Swansboro Tourney report - close but no cigar

[Water Damage]

we entered the swansboro rotary buewater tourney for Memorial Day weekend. I got down to the coast and spent all day Friday getting her ready for our first billfish tourney on the boat. And on that subject - a big Thanks to Brett (Reel Overtime) for hanging with me and helping out prepping stuff for us - I could not have got it all done without ya man!

Headed out about 6 am Saturday, crossed the shoals and set her on a line for a long ride up the beach. Lines in at 9 am around the 930 in about 200 fathoms. Not much going on, then heard of a bite a ways down the beach so I headed that way. Made it down to the 700 or so and finally get a tug at the long bridge pole but it never comes tight. They called for lines in at 3 and we started to pull'em in - and of course, the long bridge pole 80 starts singing!!! Fortunately it comes unpinned and we did not have to do battle for nothing. Started in and found my starboard side would not turn up - we had to make a fairly slow ride in but made it back. Apparently we must have picked up a very bad batch of fuel somewhere. We have not had any water in our seps or any trash to speak of prior to this, but today it was slam full!!!! We had to change out all the filters and you could squeeze a gallon of water out of each paper filter!!!! Cranked it back up and almost immediately the seps started filling with water again. Finally got it all figgered out about midnight.

Back on the boat and headed out about 6 again Sunday. Decided to start where I finished Sat. Lines in at 9 and then at 9:44 the stbd short pops and the 130 immediately starts screaming!!!! Herb pushed it way up and it musta made her mad cause she hit another gear and went even faster!!! We are now all hussling to get it all cleaned up and get Jim in the chair. She finally stopped and Jim was getting line back pretty good so I did not have to drown everyone to go after the fish. She came in pretty close so we could get a look at how big she was, jumped a time or 2 then decided to go bye bye. Another long run until Jim could start back on her. This time she came on in close. Gave us some very nice jumps and sat on the surface to let us see enough to know we did not need to measure this one - out comes the flying gaff!!! Get the swivel outta the water and about 2 or 3 feet out of Herbs reach, then she decides she ain't done yet! Off she goes again, but this time she ain't messing around - she goes deep. Finally stops and Jim hits low gear and starts to winch her up. At 11:00 we get her back to within about 10 yards of the transom, she is about 10 feet down or so swimming around, looking pretty tired. Then, she shakes her head one time and the hook pops right out!! Talk about a big disappointment!! She was at least 500#, and I would honestly guess she was more like 600 or so. We put it all back out and went back to work. Tons of flyers, birds working, managed 3 very nice gaffers - largest was 30#, smallest just over 20. That was it for our day.

so, we didn't win but I feel pretty good about our effort. Our first billfish tourney and we managed to hook and nearly boat what would have been a placing fish. Got a few things to iron out but feel good about being ready for the Big Rock!! We got the "feeling" and excitement of our first big one out of the way - now we just gotta get those last few feet!

Hope everbody had a great Memorial Day weekend and took time to reflect on the true reason for the holiday!

Troy

[BTH284]

Gonna have to keep an eye on the JJ for the rest of the season. Nice work Capt Troy.

[#1Gaffman]

Great report Capt. Troy and it looks like you guys had no lack of effort. Sucks the hook pulled but im sure you guys will get another shot at the money blue this year...