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Author Topic: Saltwater Recap  (Read 1609 times)

Bartman44

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Saltwater Recap
« on: Oct 30, 2020, 06:06 PM »
It’s been a weird year to say the least. Most all my big fishing trips were canceled and freshwater fishing locally was lousy.  The one saving grace has been Long Island Sound and my son’s and I (and wife) were all able to take numerous trips to the salt with some day trips, some overnighters and one final 4-day weekend recently with my sons and their buddies.   

The conditions in the sound were different this year, with the water temps still in the 60s last week. We saw very few peanut bunker in the areas we normally fish and as such very few striped bass working the shorelines in their usual fall haunts.  The upside was bottom fishing with black sea bass, porgy, and tog still biting strong recently, seems like they were everywhere and it was easy to fill the live well every time we went out. Mackerel were everywhere this fall as well.   

About 3 weeks ago, my youngest son and I did a day trip and had a slow morning. When the tide turned at 10:30 am the sound lit up with false albacore everywhere. It was an incredible, as you didn’t even have to chase them, our drift took as over pod after pod and they were still chewing small bait when we left. In just over 4 hours, we boated nearly 20 albies. I had a sore elbow after that trip.   
 
And then there was Montauk. On our final 4 day trip, we were able to make the run to the Lighthouse on 2 of the 4 days. What an incredible biomass of life passing around that point.  And not just striped bass, we saw a large leatherback turtle swim right past us as well as an ocean sunfish that came close to the boat.  Fish were blitzing everywhere from the time we arrived till the time we left and it was common for all 5 of us to be hooked up at the same time, mostly striped bass but plenty of false albacore and bluefish mixed in. 200 plus fish day.  Montauk should be on everyone’s bucket list.
 
Here’s a smattering of all the species we encountered this season with a few other photos.  There's one photo in there that's a shot of me battling a seal. I had hooked a slot striper at Montauk and just before landing it, a large seal came boat side and took a swipe at it.  I tried to lift it in but failed and when it hit the water the seal grabbed it and took off, much to the amusement of my son in the background.  Lost the seal, the bass and my epoxy jig.   

So as much as I do love the freshwater, the salt provided new and unusual experiences for my family this year. It’s not every day you see the Mayflower cross your bow. ;D





































Raquettedacker

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #1 on: Oct 30, 2020, 06:34 PM »
Great story, pictures and FISH.....      :thumbup_smilie: :thumbup_smilie: :thumbup_smilie:
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own.....<br />Strangers stopping strangers just to shake there hand...<br />\"Dying is the easy part. Learning how to live is the hard part....\"

rgfixit

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #2 on: Oct 31, 2020, 05:52 AM »
Great pics Bart!
My Brother lived in Northport and had a 36’ Boston Trawler. We made the trip out to Montauk a few times.  Long ride but What a riot!

Rg
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

lowaccord66

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #3 on: Oct 31, 2020, 06:02 AM »
Great stuff Bart.  I used to surfcast Montauk a bunch might be time to return.

Pequod1

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #4 on: Oct 31, 2020, 08:18 AM »
Great pictures sir.  Brought back memories of back when I grew up on the Island.  I see you have both Bonita and Tunny’s ( false albacore) . That fluke is a trophy. Beautiful fish.

oatkasut

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #5 on: Oct 31, 2020, 08:51 AM »
Great pictures, brings back alot of memories of fishing off Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. Thanks for sharing!

got em

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #6 on: Oct 31, 2020, 11:55 AM »
Awesome Bartmsb44 . . Did you fish the Hudson River this year for stripers. ? You taught your boys well . .  ;)

Bartman44

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #7 on: Nov 02, 2020, 06:04 AM »
Awesome Bartmsb44 . . Did you fish the Hudson River this year for stripers. ? You taught your boys well . .  ;)

Thanks. Just got out once in Castleton, back in early May, got about a half dozen doing the herring thing.   

got em

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Re: Saltwater Recap
« Reply #8 on: Nov 02, 2020, 06:37 PM »
Nice. . We did pretty good at the pound this year. . Ice is almost here. .  :D

 



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