I had charters booked for Friday, Saturday, and Monday on this Veteran’s Day weekend, but Mother Nature had other ideas. In fact, all she allowed was a brief 6-hour window today with light winds and only 2 crew members from tomorrows trip were able to shift their plans. Boy was that a good move on their part!
With a very cold but flat calm start this morning I headed straight to my favorite jig drop by Fishers Island with long time customers Sal and Frank. Dropped the anchor once and never budged again until we pulled out at noon as the forecast breeze started to freshen. Within a minute of dropping the baits Sal’s drag starts to sing and he quickly boats a nice 17” keeper. We box that fish, Sal re-baits, a few moments later he gets a very light hit, sets the hook, and the next fish really turns on the jets! After a very spirited battle with several good runs, I slip the net under the second largest Tog of our season at a solid 81/2 #.
From there the Tog just kept chewing hard for the next 3 hours. I was so busy netting fish and cutting crabs I hardly had a chance to wet a line myself today. By the time the dust settled I had zero keepers for my small effort while Sal and Frank boated 20 keepers, ORL. At least 4 other fish were in the 4-6# range so it was a super day indeed, making the most out of a very short opportunity this weekend. One additional bonus, a surprise Albie grabbed Sal’s jig while he was in the midst of the torrid Tog bite!! The spinning reel drags were really put to the test today!
Looks like more windy weather ahead for a few days but I hope it settles down for next weekend as I have another triple play scheduled to start on Saturday. Sea conditions permitting, I know where I will be heading!
Capt. Mike
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