Today was another picture perfect day.

There was a lot of boat traffic, and I didn't think the fish bit as well as they did yesterday. We trolled for the morning and caught five fish, but we were holding out for a bigger one to kill. The ones we caught trolling were 100 pounders, one was maybe 120. In the afternoon we found several schools of 50-70 pounders rolling and busting, so it was a perfect opportunity to throw some jigs at 'em. I think we probably caught another eight or ten on the light tackle, including one on a topwater popper. My guys all did a great job angling these fish, and this size fish was a perfect match for the gear. Lotta fun! Thanks guys!

My first day back in the saddle was picture perfect. Slick calm seas and excellent bluefin tuna fishing.

I put together a make-up party at the last minute, and all the guys on the trip were thrilled that they went. Justin's dad went along and made the comment that "everybody should see this at least once". When a 200 pound tuna crashes a flatline bait, it makes an explosion you won't forget! I didn't keep track of how many strikes we had, but we caught 16 bluefins for the day. We can only keep one fish per day, so we boxed the first fish we caught, which weighed 155 pounds. We released several that were in the 200 pound range. Can't wait to get back out tomorrow!

The bluefin fishing doesn't get any better than it has been lately. Justin and I just finished spooling up our 80s with new line, so come on and help us stretch it out!

The fish have been 150-200 pounders, and if you want some variety, there has been some good tilefishing in the same general are as the bluefins. Even if you don't have a full group, email me, I may be able to put something together including you. Thanks!
This was just a cool bluefin picture off the old Godspeed. That could be YOU in the photo!

Our family made the trip to Elizabeth City today for the Tidewater Cub Scout district pinederby race. Simon's hot #48 car ran well again this weekend!

My dad lives in Elizabeth City, so he and Cathy, his wife, came out to support Simon in his big race. There were 42 cars entered, a little more competition than amongst our local Pack. After three heats, Simon's car hadn't lost a race, and made it to the final bracket of the top three cars for the Wolf Den. It was a very close race, and only a few inches seperated all three cars. The lane assignment went by "luck of the draw" in this final race, and I felt that Simon wound up in the slowest of the three lanes. He managed to place second, and only an inch or two away from first place, and moving on to the council race in Virginia Beach next month. Oh well, we were still very proud of second place, and he had an enjoyable experience with all the scouts. Unfortunately he was the only scout to make it from our Hatteras Island troop, but we still had a ball.

The weather looks like it is going to hold us up a few days on our boatyard projects.

We hauled out yesterday, power washed the bottom, and blocked the boat up. Today we were going to paint the bottom, but it began to pour halfway through the job, so the rest will have to wait. It looks like terrible weather for the next couple days, so Justin and I will be working on the outriggers in my shop in the morning. Hopefully we can finish and be back in the water early next week. I took this picture at the boatyard today, thought it was kinda cool.

My family and I went to the mountains this weekend, to visit Ben and his family, and to pick up the bar top that he built for me.

It was a great excuse to get away for the weekend, and a good time with good friends. Ben and I have remained close friends since he worked for me several years ago. He now works in his family's millwork business, where they specialize in custom hardwood flooring and cabinetry. With a shop full of amazing tools, access to all kinds of lumber, and a talent for woodworking, I was excited when he offered to build a mahogany top that would match the rest of the trim inside the Godspeed. While we were up there, the kids got to experience things they don't get to do at home. Of course, playing in the snow was on top of Simon's list of things to do, as well as riding four wheelers and feeding chickens. We also made a trip to Luray Caverns one day. Anyway, Justin and I installed the bar top today, and it looks great. Over the weekend, new carpet was installed, and new cushions are on the way. Tomorrow we haul the Godspeed out of the water to paint the bottom and do annual maintenance. We should be back in the water in two days, and ready to fish this weekend. The bluefin tuna fishing has been pretty good, and I am in kill mode. Soon I will have fishing pictures to post! Till then, here are a couple pictures of the work inside my boat as of today, and a couple more of our weekend. Enjoy!

Tonight Simon got to race his pine derby car at his cub scout meeting.

We had a lot of fun building it together, and the races were exciting. Cub scouts are split into different dens, according to ages, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos. Each den's members raced against each other, and the the top two from each den raced. Simon won first place in the Bear den, and third overall. It was fun, and now we have to do some tuning up for the district race!
We are battoning down the hatches for another storm, as I'm sure you are too.
My cabin refit is almost finished, I'm waiting on carpet, cushions, and a counter top. I'll have pics for you when it's through.

The weather has been crappy here as well as where you are, so I have taken the down time as an opportunity to do a re-fit of the cabin area in the Godspeed.

My shoulder is doing much better, and my physical therapist has given me the green light to be more active, so I decided on a whim to get rid of the furniture that has been in the salon, and build in some seating, along with a bar. Tomorrow I will be finished with the last bench, and one of my former crewmembers, Ben, is building a mahogany bar top for me, which I will install in a couple of weeks. A quick look at the "about the Godspeed" page will show how my cabin looked prior to this project. Of course, it looks like a bomb went off, but in a couple of days we'll have it all cleaned up, and good as new. See you soon!

The weather has been a little better lately, and allowed a few of the boats to get offshore. Today I saw one boat come in with 16 yellowfins, in the 30-35 pound range. It's good to see the tuna action holding up through the winter, that's how it's supposed to be.

I've started a few projects on my boat, and it feels good to be busy doing something for a change. Justin has been a big help to me, and is still available to run a charter between now and March when I'll be ready to go. We are both looking forward to killing some fish!

I have been living vicariously through the fishing reports of my friends, but it sounds like whenever the weather has been nice enough to get offshore, the tuna fishing has still been pretty good.

This year has been different for me, with not being able to fish, or even tinker on my boat. I'm about to go crazy. I am in physical therapy three days a week, and that's ok if you like the sensation of your arm getting torn out of socket. I'll be glad when it's all just a memory. Christmas was good, we had some family in town, and enjoyed celebrating the birth of Christ together. The ushering in of a new year excites me because I know that it's just a matter of days till we'll be back offshore. Justin and I are both chomping at the bit! This winter I have once again switchd out all my reels for new ones, and we will be primarily using Shimano Tiagra reels from now on. We are pretty much spooled up and now just waiting on you!
Looking forward to a great 2010, and can't wait to make more memories with you on the "Godspeed"!
From me and my family to yours...