our ride out was unbelievable, less than 1’ up to 2 feet around 8 seconds with light wind. We found several bait balls on the way out. Had squid and balleyhoo, three friends going out to enjoy some bottom bumping. The night started off ok, a couple squid were eaten and we ran to several spots off the maps unique…
got to witness the most amazing moon rising (looked like sunrise) it was really red, then as it went up the near full moon shown very bright. Ending most of the bottom activity… So we began learning more on the electronics. What better to do when you have a couple hours to kill while putting two good friends over some live bottom.
then while showing one of the guys the sat weather we noticed the super large storm headed our way… we were 49 miles out… the storm was around g-town / winyah bay and soon to be in between us and the hill. The storm was simply too big to stay put and ride it out and there was no way around…
the ocean wins and we begrudgingly decided to take the safe road and hed to the hill… For most of the ride we were able to make 30knts. then we happened upon the sea bouy and it was a parking lot. Ships lined up for miles and miles. Saw one boat (center console w/o radar) almost get ran over by the “Washington” at least that is what the Captain of the container ship called his vessel. He even asked the coast gaurd if they had sent an escort, after the CGF replied no, then they launched a boat to check out why the CC was so close… It moved away and did not respond to VHF or hailer… strange.
Fish on the boat =0
mother nature and the forcasters = 1/0
Friends home safe =3
140 miles and had to cut the trip short, we will do it again very soon.
here is a link to to the video from the storm on XM weather. Better pics of the storm to come…
the scale is 30 miles per inch we are sitting inside the jetties and the storm is passing behind us, sorry for the blurry pic, but that is what i have right now…
one of the most awesome shows of green, purple, and orange lightning i have ever seen… with the ocean being sooooo flat you could see the upper atmosphere lighting for over 50 miles. I have a 48 NM HD radar and when we found the storm on XM it was way off in the distance. the storm covered a large area in a short time span.
Did this all go down early this morning? I heard the storm last night at 3:30 AM. Checked the radar on my blackberry and thought man it looked bad offshore. I thought if I was getting up to go offshore right now I’d have to call my crew and cancel. Buoy data reflects the storm at 3:50 AM with winds over 30 knots.
Thanks, we ran in pretty fast, won’t say how fast but we beat it inside the channel markers… we were watching boats going out w/o radar and running blind into the storm. Got a couple on the radio and asked them to check with the coast gaurd before leaving the jetties… one did immediately and turned back, others just pressed on… i wish them the best of luck and a safe day fishing with a safe return…
You made the right decision man way to be safe, I had to take a painting off my wall above my bed last night the thunder was rattling it so bad. I live in MI and at 1:45 last night I thought someone took a picture in my bedroom.
If the comedy channel on your XM goes out switch your VHF to 68.
■■■■!! I heard the thunder last night at around 2pm (i believe that was the time), and thought it was probably one of the worst storms i had ever heard.
Was not happy when I made the decision to run in, but looking back it was definitely the right decision. The Forecast had no rain or chance of showers. The showers were not in the forecast until later in the afternoon today.
ReelCzone, now that we’ve had a taste of the overnight, we’ve gotta make that type of trip into a success.
We are eager to right this trip… We have fished quite a few trips this year, according to the electronics we’ve ran over 900 miles this season since installing the new electronics. We have been fortunate, and thankful for the safe trips.
That can be a tough decision to make, especially when others on the boat say “let’s stay and ride it out” or “it’ll be fine” chances are they are prolly right, but as captain that decision is yours and yours alone to make. Good call you made in my book. Can be hard not to succomb to “peer” pressure at times like that but it’s not a democracy on a boat! I fell prey to peer pressure one WAY foggy morning that just screamed “don’t leave the dock” but went ahead and ran out the river and made it just fine with no problems, but I still kick myself in the butt for that morning.
Cane_creek, i caught a couple hours of sleep, but got called to work once they knew i was back. will sleep good tonight.
TB1,
the others on my boat have boats of their own and told me the decision was mine, after making the call they agreed that they wanted to make the run inbound. Either way democracy or not as captain you have to make the call and stick by your decision. My theory is play the safe bet and fish another day.
one of the most awesome shows of green, purple, and orange lightning i have ever seen… with the ocean being sooooo flat you could see the upper atmosphere lighting for over 50 miles. I have a 48 NM HD radar and when we found the storm on XM it was way off in the distance. the storm covered a large area in a short time span.
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