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I fished the rumble Saturday and it was my first time entering a tournament.
I automatically assumed I would catch my usual number of kings, maybe even more.
Because I prepared so hard for this, I had live bait,frozen back up bait, chum and pogie oil.
I had made a load of rigs ahead of time, new line on all the reels etc. None of that mattered.
We passed the check point and was warned the water is "NASTY OUT THERE".
And it was not only nasty it was shitty and nasty. I accidently said to my crew Jeez it sure looks "SNASHTY" and that word stuck all day. We decided to run to the Jungle first. Well we probably should have given it some further thought and stay closer in. We plowed thru a head sea for what seemed like an eternity. None of us had the sense to put our foul weather gear on before the first wave soaked us to our draws. I decided to put my foul weather gear on over my soaking wet clothes, not a very nice feeling. We finally approached the edge of the Jungle around 8 am to be greeted by two huge waves that looked like a wall in front of us. That rattled me for a moment as I looked around to make sure that they were alone and not the normal wave height that we would be dealing with. We were the only boat out there at that time. On top of everything else, I was nursing a hangover from the night before.
I had promised myself to behave after the Capt. meeting and get to bed early. Of course I did not listen to that little voice in my head. I looked at my screen and waited until I was over an area that I had done well at and gave the call to get the lines in.
Within a few minutes we had a knock down and the fish was large he hit a ribbon on the downrigger. The weigh in flashed before my eyes as I walked up to the podium to cheers.
Carrying a monster king. Well that never happened. The fish was fought expertly by my first mate for a good while and then the fish did the unimaginable he headed right under the motor and just like that he was gone. We all looked at each other and cursed and shook our heads in disbelief. Of course I had to give the old pep talk to the crew, don't worry about it its only 8:20 and we have all day guys. We fished our hearts out all day we listened to the radio chatter. Lots of boats having trouble finding fish as well. Everytime a rod would go we would be excited until we picked it up and could tell it was a shark. We left the Jungle at noon and headed towards the 90's we stopped at the little river offshore reef to catch some more live bait. I stripped off my foul weather gear to let the sun dry me off. When we got to the 90's there were a good many boats so again felt a little optimistic. We fished the 90's hard and again only sharks and a few bite offs that were probably spanish. We talked to a few SKA guys I knew and they said they were not doing anything either. At four we threw in the towel and headed in along with the big boys. About three miles from the inlet I could see the black clouds and lightning hanging right over the Jetties. This was scary.The storm looked like it was coming off land towards us so I asked the crew do you want me to run thru it or turn around and get as far away as I can? It was sunny and pretty behind us and I saw a few big boys stop in their tracks and sit. My crew said "do it" and don't stop, I got myself in line between two big boats and figured that would be the safest way to run thru it. The rain started to come down from all angles and in buckets and I could hardly see. I grabbed my scuba mask and put it on and it helped just enough for me to see the markers and the other boats. The inlet was "Snashty" the waves were huge but I got through it and once inside the intercoastal I was so relieved that I actually cracked open my first beer of the day. My hang over was still hanging over a tad but I felt like celebrating getting back to the hill. All in All it was one of the worst and best trips all in one day. And what's even weirder, the next day while shopping at the mall with my wife all I could think about was getting back out there.
Maybe next time that elusive 45 lber will show me some mercy. ~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
It was wild at the Jungle hard to keep a decent troll with all the rolling going on. I forgot to mention I also got stuck in my forearm with a gaff and had to do first aid on myself. What a day!~JJ
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
We went out in my 21 ft. Key West for the Rumble. It was sporty to say the least. Our net thrower was having some difficulty getting a good throw for the pogies. Finally we baited up about 7:45 around the Cherry Grove pier, only to find my livewell was halfway working. We headed to the 90's and stopped about every mile or so to fill the livewell with buckets of water.
Had at least a mid twenties king in the spread within 5 mins, he hit once, not hooked, and didnt get him on the drop back. A few seconds later we had a 14-15 lbs king hit the propwash bait. I got him in the boat after a brief fight. We had one or two more knockdowns with no production, and decided to head in closer after not seeing any action for an hour or so.
We refreshed bait around Shallote Inlet, pulled along there for a short bit, one knockdown produced a very large spanish, maybe 6-7 lbs. Nothing else, so we refreshed bait again, and headed to the Caudle Reef for one last ditch effort.
Stayed at the Caudle Reef for an hour or so, had one shark, another large spanish, another teenager king, and something that ripped a ton of line of the reel, but tailwhipped free after 30 seconds or so. We'll just say it was a 40-50 lbs king. Left with about 20 mins to spare and hauled ass into the inlet where we were greeted by torrential rains and lightning. We didn't slow down and made check in with about 2-3 mins to spare. Wound up coming in 34th overall. Maybe next time.
We had a great time, just wish it was a little smoother out there. Hoping to get back out next weekend if its calm.
At least you put kings in the boat, We had that first screamer on the down rigger and it was on our largest rod/reel and it was a real big one he was still green after 15 minutes and we felt we would nail him. Boy where we wrong. He went from the side of the boat right under and straight back to the motor. We had shut the motor the first time he ran that way,but he did it again and we could not get him away from there I was just about to lift the motor and then he just sliced off and that was it. He was on a thirty class penn rod and had it bent in half. After that it was all sharks~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
At least you put kings in the boat, We had that first screamer on the down rigger and it was on our largest rod/reel and it was a real big one he was still green after 15 minutes and we felt we would nail him. Boy where we wrong. He went from the side of the boat right under and straight back to the motor. We had shut the motor the first time he ran that way,but he did it again and we could not get him away from there I was just about to lift the motor and then he just sliced off and that was it. He was on a thirty class penn rod and had it bent in half. After that it was all sharks~JJ~
That sucks! Are you planning on heading out this weekend?
I plan to get out there as often as I can manage with an irate wifey that does not understand my obsession. Maybe before the weekend if the weather looks good.~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
Jay,
Sorry to hear about the big one! Had same thing happen in the Open this year. Had it in front of the boat and all of a sudden it turned and ran screaming under the boat. Motor cut the line. Wanted to cry! I was going to be in the top 55 for sure! But guess thats why they call it fishing. Maybe I will see you at weigh in at Fall Brawl be my first time in that one. Fished the Open several times and the Long Bay Reef Association Club challange. Really wanted to fish the Rumble past two years, but hard to get the wife to let me fish two back to back unless I win some real money. I am impressed you went to the Jungle on Saturday! Me and my 21ft would have never taken that one on. I will be there this Saturday fishing if weather coperates if not I will fish inside for flounder.
It hurts when its the only decent fish we hooked up on. First thing in the morning, So we figured the bite would be good. I never do good in that kind of weather as far as kings. Now if it was a striper I was fishing for they love that nasty crap. It was at the least a learning experiance . Next time I will stay closer in and work my way out if the weather calms. The tides were not right either. I felt that the bite would turn on around 5 PM and last a few hours, I almost stayed out,since I had nothing for the weigh in. But in hind sight I am glad I gave up and ran in when I did. It turned really nasty for a while there. It was probably not smart to head to the Jungle first, but I do real well there and figured I would have an edge. When I got there I was the only boat, after a while I saw boats showing up, I didnt see anything getting caught by the other boats. Only three or four showed while I was there. I might see you out there if I get out saturday.~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
Im right there with you guys......NOAA was calling for 3ft seas when i checked saturday morning...BULLSH*T...haha...you tell me those were 3 foot seas.....going through the inlet after check out was pretty sporty to say the least......only small kings for us....nothing worth weighing in......any one know where they posted the results?
Chris, I was wondering when you would chime in. I was in some big seas at the Jungle. I had a SKA guy tell me he was not going there. In his 32 Yellowfin. It was sporty. I think the little river fishing club site should have the results. The last time I went to the site it was down. But should be up now. I had some friends from Florida SKA and they said it sucked for them. One ten pound king with all their equipment. And blue fish and blue runners and electric downriggers etc. The fish were scattered Saturday.......And apparently not very hungry.... I just heard an unconfirmed report that a couple from Camden died Saturday out there. I did hear a report Saturday of a boat taking on water. And also that a SKA boat flew around a turn and ended up grounded on a island .~JJ~
__________________ "Jay"- 04 HydraSport Vector 24 CC 250 Yamaha fourstroke
I can honestly say that was the first time I have ever been skunked in the month of October. We left check out got bait at Holden beach and headed to the river channal and fished out to the rocks and back. Not a single strike all day. Pretty snotty all day, had my wife and a longtime fishing bud and his wife on board. To the ladies credit they were real troopers in that nasty weather
hah yeah jay, i was still nursing some sore bones from this weekend...haha.....as bad as it sound, it makes me feel a little bit better that no one really had a "great day of fishing".....at least i know i wasnt the only frustrated SOB out there........sorry to hear the biggest thing you gaffed was yourself! that cant feel good.....we caught 2 snakes around 10lbs.....2 sharks...and had one big fish pull the hooks, but guessing it was a large sharks.....after talking with some people fishing saturday, the only fish that seemed to be consistently biting were the sharks.....oh well, hopefully Fall Brawl will turn out to be a little better....
was nothing but sharks for us and one of my crew's projectile vomit we were going to go to the jungle or shark hole, but i couldn't deal with the 12mph we were averaging so worked the sherman back to the caudle and lr rocks. maybe next time. only upside was that it wasn't a small craft advisory like last year.
__________________ 2005 31 Contender
"Pound for Pound"
We had a great time at the Little River Pro and Rumble in the Jungle and wanted to thank the Little River Fishing Club for a fun event. Friday, we netted pogies off of Oak Island and caught a 20 at the river channel while watching That's My Dog gaff his 40 next to us. Saturday we caught pogies off of Cherry Grove and then headed 60 miles into the slop. We had a good bite but couldn't find anything larger than 21. Overall we ended up with a 10th in the Pro and 14th in the Rumble. Congrats to all who fished...it was a tough day Saturday for everyone.
Im right there with you guys......NOAA was calling for 3ft seas when i checked saturday morning...BULLSH*T...haha...you tell me those were 3 foot seas.....going through the inlet after check out was pretty sporty to say the least......only small kings for us....nothing worth weighing in......any one know where they posted the results?
NOAA new disclaimer
SEAS GIVEN AS SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT...WHICH IS THE AVERAGE
HEIGHT OF THE HIGHEST 1/3 OF THE WAVES. INDIVIDUAL WAVES MAY BE
MORE THAN TWICE THE SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT.
SEAS GIVEN AS SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT...WHICH IS THE AVERAGE
HEIGHT OF THE HIGHEST 1/3 OF THE WAVES. INDIVIDUAL WAVES MAY BE
MORE THAN TWICE THE SIGNIFICANT WAVE HEIGHT.
hah.....i was seeing steady 4-5ft seas with a 6/7+ swell rolling through every few sets 20 miles out......at least thats how it looked in my 22' boat!
Skunked in the "Rumble"...... 
. Left with about 20 mins to spare and hauled ass into the inlet where we were greeted by torrential rains and lightning. We didn't slow down and made check in with about 2-3 mins to spare. Wound up coming in 34th overall. Maybe next time.
