Fish on!!!!

Oh lord it happened! I reeled a big fish in.  A 30 inch and 4.4lb Mahi Mahi.

This happy smile...the hours of frustration out there when we thought we had struck out, a distant memory.

Chiguana sticker for perspective/size comparison.  Have I told you about Chiguana? 

A story for another day....

So, this was Saturday.  And we didn't go out on Sunday (today).  The plan is: we go out Monday (which is Juneteenth so Patrick is off work) and we go big and troll again.  But after that, whether we catch a mahi mahi or not, we take a break from the trolling for a while.  Why? A whole variety of reasons.  It's tough on the boat engine/adds hours on to the engine.  It is time consuming for us and most of all it is physically and emotionally draining.  Your whole body aches after trolling.  It is hard to describe but you are just on your feet all the time and you are also tensed and watching, ready for action at any time.  But my gosh, that high when it happens?! Nothing like it...

Great Day Fishing!

 For some while now Patrick and I have been doing some soul searching, and asking ourselves, used we catch more fish on our little tiny 12ft Carolina skiff compared to the fancy new Pioneer??

Well this weekend that question was answered!!! And answered with gusto.

But not with pure luck I have to add.  There was some strategy involved:

Last week when we were driving back in from an(other) unsuccessful trolling trip, we noticed a boat anchored and bottom fishing in certain spot.  "What is that boat doing there" we both mused.  'That's the Salty Goat", Patrick said.  (The Salty Goat is a charter that we have gone out with many times before we got our own boat).  Both of us together:  "well if THEY are there, that must be a good spot!!"  So we marked the spot as best we could using a variety of methods.  And fair play to the captain (Patrick) he found that spot for us this weekend!

Confession time.  Ok, so Patrick caught this lovely Spanish Mackerel that I am posing with, lol!

7 fine porgy, a 12 inch yellowtail snapper and an 18 inch spanish mackerel!

 

That yellow tail was lucky to get aboard by the way.  Biggest shark I've ever seen in my life chased it up 😱

Fish on! Part ????

After our lovely road trip, I guess we just weren't quite tired enough so decided to push the boat out (d'ya geddit) and nip out for a few hours before sunset.  We always do that!!! Push and push, and by the end of the weekend are completely exhausted.  Ah sure, look, isn't life for living?!

For our efforts I was rewarded with THIS.  A fabulous big grouper, which was unfortunately not big enough!!!! He had to be thrown back in sob, sob, sniffle sniffle.  But wonderful sport bringing him in.  I was delighted with the catch.

Instead of dining on grouper we caught a few lane snapper which Patrick fileted and made into a fish curry - using a lovely marinade that we bought at the farmer's market on Thursday.  We both really liked it. This is going to become a regular: fileting the fish versus eating a whole fish.

I feel really lucky that we both share a hobby/love for fishing.  And eating the catch!

 

She hooks 'em, he cooks them!

 

A great day out on the sea yesterday and then a great evening sharing our catch with Jean and Joe!

Fishing - White Street Pier

Am back fishing during the week on White Street Pier.  Plenty of nibbles but no catches - YET!

What I like about fishing off the pier is that we are using different kinds of rods and reels from those on the boat.  We are also using spoons and lures rather than live bait.  Totally different, the main difference being that you have to cast your hook/line as compared to simply dropping the line when you are bottom fishing from a boat. It is very enjoyable learning how to cast.  

And! You are always doing something; casting out, reeling in, and repeat.  So while I am not catching anything (AT THE MOMENT) it feels like an active exercise as compared to sitting there passively waiting.

Did I mention the sunsets down at the pier? Glorious.