As planned, we launched around 6 or so and headed to the 1st island for some extra bait and to let the kids get in some quality Croaker fishing. As always, they were in the same spot, the same size and eating the same thing. Kept a dozen or so for fun swimmers and headed out to Fishermans Island Area before darkness fell. Started around the bend of Fisherman's on the ocen side. Chum bag took an early retirement as it took a quick dip to thaw without it's rope attached in the 4.3 mph running tide water. No biggie, I hate the things anyways. Fog got REALLY thick (less than a foot at times visability) so we stayed put for a while, but nothing came with the incoming tide. Took advantage of the break in the fog and moved onto the shoals and reset for the night haul. Nothing but thick fog and the dolphins slapping the water in the glass water. On another break in the fog, we moved back to the highrise to look for anything that might have been around. Needless to say, they weren't hungry yet. Being that this was only the 3rd time we targeted drum on the shoals and surrounding area, we weren't sure where to go and hunker down before the fog overtook the area again. Jumped on the horn to see who was left out with us. We only knew of 2 other boats on the water when we were out there at the time. A voice of a captain on the horn was cool enough to give us some coordinates of a hot spot they were in last night as he was leaving. I am assuming it was the boat that moved further out when the fog broke for a bit. I must say THANKS for the information ! ! ! We moved about 1/8 mile past the numbers we were given not knowing for sure if the boat was still there or not and not being able to see at that time we didn't want a mishap in zero visbility even with the GPS and spot light. Anchored up, dropped bait, and got comfy for the rest of the night. Fog started to move a bit right before sunrise and the water was that of a dream day as most of you now know from other posts already on, and it was worth it for the morning if nothing else. Well, 1st hookup of the day was a hefty dogish. BOO ! ! ! And to top it off, my cell landed in the bait water bucket and went cookoo. Buds phone couldn't get a call to go through in roaming. Got excited for nothing. Then, Co-Captain and I are dozing in and out waiting on the zipping alarm clock. Well, ZZZIIIINNNGGGGG, were up, trippin over everyting from the front to the back of the boat and scoping rigs to see whih one is running. CoCap hooks up with a live one and were getting excited...finally! After a goof fight and the sweat rolling first thing in the morning, 43 incher hits the deck. What a great way to start the daylight hours! Pics were taken and he was released back to grow bigger. Rerigged and got back to it. Got comfy and had a few more hits, a couple slips and then ZZIIINNGGGGGG, ZZZZIIINNNGGGG, two rods at once go right for the shore. I grab one, buddy grabs the other and were off. I thought mine slpped away and was ready to set the rod down to help land the other. Then my rod goes due south as fast as the line will zip out. Tightened up and started the fight. Buddy's fight got loose on him (sucks), but I got mine to the boat and he was netted carefully. Measured in right on the money for the citation. 46 inces in length and pretty girthy. Pics were also taken and he was released to become a super slob. Had a couple more hits, no more landings, but who cares, we accomplished what we wanted on the 3rd attempt thanks to a great captain on another boat. Stayed in place till about 1:00 or so, when the U.S.C.G. rolled up looking for US! WHOA! Thought maybe we pissed someone off on the radio or something. Turns out we were called in as Lost at sea or something on those lines since we had no tie to the mainland and were due back to the dock long before 1 pm. So after the GREAT visit from the men in orange (and lady), boat search was right on point and of coarse we were all safe to begin with, (but how could loved ones on land know when the phones were worthless), figured it was best to head in to keep the peace and reduce the worry of the family and friends. Packed it up and headed in.
DREAM DAY COME TRUE ! ! ! We saw tons of boats, glad to see folks got to enjoy it as well. Great adventure for us and the kids and everyone had fun on the boat, I think!
Finally got something to show for the 26 years of fishing the waters here to hang on the wall. Now to catch up and pass the old man to close his bs talk about his 5 citations. LOL
~Tight Lines Folks~
Sign In
Register
Help
MultiQuote
