Cape Ann 10-3 Trolling eels

[kayakninja]

We were going to launch out at Joppa but thanks to the reports from the members here we aborted. Thanks Bob! Launched in back of the station at 1am. About 20 eels between us and we headed out. Lots of bait on the incoming with happy Stripers coming up to snack. Trolled eels thru and nothing. Headed out to the islands on the left as you come out into the channel. Gumbo picked up a couple of schoolies and I found the blues that made the eel future bait for the tube. We went back to the rocky areas that have been very productive for all who fish Manchester along the shoreline. While trolling Tom was in my vicinity and then I turned around and he was off. I could see his light way in the distance from where I was at. ....zzzzzzzzzzz oh yeah. Nice 38" and I got my eel back. Took a quick pic with the cheapo cam and went back to work. With the same eel I tossed it down and got smacked again and then dropped. I kept moving and was on again. 37" and fat. Replaced the eel with a new volunteer and went back into the rocks......wham and shot off like a rocket. It kept taking line and would not slow down. I have never been spooled on a kayak but anything is possible. It slowed down and I was pulled out to the channel at first and then back in towards some rich guys dock. It went under the dock and then came back out......It came to the surface and it was HUGE! ( it took the biggest eel I had!........It dove with a head shake and the line went limp........ All I can say is, what a fight! I look over and I say where's Gumbo? I could see him making headway towards me from way downtown. I put on another eel, or volunteer and trolled back into the rocks.....ZZZZZZZZZZZ.........nice run and ride.....40"......I came paddling over to Gumbo and he looked like he lost a big fish......He was towed from the channel out to the islands! That is atleast 200yards....that was a big fish! Gumbo kindly took a pic of the 40" and we were back. The rest of the night was real busy......busy hands.........the big school of bass never realy moved and it was constant action. We both had more serious hits and explosions in the water. We banged more fish in the upper 30's and lost some after massive hits and the eel would get ripped off. I didn't think my new St. Croix would be overmatched but a couple of times it was.

Around 6am my feet were cold and I was out of eels. Gumbo decided to continue on and look for the monsters I hope he found one. I wish I wore an extra pair of socks!

Water temp was 57 and the air temp was in the upper 40's plus the cool wind from the north

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