Got a late start today with Sean and Anthony out of Messick. We got to the ES around 3:00, and made one unsuccessful drift. We repositioned and I must have smacked this fish in the head with the eel, as it started running before my line stopper even pulled tight to the float. Got an instant hookup and it was on. Of course the bearings in my reel decided to **** out at the worst possible time... But after lots of cranking, when the dust settled we had a 45" fish on the deck! Had a super-old deteriorated tag in it too. We made a few more drifts with no joy, then headed back across the bay around 8:30, which wasn't as rough as we thought it would be thankfully. Was a great evening on the water, and I'm happy to check off another first with a big rockfish - it's been a great first year of fishing for me in Virginia! Best of luck when you go!
