The Hampton's " Fly Fishing Team" boat

[venture]

Had a little engine problem late Saturday nite on the Venture, so I opted to take advantage of an invitation to jump on another boat to fish the Butter Fish Hole with some friends on Sunday. Went to the grounds, 25 miles off shore. It's pretty close. There was bait, and some visual signs of skip jack chasing the bait on the surface. A good sign although we chunked a full 5 flats of butters within 4 hours with absolutely nothing. That's a lot of bait for 4 hours, with nothing coming to our slick.

Upon our return, we passed the light house where the Albies were going nuts. I was at the helm. The boat I was on was poorly appointed with inshore tackle with a handful of spinning rods, and three surgical tube jigs. As I nosed the flybridge into shallow water with fish all around, I was very amused watching Scott Follet and his band of merry men casting these rediculous lures to feeding albies and blues. Scott seemed as amused as I, as he casted these rediculous offerings to these wary fish. What else could he do. He needed to be involved in some way with this blitz.

We were not skunked though. They did land a few blues on the surgical tube jigs before they were all biten off. It's then that Scott opted to cast whole rigged butters. He did his best with what he had, and what made it worse was that we were in a do or die competion with that "Fly Fishing TEAM Boat" from the Hamptons that was next to us. I guess when you come accross a boat that says "Fly Fishing Team" painted on it, you automatically compete in the games, and start keeping score. We lost badly.

I did go back to the Point in the late afternoon on Monday, after the Venture's problem was taken care of. Now alone, with fly rod in hand, I showed the albie's who was boss. They fell hard once the right fly was being cast. They were real easy for me, but the bad part was that the "Team Boat" was no where to be found. I was looking all over for them. They would have had some real competion that day. Howie

[mctrout]

Hey Howie,
I guess you probably knew this but just in case that is Paul Dixon in THAT boat, and far as I know that boat is lent to him for the fall run by Whitewater Marine or whomever it is. kind of a sponsorship deal i think. must be nice.
BTW went out to the Mudhole today and didn't see much of anything except for a few big mahis under a pot at Monster Ledge. don't know what I am doing but am learning slowly. Mahis were even real spooky. did alot of trolling and a little chunking. didn't have temp charts which I think might have helped-who knows but sure was a beautiful day. God Bless all in the WTC. been breathing the smoke for days and feeling very grateful that I am alive.
take care
B

[venture]

Hi Brendan,
I didn't know who that was but thanks to you, now I know. White Water Marine is a boat dealer on the south shore. Anyway, with a logo like that written all over the boat, they are cursed with everyone automatically drawn into some kind of competition with them. Funny how that works.

Too bad you didn't hook up out in the mudhole. I don't think there are too many fish there so don't feel like you did anything wrong. The school bluefins are just not around in any numbers yet. Hopefully it should start soon. I heard of very little inshore tuna action at the mudhole or the butterfish hole. Just a few fish were taken at butterfish hole on the troll. It's pretty quite so far. Many of the regulars are planning trips to Nantucket right now especially because the local tuna bite is so soft.

As for your problem with the mahi, I've found that the offshore pots tend to be more productive because of the temperature, and especially if they haven't been played with by passing boats. Once the pot is played with by either several boats trolling past it, or casters throwing flies or lures at it and taking a few fish, the pot needs to be rested for at least a day. Once the mahi have been harrassed, they need time to recover. They won't take anything once they are spooked, and even if they get active after throwing a handful of spearing at them they are still pretty tough to fool.

When pulling up to a fresh pot with fish under it, you almost can't do anything wrong. Flies, rubber jigs, or bait all work great in those conditions and you should hook up within seconds. At times one pot being supper productive, and then another pot, within a quarter mile can be dead, even if you see mahi under it. It's because that pot was hit already.

If I hear of any school bluefin activity inshore, like at the Butterfish Hole, 700 square, or the mudhole, I'll let you know. If you'd like, you can jump on the Venture and come fish with us and compare your techniques with ours, and possibly we can all learn a little from the experience. We love those fish, especially when they are hot. Short run, and a lot of action. Let's hope it materializes.
Howie

[fmw]

That was a funny story. The funny thing was that when I read it, I read it in the context that you knew -- and assumed that the readers knew -- EXACTLY who was in the Hamptons Fly Fishing Team Boat. I agree that the logo on the side seems to be a little much.

[venture]

Yes Frank, I assumed the readers know this boat even though it was the first time I ever encountered it. Once you see this boat, you must take note. All the wording and logos written on it's side, with "FLY FISHING TEAM" being the dominant theme, not to mention the three sets of double flapped hats waving fly rods in all directions. Makes an image that stays with you.

Frankly speaking, I won't be surprised if within a few years this takes hold. The inshore grounds of Montauk will have floatillas of Team boats, sponsered by Sage and Orvis, with experts flailing and ready for "the games", pretending to compete with anyone within eye shot whether your signed on or not. Better stock up on some double flappers if you want to compete. Howie

[Ltack18]

Okay, I volunteer. If anyone wants to buy me a 26' Regulator, I'll paint whatever you want on the side and fish in a tutu and feather boa. On second thought, let's make the tutu negotiable.

[AndyF]

Here's the image I had reading Howie's report: Howie on his boat looking out at the Hampton's Fly Fishing Team--a big, black, floating Mercedes SUV, its twin 250s in reverse, coming right at him.

[fmw]

A flotilla of "sponsored" boats is an awful nightmare, but something that is already happening. One example of this is that Redbone -- whatever that is -- Tournament that was supposed to be this weekend. Apparently there were something like at least 35 guide boats taking part in a nationally sponsored tournament. How was that going to be fun for anyone?? While it has been postponed in light of everything, can you imagine what it would have been like out there. Who needs it!! Next year I hear the Walmart Bassmasters tour is making a Montauk stop.

On the subject of the double flapped hats, I have to agree that they are particularly heinous and emblematic of some of the worst stereotypes of our beloved sport.

[jpuris]

I wa sout on "that boat" on Wed and all I can say is AMAZING.....what a day