Offshore day

[capt hoop]

Woke up at 4:00 to a light show from Mother Nature. Met the customers at 5:15 and headed out as soon as loaded. Skirted a storm on the way down the pass. Once in the delta the waters were chopped up giving us a very uncomfortable and rough ride for the first 14 miles. Once we got that far out the winds changed and so did the seas. From there out we had a much better ride. We put out 2 Russelures and made a pass of a close in rig looking for maybe a blackfin or yellowfin and before we could get our lures across the front of the rig we get hit. After a bit of a fight we land an amberjack. I bring it on board for a picture and then released it. The season is closed on them.



We moved out further and as we moved further out the waters cleaned up. At our next rig we once again set out our Russelures and got hit right away. This time it was a barracuda. We moved on and as we continued the water got very blue. Once at our next rig we started chumming. We picked a few rainbow runners for more bait and only marked a few but it was enough to keep us there. Our first tuna throws the hook about 50 feet down. A 6 foot black tip shark did manage to find out bait though. Once at the boat I cut the line and we are back at fishing. Our morning is not going well. Our second hook up is another good one and after a good fight we stick a gaff into it.



Over 3 hours before we have our first tuna in the box. At least we have a good one to show for our efforts. We make a couple more drifts and get another hook up only to have the line break. 1 for 3 is not a good showing. After another long wait we get a double. Unfortunately the lines get badly crossed and tangled and we only land one. Now we are 2 for 5. Man we are stinking today.



We had a bit of grass move through and a bunch of chicken dolphin came by to keep us awake. A large Blue Marlin was in the area most likely looking for a mahi mahi snack. Late in the day we have the middle line go off. This is our lightest setup and it takes a bit longer to get the fish to the boat. This ended up being a tag team effort. After a long day on the water in the sun the guys were drained but we had to get this fish in.



We headed to the barn with a 50/50 type of day. We ended up going 3 for 6 on the day. Each person had a good fish to fight. Even the last one although he passed off because of cramping, got back on and finished it off after a minute or two break.



Life is Good!
Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that.

CAPT HOOP -- OUR FREEDOM