Took the Air Force fishing on the high seas Sunday. Had a couple of AF officers on board for thier first blue water trip, plus my son Kellen. Had the pressure on as one of the officers was my boss! Left JIYC at 5 AM and fell in line with the fleet through the jetties. Not a bad run out to the ledge short of the 226 hole. Dropped lines in 150 feet and instantly put a small wahoo in the boat. He hit a red/black wahoo wacker on the long center line. Trolled out to 240’ among the floatilla and put four nice dolphin in the box, all in the 20-30 pound range. Had a billfish knock a teaser around a couple of times and released clips on two lines but could not hook up. Any bright lure worked, but pink was the hottest. We used mostly squitches and soft head stubbies. Swung near a small weed patch in 185’ but saw nothing on it. Trolled back in to 165’ and picked up a blackfin tuna in the 25 pound range and one more slinger dolphin and called it a day. Caught the tuna on a large, pink soft head trailing a string of birds. Total for the day 5 gaffers, 1 slinger, 1 wahoo, 1 tuna, 1 flying fish (keep reading).
Never seen so many flying fish in my life. They were everywhere. Had one actually catch an updraft, bank hard right and fly into the boat on the way home. Nearly hit my boss in the chest in mid air. We 'bout fell out laughing. Gave the AF guys a good soaking on the way home in the heavy chop. They are a little sore today, but took home some good eats, and I still have my job! They are hooked and ready for more. Planning to head out a couple of times on the holiday weekend.