Got an invite to join a trip to the canyons out of cape may on the private vessel Heather Mist targeting yellowfin. the crew consist of Dimitry the Capt, Tom, Kevin, and myself.
Started loading up 00:30 and got under way around 01:30 monday morning after a nice and to the point safety brief.
Arrived at or destination just as it was getting light out. Quickly threw a seven rod spread out.
Tons of bait everywhere with truly solid marks on them. We where getting into the groove, everyone was feeling good and you could feel the excitement building.
Meanwhile at the helm, a watchful eye has been keeping tabs on a storm cell off in the distance behind us. There where a couple on the way out as well, and they kept passing us south like they where supposed to. But this one was different, it was hungry, pissed and felt we should feel its wrath, by turning right to us.
Captain gives the orders, pull in the spread, and get on life jackets,, we gotta go, and go now! Tried a bit of running from it, but the storm only got more pissed that we where resisting, and boy did we pay for it.
Finally we realized resistance was futile, and we weren't getting away that easily,,, we went all in.
Dove head first into mother natures wrath. Seas built, and got tighter till they were damn near on top of each other. I had retreated to the cabin like a little school girl and came to regret that decision for a few hours afterwards by being green from it, I very rarely ever get green, but boy did I feel horrible on this one.
Anyways, we took a beating, and soaking. The capt did one hell of a job under pressure and was able to maintain 5knots and control for just over an hour and a half, to finally punch through the other side.
Got through the system and now its back to game on. Made our way to a nearby hump, and wow, it was just as good as our first spot. Tons of marks everywhere,,,,, spread back out.
Zigged zagged and looped all over for sometime, nothing was raising. We knew fish where there, we could see them on the screen. Decision was made, we're going on the chunk.
Found a nice place to settle in. Sardines and butters are the menu for todays buffet, plus some nice fresh caught ling Kevin was pulling off the bottom with squid.
About an hour or so in, Dimitry notices one of the rods rigged with ling bouncing ever so lightly, like a fluke nibble. picks up the rod, reels the slack, gives it a tug and the Penn 50 starts screaming off line,,, FISH ON!!
It gets determined i get the the honor of first fighting rights. Man i never knew what i was getting into, and i must say i didn't last long against this beast. In about 10 minutes time, (lord only knows how long it really was) I did manage to bring back three run offs. She then decided to stay deep, and start circling the boat. We never released anchor for this fight, and kept the bait chunks flowing.
Two or three trips around the boat and it was starting to fatigue, as were we. Tom was persistent and no way was he letting it beat him. Bringing it up the last 30-40 feet was the hardest. 20 feet to go,,, 10 feet, see color,,, nice fish,,, one more mini run off, back to 40 feet or so,, struggle to get it back,, see color again hand leader in the last couple feet, and watch out, gaff is swinging.....
takes two of us to get it over the rail,,,, Wow what a beautiful fish are the first words spoken. A truly nice bluefin tuna that taped out to an estimated 85lbs
Got plenty of pics while the fish was still colorful, got it taken care of and thrown in the ice slurry. Now lets get some yellows.
Sad to say though, that was it on excitement for the day, no other buyers for our mix.
Packed it in and decided to hit some deep water structure on the way back in since we where going over them anyways for some monster fluke and seabass. Got a couple here and there, but no monsters, not even on my whole rigged sardine I was bouncing across the bottom.
Made it back into the slip around 18:00 to a massive clean up,, saltwater had gotten everywhere it could go from the storm, and required extra measures.
A few more pics on the dock before the fillet table, more cleaning, then finally some hand shakes, congrats, and see ya laters. i got home just before 22:00
Pic time,,,,
