Islamorada Sailfish Tourney report December 2, 2011

A quick story. Slow morning, Caught our Ballyhoo easily enough but no curent and sails were slow. We caught 3 Dolphin fish, a few boats were picking at the Sailfish.

At 1pm we hooked up a double header and because my main angler is 14 years old I had opted to use Permit Trek rods paired with 550 Diablos spooled with 12lb monofilament. Somehow we caught and released  both Sailfish. We were down to the knot on an empty spool but after a back and forth battle young Casey got his to the boat first then his dad Bill released his Sail soon after.

Dad Bill Blakey fighting 1 of a double header of Sailfish

Casey just about to release his Sailfish

In the next couple hours Casey caught and released 2 more Sails giving us 4 releases for the day.

The Permit Trek rods and DIablo reels worked great except we could have used another 100 meters of line. Should be using the Diablo 750's but Casey had his hands full with what we used.

There was quite a bite in the afternoon. Three boats have 7 releases . Four boats with 5 and us with 4. We are fishing a center console 30' Regulator. A good seaboat. Winds were 20+ knots out of the northeast and it was rough to say the least. I am including a picture of one of charter boats fishing. The high tower really helps spot the sails. But we are tough. No deckhands and towers on our boat Just a lot of heart.

Charterboat Catch 22 backing down on a Sailfish

We have 2 more days left. Hope we continue to catch fish.

For tournament standings go to http://www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com/

Captain Skip Nielsen