captmike28
Well-Known Angler
Had the Craig party of 3 aboard yesterday for a Montauk Fluke trip in what has been a very challenging Fluke season for most.
Despite a forecast of light east winds less than 10 all day we were greeted to a steady 12-15 kt. easterly breeze before we even reached the point. Set up on the first drift, south side, and between the sideways roll and steady wind we quickly transitioned from 3oz. bucktails to 6 oz. bait rigs along with the windsock to control our drift speed.
The 65’ drops that actually produced well for me last month held only a few keeper Sea Bass and some short Fluke. Moved a little deeper to a favorite spot in 75’ and finally found a small body of Fluke. A few shorts to start but slowly the keepers started to mix in. Also, there was a very steady Sea Bass bite throughout the rest of our trip on this spot. Ultimately, we finished the day with 7 keeper Fluke to 4# out of about 40 total and 11 keeper Sea Bass with a similar number of shorts mixed in. Near the end of the trip Bob hooked what seemed to be a really nice Fluke, lots of weight and some very serious head shakes but ultimately the fish gained its freedom about 2/3 of the way to the boat. So, at least the rods were bending all day and the guys went home with plenty of meat for the table!
Looks like the offshore passage of Ernesto will shut us down in the ocean through at least Tuesday. May try Montauk once more on Wednesday if conditions allow. BTW, there are still 2 spots open for that trip if anyone is interested. Then I have a string of local charters with mainly Sea Bass on the menu, which has been picking up steam in the Sound of late.
Be safe out there and “catch em up”!
Capt. Mike
Despite a forecast of light east winds less than 10 all day we were greeted to a steady 12-15 kt. easterly breeze before we even reached the point. Set up on the first drift, south side, and between the sideways roll and steady wind we quickly transitioned from 3oz. bucktails to 6 oz. bait rigs along with the windsock to control our drift speed.
The 65’ drops that actually produced well for me last month held only a few keeper Sea Bass and some short Fluke. Moved a little deeper to a favorite spot in 75’ and finally found a small body of Fluke. A few shorts to start but slowly the keepers started to mix in. Also, there was a very steady Sea Bass bite throughout the rest of our trip on this spot. Ultimately, we finished the day with 7 keeper Fluke to 4# out of about 40 total and 11 keeper Sea Bass with a similar number of shorts mixed in. Near the end of the trip Bob hooked what seemed to be a really nice Fluke, lots of weight and some very serious head shakes but ultimately the fish gained its freedom about 2/3 of the way to the boat. So, at least the rods were bending all day and the guys went home with plenty of meat for the table!
Looks like the offshore passage of Ernesto will shut us down in the ocean through at least Tuesday. May try Montauk once more on Wednesday if conditions allow. BTW, there are still 2 spots open for that trip if anyone is interested. Then I have a string of local charters with mainly Sea Bass on the menu, which has been picking up steam in the Sound of late.
Be safe out there and “catch em up”!
Capt. Mike
