On Wednesday night I had a few friends over and after a couple bottles of wine the idea of waking up early the next day to go fishing started to sound better and better. The winds were already howling and everyone had a lot of chores to do, but we managed to convince each other that we could run out, fish for a few hours and be back in the harbor by noon.
The next morning I had to fuel up the boat and then run back to the house (since I forgot the outriggers) so we didn't launch until 7:30am. Ran full throttle straight out to the 1000 and set lines. The wind was a bit brisk so I only put out 4 poles instead of the usual 7 (nothing worse than tangled lines). As soon as the lures were in the water I got back on the wheel and told my friend Lea (who's visiting from France), "keep an eye out for birds, floating rubbish and most of all - porpoise."
Not three minutes later (literally) Lea says, "there's something in the water over there, it looks like a dolphin." There weren't any birds around. And then just like that a small school of porpoise appeared in our bow wake. The moment they showed, the right outrigger popped but didn't stick. No worries, I kept going and 45 seconds later the left rigger went and the 14/0 started to scream. That has got to be the best sound in the world.
Lea and Kimi fought the fish for about an hour before we were able to get a gaff in it. It was stuck good, both hooks lodged deep in it's throat. Stomach was empty. Once we cleaned the fish and the boat, the wind had really started to fill in and there was very little chance of us finding the porpoise again without the birds.
Back in the harbor by 10am. That fish had some of the longest sickles I have ever seen, the tip of his bottom one was white and frayed from hitting his own tail. At about 240#, we had a lot of fish to share with friends and family. No presents this year, instead everyone is getting smoked ahi for Christmas. And as always, thanks to Jeff Lapinad for his lures.
The next morning I had to fuel up the boat and then run back to the house (since I forgot the outriggers) so we didn't launch until 7:30am. Ran full throttle straight out to the 1000 and set lines. The wind was a bit brisk so I only put out 4 poles instead of the usual 7 (nothing worse than tangled lines). As soon as the lures were in the water I got back on the wheel and told my friend Lea (who's visiting from France), "keep an eye out for birds, floating rubbish and most of all - porpoise."
Not three minutes later (literally) Lea says, "there's something in the water over there, it looks like a dolphin." There weren't any birds around. And then just like that a small school of porpoise appeared in our bow wake. The moment they showed, the right outrigger popped but didn't stick. No worries, I kept going and 45 seconds later the left rigger went and the 14/0 started to scream. That has got to be the best sound in the world.
Lea and Kimi fought the fish for about an hour before we were able to get a gaff in it. It was stuck good, both hooks lodged deep in it's throat. Stomach was empty. Once we cleaned the fish and the boat, the wind had really started to fill in and there was very little chance of us finding the porpoise again without the birds.
Back in the harbor by 10am. That fish had some of the longest sickles I have ever seen, the tip of his bottom one was white and frayed from hitting his own tail. At about 240#, we had a lot of fish to share with friends and family. No presents this year, instead everyone is getting smoked ahi for Christmas. And as always, thanks to Jeff Lapinad for his lures.
