ocmd LEGASEA report 7/24

[SharkJP]

Well, the good news is we didnt pull a hook once!! Bad news is the action wasnt as good as last week.We had lines in at the dog around 6ish right where all the bait was last week on the south end and there were already a lot of boats on the chunk. We pulled lines around the fleet and had our first bite in about an hour. He ran off over half a spool before we pulled out of gear looking for a multiple but it wasnt to be. Got him in the box and worked that area for a little while. I was marking bait but it was hard to stay with it as there was so much traffic and it was like an obstacle course with all the guys on the dark side. About 10 we had a small yft come up and eat a green machine bar right in the prop wash and again, no multiple. Stayed there for another hour or so and I couldnt take anymore and we decided to run offshore. We flipped a coin and headed to the balt. I worked the west wall up toward the tip and couldnt raise anything. The area was very lifeless. We even came across a 15' 2x8 that looked like it had been floating for a while and no mahi. (This is going to be the topic of another post)We decided to pick up and run to the chix/ham bone area looking for a bft but again no love. We ended the day 2-2 on yft and a very happy angler who finally popped his tuna cherry. The look on his face was priceless when he finally got the fish to the boat and then it decided to scream off another 100 yds...those are the things i love out there now. Anytime i get to see that look in the eye of someone who just became addicted to being offshore it makes it all worthwhile!!

[SharkJP]

ohh yea, i forgot to add that the barbie rod was the secret weapon again...dont leave home without it!! Needless to say, my buddy was very happy with his first tuna

[SharkJP]

even John rogers is thinking of trading in his Tiagra's for a full barbie spread

[duckman]

John

Glad your buddy got hooked! My daughter caught her first tuna also at the hambone. She and her friend Amy cranked on a 106 pound bluefin. Along with some much needed help from Al! As u said seeing their face makes it all worth it.
Schrader

[mikehalseyjr]

No pulled hooks, awesome!!!

Light or tight drags?

Mike

[BTH284]

Nice work on your fishing guys!

[SharkJP]

John

Glad your buddy got hooked! My daughter caught her first tuna also at the hambone. She and her friend Amy cranked on a 106 pound bluefin. Along with some much needed help from Al! As u said seeing their face makes it all worth it.
Schrader

Shrader, seeing them sat was great just with the flounder...I was cracking up watching them try to get the fish situated for the photos. You sure looked like a proud pappa!

[SharkJP]

No pulled hooks, awesome!!!

Light or tight drags?

Mike

Mike, while I def took everyones suggestions into consideration, I tried to not change my game up too much. I backed off the drags by about 2lbs at strike on all my reels and just rounded off the knife edge on the hooks to more of a cone, but other than that kept things the same. We did try an experiment with one side of the spread with floro and the other with mono, go figure we caught fish on both, so that debate is still open. I was fishing 100lb mono and 130lb floro. I am going to try dropping to 90lb floro next trip and see if it makes a difference.

[Breakin Loose]

Mike,
On another topic, have you ever had issues with your hydro's on your steering. I see you have a WorldCat and my seastar has been giving me grief for the past 2 years with leaks. Every mechanic I talk to says this is a common issue on WC's? Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Josh

[SharkJP]

Mike,
On another topic, have you ever had issues with your hydro's on your steering. I see you have a WorldCat and my seastar has been giving me grief for the past 2 years with leaks. Every mechanic I talk to says this is a common issue on WC's? Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Josh

Josh, what type of problems have you had? The only issues i have had were breaking the line and the fluid would leak out right under the wheel at the helm...it actually was a nervous situation because that stuff turned the deck into an ice rink...it was like spilling menhadden oil on the deck. That happened twice and has not happened again. Give Kenny or his wife donna a call at Starboard Marine - 410-352-0000 and tell him I sent you (John...lol) He will take very good care of you. The only time I go elswhere is with honda specific issues and then I call north bay. Tommy Fowler (fowlscay on sfc) does their sales there and if you tell him you are from SFC he will certainly take good care of you.