Bachala
Angler
Finally managed my first blackfish trip of the year on my 1969 13' Boston Whaler. Wanted to go last weekend but had a wedding. Sailed Sunday from Oyster Bay. Wind in my face with a small chop is all it takes for a bouncy ride. Had to slow it down to keep from getting drenched. Halfway across she started to lay flat and soon enough I was in my old togging spot near Rye Playland. With the NW wind the area was pretty flat. First drop was not that productive and quickly moved to a nearby spot that was showing as a fairly nice boulder on my GPS. After dropping anchor it was non stop. Went thru 3 dozen green crabs in about 2 hours time. Mostly all shorts but did manage 4 keeps, ORL, keeping the 3 larger fish, all 18". One fish fought hard and when I unhooked him found a broken off porgy hook in his upper lip. Boat next to me got boarded by Rye police. Had a box of frozen squid that I had left over from fluke season but that only produced very short blackfish, sea bass and some small porgies. When I decided to head home found 2 escaped crabs hiding out. Managed a big sea bass, close to 20" as a bonus on the last 2 crabs. Hopefully I can get out a few more times in November before I call it quits for the year. Love fishing this time of the year when there is almost no boat traffic.
