CLT and Out 12 Sep 09

[Mike Avery]

Crewed up on Saturday with Lanie, Verna, Fletcher, Brandon, and Dr. Ike for an offshore run on Saturday, 12 Sep 09. The ride out and back was nice, just rollers with the wind chop staying under 10 knots most of the day. Glassed out nicely for the ride home at 32 knots.

Had reports of big Jacks (both Amber and Crevalle) at the CLT last weekend so while I was gassing up the boat at the Fort Monroe fuel pier Friday afternoon, Ike and Brandon filled the livewell with spot and croaker. Got to the CLT well before sunrise and Rob Holtz and Rick Wineman were already on there trying. Water temps dropped to 71 from this last front and must have pushed off the big fish. Dragged our live baits around the legs with no hits so we pushed east.

Crossed over the 21 fathom fingers and saw a weedline but water looked ugly so pushed out to 30 fathoms to find better looking water. Put the spread out and had the best marks around the 450 line at 45 fathoms. Had a wahoo bite off early then Dr. Ike lands a 25 lb YFT. It was his first tuna so we popped his cherry. (no we didn't make him eat the heart).

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09004.jpg

Kept working that area hoping to find more of his friends but no luck. Grass was horrible there but we kept working it all morning. Brandon deployed his homemade, huge 21 individual green machines spreader bar behind his Tiagra 130. That thing is huge and got bite a few times but didn't come tight.

Worked our way to the canyon hoping to raise a white but nada. Went deep dropping in the afternoon. Noboy was really interested in blueline tile fishing so we dropped for grouper/wreckfish. Picked up our limit of wreckfish. Brandon's Jerk That Jig 750 gram jigs caught most of the wreckfish and even caught a conger eel that Verna cranked up.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09037.jpg

While deep dropping a huge manta ray wider than my boat kept swimming by. I think he was trying to figure out how to mount Seaduction. :D Took some picks but really need a polorizing lense to get a good shot. (That is Salt Shaker with Wade and Cheryl in the background).

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Ray212sep09.jpg

Finished off the day trolling towards home to try to at least raise a billfish but never saw one despite reports of numerous sightings and catches. We even put Brandon's dredge down which looked real good.

Great working with Regulator Rick, Salt Shaker, and Blue Dragon.

Here are more pics from the afternoon of deep dropping.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09016.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09020.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09028.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09035.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09089.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09091.jpg

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Offshore12Sep09102.jpg

Hoping the tuna fishing improves as I'm going to rig more witches for more shots at them.

[Crappie11]

Thanks Mike and Lanie for a fun time. Brandon, I am a believer of JerkthatJig:yes: now. Dr. Ike, nice fishing with ya and I'm sure you'll get that paper ya need. Fresh fish on the grill tonight!

[foxwind]

Nice report Mike, I was hoping that all the NE blow would push some tuners down the line. At least you got out and got some meat. I think it will get better with each passing week. Ben



DEVIOUS

[fshnbaybe]

I certainly had fun. Did find out I need to hit the gym or something, 600 ft is a long way to crank a fighting fish that doesn't want to come up!

[tonydivefish]

good job on the meat. maybe they'll show up in droves come tue.

[salty lady]

Nice jo Mike & crew,
We had a blast out there with you guys! nice job on the tuna!
cheryl & wade
Salt Shaker

[b8 boy]

What a tease Mike!!! I saw the picture of the tuna and I was all excited and then I read the story of no more home! I guess its a start, hope the flood of tuna are back soon. Nice catch on the drop. Thanks for the report. Martin

[jig-a-byte]

Good Job Mike. Dont forget about me when you start doing tuna trips. I'm itching to get out there again. Boat has been broke down for a month, so can't wait to get back out.

[MattD]

WTG Mike....Glad ya'll could get on some fish!

[Mike Avery]

Nice jo Mike & crew,
We had a blast out there with you guys! nice job on the tuna!
cheryl & wade
Salt Shaker

Cheryl, thanks for the pic of Seaduction. I need to get a better zoom lense for my camera so I can get better shots of other folks fishing.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/12%20Sep%2009%20Offshore/Seaduction12Sep09.jpg