Started out at day break (NO running in dark on my boat! period)We arrived @ 800ft around 8:30am. Weeds were very scattered and tough to fish. Lost about 10 Mahi but mangaged 14 nice fish (6-18pounds)Stopped trolling for Mahi around 2:00pm to hunt down a grouper. tried in 150ft no luck so ran to about 110ft and got four limits of very nice vermillion snapper(2-3 pounds)plus trigger and BSB, No groupers!!! may have hooked couple but lost them. Ride in was good with SE following seas@ about 33-35mph. Also had buddy boat(sailfish.,“Pleasant Seas”) with us they also had a great day with 12 Mahi from 6-21 pounds, Retired life is good with great friends to share with!!!
Not scared of the dark ,Just think it’s smarter being able to see ahead of the boat, plenty of damaged boats from hitting things!( we spotted a entire tree about 30feet long plus large root ball sticking up about 4-miles off inlet on this trip coming in).Nice Scout boat hit buoy last week was on facebook, badly torn-up NO more fishing for awhile but luckly none were injured (don’t know all the details but saw the pics). It’s my rule… plus we catch plenty of fish without those risk. To each they’re own, BE CAREFULL On the water… GOOD LUCK!!!
LOL…Love to have radar and auto-pilot but expensive! Even if I had it still would not run in the dark! May be wrong but don’t think radar can see a log or 6x6 flush in the water! I’ve seen several things(4x4x8’s,parts of a floating dock, 6x6x8’, three full trees, and big pieces of a boat, great for dolphin… bad for boats ) but of coarse we never see all things in the water.
It was a good day! Pretty choppy most of the day, but it did smooth out a little on the ride back. Had a buddy rip his hull out on a log a while back. Totaled the boat, but thank goodness all made it in safe. Man, you just never know!
Thats a dang nice mess of fish! A great trip out and back. Enjoyed with family and friends which is why most of us do it. Congrats!!
As far as leving in the dark… its all about what you as the capt. Are comfortable with and willing to risk. Yes todays radar will pick up a beer can a
Crab trap float or even a 2x4 afloat if you know how to read what you are looking at. That said if any of those are 2in underwater its a bad day!!
For any of us. I totally respect your reasoning on the matter!
Hope your luck continues! Be safe & Great fishing!!!
