My day started off heading to paint boat bottoms, but quickly turned into my very first charter of the year!
Got the call at 10 am, a couple of guys in town for a conference looking to go fishing. I was very upfront, and explained that it was very early, and the only game in town is Tautog, if there cooperative. With temps just now creeping past the 49-50 degree mark, not a given.....
Scramble like a chicken with it's head cut off, is putting it mildly....I got back to the house, pulled the charter gear out(thank god I just spooled up and had every reel on its proper rod, ready to tie a rig on)....its now 11:06, and I gotta get into Newport, off the trailer, and pick them up by 12:15 in the harbor. I rush into town, and have to pull into Sam's with the rig, right at 11:40, lunch rush on, pop out, grab a pre made bucket of bait and pre tied rigs (as I am thinking of the first story to tell them while I hastily rig them up once anchored up...That's why you shop local bait shops for all your gear)
Get the boat off the trailer, no problem, fire up, jet across the harbor, pick them up on the dock at 12:20. These guys were from Nebraska, Keith and Scott, and were just happy to be on the water. Headed to the spot(once again local baitshop info) and dropped once in 27 feet of water. First crabs down are CHOMPED
and the first of the days tog hits the deck at 7 pounds. 2008 season and first blood on the new ride.
I of course forgot my camera, but Scott had his and I will update with a few more photos when I get them. Keith put on a show for a first timer with a conventional, and proceeded to whack his limit in the first 15 minutes. Scott joined in with 3 for himself on the day, including the big fish of the day, weighed in at just a hair of 9 pounds. We had the 3 man limit, and released several nice chinners to fight another day!!
Got home, washed up, pasta bolgnese for dinner.
The new boat is something special, runs like a dream, and fishy as heLL
More when I get the pictures.