We Left North Jersey at 2:30 am Sat morning.After making a few stops we arrived at Star Island at 5:15 am.We took all our gear out of the car and went to Anthony's slip.There were a bunch of boats already waiting to leave that were fishing a charity Shark Tourney.Anthony took us to a spot and we took a few drifts in 90 ft of water.I had a nice fish on right away but the line snapped.Must have been a Bluefish
We took a few more drifts and after that Anthony moved us to shallower water 40 ft depth.As soon as we dropped our lines in we were all hooked up.Fluke after Fluke.The crazy thing was we were throwing back 18,19,20" Fluke like there was no tomorrow.After the 75th Short I landed a 20.5 " Keeper.From a distance I see a Coast Guard Boarding boat & the boat was coming right at us.Yep Safety inspection.2 guys jumped on board & gave the boat a safety check.Anthony's boat passed with flying colors.Once the saftey inspection was over we lost the tide and the wind shifted.Once the tide picked up we started bailing them.Anthony hooks up and says this is a good one.I get the net ready & up comes the fish.Anthony's fish was approx 3.5 lbs.2 in the box now.We kept working the same line and at 2pm we called it a day.At 2pm we had 100 Fluke but only 2 keepers.At the start of the trip Frozen Herring was the bait of choice as well as spearing.Anthony had a few Bluefish in his fish box as well as some jumbo porgies that I cut up into big strips a majority of the Fluke I caught were on Strip baits.Once we got back to the slip we cleaned up the boat.Put our gear away.We said goodbye & Anthony,Vincent,Anthony Jr left.
My friend Steve say's Art let's take a walk to the dock across from Anthony I think I see an old friend of mine.Steve yells out hey Joe & sure enough the guy turns around and it's Steve's old friend Joe.Joe runs a 28 ft Parker and this guy opens up his cooler and show's us his catch.
A cooler full of the biggest porgies I have ever saw in my life & alot of Jumbo Seabass,Striped bass,3 lobsters.My eyes were going crazy.We talked for abit & finally decided to leave Star Island.We arrived at West Lake at 4:05 pm.West lake parking lot was packed.Finally found a parking spot and looked at what the other charter boats caught.1 of the boats we stopped at had 3 Big bass.All 3 Bass were over 46".I asked the Capt what did he catch them on & he replied I speared them.After that we stopped into West Lake bar for a cold one & was hoping we could have ordered some Steamed Clams and Mussels but the Kitchen was closed between 4 & 5
Drank 1 beer & off we went.
Steve says Art dial this #.I dialed the # and Steve's cousin picks up the phone and says who is this.I said it's Art where are you ? Jeff says Steve know's where I am.We hit alot of traffic going west to South Hampton but we finally met up with Jeff & at a Sports bar in the hamptons and enjoyed some great food & drank several more cold ones.
At 8 pm we went back to Jeffs house packed the cooler and we went behind Jeff's house which is on the Peconic Bay and went for a swim.The sunset was amazing.Once the sun went down the party started.Beer after beer.At 9:30 Steve was passed out.I made it to 11pm.Boy were we shot !
Sun morning Steve wakes up at 4:15 am.I wake up & my head is pounding me.I took 1 advil & washed my face and we left Jeff's house at 4:45 am.Boy did I feel like death.Once I got some coffee in me & drank my first beer of the day I felt great
We got to our spot on the beach at 5:15 am and noticed 1 other fisherman that was fly fishing.We baited up 4 rods with Clams but there were so many crabs stealing our bait there ws no way we cold hook up.At 8:30 am we went over to the inlet and took several casts.Steve's fist cast he landed a 18" Fluke on a clam.After that nothing.At 10 am we were on our way back home.We did stop at the pier on the north side of the PB bridge and a guy was hooked up yelling help help.His reel was screaming
and Steve ran over & helped the guy out.Steve netted the Bass which was a schoolie Bass approx 20" and the guy say's finally after 4 hrs I have a fish to eat.I look at the guy and says hey pal it's a short throw it back ! He says no I am packing up all my stuff & leaving with the fish
I said no your not.Throw it back or we will tie you to the pier & call the DEC
The guy was mad and decided it was best to throw it back.After this happened we went to Tully's Seafood enjoyed some cold shrimp and drove back to North Jersey.Steve dropped me off at 12:45 pm.I put away all my stuff and went back to Steve's house for a swim.We listened to the Yankees game drank a few more beers and grilled steaks.At 5:30 pm the Sand man dropped some sand in my eyes and my pillows were calling me.At 7 pm I fell asleep and woke up this am at 5:40
What a weekend !
Pics to Follow !
