Weds PM Offshore
Made an appearance at work this morning then joined my son Chris at the boat by 11AM for a shot at the billfish points and I must admit feeling a little cocky. Loaded a few macks from the receiver and a 1/2 scoop of EB Dines and we're off towards the 182,224 ,230 and beyond. Navy Warship#52 is doing magnetic checks while circling 5 miles off off the jetty; after realigning our course to their satisfaction Chris yells SWORDY off the starboard bow and takes the helm while I pin a bait on my Avet swordy setup. This fish is booking up the coast and it's hard for Chris to get in front. The fish doesn't look like a monster but something about the dorsal is different. When I cast the mack it ends up even with the fish and about 20 feet short, the fish stops and turns and we both get a better look, HAMMERHEAD! Oh well, the shark swims by the bait and heads in a different direction, I put the next cast on his nose and he keeps going. We pick up and find a paddy @ 7.5nm to pull a rat YT off of, I pop one off with a backlash! Whales all over the outside of the 9; another buddy hit outside the middle for a huge kelp that pumped out quite a few nice fish. We continued to inside the 182 where Chris snaps a 10-12# dodo off on a paddy, that was it. We head towards 2224,302, and 230 and it's a dead zone. Chased a radio report 15nm west for nothing, but mucho seiners and accessories just inside the East Butterfly. Came back into the 9 late and baited a nice Mako (100-150#) but no luck. Found the paddy my buddy fished earlier and Chris hooked and fought a 15# dodo for 10 min only to have it spit the hook just out of reach. Beautiful calm ocean, sunny afternoon. I think there is just as much action along the drop off as there is down south. No sign of Billfish for us though.
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