Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Awesome Catching Day on the Ocean. UPDATED-More photos

Posted by MWH on 12/15/07 - 7:15 PM
#1
Well, 2007 was a bad fishing year not just for myself but for some of my fishing buddies too. I only made it offshore 4 times and the fish rarely cooperated. I guess thats what makes me appreciate those days when the fishing is HOT! I recently came across some photos from one such day when the fishing was really Hot! Here is the story....

We (Bryan, Bill, and myself) loaded up the Whaler and headed for Ocean City, October 2006 if my memory serves me correctly? Anyway, we were going to target the big Bluefins that follow scallop boats, dragging the ocean floor. This is very tricky fishing because you have to position the boat perfectly behind the scallop boats to drop the baits (scallop guts) on the fish. In the process, not to get close to the scallop boats, run over fish and become a nuisance to the scallop crews..

We left the inlet in the dark, conditions were perfect, flat calm. Always abit nervous when cruising in the dark especially heading approx 35 miles offshore. 25 miles offshore and the starboard motor revved up sounded like the hub was slipping? This was unusual the hubs only had 1 season. I slowed down to 20mph and after awhile I was able to power back up to 30mph, no problems...This was making me feel uneasy but the problem corrected itself and hasn't happened again.

Once we arrived to the area we found several scallop boats and very few fisherman. I thought, was this just an expensive ride?...I told them how we would approach and how close we were going to get. I had Bryan take the helm as I rigged up and baited 2 rods. I then took the helm and pulled behind one of the scallop boats. We could see the scallop shells and guts being tossed over by the crew and moved in that direction. We checked a couple scallop boats but no fish. Once I pulled up to our third boat, I shouted to them to "Drop"! and they dropped the baits over as I put her in nuetral. 30 seconds later and Bryans drag starts screaming!!!! Holy s--- we found them!!! Then Bill's drag started screaming!!!
Here's Bryan as the fish went straight out at high speed!!!
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/OceanPic3.jpg[/IMG]

Check out Bryans face as the fish makes a run to the bottom!!!
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/OceanPic4.jpg[/IMG]

The fish was over 80+lbs and was the biggest fish Bryan has ever caught.
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/OceanPic5.jpg[/IMG]

We did some catch and release with these fish looking for a larger one. Bill and Bryan both reeled in numurous Tunas all day. They were released healthy until Bill hooked up with this larger class fish.
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/OceanPic2.jpg[/IMG]

After a battle the fish was landed, 90+lbs and Bill's largest fish ever!!
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/OceanPic6.jpg[/IMG]

It was a great day. I even caught and released a few. Bill had fished with me numurous times but always came up with the small fish. Not this trip....:o
Edited by MWH on 12/16/07 - 7:13 PM

Posted by Binkie on 12/15/07 - 7:39 PM
#2
Wow, that was a great trip, being from Fl. I`m not familiar with the species of tuna you caught. Is there a limit. That was THE trip of the year.

Rich:D












wow, that was a great trip

Posted by arthureld on 12/15/07 - 11:59 PM
#3
Great story Mike. Thanks for sharing it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had bad luck fishing in 07.
08 will be better. :D

Posted by MW on 12/16/07 - 12:39 AM
#4
AWESOME ! Catch & release, "TRUE" Sportsmen !
mw

Posted by AK153 on 12/16/07 - 10:14 AM
#5
Nice!! I enjoy seeing people fishing in Whalers. I just wish it was me. Nice fish and a great narration. Thanks for the pics.

Posted by kamie on 12/16/07 - 11:28 AM
#6
Nice writeup Mike, I would be practicing the release part of Catch & Release if I could ever be consistent on the catching part.

Posted by MWH on 12/16/07 - 7:10 PM
#7
Binkie,

The fish we were catching are Bluefin Tuna. They are regulated by the Fed. Govt. They migrate here every spring-fall. The rules change every year regarding minimum length and how many you can keep. On this trip we were able to keep 2, which is plenty considering all the meat. Huge steaks!

mw,

I now prefer to catch, photograph and release unless the fish is not able to revive or we would exceed our limit...However keeping a couple of good eating fish is always nice.:D

Here are some photos. This is a typical Scallop boat dragging (3mph) the Ocean floor. Notice all the rigging trailing in the water. Don't want to get tangled in that.:o
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/IMAG0026.jpg[/IMG]

Preparing some baits. These cutting boards that fit in the rodholders are great.
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/IMAG0025.jpg[/IMG]

Notice the girth on this 80+lber. An incredible fish....
[IMG]http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q117/homey1110/Bluefin_1.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks for the nice comments!:D