First of all, Wade, Steve & myself would just like to say how much we enjoyed the tourney & all of the events associated with the Frostbite Challenge. Everyone did a great job, great food, music, raffle prizes, atmosphere, staff & definately the beverages proved to be pretty good too!

We fished Saturday & Sunday.

Started Saturday with the plan to go north. Fished half the day, nothing. No marks or knockdowns. A friend called to say there had been a good bite off the Machapungo Inlet (spelling?) all week. We were 12 miles from it, so we head north. We stay on the 3 mile line in the deepest water we could. Just as we get there & look around, nothing on the screen, no birds, almost call it to move again when Wade says to keep going, I see birds! On we go about 2-3 miles further north, the biggest bird show I have seen in quite a while.

We set lines out, the birds were about a mile wide, The best action was over the line, but still a lot going on in legal waters. Not as much diving birds, but tons still sitting. We get 4 lines out & the screen lights up! 4 lines down! Steve is on his electric reel when his trigger button malfunctions & he has to adjust & drop to his knees & use the factory button that is on the reel it's self. It looks like Wade has a hog, only to be a 35" fish hooked in the head with a stretch 25. The others are not much more than the 35" with the biggest of the day being 38". Made 1 more pass & picked up 2 more, & the catch was in the cooler. They were not tournament fish, but what a blast catching them. Good to see Steve back out here with us catching fish. We were hoping for bigger fish, but we could not find them. They were moving south & east, so we couldn't chase them. Trolled a little while longer on the line hoping for a couple scragglers, but not there. I wish we had gotten there a little earlier, I think we could have had a chance at some nicer fish before they moved offshore, but that's how it goes.


Sunday,

We went back north with the hopes of the sw wind keeping things a little closer to shore. Not to be. Nothing. Nada. Zero. I think you get the point. The only thing we got up there was a beating.

We did however see the boats about 6-8 miles off Fisherman's Island. We saw a couple running to it & a couple running away from it. We did follow 1 into Lynnhaven, but he would not let us get close enough to him to see his boat name. Went as far as not slowing down for the no wake zone until he got under the Lesner Bridge.

Congratulations to all the winners.

Pics from Saturday
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Nice report, Cheryl. Sorry you didn't place in the tournament, but at least you caught fish Sat. A lot of boats were skunked.

Nice chatting with you Sat evening.

Nice job Salty crew. Sounds like a lot of my trips...get there just a little too late.

BTW....any fish caught on electrics not only cannot be qualified for a state citation or IGFA record but you could not enter that fish in any tournments either.

Mike,
Yes we could have entered it in the tourney. Steve is "handicapped" and the use of the electric reel is accepted. He is missing his rght arm. We asked at the captain's meeting. They said it did comply with the rules, I have not looked further. They also said that they meant to put a clause in the rules & next time it will be there. With all of the amputees coming home from the war & from other tramatic events like Steve's accident, I DO feel it is time for things like this to be considered. These folks have lost a limb, not the alility to do great things with a rod & reel. Believe me, Steve fought his fish 100%. This summer we hope to get him on some cobia & possibly some dolphin action. I will be working on fixing his trigger button this week so he does not have to be on his knees.

We told him that we could only put the rod in his hand, it was up to him to do the rest. He wouldn't let ud even do that. He grabbed that rod out of the holder & slammed it in his belt & a fighting he went! Really cool to see him overcome & kick a$$! It gives me a new appreciation for fishing everytime I see him fighting those fish.

Cheryl, thanks for the clarification. I did not realize the handicap. I cannot image the challenges Steve must go through to land a fish. Nice job out there.

That is so cool. I have a hard enough time grabbing the rod out of the holder with 2 hands. Very impressed. Great job guys.

That's awesome. Adapt and overcome!

Steve is one awesome dude!! It was greeat to finally meet him. Thanks for fishing the tourney!!

Way cool of you guys staying within the 3 mi line and taking your lumps...You have my respect.

Nice job!

All around great report. Plenty of fish and fun. Keep after it and best of luck putting Steve on a Cobia to really put him and his rig to the test.

--Brett

Great job Cheryl and Crew! Enjoyed seeing you guys again and meeting Steve!
Tight lines.
Dave

Nice work!