Finally had a break in the wind and seas to make a fast afternoon run out to the Scarp. Had the usual crew with a bonus friend who is deploying overseas this weekend, so we had to make the full moon WAHOO run!
Flat seas, fast ride out - always a pre-trip conference/game plan. Last night we discussed bottom fishing from high noon until we fill the box, then troll for the last few hours. Today we decided one fish caught on the troll would better fill the box than five limits of sea bass and their friends, combined with a isolunar full moon wahoo chart, we nixed the bottom fishing.
Plenty of scattered weeds and flying fish of both sizes, jumbo and tiny. Lines in and it ws game on within the first 5 minutes! I was up and the WAHOO over the rail and in the box in no time! Hot and exhausted, I was done!
The weeds got in the way. Ted took the next hit - barracuda. More weeds, and as we were clearing lines, Brian lands a King Mackerel. Far from home indeed, and right in to the box he went!
Next up was Jimmy with the Mahi - all lit up and danced a few times.
We had a few short strikes, and then we witnessed a bill come out of the water and slap at our close line before he swallowed the bait. He peeled off line - total chaos as we watched the man in the blue suit jump and put on a show. It was breathtaking. I was trying to change camera lenses, clear lines, and put Ted on the bow to help with the fight. Nonetheless, the man got away after six jumps. He either cut the line with his bill or got tangled in the long lines - off to swim another day.
After a few more barracudas, it was time to head home - see my kids after their first day back to school.
A good time was had by all - it was great to be back in the blue water!
Tight lines,
Jason