First of I have to say we had an interesting night on the Punkanoodle.
DF2 and Catching were along for the fun to the 50(actually 47.5 but whos counting). We managed to brave the traffic and stupid people who forget how to drive when the roads get wet and got to the 15th street ramp around 6:30 or so and dropped in and headed for the 50.
The water was a little sloppy but not bad, mangaed to not beat the hell out of everyone and everything with some judicious use of throttle, engine trim and tabs.
We set our first drift right about the 48 and settled in with two flats on the noodles with a virgin squid and a dyed squid. We had an additional two straight drops with a virgin squid on one and a big speedo on the other.
After a bit the speedo was quietly picked up and the first fight was on. I got strapped into the belt and harness and did my best to bring the fight to the fish. After about 20 minutes and as I was just beginning to gain some line it popped and went slack. Brought it up with a nice clean cut in the 400 mono. It would have been nice to see the shark, oh well.
We continued this drift until about 10:45 or so and pulled up and moved out to the 47.5 for a second drift. On our way out we passed through some phosporescence, and in hindsight should have stopped and dropped there.
We diddn't like much out there so moved back in to the 49 and tried our second drop.
It was very uneventful and we decided to call it a night. we started the engine and began bringing in the lines when DF2 hooked into a swordie. After a short tussle we brought a tired pup to the boat. Catching estimated it at about 36 LJ/FL so we stuck a tag in it (first tag, many more to come) and took the time to revive the fish and after about 5 to 10 minutes, he started kicking and took off to fight another day.
On the way back in, out of the corner of my eye, a flare goes off. I wasn't sure if it was for real so we turned toward it and made our way toward the vessed. Turned out it was for real, with a boat on fire.
To make a long story short, we were in contact with the CG and took the 4 people off the striken boat onto mine until the CG showed up to take control of the situation. DF2 can go into his heroics later in the thread. I'm to damn tired.
We were back at the ramp about 2:30 and home by 3:00, cleaned up and went to bed and up again at 7:15 to head to work.
All told a very eventful and fun night.
We will do it again sometime Butch and Dan, but only when the wind dies down.