Trolling on a day like this means really watching the helm. Whether in a following sea or trolling against the swell, handling the boat becomes a much more important task in heavy seas.
We put baits in the water just past the light at the edge of the drop and headed southeast into a stiff 18 knot breeze. White caps were everywhere, and it appeared we may have made the wrong decision with our 23 foot formula.
Flying Fish
It didn’t take long for the flying fish to appear. Skipping from one wave crest to another, they spread their fins and glided away from the boat. Some of them turned with the wind and “flew” Olympic type distances. The flying fish could only mean one thing. A favorite food of the dolphin, their appearance almost always meant fish.
Although we were trolling southeast, the Gulfstream currents actually pushed our boat more in an easterly direction. Boaters crossing the stream will crab in this fashion, heading one direction knowing the stream will carry them farther north.
We reached the southbound shipping lanes just on the western edge of the Gulfstream current. Southbound ships try to stay out of the main currents which can run up to six knots on a good day. The southeast winds today had the current really running hard to the north.
As we moved into the blue water of the stream, two dolphin smacked both of our ballyhoos, and we fought the double hookup together. Walt stayed at the helm with one fish as I reeled in the other. They were small as dolphin go, and easily boated without a gaff or net.
Frigate Birds
After re-rigging and getting baits back in the water, we again headed southeast, into to swells. A frigate bird hovered and swooped out ahead of us, so we changed direction slightly to troll under that big bird. Experience told both of us that these big black beauties generally follow some type of big fish, looking to feed on the leftovers.
As we approached the bird, one rod got slammed and the drag began singing while we watched a big bull dolphin do acrobatics behind the boat. The fight was on.
Walt stayed at the helm and directed the boat as I fought the fish. But it was obvious that I was not going to get this one in the boat without some help. I think it was when the fish came along the side of the boat that both Walt and I forgot our seamanship.
