I got dropped off at W Palm Beach airport and had to wait three extra hours for my plane to Newark.  Dave Scranton and I met in Newark and eventually got to Cape May and I met his crew on board his 60-foot Hatteras, Canyon Gear.

I got a good night's sleep and the next day we sorted out our gear, including putting the 80 reels on the 130 rods and the 50 reels on what had been the 80s. The blue marlin tackle was transformed by the changes.

I keep thinking my luck is going to change, but the next morning the gremlins tripped us up again with a casting in the hydraulic steering system failing under its normal working pressure. We got a replacement part and FINALLY left for an overnight trip a little before noon.

We had only a couple of half -hearted white marlin bites in our day - night - day trip and spent the day after that getting ready for the Mid -Atlantic $500,000 kick-off party.    

The giant tents and the floating docks were all packed with eager anglers and their crews and I ran into dozens of old friends and acquaintances. I do not yet know the total number of boats but the Cape May, N.J. and Ocean City, Maryland docks are humming with activity. This tournament is a major economic event in the area’s tourist economy.

The weather forecast was not looking good today so we laid in for the first day. Tomorrow, Tuesday the 21st of August will be our first fishing day. 

If our luck turns tomorrow all the ill winds will be forgotten. Fishermen just HAVE to be Optimists or they would have to find another sport.

STAY TUNED    

Peter B.