First Mahi

Yesterday I was lucky enough to get invited last minute on a trip to the Gulf Stream. We were 20 miles out in 1,000 foot of water diving in a weed line. It was flat and beautiful. There were mahi everywhere on the surface and small wahoo would make a pass every 30 or so minutes at about 40 feet. We shot several cows and lost a big beautiful bull that swooped in out of nowhere. One of the guys also got a small hoo which was cool to watch. We ran back in because of some storms coming up from the south but stumbled upon a big piece of black plastic. I'm not sure what it was but it was about the size of a pallet and we could see big triple tails and dolphin just under the surface. We hoped in and I shot this cow before seeing 3-4 big hoos lazily swimming right under me. I was using a reel so I just started yelling for my buddy to dive. Turns out they don't like yelling and bolted haha. Awesome day!

Quote from Dan

Awesome experience. You didn't take any tripletail?

I wanted to! There was a big guy on that pallet but so much was going on and I didn't want to be the reason we couldn't stop in state waters. We did head straight back in though so it would've been fine.

Quote from Grouper

Sweet man!! Bluewater is a whole different ballgame. Next time try to get one of those hoos on the reel it's loads of fun

Haha nice! If I ever make it out there again I'll be leaving the reel at home.

Quote from Dude george

You mind a tip or twelve?
I hope first of all you had a knife with you? When you had the peanut on, and saw the ho's, if you had started chumming the dolphin with your knife, the ho's probably would have lit up, and started feeding in the chum, inch by inch chunks, or a little bigger.. tail and head last.
Then slowly drop down just to the side of the chum, and look around, when you start slowly swimming to the one you target, look around as you swim up on it. Usually one will get curious as to why you are chasing his buddy and angle in for a perfect shot. If they continue to stay just ahead of your shot, extend your hand and wiggle your fingers around, most times they will turn around and head for you, keep slowly heading for it. When you shoot aim for the tail if you can... anywhere behind the asshole. Or from above through the center line(think splitting it in half) is good. Their gills are armor plated and i have seen them from close range deflect a spear tip(big ho)... just behind the gills works but shoot slightly high. My 2 free cents ;)... Oh and **** shooting a big ho with a small reel no mater what the jokers say, I dont want that fun in my life ever again :laughing:

Thanks George that's pure gold right there. I had dropped off the mahi at the boat and just returned to the "pallet" when I saw the big boys. Since I was too lazy to rig a breakaway the night prior I just watched in agony and tried to get my buddies attention by yelling. I should have grabbed chum when I was at the boat... lesson learned. A few hours earlier I was able to drop on some small ones just trying to feel them out. They were obviously less shy than their larger brethren. Thanks for the tips!