Hatteras Report May 25 - 27 MAHI MAHI

[Blue_Runner]

All I can say is WOW what a trip! *Having this much fun with your clothes on should not be legal *;D

Finally got the chance to take the Blue Runner offshore. *Went about 20 miles out to the gulfstream out of Hatteras Inlet NC. * The temp break was actually at around 12 miles where the water turned cobalt blue.

The bite was on almost immediately on Saturday and again on Sunday. *We fished Islander rigs rigged with ballyhoo on Shimano TLD and Penn outifts. *I did put one stretch 30 - red and white - down deep on wire and it had the most tremendous hit I've ever seen in my life. *In the blink of an eye the line was broke! *

Day one we managed 5 nice dolphin and a wahoo. The wahoo came in on mono and was the first offshore fish ever caught on the Blue Runner. *8) *He weighed 15 lbs. *The dolphin went from 15 up to around 18 or 19 lbs each. * *Day 2 we had 6 nice dolphin. *Each day we lost some fish too. *The very first dolphin I had beside the boat I missed it with the gaff and he got off! *I was soooooo ticked! *That quickly faded away once we had a double flopping around in the boat only a few minutes later *;D

First day we burned 45 gallons of fuel and went about 115 miles. *Day 2 we burned about 40 and recorded around 100 miles total.

Here's the pix:
Wahoo - 1st fish caught
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010011-4.jpg
Me and my fin-man Snead
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010025-2.jpg
We trolled 5 rods, could have trolled more had we hooked up the flat line release clip. *
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010010-3.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010016-2.jpg
Those mahi sure know how to pull. *Here's Chad
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010013-4.jpg
Chad on the gaff using the bench seat
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010014-4.jpg
Miller with his first offshore Mahi
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010015-4.jpg
Luckily we didn't catch any huge bulls - they wouldn't have fit in the box
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010030-1.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010029.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010031.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010032-1.jpg
The seat boxes on each side made awesome "fighting chairs". *I wish I had a pair of swivel gimbals mounted on them the rest the rod butt on. *
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010023-2.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010024-3.jpg
Chad and Miller
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010028.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010017-2.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d73/stinkery/S2010018-3.jpg
This was the best trip of my life so far. *We had a great weather, great fishing, and a great time. *Can't beat it. *;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

Awesome man!! Those mahi are gorgeous!

You got a nice mess of groceries right there! 8)

[THEFERMANATOR]

Those there some good viddles. This from a trip I was on last SEPTEMBER.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/MEANDFLIPPER2.jpg

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks Stinky, those Mahi are some jumpin fools too. *We had a couple that slashed and jumped clean out of the water BEFORE they piled on to our short lines...it was a site for sore eyes. * One other time a batch came through and hammered our entire 5 line spread. * :o Two stuck and the rest got away. *After that we cut the motor, sat down and re-rigged all 5 lines before going back at it. ;)

I've only been offshore on a big boat about 4 times. *This was my first time on my own. *I learned alot. * We all did for that matter. *I'm ready to go again!

[Stinky_Hooker]

Thats awesome man. I fish mine offshore regularly for snapper, kings, Ajs and such, but the blue water fish (mahi, hooters, tuna, etc..) are out of my reach. I could get there and back on my 18's range, but just dont feel safe doing it. ;)


We should take the Robalo out there soon though. We are dying to stretch her legs and see the blue stuff, just waiting on some stable weather patterns. 8)


What color pattern lures and all were working for you? :)

[msbhammer]

Great Pics. Blue, looks like you all had a great time. ;)

[Blue_Runner]

They hit everything, blue and yellow dolphin baby dolphin colors, pink and orange, green and white. Being rookies we weren't really picky when it came to picking our lures. Actually the lures we bought only cost $3.99 ;D The real islanders cost like $25 a piece on up.

The stretch 30 I put out was red/white.

Its a rich mans sport, and unfortunately I'm not rich :-/

[Stinky_Hooker]

So for the most part yall were using rigged hoos? :)

[THEFERMANATOR]

You aint kiddin about it being a rich man's sport. My buddy that I go with figures he's got over $10K in lures alone, not to mention the 2 speed reels he has.

[Blue_Runner]

Dat's right Stink, rigged ballyhoos. Each day gas, bait, ice and boat launching fee cost $200 ($150, $20, $15, $15 respectively).

This does not count the gas it took to haul the boat 380 miles there then 380 miles back home. Or the room for 3 nights at $170 a night.

The good news is I can hardly tell my wallet is in my pocket any more.....before this trip I had to take it out when driving cause it hurt my arse ;D

[Stinky_Hooker]

I know da feeling Blue...it sucks on the days with no catch to show for it but you aint got that problem right now. 8)

[Blue_Runner]

That's right brotha! ;)

[randlemanboater]

Way to go BR!!!!!

Fresh Mahi is delicious, fresh Wahoo is probably the best fish I have ever eaten.

My trip 20 miles off was much much less successful. Of course down where I was (Holden Beach), the Stream is still 65 miles out so I wasn't expecting what you found.

I am working on my report now.

Good show old chap.

[C YENSEN]

I am jealous, they arent here yet, but soon...... ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks RB and CY, I have to agree that Wahoo is the best. ;)

[reelapeelin]

Looks like A REELY GREAT trip to da stream 8) 8) 8) ... Dawg, that's a NICE Mahi/Hoo Combo ... and I know it's that much sweeter on your own boat ... WAY COOL 8) ...

Get another Stretch just like the one ya lost and lighten that drag a little ;) ...great action pix...THANX!!... ;D ...

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks man, about the stretch - still kickin myself for not using the right rod on that one. Had we used one of the TLD setups I think that fish would have hit the deck. The problem was the 30's put off alot of resistance when trolling so you have to crank the drag down to keep line from coming off underway. The star drag on the Penn won't cut it but the lever drag on the Shimanos will (I think). I know better now. Hell I knew better then ::)

[Stinky_Hooker]

TLDs are the shizzle. 8)

[reelapeelin]

Even though ya know something, experience will make a reel believer outta ya ;) ... 1st time out like that, I think ya'll did pretty dang good!!...look at what you brought home 8) 8) ...

[Airslot]

Pay attention, class is in session.

So, ya wanna pull Stretch 30's offshore. Problem is you gotta tighten the drag enough that its not leaking line, but if a fish hits hard, it snaps instantly...as young Jedi Runner has learned.

In this instance what you need is a paper towel. A wet paper towel jammed between the spool and the bridge will allow you to lighten the drag, without leaking line off. When a fish hits the paper towel comes right out and the lighter drag is in place.

Brilliant you say? Your welcome ;D

It works, been doing it for years.

[Stillrunning]

Nice catch. Did you try to bail any dolphin? If not, next time out when you get one to the boat look in the water to see if any followed it to the boat as it is very common. Then quickly chunk up some balihoo and give them a tast. Have some smaller rods ready with just a hook and a peice of balihoo and toss it in. It is great fishing and great action on lighter tackle. You do have to leave the fish they followed in the water so they will hang around the boat. The last time we took the V out of Hatteras we got hit by a lighting storm about 15 miles out before we ever got a line in the water. I'll have to say it was not much fun but the storm was moving out to sea. After it passed we followed it out while trolling and realed in 5 Mahi all of which where within a pound of two of citation. If you make the trip again let me know and maybe I can tow the boat down with a crew and we can fish together. My family alos has a cottage about 45min from Hatteras which helps save a little cash.

[Blue_Runner]

Slot, good idea, haven't heard that one b4. ;)

SR - I will certainly let you know next time I plan on going. You do the same ;)

On the leaving one in the water thing - we didn't have any followers on hooked fish but had one follow the bait to the boat 2 different times when reeling in. I let it back and jigged it, he went nuts and bit the tail off, I let it back and jigged again, he went nuts and bit the bait in half and that was it :-/ I have heard of leaving one in the water before and was ready to do that but we didn't.

[Stillrunning]

Slot, good idea, haven't heard that one b4. *;)

SR - I will certainly let you know next time I plan on going. *You do the same *;) *

On the leaving one in the water thing - we didn't have any followers on hooked fish but had one follow the bait to the boat 2 different times when reeling in. * I let it back and jigged it, he went nuts and bit the tail off, I let it back and jigged again, he went nuts and bit the bait in half and that was it *:-/ *I have heard of leaving one in the water before and was ready to do that but we didn't.


You only leave it in the water if you notice others following the fish but remember its a good chance they could get off. You need to have extra poles ready with a large hook and some chunked up ballyhoo. If you see other fish take a hand full of the chuncks and throw into the water to get them going and then toss in your lines and get ready for some great fishing. We use lite stuff with around 15 to 20lb test and these fish will be flying before you know it. We caught around 20 in an hour bailing them one day and I'd have to say it was about the most fun fishing I've ever had. The funny part was it was a slow day and the large charter boats were circling us trying to get in on the action but they did not have any luck as we would keep them close with a toss of a handfull of bait. I have been deep sea fishing around 25 to 30 times and only got into bailing them three times. Its just good to know how to do this so when the time comes you are ready to take advantage of the situation.

[Blue_Runner]

RIght on SR - wish I would have thought about throwing some chunks to that "follower" but I didn't. :-/

Thanks for the info! They do know how to put on an air show thats for sure!

[deshet]

How did the boat handle. I have heard many people say they would not leave out of the inlet in anything less the a 25'. I would really like to go myself I just have to get a reiable crew with reiable money.

Look like you guys did well.

thanks

[bassarama]

Jesus ….you whaled them BR.

That’s one spectacular offshore report, the pix are great and the results are outstanding. :)

Nice to see someone with enough colhoes to go out 20 miles on a V. ;) Around here, some guys go that far after fluke. ::) ::) ::)

I bet you and your team mates are still yessing your fists around…I know I would.

(Man.... I need to move South) ;D

[Airslot]

With a stable weather pattern and a buddy boat, there is no reason you can't fish a V 40 miles out. JMHO

I certainly ain't skeered to take mine out there ;D

[sfprovyn]

That red and white plug is probably in the corner of a big 50 lb Wahoo's mouth. I have a couple old huge Rapala CD 22's in red and white that I run on commercial planers and 130 pound wire that I get a lot of deep kings on but a big Wahoo will break that leader if its not set just right. The Mann's stretch 25 and 30 in red and white is another good lure but make sure its on your way back rod as they wander left and right and will fowl up other lines. Look on ebay under used fishing lures or magnum lures and sometimes charter boat guys getting out of the business will give them up cheap like 5 to 6 bucks each and combine shipping....A while back I bought 6 Rapala CD 22's and 3 Rebel Jawbreakers from a guy in Key West for $44 that included shipping. A couple were chewed up a little and I replaced the hooks on one and I'm good to go..Looks like you boys are in for some fine eating...Frank

[macojoe]

Wow I am Jelious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Job!

[Blue_Runner]

Thanks boys thats what I'm thinking Frank....if you catch that big wahoo I'd appreciate it if you'd let me have my lure back ;D

[TunaHead]

Blue, two friends and I fished for 7 days last October out of Cabo and the East Cape of Baja and never had half the luck you did (we probably drank more margaritas though) Fantastic pics!

[Blue_Runner]

Tuna thanks man! Previously I had only been offshore 2 - 3 times, always on a big boat and we never did much better....except we did land some yellowfins which are a hoot!

p.s. I read your salmon post earlier today - those salmon steaks looked INCREDIBLE! I'd imaging that is some fine eating!