Windy day fishing

[capt hoop]

Yesterday was a 50/50 day. Many captains cancelled at the dock. The winds were updated at 20-30 with gusts to 40. Smallcraft warnings were issued. NOAA and weather underground had a little better forecast. Capt. Eddie was not looking forward to getting beat up. Our customers came a long way and wanted to try it knowing the boat had a reverse if conditions warrented it. We were met with 4-6 seas but they were spaced a little more than usual so we bounced our way out. In close the water cleaned up nice but the further we went it got dirtier. With rough conditions we wasted little time bouncing from rig to rig. We only hit a few and the results were not good. We marked some blackfin and were able to pick up 2. The hardtail jacks were hitting our jigs with a vengance. We even got a small shark on a jig. We put the hardtails to use putting a limit of amberjacks in the boat.



Once out to the tuna grounds I got to bait cutting 101 and Eddie got to hook tying 101. The kingfish were thick. As quick as we put lines in the kings took off with the bait and hooks. After several moves we found some blackfin. Every boat had one good sized yellowfin. We finaly got our hookup. Nice a double. Long story short one breaks off in the motors. We were fighting the other in the rodholder because the customers had all they could handle with the blackfin. I even had to get one in myself. while Eddie was tending to the hog. I put a belt and harness on him and ran the boat keeping up with the fish.



It took a while but he got it in and the customers were ready to head to the barn after some pictures. This one went 132 on the dock. Notice the sickle fin missing? He had an accident some time ago. It was covered over and healed up already.



We had to run the longer way in just to get a quartering sea. The ones that made the run got at least one hog and 2 of them landed 2 big ones. We had the opertunity but things happen. Still had a nice box of fish for the day. Prize of the day was a beeliner snapper or mingo as they call them in Florida. He attacked a jig and came to visit us.




Life is Good!

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

Capt Hoop
Our Freedom

[adamsfence]

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