Tom's Knoll (4/17)

[Latimeria]

I was literally eating dinner and saw that Wednesday was supposed to be awesome out on the big pond.  Work just informed us the week before that many layoffs are coming soon, so I just planned on taking my Vitamin Sea and giving the boat a shakedown trip since it's been months since I last got it out.

It felt amazing pulling up to the ramp.



As I was heading out the inlet, I realized I was going to have a fog problem...





I decided to stay close just because the fog was so thick, so went casting for bass and other oobly gooblies.







Made a few moves and it looked like the fog might have been starting to clear.  Ended up with 4 calico, 2 brownies and 2 gophers.





Fog was thick but I decided to make a move to Tom's Knoll.  As I was heading out, I heard a voice on the radio that sounded awfully familiar. I responded "Tombo, is that you?".  Sure as hell it was.  He was out getting into some black gill.  We exchanged some intel via phone at this point and hoping I could get into some big red fish of my own!



First drop was on my bait stick.  The second it hit bottom, and I was on.  This place is FULL of nice reds!



I decided to try something different since there wasn't much current, but the sonar was lit up.  I grabbed my Penn 2500 loaded with 12# mono and clipped on a 60 oz jig.  I even left the giant clip on... lol



Look one way and there's fog... the other way and bright blue sky!  Well, I realized that dropping 420' equals just about all of the line...







Let me say that fighting big reds with no line left on the reel is a challenge.  First it was just hard to get them to stick on the hook!  Then every swell raising the boat up used any spare line I had on the reel.  LOL



But man, the next 3 reds were a whole lot of fun! 



I tried using different rigs to see if I could find something else, but after having to use the descent device twice, I was whooped and headed back in to do a little halibut fishing.



I was pretty sure I hooked one, but it quickly turned to feel more like a BSB.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get it 20 feet off the bottom after 10 minutes and the hook pulled.  Pretty sure BSB..

Anyway, I called it the morning and back to the ramp by 12:30.  Not a bad morning at all.  Boat ran well, but I think I need some new hydraulic steering lines as mine seems a little soft. 

I just miss getting out on the water.



Thanks for reading and until next tide!

[jrodda]

Great to see you back out on the skiff! Those are some nice reds, I bet that was a lot of fun on light gear.

Hoping the best for you and whatever's going on at work.

[Tim524]

 Layoffs don't sound good, hope you stay off the Chopping Block !  Those are some Quality Reds, you made quick work of it, nice job !!!

[vdisney]

Work just informed us the week before that many layoffs are coming soon, so I just planned on taking my Vitamin Sea and giving the boat a shakedown trip

Gotta love the way you think Tom, good luck with the job.  Your post made me realize how much I miss the boat