Still Biting & Great Bunch of Fishermen!

[Lov2Fish]

12/1/05 Since I started posting here, many who post or just read the threads have stopped on the water to introduce themselves, and share tips, advise and know-hows. Today I got to meet Capt. Chirs A/K/A " The Manhattan Fly" with his beautiful center console , Topaz, called "Sweet Pea". I got to show him the tecnique this Jersey boy uses to catch late season NY Harbor stripers. Him and his friend caught on fast, with his friend showing no mercy on Chris, catching one after the other. Unfortunately with the fast ripping "moon" tides and the extreme murky water it was slower than the last couple of days. I wound up with 34 schoolie stripers from 15" -- 26" no big ones. Tagged 10 of them. Water Temps are still up there 48 -- 50 degrees on the surface. I'm attaching a picture of "the Mahhattan Fly" holding up a small Harbor schoolie. Tight Lines! It Ain't over for a long TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyF]

fmw and I both managed to swing a day off yesterday and we had a blast. A bit rough in the morning but there were big schools of big bass everywhere--20-pound class. I've heard and read a lot about the late-fall herring run but this was my first time experiencing it in full swing, and it was awesome. Will post some pics later today. Many are speculating that they are going to be around for a while this year--into the holidays.

[MarkZ]

fmw and I both managed to swing a day off yesterday and we had a blast. A bit rough in the morning but there were big schools of big bass everywhere--20-pound class. I've heard and read a lot about the late-fall herring run but this was my first time experiencing it in full swing, and it was awesome. Will post some pics later today. Many are speculating that they are going to be around for a while this year--into the holidays.

Are you talking about Montauk?

[AndyF]

Yes, sorry, Montauk. Attached are some pics.

[fmw]

The pics tell the story. The biggest bass we've each ever caught on the fly. All the fish were fatties. Rough conditions, but really fun. Nothing like seeing those 20 lbers come up and smack herring on the surface. Its amazing how Montauk was so dead just a week or so ago and now it is so alive.

Thanks Andy. Its a shame the weather's going down hill. Hopefully you guys to the west will see some of this herring run.

[MarkZ]

Nice. I was into the same on Wednesday...lot's of rain, warm and Large swells instead of that big chop. I was getting bounced pretty good in a 19ft Bay, but had many bass from 30-40" on the fly. Had a gannet dive and hook itself in the neck on the large herring pattern, but fortunately after a bit of a struggle I unhooked and set him free, hopefully no worse for wear. Hope to get another opportunity with this weather...sunday maybe?? :-% Cheers!

[fmw]

There actually didnt seem to be as many gannets diving as I expected to see, it was really more gulls.

[Lov2Fish]

I can find fish, but not the big ones like you guys caught! Way to go!!
I Might have to bring Ice scrapper and shovel Sunday! But I'm going!

[AndyF]

There was no magic to finding the big fish--they were all big. Just look for the diving birds and they were there. There were also fish down on the bottom, but most were up top harassing those poor herring.

There were a lot of boats in the morning--surprising how many were out there actually. But during the best fishing in mid-afternoon a lot had left (they probably figured the action was going to slow as slack tide approached but it actually got stronger until right when the tide went dead), plus some of the schools were so huge there was plenty of fish and enough room for all.

[MarkZ]

Any report from today (sat) Andy? I may trailer out tomorrow since the wind looks to be laying down a bit.

[Retac]

You guys are lucky to have been out there!!!! I am jealous as my boat is pulled for the season. At least those big bass got harrassed by a few of you guys since this fall run was so delayed. Nice fish!!

[AndyF]

Mark: I wasn't out but it looks like they are still going strong and should continue to hold for a while.