Captain's Table First Charter

[captmike28]

Today my 2024 charter season officially began with my Porgy Fanatics from NJ. Absolutely gorgeous weather and one stop shopping made it a very comfortable and enjoyable day. Although the bite is still not the "lights out" action we often see in the Peconics, it was a steady stream of fish all day long. Maintaining a consistent chum line was a big help in keeping the fish interested and hungry.

Although we came up a little short of a full boat limit the guys easily boxed in excess of 150 fish and there we several real brutes int he 3-3.75# range. Also mixed in today were 2 "heartbreak" Sea Bass each about 17". It will only get better from here! Bottom fishing in the Peconics is alive and well.

Almost forgot about the best catch of the day. Early on William overlooked wiping the slimy clam bait off his hands and sadly dropped his nice spinning rod overboard. I made a few attempts to sweep the area and try to snag the rod to no avail. But as fate would have it just after lunch, Hawk gets a nice hit and realizes the Porgy he was fighting seemed much heavier than usual. Sure enough, he had snagged William's rod. Honest to God, not only did he retrieve the rod, but it had been "ghost fishing" the whole morning. When we safely got the tackle back on deck it had a double header of nice Scup attached to the hooks. Can't make this stuff up!!

I have an Orient Star tip scheduled for Thursday then a few days off. Next week I have several trips booked and expect to spend some serious time hunting Weakfish and Fluke in addition to the Scup with the upcoming groups. Tight lines to all.
Capt. Mike

 

[Snapprhead27]

Nice day out for the first charter!!! Glad he got his tackle back!!

 

[Chinacat]

Great report!
So cool the rod was retrieved with a double header

 

[Chevy1]

Great report and cool story

 

[captmike28]

Great report and cool story

Although some folks might not want to admit it, I believe many of us have lost a rod or two overboard. Personally, I have dropped 3 in my lifetime but, amazingly, one was also retrieved although it did not have any fish attached to its hooks!

I also had one very scary moment 3 years ago on one of my Blackfish charters. Anchored on a good piece off CT with a pretty strong tide running one of my customers had a rod slip out of his hands. Initially my back was to him as I was cutting crabs on the opposite side of the boat. I heard the commotion, turned around, and was horrified for a second as all I could see of this fellow was his knees at the top of my rail while he lunged for the rod!! Thankfully his buddy who was closer to him got a hold on his body before he took a swim.

Lesson learned here is to never try and retrieve a rod, especially in the fall with a swift running current from an anchored boat. By the time I would have cut the anchor line and attempted to save him he would probably have been long gone.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Although some folks might not want to admit it, I believe many of us have lost a rod or two overboard. Personally, I have dropped 3 in my lifetime but, amazingly, one was also retrieved although it did not have any fish attached to its hooks!

I also had one very scary moment 3 years ago on one of my Blackfish charters. Anchored on a good piece off CT with a pretty strong tide running one of my customers had a rod slip out of his hands. Initially my back was to him as I was cutting crabs on the opposite side of the boat. I heard the commotion, turned around, and was horrified for a second as all I could see of this fellow was his knees at the top of my rail while he lunged for the rod!! Thankfully his buddy who was closer to him got a hold on his body before he took a swim.

Lesson learned here is to never try and retrieve a rod, especially in the fall with a swift running current from an anchored boat. By the time I would have cut the anchor line and attempted to save him he would probably have been long gone.

I remember that one!! Reaction is like going after a falling knife!

 

[Hunter704]

Over fifty plus years of fishing north and south shore. I have given up three to the north shore. Nice way to start the season capt Mike

 

[OVERBORED]

Years ago, My first trip Haddock fishing Stellwagon lost a custom rod with a saltiga 30. Heartbreak.

My best story was the one I should have lost.

Was tuna fishing on a PB. Back then I bait fished with a 30 Tiagra. So my line was in the water and someone tangled me. Took my rod out of the holder and untangled the line. While doing this, I get a bite. In a split second, rod goes over the rail but stops because the tag line was still attached
. Rod, reel and 60# yellowfin all successfully retrieved.

 

[captmike28]

I remember that one!! Reaction is like going after a falling knife!

You are correct Matt. You were on board to see the guy make a vain attempt to save hi sod. Actually, a good thing he missed!

 

[captmike28]

Over fifty plus years of fishing north and south shore. I have given up three to the north shore. Nice way to start the season capt Mike

So, Vinny, we are tied in the dropsy department!? Not necessarily a good distinction. 

Kind of an odd coincidence that all yours happened on the Northshore. I guess you need to start using a safety line when fishing the Sound.

It was a fun start to the 2024 season for me and the crew.

 

[captmike28]

Years ago, My first trip Haddock fishing Stellwagon lost a custom rod with a saltiga 30. Heartbreak.

My best story was the one I should have lost.

Was tuna fishing on a PB. Back then I bait fished with a 30 Tiagra. So my line was in the water and someone tangled me. Took my rod out of the holder and untangled the line. While doing this, I get a bite. In a split second, rod goes over the rail but stops because the tag line was still attached
. Rod, reel and 60# yellowfin all successfully retrieved.

Losing a beautiful Saltiga is certainly a very tough day., Overbored. I guess you could say you partially made up for it on the Tuna trip.

There is a sidebar to one of the three I dropped many years ago. It was actually a custom Weakfish rod I had bought for my father who lived in FL at the time. He would leave some of his tackle with me for the several times a year he would head north to fish in NY. I was so upset by the whole thing I went back to the rod builder and had another one made for him. I never told him the story and for the rest of his life he always thought it was the same rod!

On the positive side of things, it is one of his possessions I still cherish and fish with occasionally from time to time many years after his passing.