I've never caught....this fish fought unlike any other I've ever tangled with and that includes big Black Drum. This fish peeled line like I was hooked to a submarine and sounded twice. Then I guess he got pissed, so he ran under the boat and broke us off. Capt Steve has caught a ton of tuna and although we never saw it, he's certain that it was a bf.

Sorry to hear your prop got in the way of the mako.

[Phillyfisherman]

Man that's too bad about losing that first fish under the boat, but other than that it sounds like a great day!

Shoefish:
It sucks that we never got to see what it was; we fought it for a good bit then the bastid decided that he had had enough toying with us, ran at 30 kts under the boat and ended the fight!

The guy I fish with is a seasoned salt, with many tuna under his belt, and he was pretty sure we had about a 30-40 lb bf on. Man, that would have been some good eating on the grill!!

[jbones11]

Why did you hand the rod off....is your middle name Sally ?
I thought people from bridesburg were a little tougher then that

[Phillyfisherman]

Why did you hand the rod off....is your middle name Sally ?
I thought people from bridesburg were a little tougher then that

JB11:

Not sure why I handed the rod off.......probably because I didn't want to destroy the boat owner's gear. Figured I'd let him do it since this fish was really putting a bruising on the rod and reel.

I live in Oxford Circle, where it is far more dangerous than Bridesburg. The last 6 years, I feel like I'm living in Norf Philly. I live in the 15th District, which is the second highest crime District in Kiladelphia. Can't wait to retire and get the hell outta here!

[jbones11]

Man...You are a Sally Thats what those rods are meant for. Let 'em do the work and get beat up Philly !! From now on don't ever give the rod up and let that fish beat you, especially if you're first tuna could have been the 'Big One'...sure sounded like it was brother ! You'll get one this year. Keep your eye on that open boat forum. Lots of good capts' in there that can put you on your first tuna real fast. They all like taking out Virgins and popping that cherry !

Oxford Circle LOL...I grew up blocks from there. Grew up at the corner of Harrison and Oakland at FKD High...yeah I know what you mean. My mom just moved last year and had enough. Neighborhood is a real sheethole anymore, get out as soon as you can. Only gonna get worse before it ever gets better.

Good luck getting your first one ! Don't give up the rod next time Sally or we're gonna take donations and send you a few pairs of pink pannies.