Warrior VA Beach Billfish Tournament report!

[surfperch1]

Man there is a lot of sailfish there and we have dialed in the Warrior. We have had two years of slow marlin fishing and could not put our finger on it. Well after breaking the shaft on our way out to the VB Tuna tournament well found our issue, BAD WHEELS! I found some wheels to barrow from a similiar Hatteras in NY (Thank you Capt Greg) and we had them tuned up. We were told we would loose speed and burn more fuel. NOT, just the opposite. Gained a knot on cruise and top end while reducing fuel burn by 6 gallons an hour. We also stopped using our trolling valves which we are now raising fish like we used to. Comes to show you the sound of a boat makes a difference.

We fished the first two days with the thought the last day could get ugly. Had Myself mating, Luck, Kevin, Paul and Mark as anglers and Joe driving.

Day one:

Was a little bumpy on the way out and landed around the 750 line in 45 fathoms. We can see a cluster of boats to the southern of us and we start off slow. Get 7 real good shots and one double header missed most coming up north in 35 fathoms. The double comes when I am inside making lunch. Luck opens the door to say, "We had a bite". I have three plates of KFC with heated Mash Potatoes and Cole slaw on the counter and ran out with them to find out we had a double with a third fish in the spread. Did not get any of them. I'd say that is more than a bite. We ended the day with 1 Sail and 1 White.

Day Two:

Today was the day that could have put us right there with 9+ real good shots. Headed to our spot we ended the previous day. Lines in and I get a sail on the right long and another angler misses a second fish on the left short. I pass the rod and the fish gets real stretched out. 300 yards out and jumping pulls the hook. DAM! Lines back in we get several bites with guys missing left and right. I pick a second fish on the right short and then later towards the end of the day we have double dredge fish come up and I get the right flat sailfish and an angler misses on the left flat. I can tell you I have never seen the owner pissed off in three years because of below. Get 1 White and 2 Sails with a total of 5 for the tournament and puts us in 19th place out of 51 top billfish boats.

AS an FYI: If you are invited to fish a tournament as angler try and stay sober and pay attension for the shot that could help make the tournament for the person who invited you. Luck great job and thanks for helping out. Can only shake my head.

Congrats to friends on 2nd place Pete (Full Draw), 3rd place Greg and Danny (Point Runner) and 5th place Brad (Pentagon). Also congrats to Hunter captain Walt, Aaron (Mate) and Ron Stevens (Angler and friend) on there 1st place finish

PS: You guys forgot the dolphins in the fish box and man made for a great smell yesterday when having to replace the macerator pump impeller yesterday.

[CaptNemo]

Nice Job,

Nothing like having dead weight anglers while targeting bills, some people don't know to switch gears from tuna fishing (sit and wait for the drag) to bill fishing (watching the spread and teasers ALL day and be ready to pitch or drop back).

[Chris Boyce]

Enjoyed hanging out with ya at the tournament Kevin, that was a good time. Take care man

[AdamM]

I have read alot of your posts and it seems like you are never at fault for not catching the fish. It sounds like you need to stop putting the blame on everyone else. That is the thrill of bill fishing or fishing in general. You need to be glad that you were able to get out there and enjoy yourself and the company of the other fishermen. No body is perfect. So get off your high horse and suck it up.

[mcvsticu]

:yes::thumbup::eek2::nono:

[DC Ben]

Let the games begin.

[surfperch1]

Adam,

If you had a clue you would just read the post and move on if you did not like it. We are not out there for the ride. We are out there to be competitve and have a little fun. I am out there working (paid) the entire time to help the owner of the Warrior do this. My post was giving an account of the tournament and how many fish were seen. Many other boats had the same results and shots. My last post concerning Pirates Cove Tournament is the same. In that tournament I can do nothing but make sure the spread and baits are RIGHT due to it being an angler tournament (Cannot be a paid captain or mate). The owner was pissed off till he told the guys up stairs, "this might as well be a fun trip by how serious folks were taking it or I mean rather not." For him to get upset it had to be.....

I had three shots in this tournament and hooked three! Do not miss often so what’s wrong with that. Do hate me because I am beautiful!

Oh forgot I hooked a peanut dolphin on a circle hook while taking a piss off the transum.

[WtMarlin]

Agreed Adam M. 16+ shots and he got 3 as the mate with an apparent lame crew. Sounds like someone else should have been making lunch.

[surfperch1]

He He He He. clap::clap::clap:

16 shots, 6 hooked-up (One jumped off after several mintues), leaves 10 shots with four anglers besides me. Do the math = 3.2 shots a piece!!!!! Hook what you see is the name of the game!

:rockon:

My next posting for you guys will be:

"Fished and caught some and lost some." You figure it out from there! Oh Yeah don't read any more of my posts and maybe you will get out there a nd show us your skills or....

[AdamM]

By far are you beautiful. All i am saying is who cares if another angler missed or lost the shot at a fish. IT HAPPENS! If they didnt have the experience and you knew about it, then why enter in the tournament? So you have nothing to be pissed about. Also I thought that the anglers bring their own lunch or did they miss that or lose it too. I have never had the luxury of someone making my lunch while fishing offshore. :D

[speck hunter]

Hey Kev thanks for the Intel we did not make it out today going to try next week but thanks again for the call.
Mike

[surfperch1]

Mike, no problem, hope you get out there soon.


Adam,

Stop reading the post and jump on another one. You made your point in which others think you are way off base.

One: This is a private boat and getting drinks, food and snacks is a typical practice for a mate.

Two: Anglers were experianced and in a tournmanet you need to be on your A game not your BEER game. If are on your beer game step back and watch, do not take up space in front of rods.

Three: I was not upset. I was disapointed in our hook up ratio. We joked about it in the pit to keep things loose. The owner was disappointed, as I stated in my email to you. I also stated I had never seen him this way. Adam you could have taken the follow-ons offline (like I did) instead of you trying to make yourself look good or bad on Tidalfish.

Once again this was an account of the day .

[CaptNemo]

Kevin, just shake it off, we all appreciate your reports and your advice out on the water, too many of these message boards are getting over crowded with people who are just looking to pick a fight. 1000% sure if you told the exact same story standing on the dock that dude would have said nothing to you, but get behind a keyboard and everyone gets loose.

We don't need to lose any more HELPFUL CONTRIBUTORS to this site like Capt. Kevin.

[HIT N RUN]

Congrats on your increased #'s these past couple weeks. Pretty work out there Warrior boat. Pratice makes perfect. I regret not putting in some time here latley. This bite has been in line with some of the best destanations in the world right here in our back yard.

[the advocate]

Call me next time. love to stay with the A GAME.

Frank:clapping2::clap:


P.S I enjoy your reports along with the others as well:fishing2:

[sewelljx]

Nice Job,

Nothing like having dead weight anglers while targeting bills, some people don't know to switch gears from tuna fishing (sit and wait for the drag) to bill fishing (watching the spread and teasers ALL day and be ready to pitch or drop back).

Thats messed up calling me out ne:eek:mo

[PlaynHooky]

Loved the report Kev......some people dont realize there is a difference between competetive fishing and just heading offshore for the day.....we have customers that spend 10-15 k per tournament that would be PISSED if I was not on my A game at ANY point during the day.....the only day we get to cut loose at all are the lay days and after its all said and done!

Thanks for all you knowledge you have shared with me personally and I look forward to fishing with you again soon.

Keep em coming to the boat man!!!

[CaptNemo]

Thats messed up calling me out ne:eek:mo

Wasn't talking about you sippy cup, I believe you saw that last white on the teaser while I was making my samwich.

[cbdaddy]

Adam M

I have had the fortune to fish with Kevin and he is intense, knowledgable and one of the better offshore anglers on the east coast! He doesn't go off half assed thats why he catch's! If guys want to chill and drink stay inshore for flounder and cobes, drink away! Tournaments that bust are a lost opertunity and in themself are intense, you gotta be on your A Game and I think thats what Kevin is saying! I agree when fishing offshore there is alot of work involved in prep, fishing and after the boats moored. It sucks when "Newbies" aren't focused and they lose the opertunity to learn and catch trophies from a Captain with alot of knowledge! My MO is "fish hard now, party hard later"! (with braggin rights).........

Kevin,
You need a crew call me I run out there with you anytime! I would charish the opertunity to learn and better my skills offshore!
Capt Wayne
"TUFF ENUFF"