Kona - Northern Lights 6-26-07

mahi · Jul-01-2007, 07:09 PM

Hi Guys. I just got back from Kona and here is my report. I fished on Northern Lights with Capt Steve Epstein on the wheel and his son Tracy in the pit. I had my wife Tina and son Zachary along. The morning tide was 0630 so we got to the boat at 0615 and had lines in just outside the harbor along the 1000 F line. We had 5 Accurate 130 out and trolled along the ledges toward the Fads. Steve got a call from a friend fishing a pod of porpoise and we headed that way. We metered Ahi at 30 to 40 Fathom and stuck with the little pods that had birds on them. The stinger had a little Blue/ Pink jet on it and it got nailed in the middle of the fleet working the porps. The fish started jumping and grey hounding through the fleet, in fact, it jumped a couple of boats lengths in front of Ihu Nui. We thought it was going to be cut off, but they got away from the fish. It turned and jumped back towards NL. We had to haul fanny to get the belly out. By now the fish had taken all the mono topshot and now was 150 yards into the backing. We were backing down hard to recover line quickly, but it got a bad angle and the girl died and sunk out. We worked very hard to plane her up and try to recover her, but we were not able to. The big blue did not have a bill and had many wounds on her back. She was a fighter. She was also tail wrapped for some time in the fight. We got her on the deck and she measured at 123" X 68" girth. Back at the scale, she was 724 pounds. We weren't done yet. We stayed in the porpoise and pulled the stick for a 112 lb Ahi. Back in the harbor around 4 pm to weigh and take photos. I have to give alot of thanks to Steve and Tracy for putting me on such a great fish and trip. They are a good crew and the Northern Lights is a beautiful boat. This is a trip I will always remember.
Thanks Steve and Tracy Epstein for a great trip.

Bob, Tina and Zack Waters

BiggestT · Jul-01-2007, 07:58 PM

Bob, that is simply awesome

jagerhunchback · Jul-01-2007, 10:53 PM

what a great time, not one but two big baller fish of a lifetime!!!! congrats

Jul-01-2007, 11:00 PM

this is what I want to hear!! I'm heading over there in 6 weeks! Thanks for the report

Addicted2fishin · Jul-02-2007, 03:26 AM

nice. I was out on 6/25 and saw the Northern Lights working around the fad we were at. Beautiful with all those silver accurates gleaming brightly. Lucky you weren't out that day. The Bite Me likes to cut everyone off and bully its way around. It was a traffic jam. I'm glad you guys scored.

mahi · Jul-02-2007, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have to say, I was very lucky to get those two shots. Winding on a 130 in high gear is tough!!! The porp schools were a little tight, everyone wanted to get on the right one that were holding the Ahi. Steve did a great job running the boat to stay tight and clear of the fleet. I commend the Capt on the Ihu Nui for clearing the way when the Blue was right on his nose. I can still visualize all the commotion and that big girl jumping.
Bob

bajarelo · Jul-04-2007, 11:41 AM

nice day! where are the pictures?
Capt. Charlie

dumptruck · Jul-04-2007, 01:44 PM

That Damn pot is very POTENT MA" BRU'THA !!! Me am gunna be in der CARL'S J.R. commercials lickin' my sticky finnngerrrzzz. Buddy owwt !!1

mahi · Jul-05-2007, 09:16 AM

I would need serious help in posting a photo.
Bob
I added pic to my gallery- under mahi.

mahi · Jul-13-2007, 09:15 AM

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...eMarlin001.jpg

mahi · Jul-13-2007, 09:17 AM

Ok. I'm a doofus on computers. I was able to get the link to work, but not show the image. I guess I will try something else like read the tutorial, probally not. Any way this is my all time best by a longshot.
Bob

Waiohinu Lawaia · Jul-13-2007, 09:40 AM

Nice Donkey, the propoise seems like the only steady option these days especially with the steno around.