Halloween Blitz

[venture]

I'm a little surprised. You know I only stumbled upon this site several months ago, so this kind of talk about the inshore season being over amazes me. All my saltwater fishing always went deep into November. In fact the best fishing of the year usually happens around Halloween and then extends for a few weeks. Haven't you guys ever heard of the Halloween Blitz?? It's when you have to leave the fish to take the kids trick or treating.

One of the best experiences was the Halloween Blitz of '79 from the surf on the south west corner of Martha's Vineyard. From Squibnocket to Gay Head all the big bass you wanted, in the high surf, on big white atom plugs or even flies, when conditions allowed. That's right, big flies taking Big Bass into the 40 pound class right in the suds. Got the pictures to prove it. It went on till the first big storms in mid November. And that was North of Montauk.

Ever since, we've fished Halloween hard. It's the best time. The water temps are dropping, and if the bait is balling up and moving. Find the bait, you've found the find fish. We used to patrol the areas in the day searching for bait, only to come back at night when the Bass were in the surf.

I'm confused why I don't read posts about night time fishing, drifting a couple of hundred yards off the false point, or Jones Reef, or Scotts, with intermediate or sinking lines and big dark flies. Or doing the same drift or even hoofing it along the South side at any of the points like Browns, Kings, or the Caswells with a big fly. Anyone doing this with there small boats??? I mean the fishing is prime RIGHT NOW UNTIL THANKSGIVING.

This is the time the Bass start to move. The schools will be coming down from Maine, the Cape and the Islands all month, passing our waters, feeding and hanging around if the bait is there. We have an extra three weeks on the New England guys, and believe me, they are fishing hard right now.

So now you know why I'm a little confused. I would love to be reading about the preparation for the "Halloween Blitz", and all the amazing hunts for the big one. What's a nice "Big Bass" caught on a night time shore line drift worth? That big pull in the dark. The head shake, and then the big run, and you know he's big. Probably four two six Albies at least. I'm sure ther're out there, or soon to arrive. I would love to do it but my boat's too big.

Howie

[ikarus47]

I love your posts Howie. They go a little beyond the "got 5 albies, 2 bass, burnt a reel" kind of post. A little perspective, a little anecdote, a little bit to brighten the day and keep hope alive for those of us short on experience and short on good fish stories to tell.

So, after all the praise let me plug you for a shore, beach, rock (any place between Hamptons and Montauk) you remember catching a "big one" from shore? Just some place to try at night and imagine that big tug and run....

Andreas.

PS: I'm not ready to pack up. I'll be out there looking for a Christmas striper..

[fmw]

A great post. I think the reason that people talk about hanging it up (around Montauk anyway) is that for the past several years, the best Montauk fly fishing has been based on the "bay anchovy run" which I believe has tended to occur from mid-September until well into October. My understanding is that the run of bass in November the last few years has been a little dissapointing as the "herring run" has not developed as much as it did in prior years.

For what its worth, last year I had a tremendous day on the Sunday before Thanksgiving fishing Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton with bass from 32-34". On that day there were literally miles of bass and blues and birds streched from Shinnecock to Moriches Inlet on peanut bunker and they were in the wash at Cupsogue.

[Stonyflyer]

Howie,
Your right!!! Halloween is a great time for a
little trick or treat along the shoreline. Three yrs
ago the South shore had a tremendous run on All Saints day. Blues were chasing adult weakfish right
into the wash and 30ft out from shore the bass were
thrashing. I got up that morning before dawn to band
some hawks during their migratory push south. After
we got done we went over to the ocean side and were
heavy into the fish. Left the beach in the afternoon
to catch the trick or treaters at home. It was a
day to remember.

[dragonfly]

I have to tell you guys you're right on track with the Halloween fishing. Two years ago on Nov 4. I had one of my days with Bass off of Fire Island. We had BASS nice Bass 34" plus for hours in 12 foot of water, wearing Tee shirts!! So I for one will be out there as long as the water temps are right and the bait is here.

Scott

[jpuris]

Howie, I'm with you. In years past (not the last 2) I have caught fish right up until my birthday Dec. 2. One of my most memorable days was a few years ago mid November. I got down to the beach, near my house, about 45 min before sunrise...it was just starting to get light. The ocean was a calm as I have ever seen it and there was no wind. I got down to the water to find that it was just boiling with fish, not big fish, but lots of them. I had the entire beach to myself. 28 fish later I was walking back to my car with the biggest smile ever......I hope to be there this weekend, and the next weekend, and the next...etc. Jason