The weather on Tuesday morning looked too good to pass up, particularly with the predicted blow for the next few days. We had a great day trolling Cape Henry on Christmas, and a lousy day doing the same in the fog on Saturday, so we decided to head out for some eeling off Smith Island.
Left Little Creek on "C-Time" with our friend Chuck Kahlert about 1115. Easy run in almost flat seas to the area SE of the Smith Island. Made a couple of nice drifts, but only dogfish for our efforts.
Ran around to a spot inside Latimer Shoal, and had a good drift on the ebb current. Had a couple of short pulls and one long pull that didn't come tight, and then one clicker just went off. The fish took an eel about 12-feet down under a bobber, in 22-feet of water. Chuck did a great job with the rod, and I got the net under it.
Measured just over 44-inches but was very fat. We will weigh for citation tomorrow morning, but the scale onboard indicated 44 pounds. Here is Chuck with his catch:
Nothing more on two additional drifts, so anchored at the HR to try our luck. Really wanted Cathy to have a shot at a big rock. A beautiful evening, but no joy for us there and we left as the ebb died.
A fantastic day on the water, and one big fish to chase the skunk off the boat.
Brian
P.S. Weighed the fish this morning. Length=47", girth=29", weight=45#-6oz. Nice citation for Chuck.
Left Little Creek on "C-Time" with our friend Chuck Kahlert about 1115. Easy run in almost flat seas to the area SE of the Smith Island. Made a couple of nice drifts, but only dogfish for our efforts.
Ran around to a spot inside Latimer Shoal, and had a good drift on the ebb current. Had a couple of short pulls and one long pull that didn't come tight, and then one clicker just went off. The fish took an eel about 12-feet down under a bobber, in 22-feet of water. Chuck did a great job with the rod, and I got the net under it.
Measured just over 44-inches but was very fat. We will weigh for citation tomorrow morning, but the scale onboard indicated 44 pounds. Here is Chuck with his catch:
Nothing more on two additional drifts, so anchored at the HR to try our luck. Really wanted Cathy to have a shot at a big rock. A beautiful evening, but no joy for us there and we left as the ebb died.
A fantastic day on the water, and one big fish to chase the skunk off the boat.
Brian
P.S. Weighed the fish this morning. Length=47", girth=29", weight=45#-6oz. Nice citation for Chuck.