Post your 2019-2025 Fluke Pix & Trip Reports Here!

[MakoMatt]

I'm starting to think the formerly unthinkable, regarding next season. Why fork out what it costs in time, effort, and money (of course!) for these crummy results? Make it make sense.

Well maybe the fishing is in the chitter, but your boat is looking real nice. I saw you passing the Tuna Club yesterday afternoon.

 

[Leprechaun]

Thanks! It takes a ton of on-going effort to keep a 39+ year old production boat looking and running fresh. Hence my earlier comments.

Did you happen to notice the look of disappointment/disgust on my face? Because I'm sure it was there.

 

[OVERBORED]

Blackfish season might be the tipping point.

Just remember one thing, If you sell the boat Mrs. Leprechaun might go into shock watching you mope around all summer........Just sayin. Something to think about from a former boat owner himself! LOL

 

[Leprechaun]

I have so many friends with boats that have given me standing open invites that it’s becoming a viable option. Don’t wanna do it, but at 70 years old now the boat is becoming a burden, both physically and financially. Oh, and recently, mentally as well.

Just heard from a friend that he has a friend who never even put his boat in the water out in Shinnecock because the fishing out there is just as bad as here. This is an unbelievable collapse of what was a very viable fishery just a few years ago. At least with the Winter flounder it was a slow petering out, not a catastrophic collapse, like we’re seeing here.

 

[hartattack]

I have so many friends with boats that have given me standing open invites that it’s becoming a viable option. Don’t wanna do it, but at 70 years old now the boat is becoming a burden, both physically and financially. Oh, and recently, mentally as well.

Just heard from a friend that he has a friend who never even put his boat in the water out in Shinnecock because the fishing out there is just as bad as here. This is an unbelievable collapse of what was a very valuable fishery just a few years ago. At least with the Winter flounder it was a slow petering out, not a catastrophic collapse, like we’re seeing here.

When I lived on LI I had a boat in the Sound. Since I moved to NJ 40 years ago I have something better - friends' boats!
I'm the same age as you Pete and we both yearn for that tug. My crew (all older than me!) depend on me to get the boat prepped and tucked in b4/after every trip. It's my pleasure to do this for the Belmar Alta Kakers. These guys worked, then owned Belmar party boats in the 60s/70s and have more local knowledge than AI could ever gather. With your time around boats and this community it would be an honor for a local crew to have you aboard.

 

[Snapprhead27]

It's crazy Pete, not sure if you saw my report posted yesterday but I was in Montauk for a 2nd Saturday in a row and with a crew of 6 including myself we only put 3 keeper fluke in the box.

 

[hawk375]

At least there are a lot of small fluke the way striped bass are managed with yoy index maybe this is good for future but with your experience other peoples boats might be a better option than killing yourself to keep your boat going

 

[BoatGuy]

Funny that when I catch a ton of short fluke I say, I say that is great for next year. Same with BSB.
Somehow, it never pans out that way.

 

[Leprechaun]

Matt - Geez.

BoatGuy - funny how that works, right?

 

[MakoMatt]

Pete, I believe the LEPRECHAUN is more to you than just a collection of chemical elements you will find on the periodic table. If you took a very small sample of any part of her, and sent it out for a DNA analysis, both you and her would be a perfect match. Not born together in the womb as twins, but drawn together in a love affair with each other. Not all boat owners experience this. The boat love bug does not bite most people, but those it does choose to bite there is no easy escaping. Sure, the relationship you have together has its ups and downs, just like any other relationship………. you will sometimes cuss her, but at the end of the day you will always treat her right, and keep her looking fine. She serves you well, you serve her well, and she always gets you home.

If you get rid of her, you will surly miss her. Take it from someone who knows.

 

[Chinacat]

Just heard from a friend that he has a friend who never even put his boat in the water out in Shinnecock because the fishing out there is just as bad as here. This is an unbelievable collapse of what was a very viable fishery just a few years ago. At least with the Winter flounder it was a slow petering out, not a catastrophic collapse, like we’re seeing here.

I can attest to that
I went out solo yesterday and put about 25 fluke on the deck in the bay without a single keeper
I only netted and measured 3 or 4 that I thought might make it but nope…

Heading out tomorrow and hoping for better results

 

[captmike28]

Pete, I believe the LEPRECHAUN is more to you than just a collection of chemical elements you will find on the periodic table. If you took a very small sample of any part of her, and sent it out for a DNA analysis, both you and her would be a perfect match. Not born together in the womb as twins, but drawn together in a love affair with each other. Not all boat owners experience this. The boat love bug does not bite most people, but those it does choose to bite there is no easy escaping. Sure, the relationship you have together has its ups and downs, just like any other relationship………. you will sometimes cuss her, but at the end of the day you will always treat her right, and keep her looking fine. She serves you well, you serve her well, and she always gets you home.

If you get rid of her, you will surly miss her. Take it from someone who knows.

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You make some very valid points, Matt. With the ever rising cost of operartion, steady decline in fish avialability of most species, age creeping up on us all, it is easy to give in to the calls of let someone else shoulder the burden.

Heck, while I was recovoerng from my heart surgery this past Feb and the next few months, there were plenty of times I asked myself how much longer do I really want to participate at ths level. But the weather started to warm and I began to feel a bit stronger each week. Soon I was calling friends asking them to drive me out to the marina so I could do some "light spring prep work" (is there such a thing?)
By mid-May I was back behind the wheel running charters even though the local Scup fishing has been way off and the Weakfish are on the down cycle again. We all know Fluking is a shadow of what it once was.

Yet, I still find myself watching the weather forecasts multiple times each day looking for that next good weather window, convinced that with the right amount of effort and just a little bit of good fortune the next trip will be another memorable one. More often than not it is, despite the count in the fish box at the end of the day.

When boats and fishing are a part of your very being, it is really hard and I submit, potentially dangerous, to step away totally. It is the motivation that keeps guys like us getting out of bed each morning with an optimistic feeling about ourselves and life in general.

BTW, Matt, was the lovely Groverbuilt 26 your last boat before the Albin 28? I always wanted to own one but couldn't convince my wife to allow me to buy something that was so completely dedicated to solely fishing! I bet you had many memorable trips on that vessel.