Gambler 36hr tuna

[Pennsy Guy]

Just back from an extended trip---Weather was as it was last week but not quite as warm. Capt. Bob made an early stop at 2 pots--first had 3-4 chickens, none hooked, 2nd had 5-6 better sized, no takers. Decided to head South rather than the original spot and we ended up down at the Wilmington after we stopped at a dolphin school with nothing. On the way we enjoyed watching some small dolphins riding our wake. Pretty cool watching the little guys airborne. Ran through 63* to a large break-70* and set up a slow drift on the edge. Drifted out of the water, ran back into it a couple of times with one YFT put on ice. It had no chum chunks in it, just a passer through. Nice clear water but no life-squid, sharks, just some weed and large jelly fish. We did have a Mola Mola jump out of the water-think I've never seen that before. and a small Mako released. At night in the same area, a ways off of 17 lights, a large sword broke off, a small one (legal) was boated. Around 4 AM we moved again-should be about an hour ride. False dawn, magic hour passes, sunup, still nothing Finally, after 3-4 hrs. two more yellows are on ice-no chunks in them.2 more travelers!
4 tilers at the bow during this time in 450', 2 hookups, 2 huge20* Goldens over the rail, an even larger one dropped. A big blueline over the rail. Crazy, 3 guys tunaing, get hooked up, 2 two more Goldens in the pail. Bob has not blown the ending whistles yet at 2 PM, an hour past when I thought it would.
I brought a spinner, loaded with 200 yds 30*--braid and mono. Gonna flat line a butter--at 2:30ish, 4 of our lines take off--after the initial shock and flipping the bail, I know I said "I don't think I want to do this"--as rod doubles over and line peels off reel and I realize this won't work! No friends--can't use the rail, line coming off reel can't touch anything, it's all the angler. Hooked up port bow, it took me down the side, across the stern, 2/3 way up starboard side to inattentive jigger--his line clips mine just above swivel---goodbye tuna!!Life has many problems from which to learn. None of the others were boated either.
Found out that we ended ae the Baltimore Canyon, 110 miles from "Squan" inlet but we made it
Kudos to Capt. Bob for his doginess to find us fish and to remain calm in spite of everything.
The crew is everything a crew should be!! And these guys are!!!!
.

[capt74]

Sounds like a tough trip Chuck. And what in the world are you doing with a spinner? If my memory serves me correctly, I can remember you scratching your head at guys and "saying should have used a conventional ".

[capt74]

Hopefully 2NA AKA Shorts got a picture. Want to put it up on my wall along with the rest of never seen this before pics.

[Ol Pedro]

Chuck, are you or Shorts on any of the 24 or 30hr trips? Tonk, when are you coming up?

[capt74]

Ha Pete, Kind of tied up down here. The big guy is arriving in a couple of days to spend some time in the North Carolina office. Got to make sure everything is up to snuff. Hope all is well be safe and catch them up. Tell the boys I said Hi .

[2na]

We had to destroy all the evidence. Some memories should not be kept...

[Pennsy Guy]

Greg, that old proverb---"do as I say do, not as I do."
Life's lessons learned at the oddest times and unexpected places!!!

Pete, if we 're blown out next week, I'll probably be on both Nov. 24's, otherwise, I don't know.