Even though this is supposed to be flyfishing I can see many reel-timers have
diverse fishing interrests,so here it is.
We left for Waterford Ct. and the Capt Johns Sportfishing center Oct 1.
I have fished with the crew on the Sunbeam Express for appx 10 years now and
you cant ask for a better crew and boat to do this type of fishing.Off we went
on a 31 degree morning south to Block canyon for a 8 hour ride.Passing close to
Montauk light we saw many boats fishing close to point and hearing over VHF
that they were doing very good on several species.
We started trolling at appx 100 fathom line and soon picked up a nice albacore
( thynnus alalunga ) not falsies,. In 67 degree water Capt Bob searched for warmer
water to the west towards Block canyon and we found 70 degree and signs of life
some birds working and whales.Anchored up and soon saw the Gail Francis from Pt Jude
and the Yankee capt out of Glouster and they and several others anchored near us.
All through the night was a slow pick but enough going on to keep most anglers
up .Several yellowfin and a few albacore were boated during the night along with a few small
dolphin .In the middle of the night several blue sharks were seen and some hooked up on them
The sharks seemed to slow what slow pick we had going and not many tunas were
boated after they appeared. There was one small swordfish that managed to tangle all our lines together
and the mates in short order untangled us and released the pup sword.
A threasher also appeareed out of the depths and after a quick rigging of a
wire shark rig he left us, I was glad , (they are not very polite in a boat full
of anglers and their enormous tail can really cause some damage)
In a nutshell it was a good trip and fine weather. Although the fishing was slow
compared to the last 10 years (when we usually caught 100 to 200 tuna for 20 anglers)
Maybe I am getting old but in my short time of 12 years going offshore this
fishery seems to be slowing also ,( overfishing perhaps).
If anyone is interrested in trying this offshore tuna fishing you cant beat
this crew, I have tried others and now stay with them. E mail me and i will answer any
queations if I can be of help .