It was a great time even though toggies were not hugemongus. I did end up with 23 hook ups, 11 keepers, and 2 pool winner.
It was a pleasure to fish with guy's like tan and his friend john and andy. (picture?)
Although the group didn't feel like it was an amazing trip, I felt that everyone still had fun on the "first" outing of the year.
I also met the regulars and one in particular was a older gentleman named Brad. He was from PA and was a regular for many years. We had some great conversation and I learned that he has done many trips for all sorts of fish like cod, tilefish, tog, seabass, etc. He was actually on the same charter that the NY state record golden tilefish (59lbs) was taken. The man who took it dropped his jig next to him to catch the biggun.
Brad also showed me the famous green flash teaser made from Mike of Peace Token up in Jamaica, NY. That is the one that took many huge tile and the record.
Brad was nice enough to take this picture:
One more thing, Brad actually asked me if I was on BassBarn and I said yes. He mentioned that he recognized me on the board and knew my name. He also mentioned that I was friends with Kilsong and fished with him. The internet certainly brings the world to a smaller playing field. I'm really glad to have fished with this guy.
I am in continual pursuit of the best tackle and rigging style. Here is the reel I used (blue).
Here are the hooks I used. I ended up straightening one hook. So I switched them out. I didn't lose any tackle/hooks/sinkers on this trip. Yes, I'm using crimps. I decided to try it since I had them for my tuna gear. They worked well, never slipped. My line setup was 80# Yozuri Fluorocarbon from leader to snafu. Connection knot was FG from braid to leader and the braid was #50lb Jerry Brown.
I also offered my 2/0 hooks to Tan and Johnq. john declined but tan took 2. I hope he tried them and can give some feedback sometime.
The damaged hook was from the fish before my biggest of the day. About 5 and a half pounds.
Finally, man does not live on bread alone:
But on the word of God:
