We fished the 2nd annual Murrells Inlet Pelegic Shootout Saturday. With the front forcast to come during the PM, the decision was made Friday to call lines-in at 6:00am. Great call that got everyone out early.
We went north to S/W Banks, trolling on to the G/Hole. First was a nice run…on a shark, which was promptly release at the transom. Next caught 3 mhi, all gaffers. Putting the spread back out, we somehow snag a bft that can’t be more than 2#…even with with the 10lb min requirement, there was no way we could keep this babe. Trolled on to the north, picked-up a pair of mhi, the larger bull #24~ was fed back a dangling 'rigger bait while reeling in the cow.
Two more mhi slingers. Trolled off the wall of the 'hole the right bridge pole goes off - nice blue marlin. Got lines in as the fish is just grayhounding off to the right, then comes up back to the left, leaving a huge line belly, which eventually assisted in the L/D release…i.e. break-off. Oh well, this was a meatfish deal anyway.
Next came a decent wahoo just north of the hole. Soon afterwards, we notice on radar, the leading edge of the front appx 30-miles NNE of our location - big squall. It’s 12noon and we still need a weighable tuna for the aggregate - immediately, the right short comes down - sailfish ! Get the release and at 12:20pm, and without much more consideration, we decide that it’s time to head for the hill - Winyah Bay. Very decent ride for the first 30-miles under a dark gray cloud canopy, the next 20 saw stiff 25+ NE, quickly building seas from 2 to 7’. That sound of the wind screaming through the rigging will not soon be forgotten by anyone on board. Very remiscent of a Deadliest Catch episode, w/o all the freezing rain. When the weather comes, it can turn up in a minute!
Total:
1 Bull shark #80 released
1 BF Tuna #2 released
5 Mhi up to #24, 2 released
1 Sailfish released
1 Wahoo 38
1 Blue Marlin release