Brought the "Clear Shot" back from Hatteras a week ago and and I am starting to slide into depression. I miss the 15 mile runs and the surplus of fish. Ran 62 miles one day last week and had 5 yft (all throwbacks) and 2 mahi.

It seems like its the same story everyday. Some boats find them and some don't. Usually 1 keeper for every 6-7 bites. Most of the keeper yft are in the 30-40 # range. The best of the bite has been between the 870 - 960 line, 100-200 fathoms. A few white marlin mixed in as well as a few gaffers.

Inshore the bluefins action has been very slow. A few came in this weekend, but not the numbers we saw last year at this time. I saw one fish at the scales that was 124#'s and another that was 98#'s.

I did run down to the 26 Mile Hill last week and had 7 bites. Boxed one under around 35 pounds and released 2 others. Had a bigger fish on for over an hour and pulled the hook at the boat. All of the bites came on a junior islander "Blue & Black" with a medium ballyhoo. Had both flat line bites and long rigger, but nothing on the way way back.

Don or Mark, when is the offshore tournament?

Would also love to hear about the tunas down there if anyone is catching them.

Thanks,
Capt. Tony

Tony,

I know what you mean. I'm hooked on HI as well. Love the run & that fishery is incredible. Good Luck to you this year up there.

Capt. Scott

I dunno, im bringing my boat to Chincoteague for the last week and a half of this month. Lets go fishing! I have seen some decent fish pictures from the Lumpy bottom area and a little west.

Tony...don't get too despressed...it will be alright!! The Bluewater Classic is August 13-16th...hope to see you there!

I think a lot of people are over running the fish and over thinking things. We went Sunday. We left the dock at 11am, ran about 17 miles, and put in the spread. We trolled toward the Cat's Paw. Trolled toward a mark where we found 'em 2 years ago the same weekend. Hooked up at about 1:15. Boxed a 41", 41lb Bluefin and headed in. We only got in a brief 4 hour trip because my pregnant wife was on board and although she was a trooper and wanted to go, I was a little nervous to have her out there. There was a ton of trash and logs in the water. The fish was just outside the trash, in the nicer water.

Bill