OI Success and another Citation Wahoo

[surfperch1]

Well to start the weather man was more than a little off 3 to 5 sloppy with 16 to 18 knot winds. You know it is bumpy when the morning prayer out of OI includes 'and please protect and keep these smaller outboards safe..' I had one follow me out this morning and hope it helped them out.

Had a great crew Tilford & Friend, Keny, Bosley, Chase, Capt Neil & Marry. Headed out to the break out on the 800 line and met up with the fleet as expected. Lines out and 6 out of 7 go down. Then get two out of 4 bites...

Then it slowed down for us. It was a day when you had to be over them when they came up. Could mark them deep and when you saw them up high you got a bite. We decided to put the planer out and get one fish then one breakes the leader, then a short bite on it.

At the end of the day we trolled around slicks on the 860 to 870 line 45 Fathoms. Marked them big time down deep and just had to wait. Finally go over a great mark. Call it out and four bites get two more. Then a little later marks up high fish rolling and WAMM the planer goes off and another rod screaming. Get a 40#er YFT and then I look down as Bosley reels in the planer rod and I call out WAHOO. And the cockpit erupts RUn FOR YOUR LIVES it is a nice Hoo. Yes it was Bosley gets a 55# Wahoo citation. Then watched for the next hour as Large Black and White Manta rays swim around and YFT bust on Grass balls in the water. All around us. Only got one short bite on the planer rod.

Ended the day with:

12 YFT out of 20 plus bites!!
1 55# Wahoo

Lost four fish right behind the boat (DAM) two were real nice class of fish!

[want dem reds]

Thanks Kev...Fun day out there. Grey had a blast..only the second day offshore in his life. He didn't tell me till this morning and was still grinning from ear to ear. And boy o boy are the speckled trout snappin down here. Caught my stringer last night before 11 around OI.

[HIT N RUN]

Nice job guys!

Till, whats up! Glad U got out there before this wind shift. It might bust it all up after today. I heard the sow Stripers are allready showing on Bunker in the Delaware. Wont be long now.

Congrats Kevin & crew.

[splitshot-bk]

Nice work!! Our day was less successful............

We were one of those smaller outboard boats you mentioned and we were also surprised by the rough seas. Pulled back on the throttle a little and made 18-20 knts but we SPUN our PROP 28 miles out of the inlet?! So close - but so far.

We turned around and limped back to the inlet at 5knts. SeaTow was at the inlet and offered to pull us through the inlet to avoid any potential problems and we took them up on the offer. At least we got back and before dark too. We also contacted the Coast Guard and they were awesome; checking in on our progress every 30 minutes. A comforting feeling with the CG's looking out for us.

We did troll the whole way back to the inlet but it wasn't until we got 10 miles off that we caught some FA's. They were everywhere - like Harkers. We were rigged and ready with tons of ice and well prepared baits for the 'sure thing' tuna slaughter that never was to be. Next time we'll get 'em. Glad you got 'em!!

Blake

[TommyTuna]

man that's rough - no spare prop? or too rough to swap?

[surfperch1]

We heard the radio chatter from Sea Tow and the Coast Guard.

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

[splitshot-bk]

TT, the spare prop was conviently located back home in our garage...........(dumb) [sad]

My brother and I bought the boat (used '91 23 Contender with '96 YAM 225 OB) this Spring and have been 'Learning Our Lessons' every trip since.........I get the feeling that the 'learning' never ends. [grin]

Blake

[surfperch1]

Do not forget the Nut and Pin for it either. I made that mistake about 10 years ago. Had a prop but did not have anything to attach it with.

[splitshot-bk]

[Q]surfperch1 originally wrote:
Do not forget the Nut and Pin for it either. I made that mistake about 10 years ago. Had a prop but did not have anything to attach it with.
[/Q]

Surfperch,

Thanks for the reminder. I bet that was even more frustrating.....[wink].

BTW, I didn't intend on hijacking your good post with my bad luck story - just thought I'd share since you were out yesterday. We see your boat on the water quite a bit. We always feel like we must be in the right place when we do. [grin]

[TommyTuna]

don't forget to ask on the air for a spare, too - very common engine, somebody will help