I had thoughts Friday to make a trolling trip Saturday. I had my doubts so I did’t bother filling the boat up with gas or ice thinking that when I checked the buoy in the morning it wasn’t going to be nice enough to make an early start. Really, I figured on a late start and bottom fishing instead. Woke up at 4 and the buoy data was very favorable and decided to troll, loaded the boat with additional bottom rigs/rods just in case the bite sucked and headed to the gas station.
I encountered my first delay, I forgot how much gas was actually in the boat and spent the next 30 min pumping 100 gallons at a slow pump (BP@41+17). Air temp 36 F, time 0600 and I am cold.
Delay # 2. Get to Remleys. FOG! Thick pea soup surrounded the Cooper River Bridge and we spent the next 30 min trying to navigate at idle speed…wish I had radar. Meanwhile this bird decided to camp out on my boat–“must be good luck” I thought until he flew away and left a nice present in my rod holder.
Delay # 3. Fog cleared just past Patriots Point and pushed the throttles forward and sped up to 35, immediately pulled back to 25 trying to “save fuel” because it was 36F. Things are not looking good, I think to myself “Why do I do this?” Cleared the rocks @ 0700 and set a course for EB.
The magic-weather-8-ball was right on. It was smooth running and got nicer and nicer the further we pushed. Hit a nice 70 degree temp break right at 130’ but kept on until I hit another one at 74 degrees 190’. Lines in @ 0845.
Trolled for an hour out to 230’ and nothing. Turned around and trolled back where I came from then ZINGGGG! My buddy picks up the rod and has nothing, reels back in half a ballyhoo. Reset and 20 min later FISH ON! Good thing I have autopilot because there was only two of us. Get the fish to the boat and it’s a nice Hoo. Bloody deck, Check.
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