Left Georgetown at 7:30AM and looked for menhaden on the way out. Tide was falling, so we knew they would probably be in front of the beach. Got out to the jetties and saw that the ocean wasn’t quite as nice as expected, so instead of turning back and looking around the beach, I dialed the autopilot in and sat back for the ride to the ledge.
Passed some weed lines trying to form up in about 140ft, but I wanted to start deep and work inshore.
Got out to 350ft and found what I was looking for on the sounder while we swung the outriggers out and started getting planers on.
I wanted to get some wahoo because I haven’t targeted them for a few years, and a charity tournament is coming up this weekend out of Georgetown Landing Marina. Go sign up if you haven’t already! Wahoo bite’s been hot! A lot of other guys were in the area doing the same as me I think, and it sounded like everyone had a great day!
So, onto the story. We got bit on the first way back as soon as we got it 300yds back and pushed the reel into strike. I turned as we dumped another one out so we could drag another over the spot while we were getting the first fish into the boat. Turned in a 180 to do this since nothing else in the water but a planer being dropped in. We had the small blackfin coming in quick by the time I got straightened back out, and the line went limp.
Went to pulling one way back and 4 wahoo baits plus two lures from each long rigger. This decision probably saved us 100 bucks in tackle, since I’m pretty sure the same thing was happening to everybody else according to the radio chatter!
A few guys had raised billfish, and one guy said he had a nice dolphin in the box. Here’s the most important info from the radio though- that a guy had two hoo so big he had to cut them in half to get them in his box!
You paint a picture with your story of battling that mystery fish. Really reminds me of the over hour long battle I had with that mako we caught last year on Jordan’s boat. sucks you lost it, but sounds like you made up for it!
Nice grouper too… hope to find a couple of those tomorrow
You paint a picture with your story of battling that mystery fish. Really reminds me of the over hour long battle I had with that mako we caught last year on Jordan’s boat. sucks you lost it, but sounds like you made up for it!
Nice grouper too… hope to find a couple of those tomorrow
“mr keys”
Maybe a mako is what we had. I’ve been wanting one…
Things like that make me want to go try new things next time.
Thanks for sharing all the details, except the secret lure…I knew you were making outriggers, but after closer inspection I noticed the Marsh Tacky logo on the gaff. Nice work, man!
Awesome report. Should have talked my wife into fishing instead of getting kids ready for school today. Did you weigh the king? Biggest I have seen for a long time.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
‘Preciate the invite, Wes. Learned a ton again. Sure would be nice to know what was on the other end of the line, but that’s why they call it fishin’.
And JB’s good people. I’ll fish with that crew any time.
And lastly, I used to bust your b@ll$ about all of your fancy, top-of-the-line rods and reels; I now fully understand why it’s worth it to pay more for higher-quality gear. Never has the saying “you get what you pay for” been as clearly applicable as it is now. Including that Marsh Tacky gaff…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
‘Preciate the invite, Wes. Learned a ton again. Sure would be nice to know what was on the other end of the line, but that’s why they call it fishin’.
And JB’s good people. I’ll fish with that crew any time.
And lastly, I used to bust your b@ll$ about all of your fancy, top-of-the-line rods and reels; I now fully understand why it’s worth it to pay more for higher-quality gear. Never has the saying “you get what you pay for” been as clearly applicable as it is now. Including that Marsh Tacky gaff…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
A lot of times people can say their gear cost them a fish. I never want to say that. It makes no sense to not spend a little more for the best you can. You’ve got 5 or 6 figures tied up in a boat, you spend 200-1000 in gas for a trip, you pay a dollar per foot for fluorocarbon, and you won’t get a better reel and better line for it for $150.00 more? Makes no sense.
Same approach I took with the outriggers and gaffs I make. I don’t have TIME for stuff to break or not work properly. Nothing is more frustrating.
