A taste o Montauk 10/2/02

[PhilDKreal]

Wow.

It wasn't a "hot" day by Montauk standards, but man Montauk in the fall is awesome.

I was into my first albie by 7:15am, lost him by 7:18. Into my 2nd by 7:30. Lost him around 7:35. We think this 2nd one might have gone double digits. Almost spooled me. Just about the time Jim started thinking we might have to follow him, he broke off.

OK. 0 for 2.

Well I got better after that. Landed 3 albies, and one nice bass, 27". But I lost at least that many, plus a "long-distance release" of a couple bluefish.

Only got a couple really good shots at the bass as the only school was working really tight to the beach. Quit fishing around noonish. The tide was out and I had to get home to coach soccer.

Great day to be out, though it was a bit hot (the weather) for October. I got to meet Tuna (hello Peter) who is a real gentleman. Saw him tight to fish just about every time I looked over.

BTW: Jim Levison is a pro.

Plotting my next outing........

Steve

[Spigola]

Better tighten up on that drag if a fish "that might of gone double digits" almost spooled you. Those albies are a ball though, aen't they?

[joshr]

Great that you had a great day!

Re the drag issue: if you foul hook one of those buggers they will take you deeeeeeeep into backing, and it happens a lot when the fish are in a dense feed. Don't want to go too tight on the drag cause when there's 100+ yards of backing and a full fly line out there you've got a lot of extra strain on the tippet from the drag of all that line in the water. And if by chance you're using a relatively narrow reel (as opposed to a wide true large arbor) your effective drag is increasing dramatically as line comes off and the spool gets smaller. Just food for thought.

--Josh

[peteD]

Phil,

I fished with Jim on Sunday. Things were quiet at first but Jim put us on fish on the south side. We boated 9 albies, and had a great day. Jim really put in the time, and made sure we had a great time. I agree with you he's a terrific guide.

[PhilDKreal]

I was using one of Jim's outfits with a Tibor which is an excellent reel, but not wide arbor.

Jim sets the drag fairly tight, and thats not something I would not mess with. When I use a guide I tend to follow instructions.

Yes, Jim will definitely work to put you on fish.

I'd like to get back out for a shot at some bigger bass........

we shall see