Finally had a break with juggling work and the weather to take a trip to the GT Hole on Tuesday. Needed to round up a crew on short notice. The crew consisted of three Jay’s and a Volleyball player.
We waited for the fog to lift, and ran hard to our spot just north of the hole - leaving the dock at 9am with lines in at 11am. No sooner than I opened my first cold beverage, and the way way back starts screaming! First strike of the year! And it began…wow, I was hooked up and made ZERO progress. Backed off the troll, still not making any headway. I hand the rod to the big VB player, and he takes a turn. I dont think he held the rod for more than two minutes before taking his hand off the reel and resting “if I knew you were going to need a break after two minutes, I never would have handed you the rod, cause I can do that too!” - Another Jay took over, and we landed the first pelagic of 2013 - unfortunately it was a tail wrapped bonita. GREAT fight, took three of us to bring it in, with GREAT disappointment.
The reels started screaming again, this time a cuda. And then another bonita, followed by doubles and occasional triple knockdowns - either barracudas or bonitas. Frustrating and fun at the same time.
Blue and on the surface seemed to do the trick.
Then it happened - screaming reel, peeling off line, finally a HOO! First of the year for us. Nice, 20# class, respectable.
Few more short strikes, few more non table fare fish, and then HOO, followed by HOO, followed by HOO!
We ended the trip at 3pm, with 4 wahoo in the box. One did hit the trolling weight, but everything else was off the surface. Water temp was 72, lots of turtles, marked TONS of bait. It was great to be back in the blue water - last trip was in November. Fast ride back - one hour twenty minutes with one restroom break.
A good time was had by all - half day gulf stream trips rock!
Tight Lines,
Jason
