Zigh
07-28-2004, 11:58 PM
posted on 28-Jul-2004 9:40:04 PM
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I recently embarked on a 3 day fishing journey aboard the 'Reel Escape'... Please excuse the late report(s). On 7/23, Rob(ReelEscape), Capt. Paul, SharkJP, his buddy Jason, and myself, departed Salt Pond's at 3AM. We made decent time to our waypoint, and fished an area E of the Cigar. The day was somewhat cloudy and the bites were few in the first hours. We had 1 Mahi in the box and 2 missed chances and that was all until around 10AM. Then suddenly, the port flat goes off with authority and then all lines are hit within seconds of each other; we are covered up by 'Whitey'!!!! The blue stream water behind the boat explodes with SEVEN showering White Marlin leaping and tail walking across the stern. It was something I could have never imagined seeing in all my days at sea, and can't imagine ever seeing again. AMAZING!!! Bills were flying everywhere, and as the initial wave of chaos settled, 4 fish still hung on, then it was 2 White Marlin that SharkJP and I battled. The crew did a great job and the fish were cooperative as we each successfully landed and released our 1st White's. I was ecstatic!! It is something that will never leave my mind. A true gift from the sea to be treated to such a sight and gain such respect for these fish. With our spirits in high gear, we set out the 8 line spread again in hopes of more nibbles and it was some time before we scored a YFT of around 55lbs... Then that fish's cousin was boated an hour or so later. This on the backside edge of the Cigar among slicks, skittering Tuna birds, and Whales. As we headed W we encountered another couple of Mahi bites that were fruitless, and then 'IT' happened.. 'HE' came a knockin'!!! It was 2:45PM as we pulled in the spread and made ready for the trip into Rudee Inlet. All of the lines were in except for the short rigger bait; I affectionately call 'The Pink Nightmare', dangling in the 110ft. of 78* water. I look up to see Capt. Paul's eyes expand to the size of saucer plates and hear a tremendous splash behind me... As I wheel around, I see a HUGE Blue Marlin gobbling up the bait and heading E in a dazzling array of splashing, leaping, and aerial supremacy, rivaled by no other fish. WOW!!!! Mr. Blue suit was dumping the reel as Paul dug in and I tried to keep up with him and at the same time avoid driving over the line. Some volatile runs were made and Capt. Paul did an outstanding job gaining when he could and hanging on when that was all there was to do. Eventually we were gaining some ground it seemed and then after some time, and to a chorus of "aaarrggghhh's", the line went limp..... After retrieving what seemed a country mile's worth of monofilament, the culprit for the fishes freedom was discovered in the shape of the hook which no longer resembled a "J", but sadly an "L"... Happy, sad, and truly in awe, we motored WNW and pulled into Rudee Inlet for the evening. Cleaned the boat, the Tuna, and ourselves in time to ride out to the Va Beach Amphitheater and catch Dave Matthews Band in concert. It was quite a show and the events of the day were complimented by some tantilizing tunes and lovely dancing ladies. Now that's livin'!!! Made our way back to the 'Reel Escape' late night where we got our gear and rigs ready for the next day and continued to party a bit. It was around 4:30AM on 7/24 when the 'Day shift'(Rob/ Jason) awakened and motored us SE. As I lay my head to sleep, I was in excited by the possibilities of the day ahead, and lulled to rest by the already awesome events we had enjoyed... Bring It On!
Part 2>> Please see next post for day 2>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laughing so hard, the devil gets scared....
Zigh
><((((*>
:D
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently embarked on a 3 day fishing journey aboard the 'Reel Escape'... Please excuse the late report(s). On 7/23, Rob(ReelEscape), Capt. Paul, SharkJP, his buddy Jason, and myself, departed Salt Pond's at 3AM. We made decent time to our waypoint, and fished an area E of the Cigar. The day was somewhat cloudy and the bites were few in the first hours. We had 1 Mahi in the box and 2 missed chances and that was all until around 10AM. Then suddenly, the port flat goes off with authority and then all lines are hit within seconds of each other; we are covered up by 'Whitey'!!!! The blue stream water behind the boat explodes with SEVEN showering White Marlin leaping and tail walking across the stern. It was something I could have never imagined seeing in all my days at sea, and can't imagine ever seeing again. AMAZING!!! Bills were flying everywhere, and as the initial wave of chaos settled, 4 fish still hung on, then it was 2 White Marlin that SharkJP and I battled. The crew did a great job and the fish were cooperative as we each successfully landed and released our 1st White's. I was ecstatic!! It is something that will never leave my mind. A true gift from the sea to be treated to such a sight and gain such respect for these fish. With our spirits in high gear, we set out the 8 line spread again in hopes of more nibbles and it was some time before we scored a YFT of around 55lbs... Then that fish's cousin was boated an hour or so later. This on the backside edge of the Cigar among slicks, skittering Tuna birds, and Whales. As we headed W we encountered another couple of Mahi bites that were fruitless, and then 'IT' happened.. 'HE' came a knockin'!!! It was 2:45PM as we pulled in the spread and made ready for the trip into Rudee Inlet. All of the lines were in except for the short rigger bait; I affectionately call 'The Pink Nightmare', dangling in the 110ft. of 78* water. I look up to see Capt. Paul's eyes expand to the size of saucer plates and hear a tremendous splash behind me... As I wheel around, I see a HUGE Blue Marlin gobbling up the bait and heading E in a dazzling array of splashing, leaping, and aerial supremacy, rivaled by no other fish. WOW!!!! Mr. Blue suit was dumping the reel as Paul dug in and I tried to keep up with him and at the same time avoid driving over the line. Some volatile runs were made and Capt. Paul did an outstanding job gaining when he could and hanging on when that was all there was to do. Eventually we were gaining some ground it seemed and then after some time, and to a chorus of "aaarrggghhh's", the line went limp..... After retrieving what seemed a country mile's worth of monofilament, the culprit for the fishes freedom was discovered in the shape of the hook which no longer resembled a "J", but sadly an "L"... Happy, sad, and truly in awe, we motored WNW and pulled into Rudee Inlet for the evening. Cleaned the boat, the Tuna, and ourselves in time to ride out to the Va Beach Amphitheater and catch Dave Matthews Band in concert. It was quite a show and the events of the day were complimented by some tantilizing tunes and lovely dancing ladies. Now that's livin'!!! Made our way back to the 'Reel Escape' late night where we got our gear and rigs ready for the next day and continued to party a bit. It was around 4:30AM on 7/24 when the 'Day shift'(Rob/ Jason) awakened and motored us SE. As I lay my head to sleep, I was in excited by the possibilities of the day ahead, and lulled to rest by the already awesome events we had enjoyed... Bring It On!
Part 2>> Please see next post for day 2>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laughing so hard, the devil gets scared....
Zigh
><((((*>
:D