Spring Rockfishing

[5th Tuition]

Chew, chew (cough) (cough), chew, chew, (cough)

Boy crow is hard to swallow. What a terrible day. Sat. morning started with a stronger than predicted wind, but not a big challenge for a 46 ft Markley. However, the scotty clips decided it was just a bit too strong and began poping on their own.
Now I have the option of rubberbands, but I figured if I just sink them a little deeper, the problem will be fixed. Good, now the clips are holding tight. Set both sides of the boat and begin to sit back and enjoy the sun in my face. We should have a fish on soon.
I hear a loud pop and think we have the "bubba" that all the MSSA guys are looking for. What the f^&*; the planer board line has snapped and all the rods on the starboard side are laying limp in the water and the planer board is floating away from the boat a steady clip.
Lucky for us this happened when their was no tournament going on and seven hundred boats were not on the bay. Oh; yes there was. I start realing in lines like crazy while the captain tries to get back to the floating board that is getting smaller and smaller.
We eventually get the board back and I feel sorry for the "mate" because he has a mess to deal with. Oh wait, that's me.
The crimp at the board must have weakened the line, because the snap was still attached (along with a slight pigtail of planer line).
I get that side back out and figure the other side was dropped down in the mud, so I reset the port side as well. We have pretty much lost the morning because we had a low tide at 9:30 am.
No sweat, after the tide change we will smoke them. Well we saw great marks and no hookups. Threw everything and anything at them, Raised the lures and dropped the lures. Added weight and took off weight. Nothing would entice them to bite.
Finally picked up a 38 inch fish for a 15 yo kid we had on the charter. But, it was the only one of the day.
We went from limiting out (even on two charter days), to lucky to get one today. Maybe the coldfront, maybe the boat traffic, maybe we missed the morning bite, but we sucked today.
Back at it tomorrow, hopefully with better luck.
5th (Marty)

[5th Tuition]

At one time, I used to coach lacrosse and I had a habit of always wearing something yellow (It's my favorite color, and brings me good luck).
When the alarm went off this morning, I saw that my lovely wife had replaced my original shirt with a yellow one. She had heard all about the miserable day we had on Sat. and this was her way of telling me today would be better.
Left the pier at 6am and headed to a different location (somewhere less crowded). Dropped the lines and had a deep umbrella rip a few feet of drag off a reel. I yelled "fish on" and everyone stood around like you get it, no, you get it. The fish got off. Then a green planer line poped and I handed down the rod to the closest customer. The skunk was off the boat.

The day was not fast and furious, but a steady bite allowed me to stay in contact with another CBAngler who was working the same general area. We were both producing fish, so no need to run to each other, but good to know we had a friend out there who I consider one of the best fishermen on the board. If we got into trouble and needed one more to fill our limit, I knew he would have some good information to pass along.

Lucky, we didn't need him. We had a few more pull downs with out hooking up, but we eventually caught our limit before the tide slacked and headed in.

One cool thing was we had our photo taken today by the helicopter. Our group said "Is that a helicopter so close to the water?". And I told them they could have their photo taken and they could buy it off the internet. "Hell yeah" they said. We only had two in the box at that point, so they picked up the fish and posed for the camera. I'm interested to see how it turned out as well.

It sounded like today was definately easier than yesterday for most anglers. I don't know what will win the tournament, but most of our fish remain in the 36-38 inch range.

I have Monday off, I'm sleeping in.
5th (Marty)

[mlag]

Saturday was surely a tough day. I am feeling much better about my 2 fish outing after hearing about your crews one fish day and Charlie S taking a skunk. Worked for them 2 fish I tell ya. Phil and I kept joking that if we kept working south with that dang wind much longer that we were going to end up at the cbbt. Today was definately much easier and much much more enjoyable. Thanks for the continuing report..................Mark

[Hockleyneck]

That sure was thoughful of your wife, glad you guys found some fish. A few days of getting up at 4:00Am and standing on a rocking boat will wear you down.

[5th Tuition]

Monday, my Captain called and said he had an angler he needed to take out Tues. morning and did I think I could fill the remaining 5 spots. I owe so many guys a ride on my boat and never seem to be able to get them involved when I only normally take 3 guys.
A chance to invite 5 guys makes paybacks a little easier. I've fished Skip's (27 Sailfish) boat, Don's (Hunter) boat, and Mark's (Mlag) boat. Jim (2 Jims) from Marty's has been a big help to me with tackle store, and Rich (Hockleyneck) turned me on to his electronics guy to install my new FF/GPS-radio-and bilge pumps.
I know I have more "debts" to pay so I hope to do another trip like this again soon.
The day started quickly with 3 in the box, then we had a short lull and 2 more came aboard. The final fish took a while to find, and I think we may need to head south to find a better concentration next week.
All fish were good quality (avg 36-39 inches) and put up a good fight.
We had some nice whitecaps and the scotty clips had difficulty staying tight. I switched to rubberbands (#32) and still had a couple break. Learning each time out. I'll head to Office Depot and buy some 64's for those nastier days.
A great crew made my day easier. Everyone knows how to set a spread and pitch in to help. Capt. John surprised the crew with a crabcake lunch cooked onboard. Good eats, and good fishing; what could be better?
Thanks to all who jumped on a great opportunity quickly to help us fill the boat.
Til next time;
5th (Marty)

[5th Tuition]

Fished today with Allan (JustChillin) on his boat. Found some bait near Parkers Creek and pulled one fish out of it after several more attempts, we left to find a better area. Yeah right.
Trolled different water depths and found not another single fish. 16 lines in the water and nothing.
Could this be the beginning of the end of Trophy Season?
5th (Marty)

[drichitt]

I talked with Mlag and they trolled down the bay until just off the power plant (opps...burned that spot) and worked their way back north to the CR. Caught one 30" fish at the very end. At last communication with Hockleyneck (Rich), Mark indicated they were struggling as well. Not sure if the fish are as sick of this dirty water as we are, but I would say we are well past the peak. Solomons is probably where you need to go....Don