LUCKY DAY, 90"

[Baywolf]

I am finishing out the year on the Hot Tuna, 38 Blackfin out of Town Creek. We've had our share of bad luck this week, pulling off 2 and 1 chewed through the 180 leader. &:55 the deep planer does the BFT bounce, starts ripping then stops. I crank up the slack then nothing, drop back, stop nothing drop back again and it starts ripping. Slam it home and this fish is leaving town fast. As I am clearing the deep planer I am watching the reel get smaller, shit we got to go. 50 lbs and not slowing a bit. Bob get ready. The planer clears the stern and off we go with about 100yds to spare. Now when I tell folks most anglers only make it 3-5 minutes on the reel they look at me and give me the "Oh yeah right" look. But after 5 minutes he was begging for relief. We got the fish about 75 yds off the stern and he did something I have never seen a BFT do, aired out like a billfish. I saw the base of his tail and knew it was a piggy. When I stuck him he took off like a scalded dog. Only 100ft of line on the harpoon, he took it all like a seen out of Jaws with the barrels and kept going with 60lbs of drag. Drug him back to the boat and in, 90"s cored 340, just right.
God I love this job!!!

Question for Ya'll, has anyone sold a fish at Town Creek? After we dropped off the fish a couple guys came over to talk and said, don't expect to get much for your fish. They will tell you something is wrong with it. One guy had brought them 3 fish, one got $6.00, $8.00 and the best was $11.00. He started taking his fish to Hommers and getting good money. Another guy had only gotten $5.00 for a 90" fish. These are experienced northern guys who know how to take care of their fish. We have sold 25 fish in the last 3 yrs and the leas we got was $9.00 and change and they were 74" rats. I've seen guys bring in fish with 2 10 lb bags of ice laying on a 400 lb fish with the skin all dried up and not gutted get over $10.00. Just curious if anyone else has had issues with Town Creek?

[seavee capt]

Nice job on the fish, now go get some more before the closure. Too bad about the Dealer business. Sounds like the fish should go to Homer's... . Good luck, catch em up

[norter79]

Nice job out there!! get out there for another one! the hot tuna backs up perpendicularly to our bow.. i wish i could get back down there before it closed..

[aftergolf]

Rick
Glad to hear you are back in the pit.
Tight lines

[O-SEA-D]

Awesome job Rick. Pretty work on your fish dude!!!

I don't know about selling the fish at Town Creek. I have not heard anything good or bad.

I will say you can NOT go wrong with Homer Smith though. Jason does a great job and his fish are always on the top of the price charts.

Jason has been doing this a long time. Longer then anyone else in our area. Go see him, you won't be disappointed.

[BTH284]

Lucky....I think not. It is called skill my man. Nice to see your right back in the groove.

[Jared D]

Great job! Must have been awesome watching BFT air it out!

[oldmud]

Great job Rick and crew !!! Good story. Sorry to hear about the bad times at the dock. We have had some Horror stories in the past also. If only everyone were honest, how great would that be. Again congrats. !!

Don

[flatbottom]

way to go "Block"

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Enjoyed your post and glad you guys got one.