Hello Everyone,

Went out Saturday, started on the inside numbers (22/50 ish) and made 2 passes for no sightings or bites. Didn't want to drive in circles on the same piece of water, so we wandered out across numbers from the week before (09/00) where we saw the long line of fish. It looked dead so we kept wandering out. We saw one jumper outside those numbers, but no other signs. Got about 5 miles shy of the 289 and saw several large spots of tuna working bait with the whales and birds, but no marlin. Turned right and worked up toward the deep side of the 277/Catalina ridge, Saw one quick feeder out in the middle of no where. Got on the hole, but no bite. Kept rolling toward the ridge. Worked as high as the 152 (couple miles out into the deep) for nothing. There were a couple other boats there that had a jig bite or 2 and saw a tailer or 2, but we had neither. We turned it down hill and up into the shallows to make a tack across the top of the 277. Found 2 tailers together right on top of the bank. Immediately hooked the first one, while the second one stayed with the hooked fish. We got several baits to him, he chased it, but never ate it, so we settled for releasing the one fish. Turned up swell and quickly found another fish. I got a bait way out in front of the fish, he turned and lit up. I turned and asked if anyone on the boat wanted to pull on a fish (not our normal practice, but it is late in the season, and just trying to share.) While the crew was thinking about it, the fish had eaten the bait, and swam right up next to the boat (10'), stuck his head out and spit the bait out into the air. The fish never got struck, and actually looked at re-eating the bait, but he then felt the boat and swam away. O'well so much for trying to be a nice guy. I guess I should have struck the fish and been selfish. Turned back up swell and found 2 more single tailers that did not bite. Pointed the boat toward home and did not see anymore fish inside the high spot.

We started running home when we ran across a jumper at 18/54. Pretty lumpy and getting dark. My dad slowed the boat and I went up to the tower to make one pass with the glasses. I looked behind the boat, right into the southerly glare, "got one." We then proceeded to bait 3-5 single tailers. Only one lit up and looked like it would bite, but didn't. Had to leave right then to make the fuel dock by 7pm.

Holy crap, I have never seen so many boats on the breakwall. There had to be over a hundred lobster guys out there. What a zoo! That is going to put a dent in the population!

Anyway, I think we have one more Saturday before I leave for Mexico. I hope the weather and the fish get it together at least one last time. (However, with any luck the fish will still be around when I get back. In past years we have caught fish into mid November on non-el nino years. With SST's now days it should be easy, just follow the last piece of hot water and fish the tides, feeder city! Keep your fingers crossed, the water is still very warm, even the cold areas, at least for now!)

Jim