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Capt Tommy
Posts: 258 Officer
1/27 - PBI Still No Dolphin, but more Sails today
Capt Tommy
Posts: 258 Officer
My boss on the Bertram was in town for a one day trip so we bought some gogs from Target and headed out. The fleet was headed north so I headed south. Fishing without a mate I didn't want to be in the crowd and I knew a few fish had been down there. So South I ran.
For two hours we wallowed in a minimal current and no wind. Fishing one kite/helium balloon due to the light winds and lack of hands I felt naked as I powered slowly north. One king cutoff and a "used to be" keeper mutton was all we saw. My usual patience reached its limit when I heard from friends they were biting to the north.
We ran a half hour north and put them back out, no longer needing helium. We started outside of the fleet and managed to stay out of trouble, but the bite had slowed dramatically. We finally got our turn as the short kite bait was inhaled by an aggressive fish with its head out of the water. A cool bite. He was big but we managed to corral him quickly without losing too much line. He did a half dozen crazy circles by the boat and tried to make me wrap the kite around the boat but I was able to keep him clear and get a clean release without getting the kite in the riggers.
By now the bite almost shut off completely. As we discussed quitting in a few minutes the long kite had its turn. A very small sail was in the air quickly. He spent the whole first thirty seconds in the air, straight under the kite until he managed to throw the hook. I take the blame. I should have caught him but didn't. That was our shot - we decided to wrap it up.
At the dock I learned what I missed. Several boats had 5 or more sails. Charterboat Juel Marie caught a blue marlin, another local boat, Bear's Den caught a huge white marlin but I don't know of anyone who caught any dolphin.
For two hours we wallowed in a minimal current and no wind. Fishing one kite/helium balloon due to the light winds and lack of hands I felt naked as I powered slowly north. One king cutoff and a "used to be" keeper mutton was all we saw. My usual patience reached its limit when I heard from friends they were biting to the north.
We ran a half hour north and put them back out, no longer needing helium. We started outside of the fleet and managed to stay out of trouble, but the bite had slowed dramatically. We finally got our turn as the short kite bait was inhaled by an aggressive fish with its head out of the water. A cool bite. He was big but we managed to corral him quickly without losing too much line. He did a half dozen crazy circles by the boat and tried to make me wrap the kite around the boat but I was able to keep him clear and get a clean release without getting the kite in the riggers.
By now the bite almost shut off completely. As we discussed quitting in a few minutes the long kite had its turn. A very small sail was in the air quickly. He spent the whole first thirty seconds in the air, straight under the kite until he managed to throw the hook. I take the blame. I should have caught him but didn't. That was our shot - we decided to wrap it up.
At the dock I learned what I missed. Several boats had 5 or more sails. Charterboat Juel Marie caught a blue marlin, another local boat, Bear's Den caught a huge white marlin but I don't know of anyone who caught any dolphin.
Replies
Heard it was hit and miss today. Despite ideal weather/current. I don't get it. Tango fished and went 3/4 up there and a couple charterboat friends had 2 each with Miss Annie managing 3, but several others had none or 1. Pretty pitiful on a cold morning with north wind and north current.
Thanks for the report though. I'll be fishing Monday, hopefully some fish will show up.