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First "Offshore Trip" for 2007...Left Annapolis on Thursday, 2:30am with Whaler in tow headed to Chincoteague Virginia. In the water by 5:45am and heading offshore (40 miles) to an area that has been productive for Tuna and Mahi, last year...The seas are calm and were able to cruise at 30-33mph over the swells. Didn't see any life, few birds and that was it, water temp was 66-67degrees.

Once we arrive, I put out 2 baits and we start a chum slick on the drift. A few small birds arrive and an hour goes by, Im thinking this was a very expensive boat ride, half hour later a couple of frigate birds arrive, this is a good sign...My buddy Brian and I are looking behind the boat and he says Shark! (Im thinking bluefish) as the balloon bobs around, something is obviously interested in our bait. I'm still thinking its a pesky bluefish. Balloon pulls again this time with some force. I pick up the rod, set the hook and hand it to another friend, Cliff (its his first time offshore) who fights the fish for only 15-20 minutes. Guess who?
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/Fishing%202007/WhalerPictures019.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/Fishing%202007/WhalerPictures020.jpg[/IMG]

The Mako measured out at 67" and 91lbs. Its our first time fishing for Mako. We decided to head further out to the Norfolk Canyon to try for Yellowfin Tuna. We found about 100 or so Pilot Whales, Dolphin and a Humpback Whale. We also saw another Mako jump 10 feet in the air! The water temp was 65degrees. We trolled a few hours with no bites...The Navy was also out there and were practing with their guns so we decided to head back to an area called the 26 mile hill. We finished off our chum and baits almost hooking up with a Hammerhead. It was a beautiful day on the water now I'm eating Mako!B)

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Mike,

It's much better that you are eating the Mako rather than the Mako eating you..... :o

Sounds like a good day on the ocean and thanks for the report...

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Sounds like a great trip Mike.
Can't wait to get my Outrage in the water. We'll see what I can catch within a couple miles from shore.

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Your picture of the mako is my all-time favorite picture on this site! Great photograph, and a nice fish. I used to fish for sharks when I was a boy, with my dad on long island. If you're going offshore fishing and want some company, PM me and I'll meet you at the ramp if I can!

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DelawareDan,

Hey Thanks! That Mako was just the right size, it barely fit in my insulated fishbag. We went offshore to Poormans Canyon this past saturday, 24th and saw a guy catch a Mako while trolling a ballyhoo rig with no wire leader!

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What was he fishing for? Mahi?

What's the latest on mahi and tuna? Think it'll be a good year?

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He was trolling for Tuna and Mahi....We caught 2 Yellowfin and lost a nice gaffer Mahi on saturday. We were 2 days late, on thursday several boats limited out on 50+lb yellowfin. The Hot Dog and Hambone have been dead....Hopefully the fishing will improve in the next couple weeks.

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Hope springs eternal! Keep us updated!

What size were the yellowfins?

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cool !

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Hows the weather up there? Its been raining for the past week and has no signs of letting up.

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The weather is cold now and most boats are winterized. Temps are in the high 30's low 40's...Doing some winter projects on the boat, looking forward to April for Trophy Stripers on the Chesapeake Bay.