MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => Massachusetts => Topic started by: SHaRPS on Jul 05, 2019, 09:28 AM
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I had a few hours to fish yesterday morning with my old man so we got up at 3am and we were leaving the dock by 4:45am. It was slack tide so we decided that we should target sea bass first which worked out perfectly for us and we achieved our 2 man limit within an hour. They are not jumbos at all but they will eat great tonight one way or another. After that we targeted fluke and we were able to get 1 limit filled but ran out of time for a second limit. We also managed one scup and blue fish as by catch. No doormats as our largest fluke was 23" but came in perfect timing. We were heading back in when we noticed a pod of boats drifting in a well known area so we jumped into the party and within 35 seconds of dropping my bait, the 23" was hooked and coming over board. The boats around us did not seem amused (hahaha) but we drifted for 5 more minutes picking up one more short and then all the boats took off as did we. I have a feeling that area was dead before we even got there and we may have picked up the only keeper as we did not see anyone else setting the hook at all. Thats how it goes sometimes and was a good laugh for the old man. Either way it was better than being at work!
(https://i.postimg.cc/14zwBLk8/Resized-20190704-160014.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/14zwBLk8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TpLmMnYG/Resized-20190704-170722-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TpLmMnYG)
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Nice job!
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Looks yummy!
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Some good eating right there.
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Took my buddy Mike out this weekend with the intention of getting him on some fish as well as getting him some fillets for the freezer. Both succesful. What a foggy day it was as the fog never lifted all day long with an average of 30 yards visibility. Made for some cool temperature fluctuations.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0bR0kLNZ/IMG-20190706-180649-158.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0bR0kLNZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8sWL0tbv/IMG-20190706-180649-159.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8sWL0tbv)
(https://i.postimg.cc/184GJP7m/IMG-20190706-180649-157.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/184GJP7m)
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Excellent work! I return to striper land this weekend! Can't wait.
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Excellent work! I return to striper land this weekend! Can't wait.
Striper land was spotty over the 4th weekend and location was key. 10yds apart from a area and all the people there could of caught 20 a piece and you would come up empty handed. The fish moved through but only into certain stretches
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fish fry!
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Good luck at Striper land Jon. Elbows and knees if need be. Judo chop works as well.
T - Spot specific sounds about right in striper land.
Joe - Fluke get grilled with garden herbs and ramp butter, sometimes fried. Seabass almost always get the fish fry treatment with beer batter or tempura. Corona for a light beer batter and Guinness for a full flavor. Striped bass, I keep very little but when I do they get the cast iron blackened treatment!
This was last nights striped bass with yellow rice. Talk about juicy.
(https://i.postimg.cc/G8mQmhSD/Resized-20190708-204631.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/G8mQmhSD)
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Looks good from.my seat. ..when I keep a bass for the table, I bleed it gut it immediately, for me 28 to 30" is the best eating, I prepare simple, salt,pepper and a little onion and garlic powder, broil.. they are also good poached in seafood stock..and served in a Portuguese style seafood stew.
I like my flat fish stuffed. With a mixture of crabmeat or lobster meat and poached in garlic butter..I've got to haul lobster pots tonight, I've been away, I'm sure they have been cleaned out...
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Striper land was spotty over the 4th weekend and location was key. 10yds apart from a area and all the people there could of caught 20 a piece and you would come up empty handed. The fish moved through but only into certain stretches
Not talking the canal. The googans can have it. Back to my roots in surfcasting. Apparently many are afraid of the real dark and pounding surf. Its been magical!
(Looks excellent Mike)
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Not talking the canal. The googans can have it. Back to my roots in surfcasting. Apparently many are afraid of the real dark and pounding surf. Its been magical!
(Looks excellent Mike)
Wet suit required? I'm always open for a fishing adventure if you want company. I got a wet suit for the westfield river canoe race but that was prob like 25lbs ago :flex: :flex: :flex:
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Wet suit required? I'm always open for a fishing adventure if you want company. I got a wet suit for the westfield river canoe race but that was prob like 25lbs ago :flex: :flex: :flex:
Sure, provided you don't mind being blindfolded for the ride there! :-X
Only a few people know where "cow town" is and Roccus is the only one I know today that knows it. Need to keep it far from the prying eyes of social media. Ability to swim is 100% required.
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Sure, provided you don't mind being blindfolded for the ride there! :-X
Only a few people know where "cow town" is and Roccus is the only one I know today that knows it. Need to keep it far from the prying eyes of social media. Ability to swim is 100% required.
I'm game. Just don't do anything weird when the blindfold is on. I'm an excellent swimmer so that isn't an issue. I haven't even been back to any of the spots that you've shown me at the river or the ditch.
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I'm game. Just don't do anything weird when the blindfold is on. I'm an excellent swimmer so that isn't an issue. I haven't even been back to any of the spots that you've shown me at the river or the ditch.
Ha! Its the chance you have to take being blind folded.
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I'm game. Just don't do anything weird when the blindfold is on. I'm an excellent swimmer so that isn't an issue. I haven't even been back to any of the spots that you've shown me at the river or the ditch.
Totally tongue in cheek Pat. You are a good dude. Yes lets plan on some surf action. Its been enjoyable to switch things up after thousands of hours at the ditch.
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Hit the salt this weekend and did pretty well. Some fluke, seabass, blue fish and scup. 90% of the fish came on a custom rig I made so that's an added bonus.
T - thanks for dropping of the mackerel and crustaceans. Mackerel are in a brine and will be smoked tomorrow and the others were dinner last night.
Enjoy the sausage and fresh smoked kielbasa!
(https://i.postimg.cc/ctxZtxz2/Resized-20190713-145116-6-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctxZtxz2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJWk74zs/Resized-20190714-202657-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJWk74zs)
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Wait a minute- you eat the macs too?
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Nice haul SHaRPS
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Nice job Mike. You beat me. One decent hit on an eel and an excessive amount of seal activity all night...
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Wait a minute- you eat the macs too?
Yep. As long as they are big enough we brine them and then cold smoke them. My father and uncles have been bugging me to get fresh ones for years now. They are one of the healthiest fish in the world to eat despite people hating them for being oily. A little apple and pear wood goes a long way. I grew up eating this fish and yes though its strong flavored, its something that I crave once in a while. My parents are from Poland so smoked foods, pickled foods, mushrooms, cabbage and potatoes are at the top of our list. And do not forget the Vodka! ;D Don't let the Russians fool you that Vodka is a Russian drink, it originated in Poland ;)
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Filet&release and Jon - Thank you. This weekend the boats get a rest as I will be chasing wild salmon and brookies in Northern ME. First time ever up that way so it should be exciting.
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Sounds exciting Mike. Good luck up there.
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Sounds exciting Mike. Good luck up there.
Thanks buddy! Hopefully the black flies are gone by now.
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Yep. As long as they are big enough we brine them and then cold smoke them. My father and uncles have been bugging me to get fresh ones for years now. They are one of the healthiest fish in the world to eat despite people hating them for being oily. A little apple and pear wood goes a long way. I grew up eating this fish and yes though its strong flavored, its something that I crave once in a while. My parents are from Poland so smoked foods, pickled foods, mushrooms, cabbage and potatoes are at the top of our list. And do not forget the Vodka! ;D Don't let the Russians fool you that Vodka is a Russian drink, it originated in Poland ;)
No kidding. I'm guessing you don't fillet them.. just gut them and smoke them as is? I've been trying to self teach myself fishing saltwater this year, and so far all I seem to be able to master is the mackerel. I can fill the livewell with them pretty much every trip. Anything else however has been an exercise in futility. Oh, other than green crabs. I seem to be able to catch green crabs pretty well with my chunk mackerel bait.
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No kidding. I'm guessing you don't fillet them.. just gut them and smoke them as is? I've been trying to self teach myself fishing saltwater this year, and so far all I seem to be able to master is the mackerel. I can fill the livewell with them pretty much every trip. Anything else however has been an exercise in futility. Oh, other than green crabs. I seem to be able to catch green crabs pretty well with my chunk mackerel bait.
Keep the mackerel whole and live line them. It will help reduce your crab catch and possibly get you into some bigger fish.
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Keep the mackerel whole and live line them. It will help reduce your crab catch and possibly get you into some bigger fish.
Correct - I just gut them, brine them and then smoke them. great on a slice of rye bread with a little butter spread or even on crackers.
This is true but also remember one thing. You can toss a chunk all day long but if the fish aren't there, they wont bite. I don't know where you fish but location might be the first step to productivity. There are plenty of members on here that if willing, can help point you in the right direction for your area. Also, be happy that you still have green crabs because there was a green crab shortage this year in my area. I had to improvise for tautog season but still managed some good ones.
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I don't have any problems catchin big scup and sea bass but a limit of keeper fluke has been evading me. a lot shorts. nice catch
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I don't know where you fish but location might be the first step to productivity.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's my issue or at least part of it. Ocean is a slight bit bigger playing field than I am used to.
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I don't have any problems catchin big scup and sea bass but a limit of keeper fluke has been evading me. a lot shorts. nice catch
Despite my pictures, this has been the roughest fluke season I have ever encountered. I have my numbers that are off the grid which took me years to find which is helpful. I also fish "common" spots when the fish are there but so are 40 other boats. I can tell you that I always keep my eyes open and my head on a swivel to see if others are hooking up and what they are using. This past trip, I was drifting with 10-15 other boats and only saw 2 small sea bass pulled out and maybe 5 scup. I had 3 boats ask me what I was using. Sometimes the fish are there and you just have to tickle them a bit to get them to bite. I have figured out a pattern this year which is also key to my success albeit a drought. Do not be discouraged with the lack of keeper fluke this year. I have about I have been out about 8 times this year and only accounted for about 50-60 keepers. At this point the last 3 years i had about 180. Something is off and I will be the first to say it.
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yep wasn't long ago you could fish lucas and boat nothing but keepers. my biggest back then was around 8 lbs. caught it in 80 ft of water on a sea bass rig. my dream now is to go out to Nantucket shoals. a bit far in my 20 ft seacraft
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I have been kicking around the idea of hitting one of the party boats that goes out there, maybe we could get a group together?
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im game. the Helen h goes out but I wouldn't be surprised if its booked out
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I would be down for that.
Here are the smoked mackerel. Man are they good. Fish candy.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WqpMh1V4/20190718-205738.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WqpMh1V4)
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im game. the Helen h goes out but I wouldn't be surprised if its booked out
All booked for this month... I will continue to look at what is available and if anyone else has an idea, please share them!
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im not a fan of party boats and would be willing to pay more for a charter
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Took my old man out on Saturday and tested out some new waters. Fishing was slow as far as keeper fluke go but we did catch a mess of fish overall. 4 keeper fluke, 6 nice keeper seabass, 10 big keeper scup and took home 2 huge dog fish to try in chowder. In total we caught about 30 fluke, 70 plus seabass, 30ish scup and about 15 dogfish. Fun day for sure!
(https://i.postimg.cc/zVxTHr41/Resized-20190727-134036-3-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVxTHr41)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tsfPDzXS/Resized-20190727-055219-1-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tsfPDzXS)
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Nice job Mike!
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Excellent work. Keeping your family supplied with good eats. Nothing better.
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Thanks fellas! I know I have said this before but something is up with our Fluke stock. I do not want to jump the gun because of 1 lousy season but this has been the worst season I have ever experienced. By a long shot! This season, I am consistently at 1/3 of what I normally catch, both keepers and shorts. When I fish with other boats around, I am barely seeing anyone pull fish out so I know I am out fishing them all. Even some of my go to spots are dry or near dry. And yes, I am considering and trying all different things. Even my local head boats or reporting a less than favorable fluke season. I still have a few trips left this year but I am already wondering what next season will look like.
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I was on Lucas a couple weeks ago. Did not like seeing 2 draggers out there. Did mange 1 keeper fluke and some nice sea bass
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I was on Lucas a couple weeks ago. Did not like seeing 2 draggers out there. Did mange 1 keeper fluke and some nice sea bass
Jeff, I deal with draggers all the time as well but I am starting to think that its not just them. I wonder what the general consensus is in MA, CT and NY this year as well.
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Thanks fellas! I know I have said this before but something is up with our Fluke stock. I do not want to jump the gun because of 1 lousy season but this has been the worst season I have ever experienced. By a long shot! This season, I am consistently at 1/3 of what I normally catch, both keepers and shorts. When I fish with other boats around, I am barely seeing anyone pull fish out so I know I am out fishing them all. Even some of my go to spots are dry or near dry. And yes, I am considering and trying all different things. Even my local head boats or reporting a less than favorable fluke season. I still have a few trips left this year but I am already wondering what next season will look like.
I would be worried except last year was among the best I have experienced - I wouldn’t worry until at least next year...water temps were a little off early spring and might have thrown things off a bit for this season I suspect
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Thanks fellas! I know I have said this before but something is up with our Fluke stock. I do not want to jump the gun because of 1 lousy season but this has been the worst season I have ever experienced. By a long shot! This season, I am consistently at 1/3 of what I normally catch, both keepers and shorts. When I fish with other boats around, I am barely seeing anyone pull fish out so I know I am out fishing them all. Even some of my go to spots are dry or near dry. And yes, I am considering and trying all different things. Even my local head boats or reporting a less than favorable fluke season. I still have a few trips left this year but I am already wondering what next season will look like.
Had similar experience when I lived Eastern Shore of MD back in '80's.
Nets had mesh openings small enough to trap too many, stocks went way down and we barely could find a keeper in the recreational realm. They finally made the netters increase mesh size opening and guess what...within 2-3 years the stocks improved greatly and started getting recreational summer flounder keepers and aAlantic croakers (locally called hardheads) came back with a vengeance.
Cause & Affect...
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Jeff, I deal with draggers all the time as well but I am starting to think that its not just them. I wonder what the general consensus is in MA, CT and NY this year as well.
They all decided to swim to the Nantucket shoals mike :-\
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Global warming did it.
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They all decided to swim to the Nantucket shoals mike :-\
LOL
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Global warming did it.
Ha!
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What a beautiful day to be on the water Saturday. Mid 70's, a bit humid, and FOGGY all day long. Tried locating some Bones but they just were not where I was fishing. I did connect on 2 good fluke that went over 25" as well as a few smaller ones. Seabass were also in the mix but the ocean decided to get rough so I called it a day around noon. Still, plenty of fish for dinner and the freezer. The newly released Wicked Wec High-Low Rig put a hurting on those fish yet again.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yj86Vz7T/Resized-20190817-075237-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yj86Vz7T)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Fft3cPbk/Resized-20190817-123752-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Fft3cPbk)
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I had a feeling that rig would slay. Nice job!
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Thanks Jon.
Once the weather and water cools, lets get together in your neck of the woods for some trout or out my way for some Togs.
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We must do either or both.
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What a beautiful day to be on the water Saturday. Mid 70's, a bit humid, and FOGGY all day long. Tried locating some Bones but they just were not where I was fishing. I did connect on 2 good fluke that went over 25" as well as a few smaller ones. Seabass were also in the mix but the ocean decided to get rough so I called it a day around noon. Still, plenty of fish for dinner and the freezer. The newly released Wicked Wec High-Low Rig put a hurting on those fish yet again.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yj86Vz7T/Resized-20190817-075237-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yj86Vz7T)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Fft3cPbk/Resized-20190817-123752-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Fft3cPbk)
Nice job slayer!!! That rig is gonna pit fish in the boat for alot of guys!!!!!!
Well done
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Nice job sharps!
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Thanks guys!
Not sure if I can post this here because its affiliated with one of my sponsors so I apologize if not, but this gives you a general idea of my passion for bottom fishing across New England. No hard feelings if this has to be removed.
&t
&t
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Love it. I hope they don't remove it. Place is dead enough as it is...
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Good stuff Mike. I've bottom fished about a handful of times but made my own hi-lo rigs. What are the advantages of using the premade ones at the cost? Get a spool of 50lb mono and a few high quality swivels and you are good to go. I also won an Al's goldfish salwater series at a yak tourney and up until this year never knew why the heck they were giving out Al's goldfish in a saltwater tourney. Little did I know.
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Love it. I hope they don't remove it. Place is dead enough as it is...
Agreed! I hope people are fishing and that's the reason for the low activity but that's doubtful.
Jon - as you know, I am NOT a fan of social media but I also know that you understand how these gigs work. A little goes a long way to keep the sponsors happy. That's all its about for me. I much prefer this place and its folks!
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Good stuff Mike. I've bottom fished about a handful of times but made my own hi-lo rigs. What are the advantages of using the premade ones at the cost? Get a spool of 50lb mono and a few high quality swivels and you are good to go. I also won an Al's goldfish salwater series at a yak tourney and up until this year never knew why the heck they were giving out Al's goldfish in a saltwater tourney. Little did I know.
No advantages at all other than its good for someone that does not know how to tie their own rig. So, because you asked I will post one more link. As far as the saltwater series goes, it catches fish there is no doubt about that. I have caught pretty much everything on them. Striped bass and bluefish love them. I have caught all of our local bottom fish on the High Low rig. Fluke, Seabass, tautog(with crabs), cod, skate, sea robins and dog fish. If you google fluke rigs you get all of the same results - Jigs, squid imitators and skirts. No double spoons and thats the game changer. The key is if the fish are targeting bait fish like sand eels, peanut bunker or skip jacks, this thing rules the water and outperforms your traditional rigs.
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Very cool Mike! Thanks for the video showing how to rig up your own. I've even started using the method to tie a dropper loop for a high low rig and use it for my dropper loops for fly fishing. It only works down to like 4x but it's a quick way to put one together when i want to dredge the bottom with a euro nymph setup.