Rolled out of the slip at 5:45am with a full crew and a lot of positive attitude. Rounded the hook and as we steamed toward the ledge, it was apparent we had better batten down the hatches. Easy 4-6 constant with a solid 7-8 thrown in to keep us honest. Arriving at the ledge we were greeted by a strong SW and a fast drift. Set up and immediately we're playing tag with a pot buoy. Clear that mess and reset and play the bob and weave around the pots. Finally a screaming reel gets our attention and Pat swings on her, we get a quick aerial show and then it's quiet. Pat brings her to the boat only to find it's tail wrapped. Tommy grabs the leader, line goes slack, Tommy grabs her tail and she's gone that quick. A quick tail slap and a 180 toward that bow, line snaps all gone......we discussed what happened later.
So the some what disappointed/angry crew re-groups and resets the lines. A short while later we are stalked by a mako. Several passes around boat, under the boat, almost eying us up. Moments later, short bait screams, Tommy's hooked. He gets her boat side and she spits the hook......
Resetting once again, I'm letting out the middle bait and it gets whacked and then nothing. Then it's whacked again releasing the balloon. Waiting a few seconds, I swing and she's hooked. Again a brief aerial appearance and we get her boat side. Not an epic battle nor an epic fish, but a keeper that made some great steaks.
A great day made from a tough start, well Jerry and the bow chumming would have a second opinion on that. Only reports I heard were of Duskies, Blues and Browns.
