A $1500 mistake. Never Again.
The fog was pretty thick as we made our way under the Ponquogue
Bridge 3:35 am Saturday morning. Our tuna target area was the shelf between the
Fishtails and W. Atlantis. Why? Because the reports have been sketchy,
scattered and few over the past several days. Cold 66 degree water was spread
out from Montauk to the Hudson
so why work that water. Bossman decided to look at the leading edge of the new
water coming in from the East, and besides it was 20 miles closer that the Hudson.
For a day trip that is two hours of fishing time. Rather have that window fishing
than running.
So, we motored slowly from Shinnecock Inlet towards the edge
and what seemed like an eternity we finally got daylight and opened her up.
We reached 66 degree water, which was surprisingly blue many
miles before the temp break of 71 degrees. So, with all hands eager to get to
work we deployed the spread and hoped for a quick blast. Minutes past but
nothing. We wondered if we made a good choice since nothing came tight and not
one boat is sight. As we began to share disappointing thoughts, bam, outrigger
goes off. Two LF on, one brought to the boat. Seemed like a nice fish. However,
a lot smaller when gaffed. Decent longfin. I forgot that every time we go out, the
first fish always feels like twice the size! But hey, the skunk was off, and we
cheered up immediately.
After trolling the area for a while nothing else happened so
we decided to work SSE to deeper water. The temp began to rise and soon we were
in the 71 degree zone. Shortly we get a three banger. Lots of Chinese drill maneuver
s and we got deck cleared and landed a couple more LF. Within minutes we have
deck sprayed clean and once again deploy lines. We are now marking nice fish at
450 feet. Damn, are these bigeyes? Got to get them up we all agree. Captain Stan
is doing the Barta bigeye dance, gunning and slowing and making “S’ turns to
engage these deep marauders. Nothing. OK, we begin to swear at the sea gods and
we are not getting one fish to zoom to the surface lures. All of a sudden we
get another three banger. Port side one fish; starboard side 2 fish on.
Starboard fish one unbuttons. The all of a sudden like a hand from heaven the
shotgun rod is lifted clear out of the holder and flies up to the outrigger. Both
Stan and I watch with our mouths open as it pauses for a second 15 feet high in
mid air then makes a quick huge splash and disappears into the blue off the
stern of the boat. WTF! Bossman starts to swear like a pirate and we all are in
a startled state of mind. Wow. Never saw that coming. But we did not have more
than a minute to brood but continued to bring in lines from the port side and
get in the remaining fish. With speed we rushed and got the albie into the boat
but damn, that bar is tangled with another bar. Where did that happen? That can
happened when trolling 10 bars when fish hit. But we want to both forget the
loss of the $1500 rod and reel and focus on getting the lines back in. But
first we have to hand line in the rest of the mono from the other tangled bar.
Hand-over-hand Nick and Brian bring in the line but then Bossman takes over. He
thinks there may be a fish on the other end. Wrong. As he pulls the end of the
line closer we see color. Gold. Yes Gold. The color of the International 80
that went for a swim minutes earlier. Can you believe it? No lie. There was the
jettisoned rod at the end of the other bar! How the hell did that happen? Well,
you can imagine the yelps of surprise and awe and we could not believe it. That
was certainly going to be the best catch of the day.
So, we again got to work, and got another three hook-up.
Landed one; lost another and had the third one on. As I said, they always seem
bigger. And this one was. I had to shot of taking her in from the rear rod
holder. After 10 minutes of a good fight, well.. you can imagine the rest. Tell
you that story another time.
Anyway, trip ended 5/10 on LF to 40lbs. Great 37 knot fast
ride home and we all laughed, and busted chops on a great day on the water with
Ed, Stan, Breadman, Brian, Nick and myself.
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