On Sunday, Jack, Frank and I went fishing for bluefish off Halibut Point. There were at least fifty boats out there by the time we arrived, most of them trolling but some were chumming as well. We slid down to about four knots, put on the big blue Rapalas and ran them deep behind the boat, letting out a lot of line in doing so.
It wasn't long before the first blue attacked in typical bluefish style, a pounding smash that yanked the tip of the rod toward the bottom some 70 feet below. Frank put his back into it as the reel screamed in protest. Twice the big fish ran; the first time toward Thatcher Island, line stripping off the spool, flying through the guides and disappearing into the sparkling blue water.
The turning tide and prevailing wind had us drifting swiftly along the coastline as this big blue tried every which way to shake the hook. But Frank was equal to this big bruiser's exertions. Slowly but steadily he came to the boat.
"Be careful," I cautioned. "When he sees the boat he is really going to get spooked. He will rocket out of here in a hurry."
Boy! Did he ever. With the most powerful movement of the whole fight, the big blue summoned up some hidden reserve and drove away from us, the spool spinning at a dizzying speed. Again Frank lifted the bent rod and felt the power of this magnificent fish. Soon, however, the flexibility of the rod and Frank's pumping motions got the fish turned back to the boat.
Jack got out the net and handed it to me as the fish approached the stern. I swiped the green netting through the water as Frank lifted the end of his rod. The big blue finally came onto the boat.
We anchored up to try some chumming and eat lunch. I cut bait and threw it by the handfuls over the stern. I did this about every minute for several minutes. I rigged my rod with a wire leader with two hooks spaced about six inches apart. Putting the first hook through the nose of the mackerel we were using for bait, I slipped the second one through his back. I threw the fish out over the stern of the boat and let it drift away from us. The others cut up chunks and put them on a single hook.
A good chum line can take a while to work. However, if you are diligent about keeping a fresh chum line and if there are fish in the area, they will come eventually.
And they did. The first blue hit the whole fish, bending the rod in half, the reel spool spinning as the line ripped off toward Maine. Frank grabbed the rod and started reeling. Jack and I pulled in the other lines as this big blue put quite on a show.
As the afternoon winded down, we headed back to the Annisqaum river. Fillets from the three blues we kept were cooling on ice. The beach was crowded and hundreds of boats were tied together along the shore with grills smoking and laughter filling the air. The river was a parade of boats as we headed for the cut and the harbor beyond. Another great day of fishing on Cape Ann.
Cleaning Your Reels
Reels take a beating every day when you fish on the ocean. Water and salt work their way into every little nook and cranny eventually affecting their performance. The secret to making sure these reels have a long life is to perform a little maintenance after every time you use them.
First, wash them down immediately with fresh water. This will take the salt, blood and other contaminates away. A light spray and wipe with a product like Penn's Rod and Reel Cleaner will clean the outside of the case and prevent further corrosion.
Next, back off the drag when you are done fishing. The drag on many reels has several washers, both fiber and metal that compress to make the drag action. When the drag is left on, these washers compress over time, reducing their effectiveness.
Oil your reel often. This will help lubricate the moving parts and reduce any friction. On most reels there is a oil port that will accept oil from small vials available at most marine stores.
Every few months you should take your reels apart and clean them. Kay, at Surfland on Plum Island, tells me that folks seem to be afraid of taking their reels down. Admittedly there are a lot of parts in there, but if you follow your owner's manual, it is really fairly simple. Also, if you have any questions, get on the computer and check out your manufacturer's web site. Almost all of them have directions on how to use each of their products.
A small paint brush is useful in dusting out the moving parts. Check carefully where two different types of metal such as aluminum and stainless steel touch. This can result in oxidation that has to be removed and points where you want to put lubrication. Refrain from using products such as WD-40. Use appropriate reel grease and oil.
By washing down your reels every time you use them, applying a little spray and wipe down, and taking them apart every few months you should be able to get years of use out of your equipment.
