1/14 Shilldoo puts the NOOBS on some fish

[Unclebob]

So, we put in at around 6:30 and Rob pointed Shilldoo East. A few of Robs friends of the family decided to join us, that have never been offshore before. Saw a pod of Right Whales just off 4-Mile, coming up 30' out of the water... I didn't know they got so big.

It was a slow, cold, bumpy ride out. One of the noobs wasn't feeling so well so Rob decided to take it easy and enjoy the ride at around 15 knots.

Put the meat in the water at around 120'. 67 degree water and rising. Had a double Cuda knockdown in short order, good gaff practice. I was putting the lines back out, and we had a Sailfish smash one of the baits and head for the horizon. I handed the rod off to one of the Noobs, cleared the lines, and Rob backed down on her. Good show, tail walking and jumping. It was a good sail, and a heckuva first fish for the kid.





Maybe 20 minutes later, the other out goes off and is singing. I grab the rod, she's hooked good and the drag is set, and we're thinking hoo. So, I handed the rod to the other Noob and we gave chase. This was one strong, smart fish. She stayed under the boat the whole time and did her best to get the line in the prop. She had Rob spinning circles for about 45 minutes, and the angler sweating and complaining. It was a great fight on a Penn 330 GT.



When she came to the top we couldn't believe her size. I gaffed but didn't have the strength to get her in. Didn't get any pictures of her on deck, because we were too dumbfounded. But here she is at the end of the day. Another great fish for a first timer Noob!







After we regained our composure and remembered we were fishing, we put the spread out again and got another knockdown. I grabbed the Rod and the fish missed, so I freelined it back, and she was on. It was Robs turn and he had the Hoo to the boat quickly. Maybe 35 lbs, a nice one.



Any guesses on the Monster Hoo's weight? She was a beast, that's for sure. Nearly as round as she was wide. We tried to weigh her with a 75lb Rapala scale, but she pegged it before Rob could get her off the ground, and then the scale broke. We're thinking 80+. She was FAT!!



So, we ended the day with 2 Hoo and a Nice sail, and probably a few Noobs that will never forget thier first fishing Trip Offshore...



Thanks for the trip, Rob. Heckuva day.

[The Fixer]

That fish is closing in on 100 lbs I'm thinking.

[Zecura]

Holy Mother of Gawd!

Hoozilla. Hooasarus. That is one fat skinney you got there.

Fish of a lifetime. :worthy:

[elliots]

That fish is closing in on 100 lbs I'm thinking.That is one fat skinney you got there.