Captain Bracher chose to take his lay day today as his A team prepares for the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament. So what do you do on a lay day? You go fishing. John Bailey, Brian Light and Nick Morris are in the cockpit for the Pelican this week and caught 1 out of 3 White Marlin on this warm up trip. With an obvious focus on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday they’ve got some catching up to do as Jeff Ross and his crew managed a grand slam plus some on day 1! Wish us luck!
A HUGE congratulations to all the ladies that fished to support the Alice Kelly Memorial Billfish Tournament yesterday. We fished to support the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group and appreciate all they contribute to fighting cancer on the Outer Banks! This is a tournament I don’t miss and a platform for me to be able to compete with any other female who wants to hook their own billfish. Out of 61 boats who entered, two of us were on this mission. Kelly Francis hooked and released her White Marlin at 9:38am, I hooked mine at 2:12pm! Kelly took first place Top Lady Angler on the Boneshaker and I won 2nd place based on time! Lots of fun and excitement for everyone.
I fished on the Pelican with four lovely ladies, Esther Vaughn; Gina Cecil and her two daughters Logan11 yrs. old and Taylor 15 yrs. old. This was a first for Logan and Taylor and what tough gals they are! The weather turned a bit rough towards the afternoon, but they hung in like real troopers and I was honored to have all them fishing by my side and for the Pelican. Congrats to everyone and especially to Pentegone, (win) Hunter (place) and Rigged Up (show) for their awesome releases! Check out the photos slideshow here ~ Summer Bracher
Light NE wind and calm seas. The conditions where perfect for a nice ride out to the Marlin fishing area. The Pelican and a few other boats from the fleet made the trip and where rewarded with a good day. Arch found 6 Whites and caught 4 of them. They also put a 30 pound gaffer (dolphin) in the box. The forecast looks good as we get tuned up for the Alice Kelly and Pirates Cove tournament next week.
For those of you interested in vintage video taken on board the old Temptress (with Arch as mate) check out the 210 pound Big Eye adventure by following this link. It’s a classic.
The Pelican ran to the northeast today with fly rods at the ready. Well almost. A good number of White’s have shown up and a few other boats from the fleet also joined in the hunt. Arch managed to find at least a dozen lookers. Out of the those a couple even acted aggressive. But not aggressive enough for a fly. At least not until lines and the teasers where getting cranked in for the ride home. Then, wouldn’t you know it, at least two very hungry Marlin crashed what was left out. Hungry enough for at least one to get caught on a FLY that had to be pulled out of the salon while the Marlin where begging! Congratulations Mike!
We support and encourage this practice!
The Pelican and crew ran to the northeast again today and found a hungry bunch of White Marlin. They caught 4 of the 8 raised and missed a sail.
The second day of fly fishing on the Pelican started out strong. We raised a White within 15 minutes of lines out! That was it for the day. The rest of the fleet picked at the tuna and also raised a billfish or two. The lull in the action may very well change with the approaching cool front.
For some instant action checkout this cool video of Sails chasing a dredge and another of Tuna and White Marlin doing the same.
As most of you know catching a billfish on a fly requires significant skill and a bit of luck. Dragging teasers to raise one is difficult enough. Presenting the fly as soon as you pull the lure away, out of gear, is equally challenging. Especially when it’s breezy SW and the fish are not cooperating. Monday the Pelican had the talent but not the luck. After sticking a White Marlin which pulled off, a Sailfish and Blue Marlin took a peak. To finish the day we raised a pair of White’s that were not to aggressive. Meanwhile the rest of the fleet had good Yellow fin tuna action in the normal spot with a few Big eye’s mixed in. Not bad for early August.
A southwest wind made for somewhat of a chop Sunday. But not so rough as to stop the Pelican in venturing out in search of Marlin. The effort paid off as Arch and the crew went 2 for 3 on White’s thus maintaining the daily average. A dolphin found its way into the box as well. The weather forecast is for more of the same as the Pelican will try their luck with a fly for the next couple of days. Let’s hope the Marlin cooperate. Stay tuned.
If anyone would like to share a photograph or video you may have of the Pelican and crew in action or at the dock please email us at arch@fishthepelican.com We would like to post them on our website.
The first few days we’ve fished in August have been productive. In preparation for the Alice Kelly and Pirate’s Cove tournaments we begin to focus more on bill fishing. This past week the Pelican and crew have raised, caught and released 2 White Marlin per day, on an average with the rest of the Oregon Inlet fleet. A few gaffer dolphin have made it in the box. On Saturday a Blue Marlin swam into the spread and had its way with the baits. After getting up close with the left long rigger it then disappeared into the deep.
Should the weather hold the late summer early/ fall fishing is setting up to be our most exciting season in quite a while. The Pelican has availability in late September. Come fish with us on the Pelican and have some fun!
As we get ready for prime time I thought you would like to see a few shots our clients took the second half of July. We are always happy to see young people on board the Pelican. Jon Bolling and and his son Jackson had a great time and will have stories to tell. Check out this slide show and see what else was caught on the Pelican the last weeks of July 2011. We think Jackson is HOOKED!
