And some people look like a blue crab.

The weather today was magnificent.  A rarity to say, but there was no wind.  This allowed for the swarming of gnats everywhere and getting onto everything.  Unfortunately, the only thing caught today was a 26" throwback.  The picture above pretty much sums up the day - nothing worse than being skunked.

Had 5 on the boat today with great expectations based on the previous day's catch.  Unfortunately, the day was not as prosperous.  The first fish caught was a 26 incher in about 28' of water just north of G1.  That fish was quickly followed up by a 35" beauty.  The bite then again went cold for a couple hours.  We were lucky enough to get a second keeper just south of the R86 buoy - 28".  Although it was a tough day, many others were left without the treasure of the bay on this day.

All you can say about today is WOW.  We knew it was going to be blowing hard today and the waves were going to be uncomfortable, but we took a shot anyway planning for a morning trip only.  After getting to Thomas Point light at 6:10, we started dropping lines, trolling with the waves.  We had the first 3 lines out ready to set the 4th when the long line went off.  Bob brought in a 35" fish.  Just as we brought the fish onboard, a second line went off.  Joe reeled this one in...another 35, and tangled with the remaining line coming in.  We reset the lines and made a couple circles, but like a light switch, the bite turned off.  By 7:45 the winds and waves were starting to pick up.  I turned the boat towards the south river to troll in and then pull the lines.  Just as we crossed from the 30' water into the upper 20s, we had another bite.  Brought in a beautiful 38" fish.  Again, just as it was nearing the boat, a second fish hooked up.  Brought in that one - 34", but it was hooked bad.  Decided to send the 38 back in the water as we could only keep 3.  Back at the dock with all cleaned by 10 am and the crew and I went to Tsunami for sushi for lunch. Fantastic day!!!!

Back on the Trab On today.  Had 4 aboard and we left the dock about 5:45.  Landed the first 36" fish just as the deep line was being pulled in to check it for Jellies.  Seemed to be on about a 1 hour schedule for the hits today.  Caught another 32 and 31 incher when the weather started to change for the worse.  As we were pulling in the rods to get back to port, we hooked up with another fish off the middle line and ended up landing another 36" rock.  First time I've limited out this year.  What a great day!

He must have been thirsty!

Today we went out on a friends boat.  The crew included Mike Causey, Mike D'Angelo, Ron Smith and Bob Slattery.  Although the weather up to the morning was supposed to be bad, it turned out to be a wonderful day.  We caught the first fish in 40' of water off a deep line and it ended up being 36 inches.  The second fish was a 28.5 incher.  Ended up with just the two, some sun, and a great feeling from all the beer.  The author even took a 45 minute snooze to get back in the game.

Much better start today.  Had all the essentials and had gotten the skunk off the boat the day before.  Had 6 people on the boat today – 4 of them were ages 16 and under.  The “fish dances” helped spark the first pulldown around 7:45 this morning.  The fish ended up being undersized (only 24”), but Cam still enjoyed bring it in.  The only keeper of the day was also caught around the same time on the dummy line.  This one was a 36 incher.  Today was about the kids, and I think they all had a blast.  Singing, dancing and the two younger boys wanting to wrestle with the 15 and 16 year old girls.  Caught one more throwback around 10:30 while crossing the shipping channel heading towards R86.  Winds picked up and we decided to pack it in around noon.

Although we felt well prepared for opening day, it started out pretty rough.  Forgot the camera and it took nearly 6 hours to land the first fish – 32”.  Got it at 11:45 traveling west in about 41’ of water just south of the G1 buoy on one of the deep lines.  The weather was beautiful and the seas were calm.  People were either doing well or not catching anything.  The bay looked like a highway during rush hour.  One member of the team didn’t make the boat and he was in charge of the food, so the barley and hops seemed a bit more potent.  Caught a 29” fish around 1:30 off a double tandem in slightly shallower water than the first.

Fishmas Eve celebrations are 17 April 2009 at 6 pm at Mayo Ridge Marina.