[Billable]

After a great presentation by Dr. John Graves from VIMS and Dr. Ken Neill, a noted fisherman, presenting the Circle Hook Use Study and Tagging Program Highlights at this year’s Bluewater Classic Tournament Captain’s Meeting we were all set to fish on Day 1 and 2. Joined by anglers Greg, Pat, Colt, and Ric Burnley from Saltwater Sportsman and The Fisherman, Mate Dan Lagrande was a fantastic stand-in for the Tournament. Dan Dutton, a Research Assistant to Dr. John Graves rode with us for two days in the hopes we would get a Blue Marlin boat side for a satellite pop-up tag. The weather Friday started out perfect and we were waiting for lines in around a promising area just southwest of the Norfolk Canyon. Birds were working the area and some scattered bait marked the sounder. At lines in time the crew had the spread out quickly and we worked the area with a hit from a bailer Mahi and a stronger knockdown a short time latter that never came tight. Reports of fish being raised kept our hopes up and our eyes peeled. I trolled up closer towards the Canyon and just after lunchtime some hook-ups were being reported. Off in the distance birds were working a concentrated area and I moved towards it. At 400-500 yards off the visible splash under the birds was a clear sign that fish were actively feeding on top! At 100 yards we watched as the billfish would slash through the water and I circled to drag the spread by them. On first pass a nice White Marlin popped up on the left teaser and immediately fell back to the short flat circle hook rigged ballyhoo being fed back to her. Pulling off line from a thumb-controlled free spool, the drag was slowly moved up towards strike after a long 5 count. The line came tight and the fish reared up and jumped from left to right across the back of the boat 50 feet back. After only a few minutes the line popped and ¾ of the leader came back, cut clean off with the fish going on its way. I turned the boat back in the general area of the birds and then picked them up in the distance. Same scenario as before with fish breaking the water and cutting through some bait as we approached. I turned the boat to drag the spread past them and this time a pair of Whites came up behind the left dredge, dropped to the left flat and softly bit it. That one never came tight. The second was off the left side, moved in behind and repeated the process on the right flat, grabbing softly and despite a patient drop back, never bit hard on the bait. For the next 45 minutes we worked the area and had 3 more Marlin cut through the spread without much interest. One other bailer Mahi came tight and was brought to the box. While we were disappointed at not landing the billfish, it was a beautiful day and an exciting time as fish were cutting all around us for about an hour with no other boats in sight. Lines out and Day 1 was in the books with only a placeholder Mahi to be weighed in. The Storm Cell reported up north and moving east at 11 knots earlier was not a factor initially, but we jogged south on our way home to give it some more room, and glad we did. Four miles from Rudee Inlet, the Cell had broadened and had the top of its leading edge rolled back over itself like a huge clenched fist. The southern edge was almost directly over 5th Street and angling to the northeast. We were in the bright sky along the edge. I pushed the speed up to make the entrance, with a mile left. 500 yards from the Inlet the temperature dropped 25 in 2 seconds and the shear of wind was seen coming off the beach towards us. Brief gusts of wind driven rain and sea spray pelted the windshield like a fire hose. In three minutes we were already through it and safely made the channel and the dock. Now to get ready for Day Two.