Shark Bite On The Ledge

[Mistress]

We went down to Hampton to fish Jeffrey’s Ledge for a few days and between the dogfish and Blue sharks the fishing was tough! The first day we fished a ten hour trip and went 30 miles SE from Hampton Harbor to the west side of the ledge and fished the edge of the drop off in 310’ of water and we caught a bunch of reds. Moved east a bit shallower into 240’ of water and the dogs were thicker than thieves and the second bait or jig hit bottom we were hooked up with the spiny SOB’s and for the next 5 hrs we battled through them to end up with 24-30 reds and a dozen or so keeper haddock that we managed to thread through the blue sharks that were collecting taxes for the sea.
On day 2 we were on a 12 hour marathon and headed ENE out of port and motored 25 miles or so out to the ledge and the bite was sporadic and LOTS of shorts going back over the rail but considerably less dogs to deal with fishing in 210 FOW. We caught a total of 45 keeper haddock, pollack, cod and cusk mix with a bonus hake.
Both days the weather was phenomenal for this time of year, partly sunny, 70 degrees and flat seas. TOO nice for good fishing on the ledge based on my experience. Another saltwater season in the books, # 38 for me and on a scale of 1-10 I would put this trip at a 3 for catching fish and a perfect 10 for the camaraderie among tight friends!

[Gecha (Gerry)]

Nice catches. Freezer will be full for a while.
Great pics on the salty water.