captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Normally I avoid fishing on the major holiday weekends for several obvious reasons. But a last-minute call from my most long-term charter customers coupled with a perfect weather window turned into our first Montauk Fluke run of the season.
Sal, Frank, Maria, and the venerable Chef Nader all showed up bright and early this morning intent on putting so nice flatties on ice. Based upon intel from several sources we began our drifts on the south side in 65’ of water. Action began quickly with a few short Fluke and Sea Bass, then a few keeper Seas Bass. On the third drift the Chef nails our first keeper Fluke of the day a fat 20.5” fish. The bite continued for the next hour but mostly with short action. However, Sal and Fank both connected with a pair of 20” Fluke so the tally now grew to 3 in the box. A few more keeper Seas Bass and then the bite just shut down.
Made a shift further south to 75’ and took a few more shorts and another keeper Fluke of similar size. Then the action quit again. Was planning on making a longer steam to a deep drop but intel from friends told me the action was about the same in the 100’ depths.
So, we shifted back to our original drift lines from the morning and while the keepers were slow in coming persistence did finally pay off. Upon our return the Chef’s famous “Trout Rod” doubles over and he lands the largest fish of the day, a nice 23” fish just shy of 5#. Then, on successive drifts another keeper for Sal, one for Frank and then 2 more in rapid succession for the Chef. Final tally for the day was 9 Fluke in the box out of about 50 boated plus 4 fat Sea Bass in the 17-18” range.
Steamed home on a nice flat ocean with some bags filled with tasty filets. All in all, a very enjoyable day for both the crew and myself.
Sal, Frank, Maria, and the venerable Chef Nader all showed up bright and early this morning intent on putting so nice flatties on ice. Based upon intel from several sources we began our drifts on the south side in 65’ of water. Action began quickly with a few short Fluke and Sea Bass, then a few keeper Seas Bass. On the third drift the Chef nails our first keeper Fluke of the day a fat 20.5” fish. The bite continued for the next hour but mostly with short action. However, Sal and Fank both connected with a pair of 20” Fluke so the tally now grew to 3 in the box. A few more keeper Seas Bass and then the bite just shut down.
Made a shift further south to 75’ and took a few more shorts and another keeper Fluke of similar size. Then the action quit again. Was planning on making a longer steam to a deep drop but intel from friends told me the action was about the same in the 100’ depths.
So, we shifted back to our original drift lines from the morning and while the keepers were slow in coming persistence did finally pay off. Upon our return the Chef’s famous “Trout Rod” doubles over and he lands the largest fish of the day, a nice 23” fish just shy of 5#. Then, on successive drifts another keeper for Sal, one for Frank and then 2 more in rapid succession for the Chef. Final tally for the day was 9 Fluke in the box out of about 50 boated plus 4 fat Sea Bass in the 17-18” range.
Steamed home on a nice flat ocean with some bags filled with tasty filets. All in all, a very enjoyable day for both the crew and myself.
