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[longcast]

Met Capt. Mike and George at the boat at 0530 this morning and got underway shortly thereafter. Mike had run a full-day Montauk charter on his boat yesterday, and so I honestly don't know how he crawled out of bed to drive to Freeport from Calverton and then put in a full day of Leprechaun calisthenics with me, just a handful of hours later. Honestly, though I work hard to not "Ahab it," I am not all that easy on my crew - but Mike, man, he is a true "Fluke Fishing Ironman!"

Anyway, we had a comfortable ride out into a slight swell/chop, straight to my home away from home. The drift was a little funky, as we were moving counter to the weak WSW breeze and outgoing tide. Just a bit confusing, but we made the necessary adjustments and the fish soon responded - shorts at first, but better ones as the morning progressed.

The bite came on strong for an hour before the change and carried on thru into the first hour of the incoming. The result was a full boat limit to 7lbs, with George bagging the two best fish at 6 and very close to 7lbs. Beautiful job there Georgie with that little spinning outfit!

All done by 12:15, with a full limit of plus-sized fatties, probably the best quality I've seen all season.

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Nice haul!!!

 

[Captain Rock]

Went out early this morning to beat the S wind. Drift was slow and the bite was slower. Tried a spot where we had a load of big sea bass last weekend but there was nothing there today. Moved around in and off shore. Picked away at the shorts. Headed in at 12:30 with 4 keepers 17.5 to 20.75. Not spectacular by any means but we got dinner.

 

[captmike28]

Finally got a nice weather window yesterday to do another Montauk Fluke run. The charter crew consisted of Matt, Frank, and the always upbeat Chef Nader!

First drop on the Frisbees found a bit of a lumpy sea with a groundswell left over from the easterly blow earlier in the week. Even with the breeze and seas running in concert, the drift speed was still very low. Better life than last Sunday but still not up to my standards. Only managed one keeper Fluke and a few shorts plus a keeper Sea Bass and more short biscuits for a 2-hour effort on several drops along the south side.

So, an adjustment was in order and we headed back to the point where I knew we could count on a steady drift. We spent the balance of the trip here and had nice action right up to the last whistle putting 8 more keeper Fluke in the box to 5.5# and another Sea Bass among dozens of shorts of both species. So, we made the proverbial “Lemonade” yesterday with some hard work and a consistent effort by a dedicated crew.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Finally got a nice weather window yesterday to do another Montauk Fluke run. The charter crew consisted of Matt, Frank, and the always upbeat Chef Nader!

First drop on the Frisbees found a bit of a lumpy sea with a groundswell left over from the easterly blow earlier in the week. Even with the breeze and seas running in concert, the drift speed was still very low. Better life than last Sunday but still not up to my standards. Only managed one keeper Fluke and a few shorts plus a keeper Sea Bass and more short biscuits for a 2-hour effort on several drops along the south side.

So, an adjustment was in order and we headed back to the point where I knew we could count on a steady drift. We spent the balance of the trip here and had nice action right up to the last whistle putting 8 more keeper Fluke in the box to 5.5# and another Sea Bass among dozens of shorts of both species. So, we made the proverbial “Lemonade” yesterday with some hard work and a consistent effort by a dedicated crew.

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Great trip as always Capt!!! CHEF nader was a riot and put on some clinic!!! Can't wait for the next one!

 

[Captain Rock]

Went out early this morning to beat the S wind. Drift was slow and the bite was slower. Tried a spot where we had a load of big sea bass last weekend but there was nothing there today. Moved around in and off shore. Picked away at the shorts. Headed in at 12:30 with 4 keepers 17.5 to 20.75. Not spectacular by any means but we got dinner.

Just to clarify. I fished with friends out of NJ.

 

[george]

@Leprechaun The only thing I can add is fishing with you and Mike is always a great and learning experience. You put us on the fish again! That was a great day of fluking. The kind us fluking nuts long for.

 

[captmike28]

@Leprechaun The only thing I can add is fishing with you and Mike is always a great and learning experience. You put us on the fish again! That was a great day of fluking. The kind us fluking nuts long for.

I might be the "Fluke Fishing Iron Man" in Pete's mind, but he is definitely the Fluke's worst nightmare!!

 

[Leprechaun]

HAH! They're just lucky my boat was "incapacitated" in June!

Maybe they thought they got a "Stay of Execution" from our wonderful Gov. Hochul.

Why, just look at that form! She's killin' it!

 

[Leprechaun]

Fresh fluke over Roasted eggplant with garlicky burst tomatoes.

 

[Snapprhead27]

Fresh fluke over Roasted eggplant wirh garlicky burst tomatoes.

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O my! Mind sharing the recipe?! ??

 

[Leprechaun]

Sure! Certainly not a “family secret,” LOL!

White Fish with Roasted Eggplant and Garlicky Burst Tomatoes

This White Fish with Roasted Eggplant and Garlicky Burst Tomatoes is the perfect, healthy weeknight dinner. White fish sits on a bed of roasted eggplant then is topped with a

www.bitchin-in-the-kitchen.com

BTW, it couldn't hurt to throw a teaspoon or two of rinsed, small capers into the tomatoes, while reducing them.

 

[HighHook4Hire]

I have been out in NJ multiple times, with nothing much to write home about. I did win a monthly pool on a popular Brielle PB with a 5# 13oz fish I caught on Independence Day. I thought I had a snowballs chance in hell with that fish, but as it held I decided to fish the last weekend in July to "supervise operations" and volunteer to net any large specimen that may be hooked . Well it held up, and just as the last 3 horns tooted my victory a seagull took a dump on my hat (which is now lucky). Cash money and a free 365 days of fishing on said party boat was my bounty. Frankly I think that seagull was just jealous.

That was the highlight of my season so far until last weekend. I was on a different PB in Belmar and a gentleman caught a 13# 12oz fluke. Largest I had ever seen in person, and I do say, it looked like a freaking halibut!

I said to my buddy, I would gladly take one half that size, so I did. A nice 7# specimen thumped my bucktail. The second largest I have caught in NJ in some 4-5 years of fluking there. Guess what hat I was wearing????

 

[hartattack]

HH4H: even with 365 free fishing days on the J2, I can't blame ya for jumping on the BM. J2 does not supply spearing so you'll need a year's worth. . . congrats on the 2 catches, pool winning on NJ party boats is tuff, hat helps . . .

 

[HighHook4Hire]

I have been pretty fortunate with pools. I attribute it to constantly trying to learn and fine tune my craft. I can be stubborn like all us fishermen tend to be but there are tons of great fishermen willing to give tips and tricks if you are willing to listen. Some of those pb fishermen are on another level. It’s much tougher than on the private boats, but it’s a good challenge to learn to fish well the pb way. That being said, I will very happily fish a private boat or charter too.

 

[Leprechaun]

Another Day, another boat limit. . .

Headed out at first light to my home away from home with George and his buddy "Katona Steve" for another crack at the fluke. Had a bit of a concern that the near-New Moon would put a damper on the bite, but this was not the case.

Steve, (a very good fluke jigger), popped two beauties in the 22"-class within the first 10 minutes, and it was game on from there. 18" fish have inundated the offshore grounds to the point of ridiculousness, but we fished thru them for a full boat limit to my 6lb-class fish by EXACTLY 12:00 noon. Fastest trip finish yet this season I believe, and my boat limit hitting streak now stands at 7 games, umm, I mean trips.

Only needed the 3oz jigs in the morning, 2oz was good the rest of the trip. My custom ball-type jig heads carrying 5" Grubs in Pink Shine really putting a hurt on them today - using the little Grappler/Ballistic spinning rig. Back at it this weekend, though it looks like it might well be a bit "puffy" out there on the offshore grounds. Whatever.

Nice 4lb beauty for our fearless leader

6lb-class fattie for the "super humble" captain

Check out "Georgie's Corner." Tried my best to ignore it, which nearly killed me . . . Uggggh.

Gotta get an accurate head count - no desire for an awkward (and expensive) conversation with the Fish Cops once we get back inside

The happy crew shows their goods

 

[george]

@Leprechaun I love that corner. Blood, guts and Gulp!

Another day for the books. Montauk has nothing on your area. Quality fish. Steady bite. Constant action. I don't think 5 minutes went without someone Hooked up. It was another special day on the Leprechaun!

 

[Snapprhead27]

Great job Capt and Crew!! That corner as my anxiety through the roof!! HAHAHA

 

[longcast]

That was a great day guys!!

 

[george]

Great job Capt and Crew!! That corner as my anxiety through the roof!! HAHAHA

You guys are killing me.???. I must admit Pete handled it well.

 

[Captain Rock]

Fished Wednesday and Thursday. Nothing spectacular either day. We took my boat Wednesday and my buddy's Thursday.
Bucktails and teasers with gulp, squid, peanuts and spearing. Hit Rockaway Reef Wednesday because my fishing buddy swore he got a great tip the bite was hot with big fluke there. As with most tips this one wasn't very accurate. The drift was nice along the length of the reef for most of the day. Tried to redrift spots where we had bites but it didn't appear that the fish were stacked in any one area so we picked away over the entire reef. Four NY keepers one sea bass and two big porgies. The crew headed home happy with enough fish for all. A decent amount of short action kept us hoping.
Thursday two of us headed to Scotland. A few drifts there with 1 keeper fluke, shorts and short sea bass we weren't inspired. Moved south to the dump site which was covered up with party boats anchored for sea bass and porgies I presume. Had a little thrill there. Thought I hooked the bottom but it started to move. Heavy fish and occasional head shake made me think 10lb fluke. It took drag and fought straight down. Saw the brown and white before I could identify it as a tail hooked skate. I was disappointed. We had good action there on short fluke and small sea bass but we wanted some keepers.
Headed to some old marks at Rattlesnake and it was a slow pick but we put a couple of keepers on the boat. At the end of the day I caught a big porgie while scoped out 200 feet trying to keep my 4oz bucktail near the bottom. 4 keeper fluke, 1 sea bass and a porgie. Beautiful days on the water. Tight lines.