A few of you know that I am on vacation this week down in the Outer Banks with my wife's family. It's been nearly 16 years since I've spent a week next to the ocean as I've always used vacation to do paid side work or other similar projects. Needless to say, I've been flopping around in the surf with a boogie board like a 10 year old for most of the week, sunburned and scraped up from getting pummeled by the awesome waves down here. I did take a break from childhood revisited to go out on a charter with my brother-in-laws and father-in-law. We set out with plans to bail some dolphin and then troll for sailfish. Having never really been deep sea fishing other than on my honeymoon (that trip sucked) I was hoping for a great day. Once we got out, we immediately got into a pod of dolphin and for those of you that have done this, you know it's pretty wild trying to get them in the boat without tangling lines. We got 18 in the first batch and never found another good mess of them. Here's a pic of the average bailer that we were catching. After a few more random dolphin, we dropped the outriggers and began trolling for bigger game. The first time the reel screamed, my brother in law Brian was near the seat and he hoped in for the fight. The prediction at the beginning of the battle was wahoo, but we are all surprised and excited to see a 40 plus pound yellowfin tuna come over the side. We continued to troll and in a relatively short period of time, the reel screamed once more. I felt a tap on my shoulder from my father-in-law and I leapt in the seat. After a short intense battle we were all yelling "wahoo!!!" The mate called it a 5 footer, I'm thinking it was under that, but a darn nice fish non the less. The only fish I caught on the previously mentioned honeymoon trip was a wahoo as well, but that one barely made 40 inches. This one was obviously superior to that and put up a great fight. My brother in law took some awesome pictures. We did see a sailfish free jump, but never had one hit the line. My brother-in-law Matt lost two gaffer dolphin and my father-in-law landed the dolphin of the day before we had to run for home. Our catch Anyone looking to have a seriously good time with a Captain and Mate that know what the heck they are doing, check out A-Salt Weapon with Captain Dennis Endee. His recently hired mate was anything but your average Joe, this guy had been professionally fishing billfish tournaments for more than a decade and had just moved back to the area a week or two ago. It was no surprise that he found work so quick. He knew what he was doing and was pretty hilarious too. Check out a more in depth story at (my brother-in-law is the editor there) http://www.gofishn.com/brian-mcclin...hoo-with-a-salt-weapon-charters-in-manteo-n-c
Are you sure his name is Brian? I literally had to go back and read the caption above again... thought Germ snuck on the boat with you, LOL!
X2, that's what I was thinking:D Sure look a lot alike. Cool, pictures, Ben. Looks like a great time, and I know you could use the vacation. I'll be down there starting next weekend. Looking forward to it.
I've been wanting to go fishing at the outer banks for sometime now, and this thread reminds me why... Looks Awesome!
Wow!!! I'd love to do that sometime. Looks like you guys had an awesome time. Is it true that the first mates only get paid with tips?
That's what the sign and the captain said. He did a hell of a job. This particular one has all the credentials of a captain, he had just moved back to the area though. I'd suspect that he'd have a boat by the next time I came down. It was his advice that got us on the two biggest fish. I'd ride with him anytime as well. He earned all of $360 that we tipped him. He was worth every penny.
I'm going to be nosy and ask what kind of total coin did it take for such an excursion? Pm me if you'd rather...
