Left Toler’s sat afternoon, nice to head offshore in daylight and rested, turns out we would need it. Stopped over a reef in 95 ft and Greg geared up for a dive down. Came up 30 mins later with a couple grouper including a nice gag grouper and a moster lobster, we have diner! Headed out and put lines in at 226 hole and trolled out. Went 0 for 2 on sails and had a third check out the spread. Coleman finally got to show us he can find the bills as well as Phil. Boated a small mahi. Not bad for 45 minutes of trolling.
Got the swordfishing spread setup at dark. Just as we were getting ready to get Greg’s catch cooked up, a flat sea and no wind turned angry with gusts at 30knts. A few scattered storm cells turned into a wall of a storm 35 miles long and 10 miles wide and we were right on the edge smack in the middle of the eastern wall.
Started motoring away from the storm…problem was it was moving NE and pushing us further offshore, now about 85 miles off. Biggest worry was the impressive energy in the storm with enough lightning to easily find our riggers. I wasn’t worried until Daniel brought his survival electonics box up to the flybridge. Thanks to Daniel for staring at the radar for 3 hours with me. To keep this from boring everyone, after dodging for 2 hours we found a narrow break between cells that we used to get to the west side. We really felt like someone was looking out for us.
Wish we would have taken a pick of the radar from the middle of the storm, very impressive.
Back to the hill at 330am with a new found respect for the size and force a summer storm can have. Back safe and trying to grill Greg’s catch one more time. Thanks to all the crew.
Scary stuff. Glad all went OK. That massive radar as been a life saver a few times already! I was wondering for future reference if there is any benefit to calling the Coast Guard when schitt like that starts and letting them know position, heading, number on board, etc. You don’t tell them you need assistance, just that you want them aware of your situation and will call with updates. Is this a reasonable/desirable thing to do or is it a waste of the Guard’s time? Does anybody know the answer to that or have any strong opinions? Sorry I couldn’t be with you guys.
Thanks for the trip. It was definitely one to remember. I was impressed w/ the way the boat handled. Too bad for the thunderstorm, b/c the ocean was flat otherwise. Would have hated to be out there in the CD, much less a small center console. Definitely gives you a good perspective of the power of the sea and the ability to “pickyerdaze”. The fish will be there for us next time.
Let’s plan another trip, I’m game as soon as it works for you. Maybe we need a little dicoball eurotech to further entice the broads?? Can you help, ilgba??
Pick all the days you want.There are gonna be t-storms within 60NM of our coast at some time almost every day in the summer.We try to avoid going when there is an approaching cold front after a period of stagnant heat and humidity.This seems to be the worst time for a “line” of storms that you can’t get thru.The garden variety “pop-up showers” we get in the afternoon,while dangerous,can generaly be avoided and if they develop inshore, the seabreeze usually helps keep them there.I hate lightening and heavy seas,but realize that to fish in the LC this time of year,you’re taking a chance.I am reely glad y’all made it in OK and am sorry your fishing plans got screwed.
Fiseye I was out there on a 31 cc the same night. We could see 2 other boats i assume one was yaull. It did get a little unnerving with all the t-storms, wind and lighting in a center console. we wound up making a run for it and getting back to edisto at 4am with no swords.
CD, I am getting the compact disc teaser ready as we speak, ready to entice some club hopping fish. I think pick your days should be redefined as picking ones that I can go too. In regards to your other thread, I think a 26 world cat CC or a 32 if possible would not do you wrong. I was impressed with what my World Cat would do and it was a cuddy, which I think does not run as well as the CC. Have not been on or seen a 32 but would infer that it is quite impressive. Edit Oops- just read other thread and saw that multiple people have recommended the same. That 30 prowler looks impressive too.
Damm – thanks for the invite but glad the wife had me in the dog house. Glad no strike hit – it can happen anywhere but 85 miles off would be hell although I would hope that big boat has some type of lightning rod/router to minimize damage. I’ll take you off the dock next weekend to catch some nice safe whiting and croker.
as for the gut asking about the catamarans i fish a 32 hydrocat and love it. great ride and only burns 80 to 90 gal.of fuel for a full day runnning 32knots in and out. i know some one that has a 28 world cat cc and says it handles great.
Cat Sass
32’ Hydrocat with Yanmars
“Eat… Sleep… Fish…”
