OI 10/21 - 23

[HeadHunt]

What a fun trip this was. Three flat days in October.... how often does that happen. As an extra bonus, we had several other buddy boats out there. I can't describe how much fun it is for a group of friends... rec guys, fishing the waters and sharing info. and camaraderie. The average guy never gets to experience that in a lifetime and we do it several times a year. Chris, Mark, Dave, Tab, Paul, Jeff, Josh, Stan and Walt, I really enjoyed the trip.

I do have a fishing report somewhere.... not sure where to start except the beginning.

Wednesday we were 15 miles out before the crack of daylight. We ran a 155 heading and pulled up off Diamond Shoals Tower at the 350 line. Noticed a few of the Hatteras boys steaming up the line from the other direction including a friend, Jeff Quidley on the Island Girl. It's always nice to fish around those boys. It was slow and we worked hard to pull in 2 yellowfin and a couple a false albies between there and the 500 before we called it a day. Both fish came off the planer rod, #12 planer and a blue/white Islander. That rod worked me hard all day with the grass around. Bust my chops but I didn't take pics, thinking that was just the beginning of a big meat week.

Thursday morning Stan fell ill so Walt and I headed to the ramp to discover my plotter locked up. No worries, I had a compass and a backup GPS in my bag so we cleared the inlet a few miles and radioed Mark/Josh/Jeff for a position and headed that way. We fished hard all day for a single blackfin but it was very nice with all the whales and other life.

Friday Stan was ready to go and Dave joined us and we shot the inlet about 30 minutes before first light,... and ran to the 660/50 and put lines in. Very nice ride except for all the boat wakes. Tried to pass Pelican but he wasn't going to have much of that. We found the eddy that had pushed in and fished it hard out to 150 fa finishing with a few blackfins and a couple of slingers. The highlight was a screaming run on a 50 wide... no doubt a big tuna but it came unbuttoned just after I strapped Dave into the belt after clearing lines. He just threw the hook, no terminal failure but very heartbreaking none the less. I haven't fished with Dave in a long time but I was really impressed with his gear. We threw a few of his rigs on the boat and I learned a few new techniques. Dave is going to catch some big fish to come.

I had a real surprise with my fuel mileage. I have a thirsty engine but after a tune up and with startron I only burned about 70 gallons a day. You high efficiency boys may laugh at that but I used to burn 85-90 gallons on an OI trip.

I do have a pic that Chris took and a pic of Chris in full moon mode. Also some nice supper tonight... tuna and venison medalions (courtesy of Mark(offshore3144)) .

Alan

[offshore]

Hey Alan it was good seeing you out on the water!! You are right three flat days in a row who would have thought. Enjoyed fishing close by and hopefully back out again real soon. I know how you feel about loosing a big one been there done that...Glad you enjoyed the venison...Mark

[Patudo]

Really enjoyable read - thanks! Those conditions look very friendly indeed. Being able to fish when conditions are nice is a pleasure in itself.

[hblac]

Alan,

I agree with Patudo, you should take up a second career as a sportswriter, very well done. Anyhoo, it looks like Mark is planning a second career as a videographer. Glad you folks had a great time. I was hoping to get up there a second time this year but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

Hal

[offshore]

It will happen if you want it too!! I will give you a call...Mark

Alan,

I agree with Patudo, you should take up a second career as a sportswriter, very well done. Anyhoo, it looks like Mark is planning a second career as a videographer. Glad you folks had a great time. I was hoping to get up there a second time this year but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

Hal

[HeadHunt]

Alan,

I agree with Patudo, you should take up a second career as a sportswriter, very well done. Anyhoo, it looks like Mark is planning a second career as a videographer. Glad you folks had a great time. I was hoping to get up there a second time this year but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

Hal

Thanks for the nice words Hal and Patudo. I wish writing was as much fun as fishing, or paid more than headhunting...

Alan