First Big trip
Began the Morning at 0500 at the Marina, we stowed enough gear to storm Panama. Crew for this adventure was quite the mixed-bag. Robbie, Navy Jay(1), Old Navy Jay(2), Charleston-Diving (The Man the Myth), Eric Steele, and me behind the wheel.
Got a bit of a late start, at 0545 we slid out of the slip and into the creek leading to the Cooper and instantly realized I was blind-as-a-bat. Ran most of the creek on instruments, with all hands-on-deck. The Curtains and windshield were so badly condensationd we couldnt see. Bit bumpy on way out but we managed about 27knots. Got to southern tip of Southwest Banks and put lines in the water. Managed one large Skip-Jack on the troll, missed a few short strikes. Realized I need to re-rig the outrigger lines because you pretty much have to play Cliff-hanger to put out the lines. About 11 we decided wed had enough fun trolling so we came inshore to try and find some groceries. First spot (155ft) big Red-Previously-Endangered-Porgies, Nice size Triggers, and B-liners. Rob was itchin to do some diving and said he hadnt dove since he got married and we all tried to remind him thats what happens when you get married. We wandered around and vectored in on some nice bottom and over the side he went. First drop nice GAG. We fished some more. Rob talked me into another dive in about 130 ft of water. While he dove, we continued to bring in the usual suspects to round out the fish box. Also saw some Dolphin-fish suspended about 15ft down with lock jaw. Second Dive (135ft) were some nice Scamp and a report that You guys must not be fishing with bait if you havent caught 10 more SCAMP, this spot is LOADED! We drifted that spot a bit longer then planned. Picked up and stowed gear and ran nearly all the way home at 35-36knots. Had a Sporty we passed tuck in behind us, reminded me of just how big the new-to-me-boat really is. It was a very nice day on the pond. Felt good to run the Grady in open water. She did not disappoint. I have some reading
