We departed with friends for a day on the water hoping to get a shot at the first tuna of the year during our first tuna trip of the year. We departed the dock at 0400 which I felt was late as the morning twilight appeared. Arrivng at the SW corner of the bank we found only a few boats and little life other than a few birds. Setting out the rigs we had a knock down five minutes into the new season and were all excited. The fish hit hard and took some line and stopped unlike a tna. After Jerry, one of the RELENTLESS crew reeled in, we had one of the biggest striped bass we have seen this season. A quick photo and released for another angler.
A move to the north around the BE we found a ton of bait, some whales, birds working and marked some fish. The biggest problem was the large amount of weed all over the place. After trolling for a while we headed back to the south and was told by a compadre to get my ass back to the area. We steamed north to find he landed a fish about 57" and later another boat landed a 68" fish. A few others had lookers and knockdowns and a friend who came in from the NWC witha fish on board, scored again after I decided to go bass fishing. Of course when I arrived to go bass fishing it was slow and slack tide. I should have stayed ont he tuna but did want a few fish for tonights dinner and to send the crew away with some.
Overall, great day on water, many friends on board and on other vessels. We did not catch a fish, see a fish but had the overall great experience on the water fishing for these magnificant fish.
Captain Dave Waldrip
www.relentlesscharters.com
