5/2 Got one lost one

[Jas]

Had been planning a Spring Trolling trip with an old DC buddy for some time. The weather looked good so we finally we got our chance and both took off work yesterday. Armed with the wealth of information that I have stolen from other captains and pilfered from the archives of TF I was prepared with a 12 rod spread and a variety of tandems, umbrellas and singles that I thought would do the trick.

Met at the docks at 6:00 and shortly thereafter had the spread out heading south just north of Thomas Point Light. As other have said it was a pretty tough bite. Very little current, didn’t see the big anchored ships move at all between 6:00 AM and 12:00 PM. A little bit of wind, a little drizzle and small waves but nothing that could be considered rough.

Got our first hit at about 9:00. Hit a single yellow parachute with a chartreuse sparkle shad about 90 feet back off the port board. Nice little 34 incher and brought over the rail. About 30 minutes later the port boat rod, with a small chart umbrella rig is bending but not the traditional pop zing associated with a strike. I’m pulling it in and it just feels like dead weight. Really not believing there is anything there until I raise the umbrella out of the water about 15 feet back, let the rod and line go slack just while I see the rock shake free and the weight goes off. Dam, am I dumb! Shoot, if there’s no fish at least bring the lure all the way to the boat to find out! Why would you stop half way??? Oh well won’t do that again.

Had to pull the spread once to clean jellies. Found two or three on each side of the spread but that was it for the rest of the day until about noon when we started to pull lines.

Lastly had to have a chat with purple Barney. Explained that his production was way off and if he didn’t start contributing he would be pulled. Barney is nothing if not professional and said it may have been poor visibility or cloudy days, but I said BS, that didn’t matter. Others like John Deer and even white & yellow run together shad mistake were egger to get in the game and if he wasn’t producing then too bad! I hope I wasn’t too tough on him.

Ted