Post your 2019-2024 Fluke Pix & Trip Reports Here!

[NYSharpie]

Looking sharp Cap!

Eddie and I got out around 5:30PM last night to do a little afternoon Fluke fishing, I had to work so late afternoon was only option. We hit the same drops and 15 minutes in, Eddie lands a nice 21 inch fish on a Pink 5" Gulp Mullet. After that, conditions continued to worsen; man this wind hasn't quit. We tried a few different areas to duck out of the west, and then southwest winds, but no matter where we tried we were either flying or drifting unnaturally. Deceided to look for bunker by the airport and maybe live line a few bass before sunset. Bunker were around but not schooled up, which made netting, or snagging, extremely difficult. Beautiful sunset, however, which Eddie grabbed some beautiful shots of. Enjoy!

When will this wind quit?

Frank

 

[Leprechaun]

The hunt begins next Saturday.

 

[Capt Richie]

went out hunting ocean pretty dead for fluke...wish you luck..ill be out this week again

 

[Leprechaun]

TYVM! I gots some ideas. ?

 

[BennyV]

Looking sharp Cap!

Eddie and I got out around 5:30PM last night to do a little afternoon Fluke fishing, I had to work so late afternoon was only option. We hit the same drops and 15 minutes in, Eddie lands a nice 21 inch fish on a Pink 5" Gulp Mullet. After that, conditions continued to worsen; man this wind hasn't quit. We tried a few different areas to duck out of the west, and then southwest winds, but no matter where we tried we were either flying or drifting unnaturally. Deceided to look for bunker by the airport and maybe live line a few bass before sunset. Bunker were around but not schooled up, which made netting, or snagging, extremely difficult. Beautiful sunset, however, which Eddie grabbed some beautiful shots of. Enjoy!

When will this wind quit?

Frank View attachment 20167View attachment 20168

This north wind on the weekends has been wicked.

 

[NYSharpie]

Looked at the forecast yesterday, and between the projected diminishing winds and good outbound water, Eddie and I decided to give bass a shot. Bait has been super tough, and last night was no different. After searching every canal and usual haunt, got a call from a friend who was out who located them closer to the front of the bay. Raced there and after a bit of trying, I was able to net a dozen pieces, plenty for 2 guys and 2 hours of fishing; wasn't easy though. That net gets heavy quick.

Set up on spot 1, sitting well, but we had the S#!@ line running right through us. Weren't marking fish so we decided to hit the other side of the bay and one of my favorite drops closer to home. Sitting pretty in the tide, lines clean and baits going with the slick. Got the first run off after about 30 minutes in, decent 29 inch fish. Had a few more pick ups and drops for the next 30 minutes, but not committers. Then a get a good runoff and connect. Great fighting fish on the Phenix Blank, felt good. Better fish, around 20 pounds. Stayed for a bit longer, but it was getting late so we decided to pack it in and take a nice easy ride home.

 

[Capt Richie]

hit the bay for a couple of hours on the outgoing ..one fluke no keepers lots of weed...didn't see one fluke come up on any other boat..better days are coming..

 

[Leprechaun]

Wow, another tough start to the season. That at least four in a row. What happened to creaming them on the open sand out front, before Memorial Day?

 

[Capt Richie]

not today with heavy south wind & my little boat

 

[Leprechaun]

Ugggh, Weekend forecast already looking jinky. Rain Sat, strong breeze Sunday, Jeez, all I wanna do is go fishing. Is that too much to ask?

The way this year is going, once I get offshore I'll probably find a Murder Hornet nest under the coamings, and of course they'll like tasty Italians. I wonder if throwing a few GULP! jigging grubs at them will be satisfying enough? Hey, I can be the MH GULP! beta tester.

 

[Capt Richie]

did some hunting yesterday..big swell in the AM did slow the fishing down .by early afternoon swell layed down & fishing heated up...Had three fluke WOW!! bunch of ling , whitting , mackerel & a ton of commercial size seabass...we played catch & release all day ..

 

[Leprechaun]

ugggh.

 

[Capt Richie]

going to try it again tomorrow

 

[Leprechaun]

I will be out there. You run an Albemarle 32, right?

 

[Capt Richie]

yes tomorrow leaving a litte late so 730/ 745 I'll be fishing...

 

[Leprechaun]

Roger

 

[Capt Richie]

not much luck today with fluke..six fish one keeper ..seabass made it hard to keep bait or glup on for very long...Ling for dinner again..

 

[Leprechaun]

Hit my best four open bottom drops with the same results, except NO keepers. Gave that up and got on the hard for some Ling for dinner 2moro nite. Turns out that Wifey made me a big plate of BBQ Bay Back Ribs for tonite. Like I need them. "The Corona 15" is pretty accurate.

Slight screw-up on my part in my new exhaust installation will keep my rig out of action at least thru the weekend. First time in 24 seasons of ownership that I need to re-do any of my mechanical work. Damn, there goes my perfect record. ☹

Not like we're killin' it right now, so no big loss. Our time will come . . .

 

[live bait]

I think I know how you feel with the exhaust installation, I find that as my Birthday numbers get bigger, I'm making mistakes that I never made before.
John

 

[Leprechaun]

Whelp, as it turns out, not a "Lep error" at all.

Because I can't rest easy when my family, dog, or boat is ill, I took the day and got to work. (Might not actually be in that exact order, but those are my "Top Three" anyways.)

First, let me say, I can no longer stand over-priced, over-rated Silicone hoses. Supposed to better resist heat and be much more flexible than conventional marine hose. Both of those are true statements. Also true is the fact that (in my own experience, at least) they do not hold up. Why? I cannot say. But this is the third time I've had an issue with silicone hosing - and it will be the last time.

Here's a shot of my engine, with the port-side riser removed from its manifold. See anything unusual?

How's about now?

Close up after removal:

About 4 seasons old - 500 hours on it. Poured salt water into my bilge with the engine running. Not good. I thought maybe the hose clamp cut into the hose and caused the failure. But the clamp just wasn't all that tight. Funny, though the engine ran about 5-10 degrees warmer than usual, it never overheated.

Anyway, for this repair I sectioned in a new piece of hose, using a barbed double-sided bronze hose joiner. No fun, as its in a nasty, hard to access place. I would have replaced the whole length, except to get to the other end entails removal of some big FWC components. Definitely not into that job. This should be good for the balance of the season and I'll deal with a full hose swap-out once I'm back on the hard, this Winter.

Hopefully, no more weird repairs will pop up this season. Back at those wasacally wabbit fluke shortly!