I normally have great luck the week before the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament and this week was no exception. Had Steady and Dave H onboard today. Had a couple of cancellations but we were locked and loaded to go this morning so off we went......Left at the crack of 0515 and headed towards the Hot dog to work with Dave and crew on Billable ours......We scored early with a couple of Bailers...kept to for Dave's refrigerator and returned the rest to the ocean to grow into bigger dolphin if they can learn to stop eating baits bigger than they did....wasn't a whole lot of action at the Hot dog so we went in search to an area I had heard was holding some nice Blue Fins....and it was.....

we faught off tiny mahi until around 1100 when the long left rigger starts smoking.....nice fish on and he's hooked solid.....Steady gets the rod out of the T-top and we harness Dave into a belt and harness and the fight begins...those dam blue Fin are the hardest fighting tuna out there and this one worked Dave over pretty good but he's a tough guy and wouldn't give up.....had major drag on this fish and he wasn't budging....

about 40 minutes later we are able to stick a couple of gaffs in the fish..he taped out at 57" and we thought we had us a citation......weighed the fish at the fishing center and he went 98 Pounds....just shy of a Citation for Dave H....

Next trip is for the gold....hope we find some YellowFin before then.......Bob

WAY TO GO GUYS!!
HOW WERE THE SEAS?

~Cheryl

glad you guys found some fish. congrats!

Nice fish man

Great job guys. I was thinking of you when I was installing a gas tank in my Jeep today.

Great job fellas.Love those reports.

Sinclair

Nice job Bob, see your not scared.

Mark

Nice report. How long/far of a drive is it from Rudee Inlet to the Hot Dog?

Bob,

I should have left for the Outer Banks Sunday. Thanks for the opportunity and glad to see you had some success.

Tom

Bob,
Great workin with you again today. We held down the fort at the Hot Dog and I remarked when you said you were goin to pick up and run up to check the Fingers and called back in what seemed like six minutes that you had lines in! Captain and Pilot!
Glad you got some great pullage. We had a nice 42" Blue Fin, a small Mahi, some exciting Knockdowns and one fish we had 10 feet short of the leader and never got a look after 20 minutes of drag pulling power. Leader cut clean through about 5 minutes too soon, we suspect a Wahoo from the way he acted. Would have been a good fish...now just a mystery and some wild stories I guess. We timed our return between the strorm cells and had zero problems. A light sprinkle off and on...but I was warm and dry, sorry Don. Can't wait to team up again for the tournament. You guys Rock! see my report and pictures in the Charter Forum.
Tight lines and Sharp Hooks.
Dave

nice job
how was it out their

Nice work. Fresh sushi!

Pretty work, glad you got some meat and had a good day......

JOE

Congrats fellas! Reeal nice fish. Dave, sorry that puppy wasn't feeding more before you caguht him. Missing a paper by 2 pounds is a tough one to take. Still...a fantastic fish. Good job Bob and Steady!!

NICE FISH GUYS. BLOWING CHUNKS AND WORKING A FISH LIKE THAT TAKES SKILL. WAY TO GO

PAUL

Nice work guys! Those big Bluefin can really make a day.

Bob/Steady,
Thanks for the opportunity for the tuna...I really appreciate it...not only did I get a nice Blue Fin but I also learned alot, bean bags and all.
thanks again
Dave

Nice work!!!

Sweet fish Bob, Your right nothing has the pullage of a bft.

Pretty work capt and crew !
Todd

Nice job on the bluefin bob and good luck in the tuna tournament. I will hopefully see you guys for the bluewater classic

Way to go Bob and crew.