Dip.. tails...overnight..before the blow..

[martinatpw]

I didn;t make it, but might as well report on a successful venture on the G-spot.. A friend of a friends boat.. Didn't get the invite but over the weekend, I guess conditions could not have been better. It was the flattest weekend to go offshore. I had friends go all the way to the atlantis canyon and south of the dip. Both did well. One had a blue marlin at the boat after a 45 minute fight. They were going to tag and release, but it did it on its own.. Sounded cool. They loaded up on yellows and albacore on the troll. The other boat in the Atlantis did the troll also, but also loaded up on the chunk at night. had a mako hit a trolled bait too. . No big eye's but longfin, and albacore and yellows up to 120lbs. Had one big one on, got it to the boat, then it went under the boat and hooked on the prop and severed the line to the reel.. but it was still connected from the prop to the fish.. it never ran again and circled around so that they could gaff the fish while it circled...
Seems they were right behind the boat for a while... Thats always the coolest sight. anyway, i bet the whole universe was out there with that weather. The atlantis had over 25 boats just in a small vicinity... But its still even a bit early. This blow will get things swirled up, but maybe even more active. don't know if this weekend will have calmed down or not. I would iimagine the storm will cause unsettled seas for a few days. Hopefully for all you albie chasers, closer to home, josh, venture and bigeye, you'll have your chances at them again. Looks calmer for Friday... don't know where I'll be on Sat, hopefully nearby if its calmer... Saw some big tuna come into Chatham on Friday. They must be pretty close. bayside sounds crazy with people catching 100lb bluefin on a 750 spin rod.. man oh man. Last couple months, so go get em and lets hear some more stories... Just lost power, this wind is crazy.. I wonder what the surf is like out in Montauk now?
Sean.

[venture]

Sean,

The "Venture" is on it's way up to Chatham as we speak. I'll be meeting the crew up there next week...Yes, there were 70 Giants brought into Chatham on Saturday. Sunday was a bit slower.

Also heard the "sporties" are clobbering the schoolies in the bay, with fish up to 150#s. Also, the schoolies had been showing up off Montauk before this last blow...I'm sure they'll be around when the water settles.

Guys, this is your chance to hit the BFTs on flies off Montauk at around the 700 square. Just look for the fleet and the draggers, and set up a slick while drifting... I know it's hard to break away from your inshore action, but that's the price you'll have to pay to have a day you'll never forget... Remember, bring some convench's with you so you'll know there around, and then when the action gets heavy, get the flies out.

Howie

[gowhale]

Where are the BFT's off Chatham? Any idea what they were caught on? We went to the BC last Saturday and did not see ONE. Will be heading out again this weekend, looking and wishing. Any advice on a direction to head would be great appreciated.

[martinatpw]

Hey Howie, good luck up there... 70 fish sounds like they killed them that day..man... I don't have a map around..how far off is that 700 square..is that where the bfts were earlier this year? around the butterfish hole? Might be there next week, if we don't have too much fun on the albies. I'll be up on the cape at the end of this month and early Oct, so, I have your cell phone. Keep me up to date.. If we need to be up there sooner, we can... beats trading stocks I can tell you.
Wonder what the price per pound is doing. Do you know if they are allowing spotter planes this year? When was the last report of those bluefin in the dragger slicks? Before the blow I bet.. anyway, good luck keep us informed. Should be able to troll up plenty of blues around the point of monomoy. there are plenty of bass too, but maybe you could tailor a squid rig just for blues... Hopefully your weather holds.

[joshr]

Sean--

The 700 sq. is where both the top and bottom Loran numbers end in 700. It's about 18-20 miles out, a bit SE of Butterfish.

I can't fish Saturday or I'd consider a run out there. May be able to fish Sunday, but will likely stay inshore since I won't have that much time.

--Josh

[venture]

The last call I got from the crew was at 4:30pm yesterday from the fuel dock Montauk. They were planning to head to Chatham late in the afternoon so they could try fishing today (Friday). They'll call me later today or tonight with their results. As far as where the fish were caught last weekend off Chatham, I don't know the exact spot. All we heard were that 70 fish were brought into the Chatham harbors last Saturday. I'll keep you updated until I finally meet them later on next week.

As far as our local waters go, Montauk is about ready to explode with school BFTs. No major "blitz" reports yet, just that there were a few boats within the 700-600 areas south of the point that reported that they hit'em hard in the last few days.

The weather is marginal for small boats this weekend, so keep an eye out and listen to NOAA. This action can continue until October so pick your days carefully and wait for a calm day.

And as Josh said, the 700 square is where BOTH loran coordinates end "on or around" 700. It's around 20-25 miles south of the point. The fish are sometimes a bit farther, sometimes a bit nearer. Just follow the top line of your loran (east/west) keeping it on or around the 700 line and go south watching your bottom line decrease down to 700 or even farther down...Keep your eyes out for draggers.

When you find a dragger and some fishing boats, your in the spot. One of the techniques (and this is optional) is that you follow the dragger until he pulls his nets, and dumps his by-catch. At that time, get right into his massive slick, cut your engines, and begin your slick. The draggers slick is a good kick-off for your slick...

If you find a fleet of fishing boats, just get into the fleet, cut your engine, and start your own slick....But as I said, the 700 square is the area that this will all be happening in within the next few days, and next few weeks, but it is the time now.
And there are some smaller CC boats out there every year, expectially on the calm days. You'll have no problem if you watch the weather...It can be as calm as the inshore waters.

Funny thing is that during the noon time and afternoon hours, the oceanic false abies can mess up your slick, and become a nuisance. They are a bit larger than the inshore fish, but they are still considered a trash fish (mushies). But on a nine weight, you'll enjoy them. Also, blue sharks can be a problem, but I've taken them on fly, but never landed one because I am much to impatient to put up an hour or two battle with one of those dogs.

One time I tried to break a blue dog off by pointing the rod at him and holding the reel.. The reel exploded in my hands because the increased pressure caused the swedged spool to pop, and half the spool blew out of the reel sideways along with the 500 yards of dacron in one big mess. Needless to say it took the first guide off the rod before the 30 pound leader parted. It was a Sci-Angler big game reel from Offshore Tackle.

I will keep you guys posted as to anything I hear until the time I get up to Chatham. When up there, I will not be able to post unless I get some computer access......

[martinatpw]

Thanks. Good luck up there, I have a few old flyboyz that might be some good contacts too.. I might be south of montauk next week, after this next storm blows over, looks like sunday is bad... rain and all sorts of bad news. But again, should turn things on. Keep me posted on the chatham numbers. I imagine the word is out if there were 70 fish caught in the same spot, but if we need to be discreet, call me cell 203-984-7603. Sean.

[venture]

Sean,
The fish are there. From Stellwagon thru the BC, to the BB, probably the ledges off Glouster, and in the Bay. You just have to find the big ones. Haven't heard from the crew since Friday from Chatham. They are definately fishing around the clock. I'm meeting them later this week. Howie

[martinatpw]

I'll be up week after next... going to Vt next weekend, then I think I'll be fishing thurs-Sun. 25th-28th. Tuna trips plus bass.
weather will always be a factor. I imagine the army flotilla will be in full gear by then..meaning everybody else searching for the giant dream.... The last time I was up there, chasing the 50lber's between BC and south, I was on an intrepid.. we could do 50 in our search for more fish.... maybe they will be more concentrated by then. Probably... My friend has a full rigged Rampage.. We'll swap stories and info if your in the area at that time. In between, I have to weep at all the action going on with fly rods and such.. But happy some people are having a great time.