Memorial Day Mako on Blackjack

[snowranger]

Took the boat out for our first trip of 2010 on Memorial Day. Headed out to the Hotdog looking for bluefish (62 degrees). Water temp was the warmest between the fingers and the Hambone (63-64.5). Trolled up three bluefish on the dog and set up about a mile south of the lump (due north drift). Got our first bite on the south edge of the dog and broke off a nice mako (mainline broke 20 feet from the swivel?). Released a 100lb blue shark and then mr mako showed up just before we drifted off the north edge. Thought it was another blue shark at first and pulled the bait away only to see it was a mako (duh!). Finally got her to eat and set the hook. Gave the rod to my angler/mate and cleared the other lines. The fish came up to the surface once but didn't jump then settled under the corner of the boat. Wanting to tire her out a bit, I put the boat in gear to give a little distance to work but she just swam along side the boat on the surface. Decided to take her and the end game was as easy as it gets (nice to have a plan executed perfently and a cooperating fish)!
Great day on the water and nice first fish of 2010!

[austin ensor]

nice job glad to see theya re here

[LONGFIN2]

Nice job Eric. We killed one on Sunday about the same exact size. Caught our fish in the first 15 minutes and then nothing. We were a little south west of where you were. Isn't it nice when your maiden voyage for the year actually puts meat on the table I did see some small bluefin on the surface due east of the Jackspot too.

[snowranger]

Thanks Lance. Congrats on your fish too. Good to know about the bluefin. You pull anything around them?

[LONGFIN2]

Thanks Lance. Congrats on your fish too. Good to know about the bluefin. You pull anything around them?

Nah, we were pulling junk on top of the Jspot for bluefish and we picked up to head offshore so we were running when we saw them. Slowed the boat down and was gonna give it a try but I had already put the trolling gear away.

[Vaughan]

Nice fish E!

[Hroonk]

Cool deal Eric! Congrats on the fish. Maybe we'll get to try a maiden voyage this weekend as well.

[C-Duck]

Makes all the heartache with the engine issues worth it...Nice job buddy!

Curtis Campbell
Reel Estate Sportfishing
Ocean City, MD

[Mako22]

For a while, I was thinking about targeting Drum in the bay since spring rockfish are done.... Now my head is going straight to offshore. Can't wait to get out there!

Same thing happens every year - once the first few offshore reports come in, the bay quickly takes a back seat....