31st January

As windguru predicted it was a beautiful day today in the middle of the Atlantic so Nuts had the day off.  I went with my flask of coffee towards the south of the channel between Pico and Faial and dropped some bait 200m deep to see what would happen.  Well- waited about 5 seconds once the hooks reached the bottom (use about 800grams lead sinker) and started feeling bites. I use circle hooks so dont have to strike the fish and just chill and let them get on with it.  I pressed the go button on the electric reel and got 3 fish. (use 3 hooks).  It never stopped.

It almost seems unfair.  Most of my time fishing is spent waiting for the hooks to reach the bottom and the electric reel winding the fish up. Only a few seconds on the bottom.  Im not complaining though.  4 families eating fresh fish tonight.  I give most of my fish away.  We have a quota of fish per boat and person in the Azores and I make sure I do not go over.

The most beautiful fish. Only its mother would love it but tastes like lobster. Type of scorpion fish caught in deep water here which is highly prized - just dont get stabbed by the spines as they are poisonous. Also had a great show from dolphins (one even ate a mackerel I caught and threw to it)  Back to Nuts tomorrow.  Epoxy, sandpaper and primer again!!!  

Weather looks good for a few days so maybe do a bit more fishing Friday.