Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament on Warrior 7/12

Mated for Joe Woodington on the Warrior for the VBTT on Saturday. While running out we saw slicks and bird just past the 26 mile hill but did not stop on our way to the 20 fathom line where fish had been the last few days. Lines in and really did not see much. After a couple hours a decision had to be made where to go. All of a sudden we get a HUGE bite on the down rigger bait and the main line breaks on the bite. Then get a King. We pick up and run into the 26 mile hill where there was tons of bait but no fish. So we pick up and run to where I had caught BFT on Thur on Bandit and others had as well on Friday. Lines in and Bam BFT on during the fight a nice red sportfisherman run across or fish. We get it to the side of the boat on the leader. I am hand walking it up and snap. You could see a small cut in the line from the boat encounter. Dam! Lines back in get a short bite. That was our tournament. So I talk with Joe about trolling back in for an hour or so which would save him some money on fuel and maybe we get lucky. So at about 3:50 PM The WAY BACK Longrigger and Shotgun go off. Three nice fish on. 1 hour battle to get all three in and we get 3 nice BFT one which weighed 97 # and released the others in the same class.

Oh well would have been nice to have earlier in the day but oh well. Took a little while to find them.

Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament on BANDIT 7/10

Wayne Enroughty hired me to run his 40’ Cabo for the VB Tuna Tournament on 7/10. We headed out in pretty good seas and the weather looked to really clear up by noon. We landed at the Crouch and put lines in. We trolled around and get a 10# Dolphin. Visibility was bad and hard to see the birds and slicks. We moved inside of the crouch a little and hook-up on a nice fish. We get it to the boat and the guys say it is a 54” fish. I say we should put it in the box. Well later we find out it is 51” (Darn)! We then get another fish on and the battle ensues. This time it is a 54” and back it goes. We get a king mackerel bite here and there. A short bite and then we get crushed by a big fish. 45 minute fight and incomes a 60”er! To bad we had to let it go, but we had killed our fish by mistake.

Oh well everyone had a great day and had some action.

Worked the Warrior for Joe Woodington out of Rudee for and Overnighter. The weather man had called for nighttime calm seas, NOT!!!!!. Well we get out to the Cigar and I talk with Trax and He said he had seen a few Whites and a blue, some dolphin, but no tuna. So after setting things up tuna have 20 minutes to change the spread to marlin, dolphin fishing. Put line out at the 180 in 50 fathoms and start trolling to the 150 where I bet Joe we would get bit due to the water shot review. Sure thing, 152 51 fathoms, White marlin comes in on the seastar short shotgun (mis). Then on the left long where Chase drops back, locks it up, rods bends, he raises the rod up and hook pulls. Then over to the Boone bird chain with Bl/White Ilander trailer shot gun. I am telling Joe to real it in slow cause I have a dink bait dropped back there waiting. Well Joe with a smile did everything he could to hook this fish. Well this fish was after the Birds not the bait which it destroyed the bird chain. Still in the area get an 8# gaffer which Courtney (Chase's Girlfriend) makes short work of. Then trolled out into the deep and find tons of life, but no fish. Just a couple gaffers, one of which was 18#. Later talk Joe into heading back to the break. No hard break just gradual with some scattered weeds. Pick up a couple more nice gaffers and then I see Mr Whitey come in on the flat, another cut the spread and Game On. Call Kurt to take the rod from me so I can see about getting a second. No joy except for Kurt getting his first White Marlin. We had one more encounter with a billfish just before setting up for the night on a Black/Purple Ilander Horse with no joy.

We setup for a grilled Filet Mignon, baked potato, and fresh salad dinner. Seas were close and around 3 + foot when we setup for swordfishing. Well the long liners were setup about 3 miles into the change and the current was sucking us at 1.6 knots towards the sets. So after a couple drifts and resets. I move us into the shallows to make for a nice ride while everyone sleeps.

In the AM most are not feeling well so Joe and I start trolling by our selves. Lines in and the water has moved somewhere. We troll and troll picking up a gaffer dolphin here and there. Then another boat with in a mile sees three whites real quick like and we get in the area and nothing. Head back into the mud where we another White on the Sea Star and a couple more dolphin.

Great trip, but the weather man and his 5 to 10 overnight forecast was like 15 to 20 and short span.

Off to do it again next weekend with the Warrior and trips on Succession inbetween running the WARRIOR!

Thursday

Took GE Lighting and some of Rexel Electrical Distributors customers out for a day of offshore fishing. Also had Alby Man (Kevin) mating for me which was great to fish with Kevin again. It was a little bumpy in the AM and made for tough fishing. Find a small line of grass and start picking away a nice Gaffer dolphin. Then find a nice stump in the water and lines start popping. Gaffers jumping everywhere. We get 5 out of 8. Troll around the area and pick up a few more. Keep working the area before moving inside to some calmer waters. Seas slicked out and we catch some more for about 250#'s of Gaffer dolphin Meat.

Friday

Had the Wayne Enroughty and customers out for their annual excursion. Headed out to look for the edge on the 650 area and found some temp breaks and scattered grass. Lines out and start trolling looking for something more organized.

As we are trolling the Left long pops and starts taking line consistently. Did not see the bite, but had a feeling due to the way it was swimming away and staying high on the water. Lines cleared start backing down. Get to about 100 feet to see a Blue Marlin. Back we go in a hurry. Crank swivel hits the tip and the fish sees us and starts moving out fast. Gets two jumps and snap. About 400# and the guys got a picture for Ross first Blue Marlin. As we are trolling to the 650 area where there was a tuna bite. We have a White Marlin come and nail the left short rigger. Missed and after several circles continue South. Get to the 650 area and see 6 Green Stickers and a couple boats hooked up. We troll around the slicks to get one nice 35# YFT. Move back North and work some of the rips for more action. Well we find it. Gaffers popping pins consistently. Then near the end of the day trolling down a nice line see a pallet out of the corner of my eye while talking with Wayne and tell Kevin (Alby Man) to be ready on the right side. Well here it comes, a huge Bull on the Sea Star down the middle and his harem. He comes out of the water and everyone freezes. It was big and we have 20#er's jumping around on other lines. Setup for 30 minutes of chaos to get 5 fish to the boat and a 52# gaffer by Ross. Find the pallet and get a couple more to finish the day. Had 14 gaffers, 1 YFT and a Blue Release which Ross went swimming.

Still have openings for later this month.

Friday

Had Jay and a couple of his friends out for some offshore action. Saw some water on the temp shot that no one had fished. So decided to head to the 900 line and check it out. Ran out in slick calm seas and found what we were looking for. A nice little weed line with some action. Up in the tower I go and start spotting tailing Gaffer dolphin and the rest is history. Gaffer Dolphin after Gaffer after Gaffer, smallest around 6# biggest in the low 30's. Jumped several off in the high 30's with one that was a monster. With all the action Scott (Mate) taught them how to do some of the cockpit rigging and such. Even had them gaffing some fish as well.

Total over 30+ gaffers kept and 6 Bags of mediums and one Horse.

Saturday

Had Bill from the Great Bridge Fishing Club and some of his friends. Head back to the water we fished the day before to find nothing. Shoot so with a good head see and another break 6 miles away we start trolling for it. Get about 3 miles up when we get three gaffers attack. Well during the fight a Blue Marlin comes and decides to grab hold of the dolphin and swim away. For 15 minutes we do battle before the poor dolphins lips give out. Troll to the break and find ugly water and scattered grass. Find Pilot Whales, nothing, Two Tones feeding on flying fish, nothing! High Flyer long line set, nothing! Huge pod of Two Tones eating fling fish out of the air and nothing. Worked them for over and hour and never saw the fish tuna in them. Finally try and deep drop in some 3 to4 foots slop. Get a couple in the boat and then SHARK Attacks start. DAM! Head in just as the wind jumps to 30 Plus Knots!

Sunday

Had Tom DiBouno and crew down from VB for the day. Well thought so. Wake up to HOLLOWING winds 25.6 Knots gusting to 31 Knots at Diamond Shoals Buoy with 7.9 foot seas. Needless to say we stayed at the dock and I got on my boat “To do list”.

Still have openings for later this month.

Happy Memorial Day!

5-24-08

Another great day on the water with Kevin Marler and a couple friends. Well we head out in perfect conditions until we hit the Gulf Stream. Then it got a little bumpy, but very manageable. Set lines and begin trolling and come across a mark of fish. Just as I start making a circle on them another charter boat sees my circles and comes across the mark and gets bit, Darn. Circle a couple more times then move North. Get another great mark and 9 lines go down. Had 3 anglers and with rough conditions it was tough to keep them all tight, but ended up with 4 Tuna. Had moved mile from our spot and saw some clustered boats just ahead. Well we got there to find 60 boats all trying to work a small section. We get in line and finally get a nice 50# in the boat. Needless to say we were a little late to the bite, but decide on another Tile fish expedition and loaded up with another limit. Slow for most, but we had a good catch.

5-24-08

Had a great crew of folks in the Matt Richard and friends. After hanging out with some friends on boats down at the OI Fishing Center. I decided to call Matt and see if they could make it there early for some fish bite action. He agreed and we headed out at 4:15 AM for the 650 line. Arrive on sight and see a couple Green Stick commercial boats and think we are going to get hit. Well after hours and hours of trolling with no action and others saying the same thing. We change our spread over and over looking for a bite. Not luck, so move inside a little and get a 10# Gaffer. Talk to the guys and tell them we can load up on some tile fish and have some fun. So off we go at 3:00 PM. Yes 3:00 PM! I try to please and did. We catch a limit of nice class of Tile fish and finally head in for the two hour ride at 4:00PM.

5-3-08

Had Jeff and his family for our first trip of the year out of Oregon Inlet, NC. The fishing has been a little inconsistant lately but we had high hopes. Headed down the 300 line by Diamond Shoals light to hopefully find our own nice piece of water. Well we found it but there was little life on it and heard others up the road saying the same thing. So we worked out into the deep and started picking away at gaffer dolphin from 8 to 15 pounds. Then later in the afternoon a 450# Blue marlin piles in on the Shotgun and GAME ONE!!!! She takes off running and never looks back. She breakes the leader soon after hooking up. Dam!!! Oh well fished till 2:45PM trolling and decide to go do some deep droppin for Tile Fish. I had marked them earlier in the morning and saved the spot just in case it did not turn on. We ended with 7 Gaffers and a dozen or so Nice Tile Fish! Stayed out an hour longer to try and get soem meat for Jeff and his family.

4-25-08

Well the fishing has been slow for tuna down in OI and I have been telling folks to wait until I get word they have showed up. Well they have started and should only get better. I ran a boat for Billy today out of Hatteras Inlet, NC today. We had a late start due to some issues with the boat got underway by 7:30AM. Headed out to the 230 Rocks area to see about getting some tuna. We trolled up to the 280 rocks when I see a board and turn on it so we get it to run down the middle of the spread. Sure enough we get two nice gaffer dolphins out of it. Tried to get back on it, but it was 3 to 5 foot and we were in a 2.5 knot current. So we troll around some more and see marks but no one is getting bites. Then we get a small explosion on the small green spreader bar. Albacore Tuna. Troll with out a bite for several hours before finding a weed line. Pull up to it and start picking at gaffers and small dolphin. Went 5 for 11 on them and then we get a nice 25# Wahoo to end the day. Pickup to head home around 3:00 PM. Long day, made it back to VB by 1:00AM. Man am I beat!

Have dates open so give me shout for some awesome times on the water.

4-8-08

Well it is the second week in Aprild I am up on the hill. Was suppossed to start running charters last weekend but the weather BLEW!!!! and BLEW!!!. I am hoping to get down there this next weekend or week weather permiting.

I sure hope this weather breaks so we can go get some MEAT FOR OUR CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!

Still have dates available in April, May and June!!!!

Had Tom Langley and his friends out for one more striper trip. We headed out and the wind was blowing a little more than expected. We went just off of Cape Henry in the channel to see if there was any striper willing to bite. Well after the wind increased to 25knots+ and waves grew to 3 to 4 foot. We moved back closer to shore and no bites. Well I believe in working with my guests and stated the fish had moved up into the Bay and if we went out to the 3 mile line it would be real rough. So I gave them the option of going trolling down the beach out of the wind or stay out. Well with a reduced price for the charter and no fish around; we trolled down the beach. Everyone really liked the shelter of land and out came some chicken for lunch and even the two young boys came alive as well in the calmer waters.

Well this is the first SKUNK of the Year, but it is real late for us to get a striper bite. We got into the week before real good, but not this week.

Well I wil be hauling the boat this week and getting ready to head to Oregon Inlet, NC for the Spring Tuna Bite. We will be down in OI from April to November 2008 for Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin, King Mackeral, Sailfish and of course MARLIN!!!!!!!!

3-15-08

Well another great day on the water. Chad Lesley and his boys from Atlanta, GA came for fun and fishing and we delivered. Even though it was a little slow we had some fun. Started off in the AM with a call from the Fishing Center with a single wanting to jump on with my party. Chad was nice enough to let Jim come on for the day. We headed out and looked around for a while before finding some fish over by the 4A buoy area. We drilled all day and pickup 7 nice fat fish. One being around 39 pounds. Chad is going to fish with us in May for TUNA TUNA TUNA!!!!

Had a great crew of customers today and Johnny Oatman in the pit. Headed out just off of the Ramada and found bait and some fish. First fish was 15 pounds and 32 inchs. Well it was a fish and cannot be to stingy with a crew of customers. So after a while find some fish and start picking at them. These fish were real nice and doing it on a regular basis you forget how big big is. So we are catching what turns out to be 35+ pounders. Then we got a double header which we lost the first fish and the second turned out to be a 47 pounder for Robert Claunch. Man what a nice fish. Then we kept picking and after missing 3 fish and catching 6 we moved to another spot. There we put lines in off of Rudee and catch a 48 pounder and hook another which gets away. We have a limit for our crew and headed in. What a great day with great fish after what the other boats did yesterday, multiple 50 pounders and a lot of 40's. Good job Rudee Fleet and NC fleet.  Back at the dock at 1:00 PM for refreshments and food.

End the day with: 48, 47, 38.5, 37, 36, 36, 35 & 15 Pounders no not inches!

Great Bridge Fishing Association Seminar

Was invited by Butch to give a talk on Springtime Tuna seminar at their March meeting. What a great turn out with about 50 folk. It was great seeing such an enthusiastic and attentive group. I put together a 2 page sheet on tips and thing s to look for and then a basic spread as well.

Thanks for the invite and a Great Cookbook.

2-29-2007

 Wayne Enroughty and crew came down from Richmond for a day of Striper fishing out of Virginia Beach. Wayne is a great guy and I run his 40’ Cabo during the summer when they go Offshore. We headed out in the AM to a slow bite off of Cape Henry. We all picked up and ran around trying to find some fish. We ran over to the Eastern Shore and picked at them then went into the bay for some real fun Catch & Release action. Man it was fun. We had 35” to 42” Rockfish rolling all around us for hours. We broke out the light tackle and went to town.

Biggest being 35 Pounds and that was a double with a 25 pounder on it as well.

Great day with a limit of 14 fish and dozens of catch and release stripers on LIGHT TACKLE!

2-24-2008

Had the Mark White Crew for a half day of Rock Fishing out of VB. Well we had out hands full due to high expectations on us due to Mark stopping by seeing our catch from Saturday. Well headed out into some rough conditions (Weather man was wrong again) and found some bait. Started trolling when I got a call from a friend on another charter who said come quick. Headed across the bay towards the eastern shore and found the mother load of fish. We caught 30 Plus pounders two at a time on Tandem rigs (60 to 70 pounds of fish on one rod). We caught our limit in about 40 minutes and when it was all said and done our fish box was over flowing and fish on the deck. We headed back to the dock with soar arms and happy campers.

Thanks for booking us Mark and hope to see you again reel soon.

2-23-2008

Had a make charter with some friends and customers. Headed out to go looking and was having a hard time finding the fish like most. Finally found them off of Cape Henry and started catching. After a quick flurry things slowed down which gave us time to regroup. During this time we get the bite of a lifetime. Keny gets on the rod for what was a 20 minute fight. When it comes over the side it is a monster which would later be a 55 Pounder! Man what a fish. Keny fished with me last year and caught a 43.5 pounder.

We finished the day with a limit after taking 4 hours to get the last two fish.

55 Pounder                                                                                                  Julians Fatty

2-20-2008

Headed out for an afternoon trip with a couple customers and friends due to hearing about to good bite in the AM and the afternoons have been hot! Headed straight out 3 miles to see if the fish were there, nope. Then up the beach to find some scattered fish by the channel. Start picking away at them pretty good and then they stopped. Well after a short lull in the action and the seas picking up to around 4+ feet. John sees a huge bee hive of bird which are working tight to the water. We head over there and GAME ON!! Fish after fish after fish 6 fish on, 7 fish on, 4 fish on… action no-stop for 2 hours with our 14 fish limit and dozens more let go to swim again. Dennis (AKA Hook-in-Finger) caught a 41 pounder with several release size citation fish and most were 30 pounds plus!

Back at the dock by 4:30PM to clean fish and talk about a great day. My first mate Billy was busier than a beaver in a large forest and was great.

2/17/2008

Well the weather man was wrong in our favor and thank you after having so many trips canceled this year due to weather. Had SLYIII (Tidalfish member) his son (Sly), a friend of his son (T) and two of SLYIII friends. Oh Yeah Billy (Team Jack A$$ - AKA Striper_On) mating for me. Headed outside of the inlet to see the birds diving everywhere and bait. No fish. Trolled around for a few hours and worked with some great boats to find the fish. Well we found them, but we must have had rubber hooooooookkkksss. The boys caught everything they reeled on, now the MEN had fish disappear on them left and right. It was crazy. I have heard of folks loosing fish before, but today I saw it. But those boys were a 100%!!. SLYIII had to bust on you guys, but you did catch the biggest one.:clap::clap: Plus you all ended the day strong catching everything that was hooked.

We ended the day with a limit by 1:50PM but went 11 for 20 and was able to see the race.

SLYIII thank you for fishing with us on Succession!

Had setup a trip with some friends (Team Jack$$, Pat, Ben, Brook, Melissa & Mike) for this afternoon. Game Plan: Head out for some late afternoon (4:00) trolling action, then go to Long Bay Point for eels and pump out, then high rise. Well headed out and got the call on the fish. We waxed them real good from 5:00 to dusk. 6 on, 3 on, 5, started using light tackle fish on! Had a limit (PLUS) kept 14 nice 36" to 40" fish. It was great seeing Brook hook up on the biggest fish he had ever caught. Melissa & Mike came back down from Charlotte after coming down and fishing with me last week. Mike is a big time Bass guide up there and he had fun with real light spinning tackle with Melissa getting fish on two at a time on parachute rigs. Billy was in the pit dancing around like he was a young mate and my thanks to him for taking charge back there.

2-3-2008

Well two real good days of fishing with limits each day early. It was real good fishing with a lot of you all.

Today had Ben off of Tidalfish and half his crew. We headed out looking and made a couple of stops picking up a fish here then a couple there and then got it going on!!! Off of Fisherman's Island we had a path we kept going back and forth on and slayed them. We had the monster on for about 10 minutes and somehow the hook came off of the Mojo. Ben's friend kept saying the reel was broken cause he could not reel and line was going out. Its was reel nice and my guys were ready to head home after fight more than a dozen fish and lost 3 or so. Great crew Ben two years in a row we waxed them. Can't wait to take you Tuna fishing in the Spring.

2-2-2008

Had Chris Chenoworth and his brother in-law out for a day on the water striper fishing. These guys are great. We have done this for the past couple of years where they stop drinking after New Years until they come on this trip in the first week of February. Last year we caught 12 fish in a matter of 1 hour in the 38 to 42 inch range. After reeling those fatty’s in they wanted to head in for some Big Sam’s wings and cold beers.  So we did. This year we had the same luck. Right off the bat we hook up on a fat 38” 28#’er. Then nothing until I caught wind of a bite and game on. Got to the bite and had 10 fish and missed 3 others in about an hour. The guys were stoked. After catching they were ready for the barn and cold beers.

Kathleen Chenoworth I thank you for booking another day with Succession. The boys said they want to try some offshore in the spring so let me know.

1/26/2008 My Birthday on the water!

Had Charlie Napier and his cousins, friends and Uncles on board for a full day Striper trip. Well after getting heads up from down south and others from up here we headed south. Get down to Corolla light and just miss a great bite. Put lines in and mark fish & bait but having trouble getting bites. Finally we get them to start biting after switching things up. Everyone got a chance at reeling in fish and caught 10 up to 40" with 3 knockdowns. After hearing and talking with other boats we had a really good day. Everyone had a good time and it was Charlie's biggest fish he has ever caught.

Still have some dates available! Will be doing some nighttime Bay Bridge tunnel catch and release eeling for Trophy Stripers.

1-19-08

Well due to the bad weather moving up from the South I let my charter cancel even though we could have fished. So instead of canceling I decided to try and take my twin 13 year daughters out before the weather came. Got calls from (Denis) Hookinfinger and (Billy) Striper_On and we jumped on Succession. Headed out for a couple of hours and my daughter started feeling quzzy. So Called my beautiful wife and she came and met us at the dock to pick them up. Sucked we missed the morning bite by a hour waiting for crew. So with little hesitation I asked the guys if they wanted to head back out, YES. Went back out where we marked the bait, and I mean MARKED. It was dead with a fish every once in a while out of 100+ boats. It was a nice 3 to 4 foot chop and raining. After pulling thru bait and marks for Hours knowing it will go off soon it did in a big way. We caught fish after fish after fish... All nice fat 32 to 41 inchers. Billy looked at me after several fish caught and said I need a break. I jumped in for a few (I never get to reel in fish) and Dennis was a maniac reeling fish after fish. Get 2 one start reeling, another on and another, we drilled the same area for an hour and a half with great results. Best was five on.

Finally after it was all said and done we were straight off Rudee just inside of the 3 mile line.

I would like to thank Sean with Marine Diesel & Power Generation for a great job on getting me back up and running. The mess of oil is all gone and the new engine runs like a top.

Denis and Billy thanks for fishing with me.

1-17-08           

Yeah the boat is done and was brought back up the coast today in some reel rough stuff. She is running great and I cannot wait to take my Daughter out fishing today since I had a charter reschedule do to a Big Snow storm coming from the South. The live in Raleigh area and it is supposed to get 3 to 5 inches which we are not used to and will shut down traffic going home for them.

1-11-2008

Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout kick-off party was a great success as usual. Great time seeing a lot of folks I have not seen in a while.

Headed out to the South towards Sandbridge and maybe further South. Lines in and the fish were on. Caught fish after fish, but nothing big. The crew sure had fun catching and releasing nice 25 pounders. We had a plan to go eeling but did what Joe wanted to.

1-12-08

Headed out with a plan to go eeling again, but ended up trolling threw bait all day with no success. Had several fish on but crew had a hard time keeping them glued. Did manage some meat for the table and everyone had a great day.

1-9-2008

Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout is here and I will be running Joe Woodington’s 50’ Hatteras “WARRIOR”. We will be fishing two out of three days, so wish us luck.

1-05-2008

Well been busy working getting my engines redone and ready for the striper season. She should be ready by Jan 17^th.

Merry Christmas

And a

Happy New Year

From the

Succession Family

12-24-07

Fishing was a little slow today with only a few knock downs and had one real nice fish on that broke the main line of the guys rod I was fishing with. Darn. Well 1 more week and I will be back up and running on Succession. New motor and she will  good to go.

12-13-07

Headed out to do some night time eeling for stripers at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Headed out around 5:30 PM for the High Rise section of the tunnel to anchor up and put out a spread. When we arrived the current had slowed and was looking to turn. We setout a spread and caught a shark right off the bat. Then came a nice 38” striper just as the current died. We stayed put until we started to see the current swing the boat around. So we pulled and I went looking for the right spot to re-anchor. Well after 30 minutes I found a spot and we set out. After 15 minutes we get our first fish, a 40” striper down about 15’. Then we get another and another. I drop two eels back free swimming and Game on we proceed to get 9 fish, break 3 off and miss 4 bites in 2 hours. Biggest was a release citation for Dennis. Fish were between 36” and 44 ½”s.

9 Stripers between 36 & 44 1/2 Inches

12/8/07

Was hired to run the Special D 45’ Viking out of Virginia Beach for some Blue Fin Tuna Fishing and Striper fishing. Headed out to the Triangle wrecks and started our troll. Several other boats out there but no hook ups. We tried till 12:30 PM when the owner decided he wanted to go striper fishing. Headed into the 3^rd island and caught our limit plus in fish within an hour and a half.

12/2/07

Talked Joe Woodington to go out looking for BFT at 3:00PM on Saturday. I come by his house and pick up his 2004 50’ Hatteras named Warrior to take down the creek for fuel and dock for the night. Get us all rigged up for the next day and stay on the boat. We head out to the Fingers with Capt Reese Bowles (Local Captain who does a Saturday morning radio show) and some of his guys. Lines in 15 minutes of trolling a 80# BFT then lines back out and hour later a Mako Shark. Little while later we mark a large school of fish and Wham we get a 90# BFT. Work the marks hard and get one other knock down, but never came tight. Headed back in at 1:30PM watching the Indy-Panthers game on the Northstar on the bridge. Great day on the water. Saw several schools of Striper and Bluefish working bait out deep. They will be coming inshore soon. So book a trip for winter striper fishing with us on Succession.

11-21-07

Well have been kind of out of the loop and passing off some of my charters due to having blown an engine. I am looking to be back up and running here in the 2^nd week of December. So I have been working on other boats during this time and thought I would post a picture of one of the trips I did just before Thanksgiving.

October 8, 2007

Kevin Bremer

Succession Charters

Dear Kevin,

            Anthony and I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for the wonderful job you did for our family this summer running our 2006 45' Viking "Special D". We all thoroughly enjoyed all the times we went fishing with you. You were hard working, knowledgeable, focused and well organized; and we learned a great deal from you.

9-25-07

Went out today with a friend on his 23’ Grady White for some Cobia hunting. Well knowing that the Jack Reveilles were biting at the Chesapeake Light Tower, I convinced Billy we should be prepared to try for them. So after an hour of searching he decides to give it a shot. Lines in and get a bite. Break it off and try again. Hooked up and I pass the rod to Billy who gets a 46 1/2“ citation Jack Reveille. Head back in after only 2 ½ hours of fishing.

9-21-22 Overnighter

Headed out on the Warrior for the BMO (Big Money Open) Invitational Overnighter tournament. Setup in the middle of the Norfolk Canyon at noon to catch some Marlin. Real slow for us to start and then get a runt blue to come in and is hooked up. Boat slows and the angler who is def cannot hear me saying, “CRANK CRANK” to keep the line tight. Oh Well. Next a 72# YFT comes in and takes a spreader bar. Then we setup for the evening drift and nothing. Move at 3AM and nothing. Setup the troll and run threw grass for about an hour and a half. Then get on a nice weed line which produces a double header white marlin bite. Jump one off. Get mauled by Gaffers Dolphin several times, Catch another big YFT and then later see another white. End up taking 4^th in the tournament.

9-8-07

Mated for Joe Woodington on his 55' Hatteras "Warrior" this weekend for some billfishing. The White Marlin bite has been on so even though Joe's crew cancelled he wanted to go. I was able to get another angler Greg Middleton to come along. Headed out late at 6:20AM for the fishing grounds. As we got closer to the area we were going to fish; we could hear hook ups coming one after another. Lines in at 10:15AM and within 30 minutes the first fish comes in and hits the Left Long rigger (Blue/White Islander w/Horse). Get Greg to real it in slowly as I move a dink bait over to switch it over. Fish comes in and Greg gets a release. Next another white comes in long shotgun and I hook it up and give to Joe for a white hook up. Next another left long bite and Greg drops it back, but bait is to big. Next another comes in on left short and Greg hooks it up. Things slow down and at 4:00PM another fish coems and plays with us. Whitey comes in and cleans a couple. I was giving them a shot at it and then I moved in, pass the rod to Joe and we get another White for the day. Get home late, but had a great day with Joe and Greg.

Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament Report 8/23 thru 8/25

Was hired on as a mate for the VBBT on a 55’ Hatteras named the Warrior out of Virginia Beach, VA.

Day one:

We ran east of the Cigar and fished in some serious grass. Within an hour we see some cutters (White Marlin cutting threw bait). Pull threw it and get hit by a couple of fish. I hook one and pass it to Page and try to see if I can get another. Couple others miss a fish. Troll around the area for a while when something hit the Mackerel in the left short. I can tell it is not a white and put the heat on with 25#’s of drag. Blue Marlin on and I hand the rod to Greg. He does a great job on the fish and I get a hold of the leader. This fish did not jump, so she was green when I grabbed the leader. She wore me out for 15 minutes behind the boat. Get her to measurement and find her to be 113”, two inches short of the 115” kill length for this tournament. See a couple other fish to no avail.

Day two:

Head out to the Norfolk Canyon where a good bite was the day before. Lines in and nothing for a good while. Pickup and start to run inside a little and we have engine problems. Lines back in and see a great Rip Line. White marlin comes into the spread and I hook it up and pass the rod to Ted. Later we loose and engine and hook up another white and on 1 engine we are having a problem getting to the fish. Pull the hook. Have a couple other shots to no avail until I hook up another with minutes left and pass it to Ted.

Saw around 11 fish. I went 4 for 5 on Bites which felt good since that is what I was getting paid to do.

Warrior was a great boat and the owner and crew were fantastic.

8-22-07

Had Kevin Perkinson and friends aboard for a day offshore. Headed out to the 850 line in 40 fathoms. Get on a great sulfur and find nothing. Move deeper and find bait balls down deep. Troll several of them when we see a school of two tone porpoises. Change spread to Tuna and troll with them for an hour with no bites. Darn. Move out to the deep and Marlin spread out. Finally at 2 PM get a white and release it and then a second bite which was missed. Tried both towers on the way in for some meat, but joy.

8-17-07

Mating for Joe Woodington on his 55’ 2001 Hatteras for the Pirates Cove Marlin Tournament. Ran both my boat and he followed me in threw Oregon Inlet on Monday. Started rigging on and went out on Tuesday.

8-18-07

Headed out with a plan and it worked for the most part. This is an angler tournament, which means all I can do is drive and rig baits. With in first hour I see a White come in on the short shot gun. Joe (Capt/Owner) has long shot gun in hand. Take the Long out of his hand from the left and hand him the short up in his right hand. Hooked up. I put the boa tin a turn and look and see a second fish hooked up and jumping. We start clearing lines and see 2^nd fish come unglued. Get Joe’s to the boat. No bites until later that day when a white hits an Islander Express with a Horse hoo. Get one angler too real it in real slow and another to pop the left long dink and move it over. Fish runs with it and the rod tip gets pulled up and the fish is gone.

8-19- 07

No fish seen.

8-20-07

August 5^th

Fished out of Virginia Beach with Chris Ripley and crew. Headed out to the Cigar area and lines go out. As I am setting out a dink bait for some dolphin an eruption comes on the left long rigger. Drop back and get a 33# Wahoo on a TLD 25. Troll in weeds most of the day and Gordy (Fill in Mate) is busy all day. Later a White comes in on the Mackerel and we try and switch it off. No joy and goes to long rigger big bait. Missed shot. Then get Wahoo bites all day and cut offs. Get another Wahoo later and then a White comes in. Gordy tries to hook the fish and a miss. Later when lines coming in I see a large wee patch and we bail 25 dolphin off of it.

August 3^rd and 4^th  on the Bandit

Wayne and crew hire me to run there 40 Cabo for a couple of days out of VB. We have had great success with catching citation class fish and these two days were no exception.

August 3^rd

Head out to the Cigar area off VB and lines in. We head and catch some dolphin and then setup for the troll. Next thing you know we have a 55# Wahoo on the boat. Then a nice YFT. Try for Marlin most of the day and none show up.

August 4^th

 Same area we are trying to get a marlin for the boat since some have been there. Out of 3 trips we have raised 4 White Marlin. First we want Dolphin and get a pad that has some gaffers. Get 5 of them and then bail dolphin until they shut off (40 Qty). Back to the troll for a Marlin and later that morning a white comes in on the teaser on the right side. Tim goes to setup for a shot and Wayne moves in with a Mackerel. Pull teaser away and fish turns on Mackerel. Wayne’s drops back perfectly and he is hooked up. Get out and back down. Tim leaders the fish and Picture time. Miss another marlin in the afternoon when I drop back and the drag freezes up on a 50 wide real and breaks the main line.

Virginia Beach Invitation Marlin Tournament

Had Rick Muskovac and some of his friends hire me to come up from Oregon Inlet, NC to Virginia Beach, VA. Had Kenny McLeskey run the boat and I was in the pit. We raised a small Blue Marlin on day one which took the mackerel and disappeared. Then a White came in and I was able to sink some steel.

Day two

Went outside of our plan and cost us. Get back to out area and a white attacks the short rigger and Rick grabs to rod and misses the fish, shoot. We did not see any other marlin for the tournament but did catch a YF Tuna and some dolphin.

Was hired to run a 40' Cabo for Wayne out of Richmond, VA. Headed out to a nice patch of water we saw on a water temp shot. Get out lines in and a 30# Wahoo. Took a little long to get the lines out due to first time this boat has fished offshore. Finally see what I was looking for. The YELLOW BRICK ROAD of a weedline. We are not getting as many bites as I would like due to white water behind the boat. Drop down to one engine and the bites start coming and we finally find the mother load of Dolphin. Bail till we are tired and put out a Marlin Spread. 15 minutes later White comes in on the Right teaser. Give my guys a shot at it but missed twice. Lines back out and have another white come in on a B/W Ilander sea star. Pulled the hook on the bite and disappeared.

Total:

30# Wahoo/ Box full of 4 to 8 pounder Dolphin/ 0 for 2 on White Marlin

Had Bob from Connecticut setup two days to fish with me this week. Headed out and had found some fill in guys for the charter. Headed out in some stormy conditions and rough seas. Lines in and Get a nice YFT. Lines back out in a down pour. Get lines out and get a coupel dolphin bites and on gaffer to the boat. Get out to were some birds are working. I climb into the Tuna (Not the smartest thing) Tower and see 60 Plus Pounders airing out.  Troll by them and get whacked by a nice one. They really where not interested in our stuff even though we put everything out but the kitchen sink.

Had a good catch of Gaffers and a nice 45# YFT.

6-30-2007

Headed out with a Great crew of guys: Paul Van Auken, Bill Gooch and Mark Wamner. We headed out for Wayne's world and trolled around for a little bit to see marks, but no bites. Seemed to be a little slow for most. Moved inside to 19 fathoms and headed south. While trolling a rather LARGE BFT Airs out on a B/W Soft Head Chugger and missed it. I start chugging it and the darn thing missed it 2 more times and disappeared. Worked the area for several minutes to no avail. Start heading more SE due to hearing of a bite. As we are turning on some marks I see something looking at the long rigger. Go to grab the pole and it pops out and I hand the rod off to Mark. I see on the surface and see it is a Mako. We get it ready and Paul Leaders and Bill drives the Boat perfectly. I look to see if it is a keeper and she is well over 54" and looks like a 80 to 90 fish. Stick her in the lower jaw up threw the nose. Iced in the Coffin. Troll out a little deeper and see a couple boats hooked up. Change some things up and wait. Next thing you know I see boil on the Left flat. Start jigging it and it gets taken out of my hand. MAN I LOVE THAT! Mark start following suit and hooked up as well. Then another and another drifter bit and another. Hold on to 3 fish. I take the wheel as Bill Mark and Paul fight Bosco Tunas. During the fight a nice Hammer head comes cruises across our spread and decided Bill's fish is going to be lunch. Well get two in the boat in the high 50 to low 60 pound range. Continue to work the area and have a couple short bites and then a White comes in on the left flat and then piles on the Seas Star. Paul gets a pretty white to the boat. Troll some more and get another white coming in on the Blue and White Islander in the flat. Let’s go and bill drops the Blue and White bar back on it and gets a White hooked up. Clear lines and see this is a real nice white. Get the bill and release it after some picks. Also saw two whites fining as well in the afternoon and several bait balls coming to the surface.

Total:

1 Mako 92#
2 for 6 on Tuna
2 for 3 Whites
1 for 2 Dolphin