Well, the 16th was supposed to be my big return to the Mahi run. Having missed it the last two years running to do training for a new job and some military commitments, I’ve spent the last month and half getting my boat and gear ready, bid for and got a schedule that gave me three weeks off in May, and the 16th was the first best day I had.
Put in, started to motor out to a point north of the 380 Hole. Got to 150 feet and my 10 year old son started to get a little nervous about the waves and the bumps. So I decided it was time to put the lines in and finish by trolling the rest of the way. The water temp was 74.6, there were weeds, and birds. Seemed like a good place to start. I got one out rigger up, and then the motor quit. For two hours we tried to restart it. It would start, run for 15 seconds or so, then die. I tried every trick I’ve been taught, and nothing. On the last start attempt, my motor spit out an amber/brown oil from the prop, and our day was done. Called for Boat US and had a boat with Capt. Graham come get us and tow us back in. Never got to troll as intended for mass amounts of Mahi. While we were sitting there, either drifting or anchored up, we had tuna chasing bait, Mahi, porpises, turtles, birds, small fish and crabs in the weeds, remora, and so forth around us for the 4 hours we were stranded. On the way in, Graham let us troll and we picked up a BFT in 115 feet of water. We got to about 100 feet and another line went off, and my son fought a nice sized False Alby. He has never trolled before, and he picked up the fight like a champ. We ended up back at Remleys with our tail between our legs, but our lives intact.
Lesson learned . . . . . GET A TOW SERVICE MEMBERSHIP!! I am a Boat US member, and so the only cost to me was a hand shake and a signature. Had it cost me to be towed from 48 miles from the jetties to Remley’s, it would have been over $2,000. We’ve been members for 6 years at over $160 a year. You do the math!
Thanks to everyone who offered help on th
I talked to you a few times. I had a hard time hearing you for all the chatter. Glad y’all made it in safe.
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Saw y’all being towed in while we were outbound.
21 Contender
Glad you made it in. I’m putting my Scout up for sale soon. Two Yammies, well maintained. 28’ boat. Anyone that likes to fish offshore needs to consider a larger boat with twin motors. To many things to go wrong. Even if you are a mechanic, you can’t fix some things.
So sorry your day went the way it did. We will get out soon. Nice job on the BFT with the tow assist.
For all the days for it to go bad it was the best weather day for it. Calm seas and a cool breeze and you still managed to fish. I cant back you up enough on the tow service. Its a no brainer. Glad you all made it back in safe. Hopefully you wont be out of it for to long.
Breaking down offshore is scary stuff. Im glad you and your boy made it back in safely.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Reely Blessed, Talked to you on the radio out there. Glad you made it back in safe and good job making the best of what you were dealt.
28 WA Hydra Sport
Twin 225 4 stoke Yammies
“Fin Loco”
Glad y’all made it in safely. Priority #1 of any fishing trip is to get back to the hill…
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
That sucks but at least you had tow insurance and, any day spent on the water with your kids is not a total loss.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Glad you make it back OK.
Next time you come in, come heavy, or not at all…
Sounds like Boat US was on point. I can only imagine the sinking feeling. But if and when it happens to us, I hope it ends as well as yours did. You are really blessed. GREAT shot of your boy and the fish. And thanks for the post.
2005 Grady 209 Yam F200
“El Dorado”
1989 High Tide Super V-14
2004 Yam 25 2-Stroke
Johns Island, SC
Sirecks: Out of curiosity since you were that far out, how did the call to Boat US go? Did several people relay your message, raised on radio, cellphone, etc? We could all use the first hand info from your experience.
Thanks
We were 48 miles from the mouth of the jetties. I have an 8’ antenna on top of my T-top. I tried calling Boat US on 16 but never heard back. Called the Coast Guard to relay, and they could hear me just fine. Be ready to give the Coasties a bunch of info. Government agencies, ya know. They even called my wife for me to explain the situation and tell her we were fine.
I know that I’ve heard Savannah CG on my radio leaving Charleston Harbor before, so I know my radiator meet up is at least descent, and I know the CG has a great radio out of Charleston… Tow Boat has a 100 mile boundary for retrieval, so my small 48 miles was nothing. I never had to use a relay through another boat. Once Capt. Graham with the tow boat got near us he started communicating directly with us. Up until then, the CG was checking in every 30 minutes with us. It took Capt. Graham about 2 hours to get to us from his initial contact. 7 hours to tow us back.
