Team ReelTime extends a Hearty Congratulations to Gary Boyle, of Williamsburg, VA on his first Stripped Bass, this nice trophy size 45 Inch Rockfish!

Congrats & Way-To-Go, Gary!

With the winds and seas calm and the water temp at 49.5 degrees, Team ReelTime had the pleasure of putting an evening Live Bait Trip together for Mr Gary Boyle of Williamsburg, VA and Dr Robert Lueken of Virginia Beach, VA.  We left the dock around 3:30PM and ran like a Scalded Dog north towards Fisherman's Island on the Eastern Shore.   We drifted live bait for about 1/2 hour with many marks and hooked up shortly before sunset with a nice 35 inch fatty.  Carl and Robert displayed awesome teamwork netting this guy and in the cooler it went.

Then about 45 minutes later, KABLAAMO!!!  the starboard rod went down and it was Gary's turn for some REELTIME. 

And reel he did: He wrestled that fish like  Nature Boy-Rick Flair against Andrea The Giant.  The cow made it's first pass towards the boat and when she saw the transome, down she went   At 6 feet, 4 inches, Gary shifted the rod from his waste to under his arm, Cain Pole style and hunkered down to apply some TRUE GRIT to the beast. 

And there they were on the mat -> first the fish, then Gary and so on  ... Finally, by keeping pressure to the cow, she wore down after a few runs and came up!  As the cow came to the surface, Gary stepped back to allow, 1st Mate, Carl to do a Superb Net Job and in the Boat she came!!! 

Great Teamwork, Guys!!!

After we carefully lifted the big cow, we measured her at just over 45 inches and a round of "Slimy High Fives" ensued!  Therefore, Gary had a choice:  Since it was over 44 inches, he could release the Rockfish for a VSW Tournament Catch and Release Citation, or he could put it on ice and chance the weigh it in back a the Tackle Shop for a Weight Citation.  Gary chose the later and expressed the he loved to cook and eat striper and wanted the fish either way!  This was a good choice and it made many many nice fillets, although it was shy of the 40LB needed for a weight citation.  Oh well Gary, you can't have EVERYTHING on your first Rockfish!  You just have to come back and fish with is again!

Overall, all it was a great evening with good fun and awesome fellowship !!! We returned early evening, tidied up and packed the fish on ice for everyone.  A good time was had by all! 

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Good Luck, Tight Lines and See You on the Water,  Captain Fletcher Dunton - USCG Liscensed, OUPV

PS-  We still have key dates available though December, so let us and we'll be glad to setup your next charter aboard ReelTime! Call Fletcher at 757-292-7702 and book today!