Offshore May 15,2004




Had another exciting trip aboard the Madam P, skippered by owner Barney Portman. This ship handled the 4-6 ft seas better than some of the crew. After getting out to the fishing grounds we had several cutoffs that were attributed to small wahoo or small dolphin. Ken and Mike Rule kept the deck in top shape as well as continuing to patiently explain the best way to rig a ballyhoo so that is swims properly. Capt Portman also gave a quick class on the best way to handle a gaff.

We had two ladies on board and both caught 2 dolphin. I was unable to get many pictures due to the rough seas and being in on alot of the action as well. My apologies to Carly as the picture of her fighting a decent dolphin did not come out at all. Capt Portman also explained that there is a speed for every sea. This is attributed that he left me with the helm for a while and after about an hour of hard pounding he came back up on the bridge and adjusted the boat a couple of knots and it was like night and day. My son Jeremy probably wished he did that about 30 minutes earlier.

Near to the end of the day, the Long rigger went off on the port side and I grabbed the rod. I told Jeremy to come reel it, but he was content to watch. The fish was taking a lot of line and Mike Rule grabbed the short rigger on the starboard side to clear it and he got a fish on. Jeremy went to clear the Long rigger on the Starboard side and he got a fish on. We were able to boat all three fish thanks to Ken Rule on the gaff and Capt Portman at the helm. Another great trip on Madam P. Final catch was 11 keeper dolphin and 1 released barracuda.