Many warned Purpose One and me not to go today. Many doubted we’d have much luck. Many talked as if I was crazy for going. For Capt. Rick… we all must accept that he will fish in any conditions whatsoever. Since I was not technically a charter for him, only a friend, I will assume that this is why he subjected me to the kind of treatment that he did today.
It was harsh. Reports of 5-7’ waves out of the NE were heard on the VHF while we were in the harbor around 05:30 hours. Caution from many was disregarded because of some kind of report that had said it would be 5kts to variable winds in some areas offshore. Oh well. We made it back. That’s all I’ll say about that…
You should have seen the size of these waves today. The Mako made it through them though. It was epic. Check it out.
Alright. So that wasn’t so epic. There’s more though. Give this report a chance.
We pulled up on the first spot right after sun-up. I don’t remember what was caught there. Wait, I am remembering it now. Capt. Rick slung an 18# gag into the boat after the first drop; that’s right. Next, I put a silver snapper, a.k.a. pink snapper, a.k.a. red porgy into the boat. Then another. Then ano… wait, Rick’s putting an 18# American red snapper into the boat. I was clearly doing something wrong. I protested furiously, “WE MUST LEAVE THIS SPOT AT ONCE!” Well, Rick let me catch a smaller gag and smaller American right after that. I still felt as though I was at a disadvantage fishing in that spot- clearly. So I did what any reasonable man would have done. I kept throwing silver snappers onto the deck over by Rick’s feet until he had enough. “Time to go.” he said.
So on to the next spot. No more pink snapper could be kept after this point, but more grouper and red snapper could be kept…
A few minutes later, we were at the next spot. I think it was at the next spot… if not, the
Maybe one day I can save up enough money to go out with you all.
MISTAKES
It could be that the purpose of your life is to only serve as a warning to others.
All Rise - 31 Contender Fish Around with a pair of 250 Yamahas
Not a single Avet placement,what about the croc’s??? Your sponsors no doubt will be wanting their $$$ back. Nice gag and congrats on post 5K. Sounds like you need a bigger rod (insert joke here).
What would happen if I changed my avatar to a Penn logo? I like Penn’s rod and reel cleaner oil that comes in the pump bottle from wally world. It makes things look new again. The multi-wrench they supply with the 113HN’s does not fit the handle nut though. This fact alone is making me think twice about advertising for them.
Different kinds of reels work better with different kinds of rods. A traditional high gear ratio reel has less torque and it needs a stouter rod to get a fish off the bottom a.s.a.p. A lighter rod tip/faster action is good for a reel that has a low gear ratio and a lot of torque that can just crank the fish up while the rod is held relatively still. I was used to fishing with a two speed reel that had that low end torque. I will keep using the 113HN’s some, but I’m going to try and find out if the stainless gear upgrades one can buy for the regular senators will work in the 113HN to replace its high speed stainless gears.
The fact remains that there will always be a gag grouper that’ll keep us on our toes the following trip.
For Croc placement, see right side edge of the 3rd picture above. I will do better next time… like below
And thank you all for the 5K award. Thank you for the opportunity. It has been fun, rewarding, and inspiring. Thank you all again.
MISTAKES
It could be that the purpose of your life is to only serve as a warning to others.
All Rise - 31 Contender Fish Around with a pair of 250 Yamahas
The bigger snapper are deeper than the grouper. Red porgy and BSB were at all depths.
Also caught a big trigger and two baby ones. I don’t particularly remember what depth they were in.
The sea bass are in dif. places, but where there are a few there are lots. We caught half a dozen that were easily over 3 pounds. I think the one I snapped the pic of was the biggest. Guesstimate for him would be about 4 pounds?
Water temps were in the low to mid 60’s whenever I took note, and the fish bit all sorts of baits. Caught one gag on squid and another on a big bait. The one I lost was on something else I think, and Purpose One’s came on dif. baits as well. The ARS also ate dif baits from both of us. The smaller species eat most anything… caught one big sea bass on a big bait- their jaws must come unhinged or something. The fish were spitting up everything from octopus arms to minnows. It was clear that they were feeding pretty hard throughout the day.
MISTAKES
It could be that the purpose of your life is to only serve as a warning to others.
All Rise - 31 Contender Fish Around with a pair of 250 Yamahas
The above pic from a few months ago was to make the blue crocs more visible in this thread thread, and that sea bass looks short because it is next to a 22# gag. Don’t make me go measure that cooler…
For your anniversary, give the honey and yourself a charter with Purpose One. Tell her that she could at least include herself in your recreation if not your honeydew work.
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I can’t believe that Cracker doesn’t pop Andre… that stuff is good in a pinch. It can knock out most cameras and/or lights, among other things…
Sorry we couldn’t get out there with you guys this time, but it looks like you had a great time. I don’t know if I would have tried it with the forecast, but it certainly paid off for you this time. Rain on the ocean in January is tough.
Part of my responsibilities on the water is not to just catch fish but to deliver enjoyable fishing trips weather wise. I do not divulge my plans to catch fish according to what the weather will be for that day. But, if you know were the fish are holding that you desire to catch you can fish what the weather gives. I have not fished the main ledge in months. I find no need to. Therefore, I lean towards then NOAA 0-20 forecast, the two reef cast, and 41004. From these I can deduce pretty closely what the weather will be for that day. This time of year I am rarely more than 20 miles offshore, not from the jetties, but offshore eg, edisto, stono, iop, etc.
Also, my boat is not a normal 26’ er. To me she handles extremely well in most all of the conditions I fish, very dry and very stable.
For me I would rather January rain, then summer T-storms.
Also, my boat is not a normal 26’ er. To me she handles extremely well in most all of the conditions I fish, very dry and very stable.
True dat.
The big swells were at about 7 seconds and going against a light 5kt wind most of the day. Not a problem at all to fish or run in, and the snapper seemed to like it too!
My ball cap kept the little bit of rain off me. It’s warmer over the ocean than on land, and the land temp forecast was in the 60’s. I like not having to sweat the anchor. Literally…
I will do better next time… like below
