31 Mar 07/Tuna Doghouse II

From Joe (His Doghouse II)

Our crew (Mike & Lanie – Fish Dad & fshnbaybe, Todd – TKBMECH, Stan, Kathy T., and Bill) met at my boat at Little Creek shortly before 4 am on Saturday. After stowing and a quick briefing, we were underway at 0405.

Our trip out was uneventful as we headed for a point that the SST charts showed to be promising about 8 miles south-southeast of the Cigar. We were cruising at 24-25 knots in slight seas from the southwest, and an easy swell from the northeast. After slowing for one urgent head repair, we arrived about at our goto point and continued tracking southeast to find the break. Six miles or so past our aim point we found 65 degree water in 150 fathoms and we had the first line in at 0810.

We put numbers in a hat to draw for the reeling order, and SON of a GUN, I got number 1. Thanks Mike! The first line went off at 0900, and after a short while we hauled through the transom door a beautiful 42″ schoolie BFT. Almost simultaneous with my fish, the second line went off, and Bill started cranking. After we cleared my fish, Bill’s came through the door, and another 42″ BFT. Both in 66 degrees and about 150 fathoms. Stan had the next cranking, and at 0920 he was pulling in another – guess what, 42″ schoolie.

At 0940, the first lady in our order got a chance to crank, and Kathy pulled in the largest fish of the day – a 45 incher. By that point we were in close to 250 fathoms. The fish then took a break so we could grab some snacks and coordinate our lies for when we got home. At 1140 Lanie got her turn in the harness, and pulled in a 43″ BFT.

That was our last fish of the day, but we weren’t done looking. We continued out, up, down, sideways, but no joy. On the VHF we only heard one boat reporting a keeper, and no YFT were reported. We ended up back at the fuel dock at 1800, and without having to deal with fish cleaning, got the boat refueled and cleaned in short order. An interesting note, it only took me 185 gallons of diesel for that trip – I was estimating I would burn more.

I want to thank my crew who did an outstanding job. Mike and Todd tirelessly worked the pit, and Lanie did an outstanding job of taking short videos and still photos. I think Mike purposely left his video camera on after he charged it so he wouldn’t have to edit some exciting and non-stop action on a boat that wasn’t SeaDuction .

Joe, had a blast. Thanks for having us. It’s nice to ho every now and again and not be the Capt.

Yea, I screwed up with our video camera with the dead battery. I’m going to have to start packing a spare. But Lanie did get some great video with our digital camera although the audio track didn’t come out very good so I just removed it.

Here’s a few pics from the day.

Every Capt. appreciates bring this to the party. Baitmaster ballyhoo, fluorocarbon leaders, witches and islands, mostly blue/white.