CBBT Still Sizzles In February

[Wild Bill]

Simon and I splashed his new 23’ Regulator Classic at the CBBT Thursday. This is his boat for road trips. My main goal was to christen it with blood and sea lice. Some boats are just plain fishy and we had to see if his new one fit into that category. It was blowing about 20 Kts and the boat performed spectacularly. We grabbed air several times as we got used to running it. The landing was soft. It has a tee top and great side curtains to keep out the cold and wet. With the curtains up it is a two man boat for fishing purposes. You can get to the bow easily enough but you could not walk a fish back to the stern for landing, and the bow is mighty high. The Yammy F350 V8 is a sweet motor and pushes the heavy deep vee with ease.

As for the fishing, it was just plain spectacular. After catching schoolies for about a half hour early Thurs morning, we decided to look for something better. We found a big school of fish that were all 36” to 48.5”. We both hooked up just about every cast with monsters. Simon would say, "I need help with this one", and I would say, "take him slow until I get mine in". It went on this way for two hours. There was not another boat in sight.

Simon caught some huge fish on white Tidal Fish Butter Bean Bucktails. I have seen Brandon do well with them but Simon was deadly using this time honored lure. Six inch pearl Sassies did it for me. Simon had just gotten his boat outfitted and had no time to make provisions for fly rods, so they stayed home this trip. Friday was supposed to be the best weather day with 5 to 10 and one foot waves. Chuck joined us in his Parker. I was afraid it may be too calm to suit the stripers. Well not to worry, because it blew 20 knots. The fish were ravenous but we did not catch the numbers of big ones like we had the day before. We had fish to 38”.

This was a great trip because of getting to run such a great fishing machine, spending time with my good friend Simon and catching some great fish. I have no idea why more guys do not take advantage of this great February fishing. The temperatures were more like November than February. I think some just go by the calendar and not the actual conditions. In no way do I think it is over down there. In fact I think some of the fish have made the turn and are heading for the bay—but what do I know?

We fished within sight of the bridge for the entire three days. Conditions were not suitable for an ocean run even in such a capable boat.

Saturday was to be calm in the morning and to blow 20-25 Kts by evening. Well it was just the opposite. It started out nasty and by noon calmed right down. Most fish were not large until just before dark. We caught some great fish right at dark and made our way back to the ramp which was totally unlighted.


Simon with His New Ride






Regular Grade Fish for the One School We Found


Numerous Doubles


Simon with a Beast


Strong Healthy Bass


Each Year They Get a Little Harder to Hold

[bluto]

23 is a awesome ride. congrads to Simon!

[jnicklason]

That boat makes me want to touch myself...

[Capt. Matt]

Nice report Bill and beautiful new ride ya got there Simon.

[Sleeves]

Great report accompanied by some real nice rock photos. What a way to christen a new boat!

[Capt Frank]

Hey Bill tell Simon congrats on the 23 Regulator. Fished it with a friend out of OC with a friend years ago and it is a stud for it's size, 3 to 5 no problemo. Great entry and it is pretty dry for it's size. Man I didnt know Yammy's got a 350, yikes.

[Wild Bill]

Capt Frank-

That engine really makes the hull come alive. It is very impressive for a 23' boat. As with all really deep vees, it will rock when drifting beam to the waves. Every boat is a compromise, but this boat does most things extremely well. It is the most solid boat that size I have run.