Offshore Fishing Tournament – Blue Water Shootout at Amelia Island
A great time was had offshore fishing Amelia Island this month! On Saturday, May 12, 2018, the Amelia Island Blue Water Shootout Tournament took place, with 20 boats entering the competition to target Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, and Marlin.
With sporty seas that made the ride challenging, Pipe Dream III set off at 3am. Despite a head sea slowing our progress, we finally arrived at the ledge around 6:30am, ready to catch the big ones!
Tournament Fishing – Catching Mahi and Other Big Fish
Using skirted ballyhoo as bait, it wasn’t long before the first strike. Just minutes later, we boated a 20 lb. Mahi, marking the first of many exciting catches of the day.
Our team—Tandy Morton, Butch Miller, Eric Rose, Mike Hart, mate Trey Andrews, and myself—are some of the best local anglers around. Although we boated every fish hooked, none were big enough to get Pipe Dream III into the money.
Offshore Fishing Action with the Turner Family
The next day, we left the dock at 3am for another round of offshore fishing with much better sea conditions. The Turner family joined us for an amazing day at the Gulf Stream.
It didn’t take long before Mrs. Turner was battling her first Mahi. After a 15-minute fight, the 20 lb. fish managed to throw the hook just as the mate was ready with the gaff.
But that wasn’t the end of the action—later in the morning, a screaming Penn Int’l 50 signaled a big fish. The mate handed the rod to Mr. Turner, and after 20 minutes of hard fighting, they landed a 40 lb. Mahi.
By the end of the day, the Turner family went 8 for 14 on Mahi, with the biggest one being 40 lbs. They also bottom fished for a great catch of Triggerfish and Beeliners, making it a fantastic day on the water.
Ready to Book Your Amelia Island Fishing Charter?
Private trips for all skill levels. Offshore and nearshore options. A captain and crew who want you to have a great day on the water.
