Happily singing the blues

[alaskanaturally]

Update 141109 Singing in praise of Blues.

Quinby Inlet greeted us with a spectacular sunset and many flocks of loons. Approaching the harbor, right in middle of the channel, the boat ran aground. It was the lowest tide we every encountered. So we sat there looking at the spectacular color show in the sky.

We started our foray into the ocean early yesterday morning. The winds were blowing and the seas rolling. On the way through Quinby marsh we saw several loons, buffleheads, scoter and at the inlet entrance greeted by a large pod of dolphins.

Out in the ocean there were numerous flocks of gannets, more scoters, terns and loons as far as 20 miles out. The day improved, the winds died down and by late afternoon the ocean was glassy calm.

The plan was to start trolling at about 10 miles out. The wrecks where we hoped to encounter sea bass were about 20 miles out. Hoped to run into a few bluefish on the way out. The first wreck was occupied by another boat but we had a few options. Trolling to the next structure, the SeaWyf ran over a school of feeding bluefish. But no takers.

After anchoring, the action was fast but with only a few keepers. As the day wore on, that changed and many sea bass above the 12 1/2 inch were brought up. In addition, triggerfish were mixed into the catch. Ruta caught one that went five pounds two ounces and a couple of others around four pounds.

During the time we were anchored, we would occasionally see schools of very big bluefish boiling the water chasing baitfish but they never came close enough for us to get a shot at them.

We did not want to run Quinby Inlet in the dark, it’s difficult enough during the day, so the anchor was pulled at 3. It was so calm that the run back at 27 knots would take less than an hour. But we weren’t finished giving the bluefish another go.

Putting out there rods, we started trolling toward home. It didn’t take long. Martin saw some marks on the recorder and immediately, one rod went down, then another and then the third. Each fighting a fish, the third was ignored. It was a battle royale with both of us switching positions often. Finally, Martin had to put down his rod and grab the third because the line was twisted around Ruta’s line. The fish got off which was good news and as he was reeling it in, another grabbed the lure and we were hooked up with three fish again.

When the first blue was brought near the boat, at first glance it looked like a bluefin tuna. It was a very large bluefish, 19 pounds 2 ounces. after about a half hour, all three fish were brought in. Would have loved to troll some more but it was getting late and we made a beeline to Quinby.

During the trip back we saw numerous schools of bluefish boiling the water in their frenzied attempts to feed.

It was an awesome and rewarding day in the oceanic wilderness right at our door.

[Fishn104]

Great report and pics mate. Those bluefish... We call them tailor and we get them no way near as big. For us here they are huge!! Well done!

[Broomstick]

Great report mate, thanks for sharing it

[alaskanaturally]

Some here call small ones Tailor blues. Most we catch are under a Kg.

[Murlz]

Great report. Thanx


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