Well guys, sorry it has taken me so long to post my report for the 2003 White Marlin Open, but I had to wait for my pics to get developed.
This was a really tough year compared the past four that I have fished. It was the worst in regards to both the weather and the amount of fish caught.
We arrived at the O.C. Fishing center about noon on Sunday and divided up the preparation jobs among the five (myself, Dad, Emory, Paul and Bill) of us fishing on Dad's 32 Luhrs, "Reel Expectations". Actually, we all hung around and helped Dad get his new center rigger hung and strung before going our separate ways. Then some of us were off to Akes' for bait (2 packs of meduim hoos, a pack of large, a pack of split-tail mullet and a pack of spanish macks) to be rigged back in the motel and others went to the grocery store. Other than that, nothing really happened on Sunday. Based on the forecast that night, we decided that Monday would be our first fishing day.
Up at 4:30 the next morning w/ high hopes but a little hesitant about the weather. We cleared the inlet about 6:00 (behind much of the traffic) and set a course for the Hot Dog (I believe). Dad had found 76/77 degree water past the dog near the 40 line the prior two weekends and we figured w/ the projected forecast, it was the best choice. Despite having taken a Bonine the night before, it didn't take long for the heavy seas to get to me. I hurled almost immediately once we pulled the trottles back to set our spread out. Dammit!! About 45 minutes later, round two.... Dad calls down from the bridge about 9:30 stating he has no intention of fishing in that mess all day. I don't know the wave height other than really high! I worked the lines as best I could and would have toughed it out all day if needed. But at 10:00, Dad makes the call and we pull the lines and head for the inlet. He was starting to get queasy up on the bridge as was another of our crew of five. I was happy as hell to get off that boat. Once on solid ground and beer and a sandwich got me feeling good again. No fish on our first day.
The forecast for Tuesday was calling for 6 - 10 footers between Balt. and Hatteras. Tues was our first lay day.
Wednesday brought a forecast of 5 - 8 footers but w/ 5 - 9 projected on Thur./Fri we dedided to give it a go. It was the right decision as the seas turned out to be more like 3 - 5. It was a really nice day. We headed for Poor Man's this time w/ the intention of going deep. We started our troll around the 40 and saw some pilot whales and a marlin sunning himself around the 100, but he wanted nothing to do w/ our baits. We made it out to about 650 fathoms and got only 73 degree water. Never did raise a fish. The ride in was beautiful and I managed to snap a few pics. Look in the Photos forum for them.
We decided to make Thursday our final fishing day so we would have a day of rest prior to bringing the boat back to Pasadena. The fog had other plans though.... Lay day no. 2
Friday was our third and final fishing day. The forecast had changed to 4 - 6 and this time we set a course for the Baltimore. We went our lines at approx. 8:45 just a few miles shy of the 40 line. Within the hour, we were hooked up w/ our first fish. We boated a yellowfin of about 25 lbs. that committed suicide on a bally dressed w/ green and yellow skirt just behind one of POUNCE's spreader bars. Somehow we managed to lose a gaff on this one.... A few mintues later we were hooked up again and slightly larger yellowfin went in the box. This once also took a stab at the spreader bar, missed and we got him on the port side short rigger on bally dressed in pink and white. 10:00 am and two in the box. Then it was silent for a little while. Around noon as we approached the 100, we got our third chance. Can't remember where this fish hit but it was on a bally w/ blue and white. We boated our third yellowfin. What a day!! We've never gone three for three before!! About 1 pm, as I sat rerigging the lures that had hit earlier in the day, Dad calls down to me that the stbd. long rigger had popped from the clip. I never heard it and was sitting right there. Not convinced that we had actually gotten a hit, I freespooled any way (something some of the other guys didn't bother doing if a line popped earlier in the day) and a few seconds later the line screams from the 50. I threw it up into "strike" and we were hooked up for the fourth time. Emory, Bill and I had gotten the three previous fish, so I was now Paul's turn. I handed off the rod and shortly thereafter, we boated out largest and final fish of the day, a 47# yellowfin. It's a good thing I bought a big cooler. The 150 qt. Igloo from BPS swalled up those four fish w/ ease!!!
We trolled back towards the 40 to shorten the run in a little but didn't get any more hits. We had seen many boards and even a buoy out there. None yielded any dolphin as hoped. As we approached the inlet on the run in, we discover that we're short one tuna flag. Emory makes quick work of a hand towel and up it goes. A few minutes later, Dad hears someone commenting on our "snot rag" and three tuna flags over the VHF!
As we sat at the gas dock at the Fishing Center, I ran in and bought another flag to correct the situation and later snapped a pic of Capt. Dad. You can't really see the smile on his face but man was he proud.
And that was it for our 2003 WMO. No billfish and 4 yellowfins. See you all next year!!!
Tight lines.
Brian
Brian
1985 Grady White 204 Center Console
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bmille4/sirreel/index.html 
2003 White Marlin Open report 
