Well, got the salt off the boat this weekend. Made a long run on the new rig out to a warm water pocket about 80nm out. Had a buddy boat (Full Throttle), also working the same water a little north and west. Great trip, did get a little sporty with a 20 knot SW wind kicking the seas up, but boat handled well and we were able to average 33 knots on the way out.

Trolled some 69 degree water and came tight on a nice Mahi that quickly spit the hook. Trolled the same area for a while longer and finally put a smaller gaffer in the box.

Moved NW and trolled for a while with nothing. Started trolling W then found a good temperature break of 68-67 degree water with a lot of bait holding at 40 foot right when we were going to call it quits. Work the area and start having some good action on some larger gaffers (20-30lb) that gave us a beating. All told put one more in the box and lost three. I tell you it was good to get out there and get the kinks out early in the season! Also landed a decent size skippy for a change of pace.

Had a new group of guys on the boat (all from VBSF), and we had all met for the first time on the boat that day. So, all told, I think it went well. Pop, Loko, and Andrew K did a great job. Loko's first time on a Mahi and we put it in the box. Andrew K can sure rig some ballyhoo, especially for a guy that has not been offshore in almost 2 years! Pop was steady as usual. I look forward to many more trips this summer, and more meat in the box


James

Nice job guys....nothing like early season gaffers in cool water...congrats...bob

WAY TO FIND SOME FISH! GREAT JOB!

James,

thanks again for the invite and i had a great time even though it was a little sporty out there!

before he got cut up i decided to take a quick pick

James,

Thanks for having me aboard your boat. I really had a great time for my first time offshore. Learned a lot from everyone especially Andrew. Hopefully we could do it again some time.

Carl

Nice job fellas...thanks for the report!

Many thanks, James, for a great trip.
Blue was the color all the mahi hit. Blue/white twice, blue once and blue/red once. I was standing near the port short when my turn came up and the biggest mahi of the day hit it. I grabbed the rod and got a beautiful bull along side quickly.... maybe too quickly, as he jumped did a 360 and spit the hook before we had a chance to gaff him. I'm OK with a catch and release. Since I'm not much of a fish eater, I fish more for the sport than the meat.
The skipjack hit an artificial hoo on the shotgun.

Excellent! Things are looking up in VA waters, for sure! Thanks for the great report.

Glad you all did so well. We'll have to hook up again soon.