St. Croix, USVI Report & Pics 11/29/08

lilharcher · 12-02-2008, 09:05 PM

Went on my honeymoon to St. Thomas and St. Croix this last week and after some less than ideal fishing conditions on St. Thomas, was able to sneak in a day offshore while on St. Croix on my last day on the island. Fished with Capt Carl on his 36' Hatteras Sportfisher "Mocko Jumbie" on Saturday Nov 29 and unfortunately I was only able to sneak in a half day prior to my flight home. We departed Christiansted harbour and targeted Wahoo in the morning but the speedsters failed to cooperate. At around 9 am, we headed for the deeps in search of Mahi-Mahi. Capt Carl had indicated that the Mahi were large mature fish this time of year and were easily located by frigates. Luckily for us that it didn't take long to find a pack of frigates working an area approximately 3 miles from our current location. While we motored up to the area with the frigate activity, mate adam and I changed out the lure spread to a tasty spready of skirted ballyhoo. Once we got in the area, it didn't take long.....left rigger snaps, 5 second drop back, and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, fish on. Big Bull immediately went on the defensive with numerous leaps and head shakes. After the first 5 minute arial show, fish dug deep and laid sideways in the current (like most smart bulls). While I was fighting my fish, Capt Carl dropped back a dead flyer in hopes of a follower. well, it didn't take long before we had a double going.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, my wife was hooked up to the following cow.

Following the second hook-up, a 5 minutes tug-a-war insued before I brought my big bull to leader and Adam successfully sunk the gaff and wrestled the 50lb fish-on board.......once in the boat, the bull fell off the gaff and went ape shit, tossing everything in its path and almost causing my wife to go overboard...hahahahaha. Once contained and boxed, Amy went to pulling on her fish and within 10 minutes, had her a nice 30lb cow mahi in the boat.

Well, not a bad start.......2 for 2. After getting turned around and the spread back-out, we were back in the game. A lone frigate was following what we hoped was another quality Mahi about a mile off the port side. After a 6 minute journey, we were on the spot. Next thing you now, the frigate is racing towards the spread. Once directly overhead, the right rigger snaps and after a quick drop back, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ FISH-ON. This fish was the smallest of the 3, an adolecent bull of 28lbs, which I made quick work of. Within 5 minutes after the strike, our 3rd Mahi was in the ice box......and we remained perfect on the day going 3 for 3 on quality mahi. That pretty much ended our day and we trolled back to the barn so that we could catch our flight home.

All and all a great day on the water with Capt Carl and mate Adam of Mocko Jumbie Sportfishing. If you are ever on the island of St. Croix, I highly recommend fishing with Carl, who can be reached at 340-277-4042 or through his website at Sport Fishing Charters St. Croix USVI - Capt. Carl Holley. Here are the Pics:

In action.....long live Pelagic:

St. Croix, USVI Report & Pics 11/29/08-action.jpg

Big Bull:

St. Croix, USVI Report & Pics 11/29/08-huge-dorado-50lbs.jpg

My Wife & I:
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Group Shot
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tugboat · 12-02-2008, 09:08 PM

Very good fish! Nice way to cap off a honeymoon. Congrats on the fish and the wife.

Adam Cargill · 12-02-2008, 09:51 PM

Nice job Matty. We are leaving Los Suenos tomorrow morning. Hope to see you in Panama soon. Congratulations to you and Amy.

SLAYER25 · 12-02-2008, 10:01 PM

nice work on the mahi and on the marriage

John Rogers · 12-02-2008, 11:22 PM

nice work and congrats on getting married

Tenacious · 12-02-2008, 11:40 PM

Great pics and great report...Congrats on tying the knot

KEY-LIME-PIE · 12-03-2008, 08:01 AM

Congrats on getting hitched! Nice fish, glad you were able to top off the honeymoon with some nice Mahi.

Capt Tom

Robja · 12-03-2008, 08:05 AM

Nice report. Congratulations on the marriage and the nice Mahi

Gmoney! · 12-03-2008, 12:40 PM

congrats Matt. You know Amy is a keeper when she is cool with fishing on your honeymoon. My wife was ok with me fishing one day while at Bora Bora, but unfortunately we did not get those grade of fish

lilharcher · 12-03-2008, 02:23 PM

Thanks for all the kind words guys.......Amy loves being out on the water.......she even paid for half the charter (that's a keeper).

Adam, I will definately see you in January.....probably the last week given the favorable lunar tables. I will bring back those hoo lures as well.......all the guys had similar rigs but everyone liked yours the best. Too bad the hooters weren't cooperating.

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12-02-2008, 09:08 PM	#2
tugboat Weeekend Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: georgia Posts: 7 Credits: 350.4 Boat: Folbot Yukon. Have yak will travel. Best Catch: 12.5 inch native eastern brook trout Occupation: vagabond	Very good fish! Nice way to cap off a honeymoon. Congrats on the fish and the wife.

12-02-2008, 09:51 PM	#3
Adam Cargill I am a tackle Ho Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Posts: 17 Credits: 765.6 Boat: Boomer Home Port: Laguna Beach, CA Best Catch: Any Catch Occupation: Professional Boat Driver	Nice job Matty. We are leaving Los Suenos tomorrow morning. Hope to see you in Panama soon. Congratulations to you and Amy.

12-02-2008, 10:01 PM	#4
SLAYER25 I use a green machine Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: LBI Posts: 212 Credits: 975.8 Boat: MJ'S Home Port: LBI Best Catch: YOUR WIFE Occupation: SALESMAN	nice work on the mahi and on the marriage

12-02-2008, 11:22 PM	#5
John Rogers I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Elkton, MD Posts: 2,603 Credits: 2,277.3 Boat: 08 25' Contender Best Catch: Micaela	nice work and congrats on getting married

12-02-2008, 11:40 PM	#6
Tenacious I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Metairie Posts: 2,057 Credits: 4,509.8 Home Port: Venice Best Catch: Jill Louise Occupation: Compressor Sales	Great pics and great report...Congrats on tying the knot

12-03-2008, 08:01 AM	#7
KEY-LIME-PIE I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ARNOLD, MD Posts: 1,645 Credits: 11,333.8 Occupation: PARAMEDIC/RN/CHARTER CAPTAIN	Congrats on getting hitched! Nice fish, glad you were able to top off the honeymoon with some nice Mahi. Capt Tom

12-03-2008, 08:05 AM	#8
Robja I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,063 Credits: 10,279.7 Boat: Need more friends with boats!!! Home Port: Southport Best Catch: 150 lb Tarpon & 65 lb Dorado Occupation: Insurance	Nice report. Congratulations on the marriage and the nice Mahi

12-03-2008, 12:40 PM	#9
Gmoney! #1 Croaker Hunter Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 104 Credits: 557.2 Boat: in this economy? :) Home Port: Long Island, PV, Los Angeles. Best Catch: 250lb YFT, 62lb King Salmon, 55lb Dorado	congrats Matt. You know Amy is a keeper when she is cool with fishing on your honeymoon. My wife was ok with me fishing one day while at Bora Bora, but unfortunately we did not get those grade of fish

12-03-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
lilharcher Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Coast Posts: 313 Credits: 2,404.0 Boat: Nada...thank goodness for good friends! Home Port: Puerto Vallarta Best Catch: 300lb YFT & 70lb Dorado Occupation: Banker/Chef	Thanks for all the kind words guys.......Amy loves being out on the water.......she even paid for half the charter (that's a keeper). Adam, I will definately see you in January.....probably the last week given the favorable lunar tables. I will bring back those hoo lures as well.......all the guys had similar rigs but everyone liked yours the best. Too bad the hooters weren't cooperating.