Wilmington Jigging - 5.2.2008

[TBaker]

All I can say is WOW! Chip said it was kind of an ok day. Granted, we didn't get any giants, but if hooking up on virtually every drop is is just ok, don't think I'd survive a great day! I have no idea how many are out there, but it must be somewhere close to a bazilllion! Man, those AJ's are tough! My first jigging trip and I guarantee I'll be back for more.

We pretty much stuck with 80 or higher. Most of the fish could have easily been handled on 65, but where Chip had us, the next fish that hit could have been 100+! You just didn't know. I hooked up a really big one on Bret's new OTI 500g rod and his Stella spooled with JB 80. (Both of which performed fabulously. Great work on the rod, Paul!) Fought that thing for around 15 minutes and it was making long runs on 24 lbs. of drag! Unfortunately, had a knot fail right toward the end. I was glad I was using 80, thats for sure.

As Bret and Kilsong have said, leader didn't seem to matter much. Just had to make sure to use a jig heavy enough to get down there, and jig like hell on the way up. On that day, anything in that 9 inch or so category worked like a charm.

Oh, and take a look at the rod in the rod holder in the background of the last picture Bret posted. Thats Rich's Hot Wei rod. Thing must weigh like 5 oz. , but thats the rod he caught his 65 - 70 lber. Amazing!

Thanks, Chip! You were a great host, and a real trooper for taking us all the way there in those seas! And you do know your spots. Rich and CT, great fishing with you guys. Gotta do this again!

[paul708]

Originally Posted by TBaker

All I can say is WOW! Chip said it was kind of an ok day. Granted, we didn't get any giants, but if hooking up on virtually every drop is is just ok, don't think I'd survive a great day! I have no idea how many are out there, but it must be somewhere close to a bazilllion! Man, those AJ's are tough! My first jigging trip and I guarantee I'll be back for more.

We pretty much stuck with 80 or higher. Most of the fish could have easily been handled on 65, but where Chip had us, the next fish that hit could have been 100+! You just didn't know. I hooked up a really big one on Bret's new OTI 500g rod and his Stella spooled with JB 80. (Both of which performed fabulously. Great work on the rod, Paul!) Fought that thing for around 15 minutes and it was making long runs on 24 lbs. of drag! Unfortunately, had a knot fail right toward the end. I was glad I was using 80, thats for sure.

As Bret and Kilsong have said, leader didn't seem to matter much. Just had to make sure to use a jig heavy enough to get down there, and jig like hell on the way up. On that day, anything in that 9 inch or so category worked like a charm.

Oh, and take a look at the rod in the rod holder in the background of the last picture Bret posted. Thats Rich's Hot Wei rod. Thing must weigh like 5 oz. , but thats the rod he caught his 65 - 70 lber. Amazing!

Thanks, Chip! You were a great host, and a real trooper for taking us all the way there in those seas! And you do know your spots. Rich and CT, great fishing with you guys. Gotta do this again!

Glad you liked the rod
that is a fantastic "first jigging" trip . i guess there is no turning back now
the pics are great.
hopefull we can get down there soon
maybe carpool

[BretABaker]

i think i shrunk 2 inches from my spine being compressed on the way out. once we got there, i didnt think the seas were bad at all....we just had to slam into each one on the way out

[BretABaker]

i think you'd have been spooled by that fish if you had lighter drags

[paul708]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

i think i shrunk 2 inches from my spine being compressed on the way out. once we got there, i didnt think the seas were bad at all....we just had to slam into each one on the way out

yeah thats the way the contender/fountain crew is here
they are running the 36 and 38
just get comfortable on a bean bag and wait till thay stop

[TBaker]

Oh, yeah, that fish wanted to go home VERY badly!

Oh, and funny thing about those seas. We were hitting 'em pretty good on the way out. But once we started hooking up constantly, seas seemed to be just fine!

Paul, it'd be great to do a trip. 8 hour drive is knda long on your own. But, man, the fishing. I know now why you do it, Kil!

[ksong]

Originally Posted by TBaker

I know now why you do it, Kil!

I fish NC only 5 times this year. I should have done more.
I planned to drive down to NC today to fish tomorrow, but I realized today is my 32nd wedding anniversary.

[BretABaker]

I think I want to move to wilmington.

[ksong]

Originally Posted by BretABaker

I think I want to move to wilmington.

It is funny. A guy I know retired to Fl from NY a few years ago and he is serious considering to move to NC after seeing recent fishing reports from NC.

[TBaker]

Originally Posted by ksong

I fish NC only 5 times this year. I should have done more.
I planned to drive down to NC today to fish tomorrow, but I realized today is my 32nd wedding anniversary.

I'm working on 34 myself, Kil. But, come on, where are your priorities?!