Monty Hawkin's Special 18 hour exploratory fishing trips

Type: Ocean
Region: Ocean
Location: Ocean City

I decided to go on one of Monty Hawkin's special 18 hour exploratory fishing trips on the Morning Star Headboat on 6/14/11. This boat fishes out of Ocean City Maryland and normally fishes 8 hours for Seabass. This trip would be different from most as the Morning Star headboat would try some unknown wrecks and reefs at least 60 miles from the dock necessitating 12 ounce sinkers and deep 200 foot drops. I arrived at the dock at 2:00 am and loaded my gear on the boat-we left at 3:00 am with 7 other anglers and the crew. After what seemed like an eternity-a 5&1/2 hour ride out we finally arrived at the wreck. Several chunky Seabass were caught by the guy next to me. I finally hooked into a nice 23" Cod that was a keeper. After about an hour the action died down with the captain expressing disappointment that there should have been more fish. I caught a few Ling Cod and most others on the boat picked away at Cod, Bergalls and Ling Cod.

It was time to move and the captain said we would try a spot he has not fished in 20 years. Midway on the way over we hooked into a tuna that stripped a lot of line but got off. After a 3 hour ride we finally made it and we were not disappointed. A nice 7 lb Cod took my clam bait and put a deep bend in the boat rod-I had to crank it up 200 feet from the bottom. The next fish was even larger-an 8&1/2 lb Pollock that at first came up then ran for the bottom taking out line. This fish was the highlight of the day fighting harder than the Cod. Monty said it should take the pool though this day I had not entered the fishing pool as it seems as though I do not win often. Anyway another angler at the stern hooked into a 10 lb Cod and took the pool as well as the reef raffle. By day's end I had an assortment of Cod, Pollock, Bergalls, Ling Cod and some Seabass. A few photos-one of me with a Pollock and Cod taken by one of the mates and one of my 8&1/2 lb Pollock taken by me. I do not know when Monty will offer another one of these trips as they do not happen very often but maybe this fall. Price for this trip was $225 per person but the fish are a better grade of fish making it worth wile. Tight lines!