More Tautog, and a Sea Bass on The Fly

This morning I was completely ready to break a world record. Given the little bits of knowledge I gained during last Saturday's outing I thought I should be able to tie a crab pattern that could tempt a tog, and that I could get it into the rocks where the tog live and still be able to feel the take and pull it out before it broke off. After we got on the water and I had fished for a little while yesterday that last part turned out to be a pain in the butt.

Joe picked me up early and we made our way to the harbor. We met the two other crew members for the day when we got the, Kevin and Tom. Both are skilled fisherman and just cool guys to spend a day on the boat with. We got to the reef in good time and with a slack tide the conditions were what I needed to get my fly down to the bottom. I got it down and was quickly getting hits. I had two for sure tautog takes at that first spot, and both got me into the rocks in seconds. When I finally did get a fish up, it was the wrong species!

(Courtesy Joseph Apanowitch) 

 That was my one fish on the fly for the day, and yet another species to add to the ever growing list. I fished with the conventional gear for most of the day and caught plenty of blackfish, but they were not very big we had three keepers at the boat, one that managed to free itself, one that Tom decided to put back, and the biggest which I caught and kept. Joe showed me how to fillet it and it is going to be lunch today!

(Courtesy Joseph Apanowitch)

(Courtesy Joseph Apanowitch)

Tom with a pair of angry claws. Ouch!

Once again, a very cool trip despite the difficulty we had locating larger fish. Thanks again to Joe, and it was great to meet Tom and Kevin.