Was invited to join a friends crew for a weekend fishing Mako Mania and Mako Fever on a 34 Regulator. Weather reports looked great so I agreed. In stead of outing all our eggs in one basket, we would fish one tournament each day.
On Saturday, we fished Mako Fever, we left the dock after the shot gun start to miss the chaos. Reached the inlet, greeted with tight 4/5 footers topped off with all the wakes. Proceeded to our spot running directly into the seas. It was like being in a car wash of saltwater. Reached our spot and on the drift it wasn't nearly as bad. Marked some bait and had some marks but only had bluefish bites. Friends in the area had the same or less. Never saw a shark.
On Sunday, we fished Mako Mania. With winds being about what was forecasted, we pushed off to the east/southeast. Found 68 degree clear water. 3 hours without much life. The first fin appeared, it was about 100lb Hammer head. Swam around our slick for about a half hour before he finally hit. Quick work and he was released. A short while later, a bigger hammerhead appeared but he just cruised the slick. About an hour later, we had a nice run off, set the hook, rod doubled over and then nothing. Bait looked untouched. Reset the rod, run off again, about a 200lb Dusky which was released unharmed. After drifting up on flat ground, made a wiggle. Was checking lines when a small Mako started to dart around the slick, wouldn't take a bite and soon disappeared. After another change of baits, we reeled in two rods that were tangled. As we are untangling the mess, a bit bigger Mako appeared and we watched our skirt and bait disappear, then the Mako jumped towards us, tangling another two lines. Cleared one line and Mako came close enough to where we gaffes and tail roped it. A 66" Mako was tied off. Not the one we were hoping for but after a long Sat and Sun winding down, we kept it for the grill. Drifted for about another hour as we finished off the chum/bait and cleaned up the boat. Satisfying day after the brutal Saturday trip.
Congrats to the winners and happy to see the particpating boats on my dock brought back some meat although none of us finished in the weather. After some rest will be back at it this week, inshore and offshore.
