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Saltwater Fishing Tackle, Fishing Reports,
Charters and Techniques
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07/02/09 |
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 I
received this picture from a visitor from Georgia. The
angler was Bradley Johnson the son of Lenny Johnson from
Atlanta aboard Reel Haupt, 38 foot Jupiter Center Console.
They were pulling an
Eye Catcher Agitator lure green and silver with fresh
ballyhoo on the center line long in 325 ft of water off
Jupiter Florida. Great job Bradley! |
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07/02/09 |
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Capt. Jack Riley
Maverick Charters
Fishing with the Maverick
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 The
striper bite at Monomoy for the last two weeks has been out
of sight. Bearses, Handkerchief and Stone Horse have been
great on both tides. And Point Rip on the south tide
produced twenty keepers in forty five minutes on Monday.
Capt. Randy Black of
www.firstmatesportfishing caught 15 stripers in four
hours that measured between 33" and 49" in Cape Cod Bay. The
picture on the below is a couple of those nice fish!
The tuna bite is still good but pick your days. Try to get
out on a Southwest or Northwest wind. We have had a bunch of
snotty weather with Northeast wind, rain and blind fog. If
you can't follow the birds, bait and whales your chances
diminish. If you find those three you will mark a ton of
tuna. This life is in the area four miles southwest of the
BC Buoy. As usual a lot of boats have had luck with black
bars and a green glow stinger. |
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07/02/09 |
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Summer is upon us...
Capt Hap Farrell
The sun has actually shown itself, not every day but it has
been out and warmed the hearts of the Cape residents and
hopeful summer people. It has certainly helped the fishing
industry. A sunny day brings out the angler in all of us.The
fishing is still good. It isn’t quite as furious as it was
but is it still well worth the trip. Most of the activity is
on the north edge of Billingsgate shoals and the deep water.
There has also been some activity up around P-town but that
seems to come and go now. It is quite possible that the Bay
is going through another round of migrating fish. With the
way the cooler temperatures have been I imagine that these
patterns have been delayed or at least their time thrown off
some.
One area that has shown some promise this season which has
been somewhat quiet during the past few years is the Path.
It seems that some schools of stripers have moved into the
area just inside the last string of lobster pots and a
little into the pots out to around 30 feet of water. Years
ago this area held a large quantity of big bass. Now it
might have a new crop of small bass with some small legal
fish moving in. Maybe, in time, they will grow to be counted
as “big fish”.
The lure of choice, on the north edge, is back to the
umbrella rig. That holds true for most of the other areas.
The squid, for the most part, are concentrated up near
P-town now so the hootchie is not working as it did a week
ago. Don’t go putting them away just yet. The hootchie is a
good all around lure and should be kept handy.
If we ever get any sun and the water warms up past 62
degrees the bluefishing will improve greatly. There are some
in on Stony bar and over along the Eastham shore down just
east of where the old Target Ship used to be. The most
active areas is out in the deep water off the shoals or in
by the Path. Most of these bluefish are medium in size, 6 to
8 pounds, I have landed some bluefish, especially in on
Stony Bar, which have been well over 10 pounds so there are
some big bluefish around. All we need is a little sun. No,
that’s not correct, we need a lot of sun...
This last weekend I had a really fun trip. John Digiovanni,
from Belmount, Ma., booked a half day trip to celebrate his
13 year old son Des’s Birthday. It seems he want to go
fishing rather play a bunch of video games. Well, he got his
wish. He and two of his friends battled a number of
bluefish, a number of undersized bass and some keepers. Oh
yes, and one 13 inch black sea bass. Des landed 3 keepers
and a bluefish on his own.
He said he can’t wait ‘till his next birthday so he can
catch some bigger fish.
If you’re thinking of something to do, give me a call and
we’ll get you out on the Bay to take on some of these bass
and bluefish which are very abundant.
Home: 508-255-6211,
Cell: 508-240-8267. |
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www.capecodbaycharters.com
stunmai@copper.net |
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06/24/09 |
Good news for the offshore fleet....there was a 74" fish
landed in the area of the BC buoy today. there are fish on
Crab Ledge, Regal Sword, the BC buoy and points north and
east. There have not been allot of boats out looking because
of the weather but that has changed. it should be a good
weekend.
The boats fishing the bay didn't have it too bad. They were
able to get up against the Eastham shore and did well on
bass and bluefish.
The word earlier in the week from Tom McCombs of Sweet Slips
Jigs is that there are plenty of 30 lb. bass being taken off
Race Point! Hopefully the fish stick around or move into the
Bay. |
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06/12/09 |
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I received an important email from Chris Weiner of the CHOIR
Coalition today. It is important that we all keep up on the
great work they are doing on behalf of ALL fishermen and
those who support them directly or indirectly. Whether it is
bass or bluefin tuna you chase, herring is an important part
of both their diets. If you know about CHOIR's work, then
you know what I am talking about. If you don't, you should!
Click
here to read the correspondence from Chris and please
make your voice heard. Thanks! Dave |
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 Bev
Dodsworth caught this big dolphin on a recent trip to
Hatteras, NC. She was fishing aboard the
Sea Creature with Capt. Steve Coulter and his mate
Shane. That fish was within inches of being as tall as
she is! Nice job!
If you get a chance to get down to Hatteras fishing you
will be spoiled for life! Some of the best fishing in
the world is to be had 15 miles offshore. If you want to
fish with the best, contact Capt. Steve Coulter of the
Sea Creature or Capt. Dan Rooks of the
Tuna Duck. I personally guarantee you the trip of a
lifetime!
By the way, this dolphin went after a big marlin lure
and was taken by the deadly "bait and switch" method! It
worked to perfection and was exciting for all. It tasted
good too...cooked up by the chef at Dinkie's!
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06/11/09 |
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Capt. Jack Riley
Maverick Charters
Fishing with the Maverick
 The
water temps on Crab Ledge and at the BC Buoy look good for a
school bluefin bite this weekend. Stellwagon Bank and Peaked
Hill to Wildcat Knoll continue to produce large medium and
giant bluefin tuna. The Maverick has had two bass trips in
the last three days off Sankety Light at Nantucket. The
first trip was a troll and spin cast trip with fifty
stripers landed up to 39" in 3 1/2 hours along with a brace
of bluefish. Fish everywhere. The second trip yesterday was
for three Utah flyfishing guides and a Maine lobsterman who
loves to fly fish. This group had over thirty stripers on
the fly up to 33" in 2 1/2 hours on the incoming tide. We
also caught our share of bluefish with a few inches of
chafing wire on the leader. Our group was using 7, 8 and 9
wt. rods with fast sinking lines. The fly pattern didn't
seem to make a difference. The fish were feeding on small
squid and sandeels. We are in the process of editing the
video of this trip and will have it on Offshore Pursuits
very shortly.
Capt. Jack
Good luck to all! Capt. Jack
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06/11/09 |
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Change in the bay...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell |
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Cape Cod Bay is full of fish again. It seems more and more
fish are moving into the Bay. This includes the bluefish.
There are not a lot of bluefish yet but they are being found
in all areas of Cape Cod Bay. Off the north edge of
Billingsgate's Shoals, west of the #1 can, in the New
Grounds, and up inside by Stony Bar by the #3 can south of
Welfleet Harbor all hold some bluefish. I imagine they are
around P-town but no one cares with all the stripers up
there. To say the least, the fishing is good!!!!
Fortunately, the lures that work are changing. The bass and
bluefish are starting to take hootchies equally as well as
the umbrella rig. This makes it a lot easier on the mates on
the charter boats, if they use them. A single lure with just
one hook, easier to deal with than a rig with one hook on
six arms of the rig plus the trailer. Single swimming plugs
on mono work fairly well also, especially if you put a small
teaser streamer in front of it and troll it quickly, around
4 to 4.5 knots. Now, all we need is for the weather to
change and a real summer with even having the sun out
instead of all the lovely rain, drizzle and clouds.
For those who like to use lighter action rods but still get
their lures down to fish in deeper water let me suggest
using lead core line. We all have used this type of line for
the tube & worm system but is will also work with swimming
plugs, hootchies, most any lure that you can troll. It may
not get your lure system down as much as wire but it will
get it down a lot deeper than using mono. It is also a lot
easier to adjust the length of your line by using the colors
of the line. Each color is 30 feet and if you have a 15 foot
leader you will know exactly by counting the colors you use.
Now you can use a soft action rod and have fun playing the
fish. For those who like to use light line they make lead
core line down to 12 pound test. I know, I use it quite
often for my anglers. I had an 11 year oldyoung lady land a
25 pound bass using that line.
What will the next week bring in the movement of these fish.
Actually I think there will not be much change. The bass and
bluefish seem to be in all of the well known areas. It’s
just on some day certain areas will be more active than
others. Which areas that will be is hard to tell. There is
one area that is improving every day and that is the north
edge of Billingsgate Shoals out to 45 to 55 feet of water.
Last Saturday we had Chris Hohab and his lawyers tournament.
The contest was between myself and the crew on the Watanya
operated by Steve Ellis. Last season my crew won handily,
this season it was Steve’s crew that beat the pants off my
crew. It’s funny, it seems lawyers don’t like to lose...
If you’d like to try some of the good bass fishing
or have any questions give me a call at: 508-240-8267 or
508-255-6211.
www.capecodbaycharters.com
stunmai@copper.net
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05/28/09 |
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The Stripers Continue Into The Bay...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
You could not ask for a better start to a fishing season.
Just about on cue, the stripers enter the Cape Cod Bay from
coming through the Canal. They spread down from Barnstable
Harbor to the area west of the old Target Ship. This last
Sunday more bass entered the area coming across Billingsgate
Shoals and working to the east. There is more than enough
bait between Sesuit Harbor and the Eastham shore to keep
these fish fed for a good long while. A good amount of these
fish will continue on with their migration but enough will
stick around to give what is starting out as one of the best
seasons in a while.
There is one noticeable absence. We have yet to find the
bigger bass that show up for a while at the beginning of the
season. Most of the keepers are ranging between 29 and 33
inches with a few hitting the 36 to 38 inch range. In past
years we have found some fish well into the 40 inch range.
Maybe they are still up in the shallow water. It has been a
cool spring.
The lure of choice this spring seems to be the umbrella rig.
The main bait in the Bay are large schools of sand eels.
This is what the umbrella rig imitates. With the six bugs or
teasers in a circular pattern with a leader and trailing
lure in the center, it acts just like a small fish chasing a
small school of sand eels. It is not unusual to come up with
3 or 4 fish on one of these rigs. It is primarily used with
wire line. The length is 150 ft. to 200 ft. depending on how
deep the water is and trolled at around 3.5 to 4 knots. The
trailer, or center lure can be most anything but is usually
a swimming plug. However, some just use another bug or
teaser. This will work very well especially in the more
shallow water, but you will find that these rigs can’t be
used in water less the 14 ft. deep. You’ll find they will
start snagging the bottom and getting all covered with
weeds. That’s one other thing you have look out for. If the
water has a lot of sea weed in the area you’re fishing in
you have to clean the rig. Any weed that gets on it will
keep it from fishing right.
The bass have not really moved into the area of Stony Bar
and up towards Welfleet Harbor. A few fish have been taken
up that way but not enough to be concerned with. Hopefully
this will change in the next week or two. The main body of
stripers are still out west of the old Target Ship and I
think they will stay in this area for a while. At least for
the next week or so. Then it is anyone’s guess. Billingsgate
Shoals may be a good bet by the the end of the weekend and
into the next week.
This last Tuesday I had Jerry Kottman and crew out for a
half day trip. They all did well landing a good number of
keepers with some of them close to 35 inches. There was one
exception. Lisa Buzeuicz, an engineer from Washington DC,
landed a nice 39 inch fish. It’s always the woman who gets
the big fish. It was the umbrella rig that produced most of
these stripers.
Capt. Hap
If you’d like to try some of the good bass fishing
or have any questions give me a call at: 508-240-8267 or
508-255-6211.
www.capecodbaycharters.com
stunmai@copper.net |
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05/20/09
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Cape Cod Bay Comes Alive...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
 It
has been a long wait but the 2009 fishing season has started
in Cape Cod Bay. This last Saturday, the 16th of May, a few
boats ventured out on to Cape Cod Bay looking for the first
run of the striped bass. They were not disappointed. A large
amount of small and legal size bass were found west of where
the old Target Ship used to be. There were small groups of
birds working these fish and by that one could see there
were numerous schools of bass in this area. Most of the fish
were under the legal limit but working through the small
fish each boat came up with the keepers they needed.
The fleet at Rock Harbor in Orleans is off to a good start. There were
a number of good signs that this may be a good season.
First, there is a good number of fish entering the Bay.
Second, there seems to be plenty of bait to keep the fish
around. The main thing we see is the fish are in good shape
and healthy looking. Let the water warm up just a little
more and this place will go nuts. There are some good size
fish around. Fish to be measured in pounds not inches.
As in years past as the next few weeks pass the movements
and habits of the striped bass will change quickly. As I
said they first showed up off the Brewster Flats and
Barnstable Harbor. A few days later we found them west of
the Target Ship Buoy. Next these fish should move to the
south edge of Billingsgate Shoals and also over by the #3
and # 5 cans. A good
number of these fish will continue on their migration route
and leave the Bay entirely, some will stay. There will be
periods of very active fishing and some periods where these
fish may be hard to find. Do not get disappointed. New
groups of bass will arrive to replace those who have
continued on up north. By early June the first bluefish will
show up, usually
off the the Eastham shore. At least that is what happens in
the early part of our season in Cape Cod Bay.
This last Saturday two young ladies from Bulgaria, Lyubomira
Yordanova (Lucy) and Elena Karakasheva (Leni), who are on
the Cape to work for the summer came fishing with me. They
got a chance to tangle with some of the newly arrived bass
and did very well. Neither one had ever been fishing like
this before. Heather Young, their host for the summer,
thought they would enjoy trying out things that we, who live
here, may take for granted. After a
little instruction they easily got dinner for that evening
and the next few days too.
If you’d like to try some of the good spring bass fishing
or have any questions give me a call at: 508-240-8267 or
508-255-6211.
www.capecodbaycharters.com
stunmai@copper.net |
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05/17/09
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Hot Reels Fishing Report |
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Capt. Bill Regan |
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 Hot
Reels completed its cod/haddock season yesterday. Warmer
waters have moved into the Bank and driven the big numbers
of cod and haddock further east. However, the fish that are
still around are the biggest of the season! Check out Adam
Plante with his 31", 17 pounder cod!. All of the cod taken
were at least 10 pounds with several shorts as well.
Hot Reels is returning to Allen Harbor this week to rig for
striped bass and bluefish season. Updates on this fishery
will be forthcoming; however, if early action is any
indication, 2009 could be a record year! Stay tuned! |
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05/05/09
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Fishing with the
Maverick |
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Capt. Jack Riley |
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We are pleased to announce the annual opening of our retail
store at Allen Harbor Marine, 335 Lower County Road, Harwich
Port, MA 02646. We will be offering all of the same great
offshore lures as last season with the addition of an
expanded line of soft baits, jigs and spreader bars. The
store will be open from 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through
Saturday. We have an open house planned for Saturday June
6th. Please stay tuned for further details and information
on the discounted specials that will be available that day.
The soft baits we will be offering were deadly on both
stripers and bluefin last year. For tuna we trolled them
with an Eye Catcher Hood or added them to the stinger on a
squid bar. We will also be offering a ballyhoo bar that
works well when the half beaks are around.
The spring migration of stripers and tuna into inshore and
offshore Massachusetts waters has begun. For the last three
years school bluefin have arrived in the Crab Ledge / BC
Buoy area by the second week in June. Stripers are being
caught on both the RI and MA coastlines. The Islands should
heat up shortly. Both the inshore and offshore sea surface
temperature charts are pointing to a very good early season.
Capt.Jack |
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05/05/09
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Rock Harbor Fishing Report |
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Capt. Hap Farrell |
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Stunmai II |
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The Action Starts...
 It's
the 5th of May. It's rainy, chilly, and just plain miserable
out. We've been waiting for the summer season to start where
the weather improves by warming up and getting sunny. Where
the water warms and the bass start to come up into Pleasant
Bay, the Cove, and Cape Cod Bay. Well, you can't tell it by
the weather but the rumors of fish have started. As of
today, I've heard of almost legal bass being landed off
Crowell Rd in Eastham on the low end of a coming tide. Also,
three keepers being landed by two anglers out of Sesuit
Harbor.
Maybe Cape Cod Bay will open up early. My boat is finally
ready so I'm going out this weekend and check some of my
spots and test these rumors. I gauge the movement of the
bass in our area by the first fish taken at the River Rd.
landing in Orleans. So far I have not found any fish there.
I have not been up to South Sunken Meadow yet, but there
isn't any information from there either. There have been
small newly arrived stripers in Pleasant Bay in the Chatham
areas but nothing reported up here in Orleans. This will
soon change, I'm sure. It's time to start looking. I'm going
to be hitting the River Rd. landing everyday until this
coming weekend. The I'll concentrate on the Bay.
If you'd like to book a trip this season give me a call at
Home: 508-255-6211 or Cell: 508-240-8267. Thanks! Hap |
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04/26/09
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Fishing with the
Maverick |
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Capt. Jack Riley |
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We received the below from Capt. Bill Regan and the crew of
the Hot Reels this morning. Great job guys! |
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Jack/Dave,
You may want to let your readers know that the haddock bite
going off east of Stellwagen Bank is absolutely incredible.
On Friday, Randy, Brian and I went out for a little over 2
hours of fishing and filled the box. (I think we had 26
total but don't quote me on that number - it was somewhere
around there). Yesterday we had the Plante family out on
charter and we pretty much hit the same numbers all over
again. The seas were not friendly (4-6'ers which make
drifting lots of fun) and ripping currents but great fishing
nonetheless. I have attached pics of the results.
Hope all is well.
Bill |
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04/23/09
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Fishing with the
Maverick |
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Capt. Jack Riley |
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 The
big cod bite in RI is over at this time. The RI charter
boats went everywhere last week with very little luck. We
did hear from Capt. Bill Regan fishing the Hot Reels for cod
on Stellwagon. He did ok last weekend with 11 fish caught, 3
legal. The weather has been a
big factor in the ability to get on the grounds. There are
plenty of haddock around also when you can get offshore.
The herring are running in all RI tidal streams so the
bigger bass should be right behind. Schoolie
stripers are being caught all along the RI coast.
There have been some reports of some schoolies being caught
off Martha's Vineyard, as well as a report or two of sea run
fish being landed on the Cape. Capt. Jack |
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New for the 2009 season...get
real time fishing reports, information, and any "how to"
information you want via our
Offshore Pursuits
Blog. Think of it as your own personalized free consultation service. Ask a question and it
will be answered. Having a good day, post all about it.
Having a bad day, post that too. That way we don't feel
alone :).
As bad as the year seems so far, we can make our own little
world better! Dave and Capt. Jack |
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04/15/09 |
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Below is a direct quote from
Sport Fishing magazine. We felt it was worth putting up.
It is very interesting, and could impact us all. As I said,
it is directly from
Sport Fishing Magazine. |
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"Apr 13, 2009
Law Would Intentionally Wipe Out Striped Bass
This is not a joke - but you can (and should) help stop it!
Even fishermen who live on the East Coast are likely aware
that for the second year in a row, California's salmon
fishery is moribund. One of the main and longstanding
reasons for decimation of many of the state's wild-salmon
runs - including those historically with the greatest
numbers of fish, from the mighty Sacramento River - is water
diversion.
Powerful agribusiness interests have for years persuaded
state and federal officials to allow the export of massive
quantities of fresh water to huge corporate farms. Even
after its own scientists warned the Bush Administration that
water diversion would leave great numbers of threatened
salmon runs dying in low, warm water, the Administration
disregarded the advice and gave its thirsty (and powerful)
pals in the big-farm biz the diverted water they wanted.
Later that year, guess what? Great numbers of threatened
salmon runs died in water far too low and warm for spawning
success.
Now, as if intending to prove the bounds of their greed are
truly without limit or shame, the same agricultural
interests have, via a state assemblywoman by the name of
Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield), come up with a bizarre scheme
to divert attention from diverted water.
Turns out, it's not years of depriving wild salmon stocks of
critical water for spawning and juvenile growth that are to
blame for decimation of the species. The real problem?
Striped bass that live in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
are eating all the salmon.
Accordingly, Fuller has introduced a wacky but dangerous
bill into the State Assembly that would end management of
stripers and allow unlimited harvest of one of the state's
great and valued game fish.
Ms. Fuller's sudden concern for wild salmon is laudable.
It's too bad she couldn't revise her bill to force greedy
agribusinesses and the politicians they own to share some of
the water they take from the public domain - the Sacramento
River - with the salmon she loves so much.
You don't have to be a Californian to be outraged at this
reprehensible display of avarice. And you don't have to be a
Californian to let your voice be heard. In fact, California
lawmakers should hear from all of us and realize that
Fuller's bill is so egregiously misguided that it has
opponents chiming in from around the U.S. That's the kind of
message that we should be sending.
The State Assembly's Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
will hear this bill on April 28th. Time is of the essence;
if state lawmakers don't hear from anglers, this disastrous
bill will pass.
Fortunately, you can register your opposition to Fuller's
bill in mere seconds, by going to
www.saveourstripers.org where you can read and sign onto
a letter (separately, as an individual, business or NGO)
instantly. When you have done that, send the link to a
friend -- or a few. You may also want to visit a web site of
folks who, unlike Fuller, are genuinely concerned with
saving salmon and not veggies:
www.restorethedelta.org.
If we don't act, and Fuller has her way, California is
likely to end up with neither salmon nor striped bass - but
plenty of cotton and artichokes." |
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As I said, it is directly from
Sport Fishing Magazine. |
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04/14/09 |
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I received the below today from a CHOIR member... |
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If you haven’t seen it, today’s Federal Register notice (click
here) closed the southern New England herring management
area (area 2) to all directed fishing as of midnight
tonight.
Looks like all of those boats have been working hard off
Block Island this winter.
The Area 2 TAC was 30,000 tons.
Gib |
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04/09/09 |
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I received the below from Chris Weiner (CHOIR) this
evening. Great Job! |
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As most of you probably know, this past October, midwater
trawlers fishing in Groundfish Closed Area 1 (CA 1) were
observed having high levels of haddock bycatch. When these
boats first gained access to these areas in 1998, it was
under the (false) assumption that since they were so-called
‘midwater trawlers’ that they did not interact with
groundfish. But just incase, a rule was put in place that
said that bycatch of groundfish exceeded (or were likely to
exceed) 1% or more of their overall catch, that the access
to these areas could be rescinded.
(It should be noted that many have questioned the decision
to allow these vessels into the closed areas since the day
it happened. The decision was made based on a tiny sampling
of tows, none of which were even in the closed areas. Just
about every fisherman in the region knows that the name
‘midwater trawl’ is a misnomer, and that the gear is more
than capable of catching groundfish.)
As a result of the bycatch observations from this Fall, the
NEFMC voted in Novemeber to request that the National Marine
Fisheries Service analyze the data to determine whether this
1% threshold had been met and, if so, to determine whether
access to CA 1 should be rescinded.
04/09/09
Midwater Trawling in Closed Area 1
After months of looking over the data, a couple weeks ago
Pat Kurkul, head of the Northeast Regional Office of NMFS,
released the data and asked the NEFMC to schedule a
discussion of this issue.
At yesterday's meeting, the discussion finally happened. The
issue was debated for hours and most of the NEFMC, led by
David Pierce from MA DMF and Dave Goethel, a fisherman from
New Hampshire, made it clear that they believed action had
to be taken. While it took hours to settle on the right
motion, they eventually voted to require that midwater
trawlers must have 100% observer coverage if they want to
fish in CA 1. They also voted (in the same motion) to
require that there be no dumping of unsampled catch. This
last point is a big one, as many have worried that 100%
observer coverage is essentially meaningless as long as
dumping was allowed.
The next step is for NMFS to implement the Councils request.
The discussion at the meeting between the NEFMC and staff
from NMFS seemed to imply that the agency will probably
follow through on the NEFMC’s wishes: NMFS did make it clear
that they believed that they had the necessary funding for
observers to cover all the trips, which is important in
terms of these changes being implemented. Also, Paul Howard,
Executive Director of the NEFMC explained that the original
rule allowing these boats in the closed areas specified that
changes to the Letter of Authorization (which allows them
into the areas) could be made if the 1% threshold is
surpassed, which puts to rest the claims made by some in the
audience that the managers do not have the authority to make
the move that they made today. But for now we will just have
to wait and see how it all plays out and we will keep you
posted on any developments.
All in all, this was a major step forward today in regards
to getting better management in the herring fishery. Good
work to all those who helped in making this happen! |
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02/28/09 |
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Click here
for an open letter explaining the current ICCAT/NMFS Bluefin
Tuna dilemma. This is an important matter, and must be
responded to before March 4th, 2009. At the bottom of the
page is a letter that you can cut, paste, and modify to suit
and send before march 4th to the indicated recipients (if
you agree). |
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02/22/09 |
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Don't get caught this year scrambling for your favorite
squid to re-rig a bar or make new. From now until
June 1st,
Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle is offering a special
consisting of 14 - 13" squid of the same color and 1 -13"
squid of a different color for a stinger. That's 15 - 13"
squid for only $37.20
That is a 25% discount over our normal low prices
on the best squid money can buy. Don't take my word for it,
ask those who fish them daily!
Available colors for this special are Jade, Shrimp,
Rainbow, Green, Black, Pink, Zucchini, Hot Tomato and Sand
Eel. The colors for the stinger are the same with the
addition of Pearl and Glow.
All other 13" squid less than the special amount will be
discounted 15% until June 1st.
Click here for the 15 Squid Special
Click here for bulk 13" squid
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01/01/09 |
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Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits |
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Effective January 1, 2009, the Angling category retention
limit will be one BFT/vessel/day/trip (measuring 27 to less
than 73 inches). These BFT retention limits are effective
for all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of
Mexico is designated as a spawning grounds for BFT and
therefore NMFS does not allow vessels, commercial or
recreational, to target BFT while fishing in this area.
However, HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Heaboats are eligible
to retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year
as a “trophy” fish for the boat. This fish may be retained
in the Gulf of Mexico if it is caught incidentally while
pursuing other species. The recreational yellowfin tuna
daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person/day/trip. The
minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved
fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye,
skipjack or albacore tunas. |
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11/14/08 |
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"Blood Bath" East of Chatham... |
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The bite that was....
I apologize for the "blood bath" reference above, but it is
a direct quote. This past Friday the cod boats out of
Chatham were working their gear about 4 miles north of the
Regal Sword as they do most other days that they are on the
water. As they were gutting the catch, an event occurred
that I have only seen in the movies of PEI and Hatteras, and
that I am very sure most people have never seen.
As the fish entrails were tossed astern, huge bluefin tuna
were congregating around the stern sucking up everything
that was thrown at them.
These cod fisherman immediately relayed this info to there
partners in Chatham who headed offshore as soon as they
could gear up. That Friday afternoon there were 5 or so
boats that showed up.
Chunking with anything they could get their hands on, then
tossing a bait of any sort with a hook in it into the mix
provided almost instant results. Giant bluefin tuna....in
every sense of the word. Huge fish to be exact.
All 5 or so boats that day had 3 fish each. All big fish.
Before the weekend was over, there was a 1222 lb fish taken,
a few over a 1000 lbs, and many in the 800 to 900 lb range.
Again, all this is documented.
Saturday saw a fleet of 10 to 12 boats in the same area. All
these boats ended up with 1 to 3 fish each. Sunday saw the
fleet increase to 40 boats, and again, all boats reported 1
to 3 fish each.
It should be noted that the commercial boats that had left
the Cape and were headed points south immediately turned
around and steamed back to the Cape.
As you can imagine, by Monday there were 75 boats in the
fleet, 100 on Tuesday, and over 175 yesterday. There were
still fish being caught as of yesterday, but the fish were
deep, no doubt being put down by 150 boats overhead.
The water temperature on the grounds is 50 degrees on the
surface, the thermo cline is at 100 feet, and the bottom is
at 200 feet.
I have no proof of this, but a theory has been put forward
that there may be warmer water under the 50 degree water. i
am not sure if or how this is possible, but it was brought
up by some pretty knowledgeable people.
The bottom line is that there are, or were, huge schools of
big fish that showed up Friday in an area they were not in
just days before. It will be interesting to see that after
the weather settles if the fish are still around, or if they
moved off.
To top it off, these fish were all very fat fish, and at
first indication are bringing in very good money.
I do hope for all that are fishing that the fish will still
be there next week. As a side note, the Coast Guard cutter
was on the grounds with 2 inflatables checking boats for
compliance.
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10/19/08 |
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Herring Fleet Bycatch |
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The below was received from tom Rudolph, by way of
CHOIR - Read it and watch the video. You will come
away with a whole new outlook on things you may or may not
have known about. |
Hello All,
As yet another alarming pulse of haddock bycatch makes its
way from MWT fish-holds, through this pathetic, leaky excuse
for a monitoring system, into lobster bait bags, let’s
remember three things:
1. It isn’t just haddock. Chatham longline captains fishing
in the Closed Area I SAP reported massive striped bass
slicks two weekends ago, the same time the first haddock
bycatch came to light. They saw the MWT fleet in the
northern part of CAI. No other draggers were anywhere to be
seen. Now there is video of this striper slick taken from
pretty much the same time and place. Take a look:
http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f186/disturbing-video-55702.html
2. MA DMF continues to lead the charge for status quo. A
year ago, David Pierce nearly convinced the Council that
everything is fine, and that his closed-door meetings with
the industry would lead to good monitoring and a responsible
fishery. Last week, despite my direct pleas and my citation
of the above mentioned striped bass bycatch, he led the
charge to craft a monitoring program that would not include
stripers as a data target.
3. Now is the time to speak up! Despite DMF working so hard
for status quo, we do have Amendment 4 in the hopper, and a
new monitoring program is being created as we speak. Please
speak up this week and let DMF and their superiors know how
you feel about this senseless slaughter of haddock and
striped bass. Let them know you expect emergency action to
address the haddock and striped bass bycatch taking place in
and near Closed Area I. Let them know you expect Dr. Pierce
to lead the charge for 100% monitoring coverage in the
fishery, and no more dumping.
As always, let us know if you need contact info. And please
spread the word, and the video, far and wide. This insanity
has to end.
Thanks,
Tom
Tom Rudolph, Herring Campaign Operations Director
Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen's Association
4189 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 230-0547 (o)
(503) 230-0903 (f)
(508) 776-8056 (c)
tom@ccchfa.org
www.ccchfa.org
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10/17/08 |
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Tom with another nice bluefin tuna caught aboard the "Hot
Reels" with Capt. Bill Regan on 10/16/08 |
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10/10/08 |
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BB and Drew with a nice 60" bluefin tuna caught with Capt.
Bill Regan aboard the "Hot Reels" on 10/9/08 |
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10/10/08 |
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The Bluefin Tuna Bite... |
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This past weekend was the Hyannis Anglers Club Tuna
Tournament. There were 8 boats entered into the tournament,
with only one giant being landed. The winning fish was
almost 700 lbs. The official results
are below:
1st place "Kerinellie" owned by Joe Harold and captained by
J.C. Burke weighed a 697 lb. Giant Bluefin Tuna to take 1st
place.
2nd place went to "Castifari" owned and captained by Damon
Sacco, with a 113 lb. Bluefin Tuna.
3rd place was captured by "Resilient" owned by Jay Cashman,
with a 103 lb Bluefin Tuna.
Everyone said there are no giants around. The next day ,
Monday, there were six giants taken at Crab Ledge on live
pogies and bluefish. Then on Tues. a couple corkers were
taken there. My partner, Capt. Jack Riley said that his
friend on the "Miss Jennifer" took a fish that topped out
the scale at 999.99. The scale can't go any higher so the
fish was over a 1000 lbs. The other fish taken was 900+.
All that was as of Tuesday night. The fleet is out there as
we speak. The weather looks good for this weekend, and the
fall is shaping up to be possibly the best in a few years.
Most comments indicate that the
fish are bigger, and everybody that has fished has marked
and seen big fish. The heavy hitters are out in force now,
so we will see what happens.
There are still a few fish being taken off Stellwagen, but
the main bite is east of Chatham. The word from the BB is
that there was a bite a while back, but the fish moved. Now
everything seems to going on inside.
We know of a few boats getting things set up to head to
Moorehead City for the winter fishery off NC after the
Chatham bite is over. The way it looks though, that might be
awhile yet.
Good luck! |
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10/01/08 |
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A Perfect Weekend Out East! |
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Story by David Dodsworth |
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 The
weekend before last I spent Saturday, Sunday, and most of
Monday SW of the BC in search of giant bluefin. I was
fishing with my partner, Capt. Jack Riley, and his mate,
Eben Bemis aboard the Maverick. We were strictly in search
of giants, so we knew going in that we could come up empty.
The weather forecast for the weekend was iffy at best.
Sunday looked like the only shot, be we decided to head out
Saturday and see what met us when we rounded the corner at
Monomoy. As we all know now, the forecast was 180 degrees
from what actually happened. It turned out to be the most
beautiful two days on the water I have seen in awhile.
Monday wasn't bad, but it started to come un early in the
afternoon.
Anyway, the plan Saturday was to slow troll bridled live
bluefish. We only had three in the live well, so we decided
to fish two rods. We missed the dawn bite, but we hoped the
slacks would be good to us.
Long before the first slack, the starboard rod went off
hard. The 130 screamed for a short burst, then settled into
a steady pull. Two long runs later I had parallel to the
stern the biggest blue shark I have ever seen, never mind
caught. This fish was an honest 10 feet long, with two
witnesses to attest to the fact. It was a good fight on a
big fish, but not what we were looking for.
The fishing was tough, even though we were in the midst of
all kind of whales, bait, and working birds over busting
fish.
It wasn't long before we went off again, this time another
shark not nearly as bi as the first. We were now down to 1
bluefish. We decided to break out the ballyhoo and fish one
blue/white Ilander over a ballyhoo, and a naked ballyhoo
behind the bait shower teaser (available at Offshore e
Pursuits Premium Tackle). We fished the Ilander 50 yards
back, and the ballyhoo and bait shower teaser about 30 yards
back. The bluefish brought up the rear. Unfortunately, not
for long. Another blue shark grabbed this bait, and once
again was brought to the boat. This fish was also much
smaller than the 10 footer.
Now we were down to ballyhoo and squid rigs. Same pattern,
only this time the squid rig was long. The second slack had
just started, and the only life around was two whales
feeding up ahead. We pointed the bow for the whales and
trolled on.
 As
soon as we passed the whales, the naked ballyhoo went off,
followed instantly by too good sized fish both heading for
the Ilander. We were doubled up!
I grabbed the nearest rod, while Eben headed for the other.
Jack came down and cleared the squid rig and settled in for
the fight.
Eben soon landed a nice fat 60" fish on the 130. This fish
had eaten well for a long time. As this was going on, my 80
was down to half a spool. We had a hunch, and pushed the 60"
fish through the tuna door to swim again.
After an hour, and numerous runs, I had my fish up to the
swivel. The problem was that every time he got by the boat,
he would be fin up and heading to the starboard side, arcing
20 yards out and getting on it's side. The big problem here
was that Eben was on the port side, and couldn't stick the
fish on my side with out me getting pinched by the harpoon
rope.
We played this game three or four times before the fish
rolled just enough below the stern to give Eben a shot. He
connected hard on the second attempt, and we wrestled him to
the stern to get a tail rope on him.
 The
fish was ours. We tried to haul the fish over the rail, but
was unsuccessful. We ended up pulling him through the tuna
door. Although not as fat as the 60" fish we let go, this
fish measured an honest 75.5". Not the giant we were looking
for, but a saleable fish none the less. plus it gave the
Maverick bragging rights at Allen harbor for bringing in the
first legal fish.
Sunday proved even more beautiful than Saturday. We saw more
life, a whole lot more boats, and scored on a 60" fish
caught on an Ilander over a ballyhoo. It couldn't have been
a more perfect weather day.
Monday we headed out early, and hit our numbers about an
hour after daylight. There was life all around, feeding
birds, whales, and breaking fish. We hooked up immediately
on an East of Chatham squid rig with a custom painted
stinger. This fish also measured out at 60". We through him
back sure that with a start like that, we would be into more
fish before the day was out.
We were into fish alright, we just couldn't hook them. We
chased school after school of feeding tuna, hooking up once
on a Tuna Train, only to loose the fish early. We also had
some boils behind the squid rigs, but no hook ups.
What we did see from both the deck and the tower was the
fact that there were schools and classes of fish
intermingling. We saw 48" to 80" fish in the same feeding
frenzies. The smaller fish were on the surface, while the
big fish were right below them.
It couldn't have been a nicer three day stretch offshore. I
have spent 9 days in years past in Chatham waiting for the
wind to lay down, only to go home having never made it
offshore. So this was definitely a great time for all.
Good luck to all of you heading offshore this fall. Who
knows, maybe I will see you in NC in December or January.
Dave |
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09/17/08 |
Eating Words Instead of Fish...
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
Stunmai II
 For
the last few weeks I have been reporting that there has not
been much in the way of striped bass in Cape Cod Bay with
the exception of the Provincetown area. I was not telling a
fib. There was a rumor that Scorton Creek had some bass and
it turned out to be true. Most of the charter fleet out of
Rock Harbor, Welfleet and some out of Sesuit were unaware of
how
good it was. Still, Billingsgate Shoals and the deep water
off the north edge of the shoals was not producing any
decent bass fishing. So, we were concentrating on the
bluefish which there was an abundance of. This was the
assumption of most if not all of the fleet, and that is what
I reported.
As in New England, if you want a change just wait. Well, I
now have to eat my words. This last Tuesday, the 16th of
Sept., I head out with threeanglers, Ray Zenkert from
Southwick, Ma., Allen Boratko from Westford, Ma., and Daren
Hall from Canton, Ct.. I told them as we
left the harbor that the bass fishing was slow if not
nonexistent. They understood and resigned themselves to some
good blue fishing. Shortly into the trip while jigging on
top of Billingsgate Shoals they landed their first keeper.
It was about 30 inches long. Then another keeper came over
the rail. For the rest of the trip we landed a number of
undersize bass, more keepers and a good number of bluefish.
The biggest bass landed went a good 20 pounds.
That is why they are eating fish and I’m eating my words or
better put, I’m eating crow...Hap |
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Fishing the Cape and beyond... |
09/11/08
The magic hour is drawing near. Depending on your target,
the good fishing hasn't started yet.
With the school tuna fever taking hold, It is my belief that
many are ignoring the quest for giants in lieu of a sure
thing. With fuel what it is, and charters expecting to catch
fish, I guess i don't blame them.
Anyway, enough of my ranting and raving. You have read Capt.
Hap Farrell's report on the state of fishing in the Bay.
Thank god for the bluefish. Now to find enough six pounders
for live bait! usually when that is what you are looking
for, nothing but 10 to 12 lb. fish hit the rigs. It never
fails.
There are blitzes of fish moving up and down the backside.
Bluefish mostly, with the occasional school of bass showing
up. Cut bait, sand eels, and eels at night are all
producing.
There is a decent striper bight at Race Point and around
Wood End, with the ever present schools of marauding
bluefish to add to the excitement.
Peaked Hill Bar has produced some of the biggest fish of the
season, bar none. It is a tough place to fish with a crowd,
but in the right position, it can be phenomenal.
The NW corner and the SW corner are both producing fish to
200 lbs. Jeffries is your best bet for some true giant
activity. Although the word I am getting is that the bait is
starting to move into the Bay, so there may be some decent
giant fishing inside yet. As we know, every year there are
some awful big fish taken out of the Bay.
The canal is so so, with bluefish everpresent. There are a
fair number of fat alberts (false albacore) being taken from
the canal also.
The rocks and holes of the Elizabeth's have been producing
some big bas to those fishing eels at night.
If you can get there, Crab Ledge (north and SW), Regal
Sword, and east towards the BB are your best bets for some
school bluefin. Who knows, you may hook something a whole
lot bigger than you are looking for!
Good luck with whatever you are chasing. Dave |
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08/28/08 |
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Some great fishing aboard the
Stunmai II with Capt. Hap Farrell out of Rock Harbor in
Orleans, MA. |
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08/28/08 |
Fishing the South Side and beyond with the Maverick
Capt. Jack Riley
Maverick Charters
08/28/08
We caught our first green bonito today on
Handkerchief shoals. We also had our pick of bass
and bluefish.
The bass bite is somewhat slow, with it picking up after
dark for those interested.
We have a bluefin trip tomorrow. Today Capt. Jack Rogers of
the "Merlin" caught a fish in the mid 50" range that weighed
in at @ 130 lbs. Early morning bite NW of the BC. Spreader
bars and tuna trains are working well. There is also an
early morning bite going on at the Regal Sword. Haven't
heard of many people going way east yet.
The Vineyard is all about fat Alberts (false albacore as
they call them down south) and bonito. They are catching
bass on the southside early off the beach, with blues
showing up with the sun.
The Canal is slow. Nothing spectacular going on.
You have read Capt. Hap Farrells report on the Bay.
School tuna on the bank, and stripers jigged on wire off
P-Town. The surf guys are hitting some fish early, with the
bluefish showing up later. Bluefish all along the back side.
Good luck to all this weekend! Capt. Jack
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 Hi
Dave,
Nothing has changed, 1 to 4 commercial keepers per trip.
Billingsgate is dead.
Someone put the word out, big bite at Long Point between
dusk and midnight, 50 boats there last night, no fish!
The little bight is at Herring Cove between dawn and 8 am.
I took a friend out today and he caught a decent fish, photo
is attached.
Tight Lines, Tom
The above report was submitted by Tom
McCombs, maker of the Sweet Lip Jigs. |
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08/07/08
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Congratulations to John Carlson (of the Carlson Bird fame)
on landing a 864 lb. giant bluefin this past Tuesday! John
was fishing aboard the "My Delight" with Capt. Wayne Daley
on Peaked Hill and caught the fish on a live bluefish. Great
going John! |
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08/07/08 |
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Fishing Report... |
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The bass fishing is picking up off Monomoy, the bluefin bite
is hit or miss, but an early morning slack seems to be the
best producer... Click
here for all the reports. |
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08/07/08 |
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Very important reading below! |
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RE: [Choir] Massachusetts Legislation to Create
Shore-Based Monitoring
Hello All,
Many of you may already know that CCCHFA has been working
hard to secure state legislation in Massachusetts to mandate
and fund very robust shoreside monitoring for the pelagic
fisheries. Essentially the program would require vessels
landing in Massachusetts to
a) Conduct their offload under the observation of a
certified, third-party shore based observer,and
b) Conduct their offloads such that an independently
verified actual weight is taken on all the fish. The program
would also..
C) Appropriate $750,000 to the DMF to conduct the program.
The good news is that this legislation passed the
Massachusetts legislature! On Thursday night, the program
language and the funding for it were included in the Energy
and Environmental Bond Bill (H5054) passed by both houses.
The bill now sits before the Governor and he has until about
Monday the 11th to sign it.
The bad news is that DMF seems prepared to advise the
Governor to veto the entire Bond Bill because they aren't
sure they can support the program. The tight language of the
bill which would ensure a truly meaningful and robust
landings monitoring program, as we might expect, makes them
nervous.
So we'd like to ask for your help. We need emails and phone
calls to the following:
Commissioner of the Mass Department of Fish and Game Mary
Grifiin (Diodati's boss) email: mary.griffin@state.ma.us
Phone (617) 626-1500
Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Ian Bowles (Griffin's boss) email: env.internet@state.ma.us
Phone (617) 626-1000
Lt. Governor Tim Murray (handles many fishing issues for
Gov. Patrick) email: http://www.mass.gov/? pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_u
s (web-based form) Phone: 617.725.4005
Governor Patrick (Bowles' boss) email: http://www.mass.gov/?
pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=Agov3_contact_u s
(web-based form) Phone: 617.725.4005
The message is simple, "I am a Massachusetts fisherman and I
am very pleased that the Environmental Bond Bill contains
meaningful measures to help DMF monitor the herring and
mackerel fleets in an effective way. Up until now we have
been unable to do it, and as a result we have no idea what
this fleet is landing, though we do know they are landing an
awful lot of bycatch including river herring and haddock.
Something has to change and the tight guidelines in this
bill, along with the money to help fund the program, are
long overdue. DMF should be pleased and excited about this
development and they, along with the DFG and the EOEA,
should urge the Governor to sign the bill so we can all sit
down ASAP and hammer out the details so we can start
actually counting and weighing what in landed by these
vessels."
If anyone would like to read the legislation, follow this
link and see section 2300-7018 and also section 24
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/185/ht05pdf/ht0
5054.pdf
I also have additional talking points if anyone would like
more information or more selling points.
This is very important so please take 15 minutes and help
out. This has the potential to generate very high- quality
information on a great percentage of the catch in this
fishery very quickly. It may also set the bar for other
efforts by the Federal government and states and change the
whole culture of the fishery in which we basically know
nothing!
Thanks!
Tom Rudolph
tom@ccchfa.org |
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08/07/08
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Tournament to help bluefin research
The below was forwarded to my by:
><((((*> ><((((*>
Chris Weiner
CHOIR Coalition
Portland, Maine
207-761-1947 978-886-0204 (cell)
www.choircoalition.org
Dr. Molly Lutcavage and her large pelagic tagging program
have been in the forefront of research programs devoted to
scientific inquiry into the life cycle of Giant Bluefin
Tuna. For almost twenty years she has devoted her time and
effort to solving the riddles of their migration patterns,
spawning areas and daily life activities.
Unfortunately, the funding by her usual sources has been
reduced considerably, and it has become necessary for her
and her many friends to raise the funds necessary to
continue her work. It is imperative that Dr. Lutcavage s
work continue. Richard Burgess, of RockOn Products,
suggested to me that we have a tournament in the hopes of
revitalizing the declining interest in tuna fishing.
I suggested combining the two issues.
To this end, The North Shore Community Tuna Association
along with RockOn Products have proposed a "Tag-a-Tiny" Tuna
Tournament. This would help raise funds for Dr. Lutcavage,
and assist her in her current efforts in researching
movements of the juvenile Bluefin Tuna now frequenting our
coast.
Tournament Information 1. A three day tagging tournament,
the last full weekend of August (21st -24th)
* Thursday 8.21.08: Captain s meeting that evening * Friday
8.22.08: Sunday 8.24.08: Fishing Tournament takes place *
Friday 8.22.08: Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament that evening
* Sunday 8.24.08: Buffet and wrap-up from 4-7 pm
2. A "no-kill" tournament that includes: * Prizes to be
awarded in three boat categories with encouragement for tag
and release * Number of qualified tag and releases will
determine the three winners in each category * Digital
date/time photo for verification must be available to the
judges in the event of a dispute * Decision of the judges is
final and irrefutable * Anglers may kill fish (IAW NMFS
regulations), but only giants killed and entered with a
dealers authenticated Net Weight slip will be considered for
the "Largest Fish" Category
3. Boats will receive a "Tournament kit" with t-shirts,
tagging kit, merchandise rebate certificates, meal tickets,
and other giveaways by sponsors.
Event Sponsors
We are looking for sponsors who will not only provide funds,
but any other support deemed useful to accomplish our
objectives. Preferably one sponsor for each venue event
(prices to be determined), and many others with donated
merchandise or funds.
If you are interested please contact Mark Godfried: (e)
tagatiny@gmail.com (p) (978) 317-1797 |
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07/03/08 |
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Below is a link to a copy of the Maine Lobstermen's
Association letter supporting the Midcoast Fishermen's
Association lawsuit to remove midwater trawlers from
groundfish closed areas. Chris Weiner of the CHOIR Coalition
sent this to me. It is very important reading for all.
Click here to read the letter. |
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07/03/08 |
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First., I would like to wish all of you a safe and happy 4th
of July weekend. Secondly, we had a call today from one of
our crew who was fishing east of Chatham (BC) with Capt.
Eddie aboard the Reel Attitude. They had a 500 lb bluefin
boatside and couldn't get a dart in him before he got the
line wrapped up in the props. That was the only fish, and it
made for a great, if not frustrating day of fishing! That
will make you want to get out there this weekend!
Read all the
reports here... |
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06/19/08 |
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Fishing the Cape... |
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The canal bite is steady, with some decent fish still being
caught. It appears that the really big fish have moved
through, but there are some decent fish being taken on a
regular basis.
As you read in the Rock Harbor report, the bass are changing
their habits. You have to work a little harder to find that
big bas right now.
There is decent striper fishing off Race Point, and there
are tuna being caught also. The big fish are still up in the
NW corner of the Bank, but there should be some giants
moving into the Bay before too long.
The backside beaches are slow, with not much to report from
anywhere.
Good luck to all this weekend!
Don't forget to stock up on premium high quality "East
of Chatham" brand tuna gear at
Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle. For those who demand
the very best, East of Chatham brand tuna
gear. Available exclusively from Offshore Pursuits.
East of Chatham brand tuna gear as well as the complete line
of Offshore Pursuits lures and rigs are now available at our
Allen Harbor store.
By mid July, our second online store, Bluefin Tuna Tackle
will be open for business. Here you will find only the best
tackle and gear specifically targeting bluefin tuna, both
giants and sbft.
Watch for the official opening date to be set early next
month.
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Fishing the South Side with the Maverick |
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06/19/08 |
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Bluefin and big stripers!
As you just read, one of our partner boats, the Hot Reels
with Capt. Bill Regan again did well of Chatham. The fish
moved down from the north to the BC proper on the moon tide
a few days ago. There are
a lot of fish there now, with everybody hooking up today.
The weather may be tricky this weekend, but we will
see.
The bass fishing off Sankety is out of sight. Every charter
is limiting out on keepers, with many more thrown back. Rigs
fished properly in the rips are
working the best.
There is decent bass fishing all around the Vineyard, with
the Elizabeths still the place to be for true trophies.
Monomoy has not started to heat up yet, but that should
change fairly soon.
Good luck to all. Capt. Jack
Capt. Jack Riley
Maverick Charters |
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06/16/08 |
First Bluefin Tuna from East of Chatham
Capt. Bill Regan
Hot Reels on the Board!
06/15/08
Hot Reels left Allen Harbor at 4:15 to the trek out East of
Chatham during driving rain and periodic lightning. On board
were Capt. Bill Regan, Capt. Derek Barber and Mate Brian
Sullivan.
Lines were in at 5:30 as the rain continued. Life was all
around - whales broaching; birds diving; large schools of
dolphins and more importantly pods of SBFT pushing all
through the water.
Within 10 minutes the port long rigger went off. After a 20
minute fight, Capt. Derek had boated a nice 52", 86 lb. fish
- Hot Reels was on the board! After resetting the baits and
teasers, it wasn't long before Brian was tight - a 58", 111
lb. fish.
The bite slowed considerably as well as the life around the
boat. After a slow troll further north, Capt. Bill turned
Hot Reels south again to where the fish were earlier. Sure
enough, life reappeared and within 15 minutes the starboard
long rigger went tight. 15 minutes later the third fish of
the day - a 77 lb. 47" fish was in the boat.
Still surrounded by lots of life the crew decided to cast
into the fast moving pods to no avail. At this point the
downpours were considerable so at 10:45 the crew headed back
in.
The fish are very finicky and are lying deep. The
Offshore Pursuits Maxi-Splash Tuna Train ( a
Tormenter bird followed by an 84" teaser made up of (4)
MoldCraft Little Birds or (3) East of Chatham 5" hard birds)
or the
Offshore Pursuits Red Eye Tuna Train (same but in pink),
less the stingers and pulled long are a must to get the fish
into the spread. These fish were caught on
East of Chatham Spreader Bars. |
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06/05/08 |
I had a customer contact me today to say that there are BIG
bluefin in the Gulf of Maine. The large amount of bait
present seems to be holding the fish, and this weekend will
find more than a few boats trolling big squid rigs in search
of a keeper.
As you saw in Capt. Jack's report, there are tuna east of
Chatham. How far east at this point is the question. I am
sure we will know the answer to that by Monday!
About the only spot that hasn't been mentioned in the above
reports is the Canal. By all reports, that is the hot spot
of the week. Big stripers to 40 pounds, as well as a ton of
big bluefish have been keeping anglers busy (and happy)
around the clock. Look for this action to continue for a
little while anyway.
Read the rest of
this weeks reports here...
Don't forget to stock up on premium high quality "East of
Chatham" brand tuna gear at
Offshore Pursuits Premium Tackle. For those who
demand the very best, East of Chatham brand tuna
gear. Available exclusively from Offshore Pursuits. |
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05/25/08 |
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The below was received from Capt. Hap Farrell on 05/24/08. |
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"Changes in the Wind
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
05/24/2008
This Memorial Day Weekend the larger bass in the Sunken
Meadow area started to move out into the deeper water. What
came along with these fish was a little unusual. On Friday,
the 24th of May, not only did we land four nice stripers but
we hooked up on two big bluefish. This is about two weeks
early. The boats on the south side of the Cape are seeing
bass on their fish finders but land big bluefish . When this
water warms up some more the whole Cape will swing into
action.
Most of the bait around is sand eels with some squid and
mackerel. A few more degrees in the water and look out. The
North Edge of Billingsgate Shoals also came alive with bass,
some up to 38 inches. Mackerel was the bait of choice
there." |
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05/25/08 |
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Cape Cod Fishing
Reports... |
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05/13/08 |
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I received the below from
Chris Weiner of CHOIR this evening. As you can tell from
the email, it is very important that we all sign on. The
sign-on letter is
here in it's entirety .
All you have to do
is email Chris that you want you, your business or group's name
included at the bottom of the letter.
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Dave,
The time has come for another CHOIR sign on letter. Right
now, the Council is going through the scoping process for
the new herring amendment and this is a very important part
of the process. We need to make sure the amendment address
the major problems in the herring fishery and so we have put
together a sign-on letter to show them how we feel.
Attached is the sign-on letter, all I need you to do is read
it over and let me know if you can sign on. All I need from
you is an 'OK' and I will add you to the list of
signatories.
Like I said, this is a very important part of the amendment
process and if we cannot get what we want in this amendment,
it will be years before we get another chance to comment.
Please look over the letter and let me know.
Thanks,
Chris
--
><((((*> ><((((*>
Chris Weiner
CHOIR Coalition
Portland, Maine
207-761-1947
978-886-0204 (cell)
www.choircoalition.org |
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05/19/08 |
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The Bay Comes Alive
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
05/19/2008
 It’s
about time... The stripers have really moved into Cape Cod
Bay. This last Sunday, the 18th of May, 4 boats ventured out
of Rock Harbor to see if any fish had moved to the area and
if so, where they were. Well, we found them. Some keepers
were even caught, the biggest being around 34 inches. Most
of the schools of bass were west of where the Target Ship
used to be and about 3/4 to 1 mile off the Brewster shore.
Most of these stripers were just under the legal size of 28
inches and they hit most everything we threw at them,
umbrella rigs, swimming plugs, hootchies, and the always
reliable jigged eel. It was the jig that landed most of the
keepers. As I see it things will do nothing but improve. The
fish have definitely arrived.
I had Cherry Reid, owner of the Booksmith in Skaket Shopping
Center, and her two daughters, Natalie 10 and Lucy 7, out to
help find these newly arrived bass. The two young ladies
certainly earned their stripes by landing a number of the
fish. It was not their fault that none of them were big
enough. They were both tired enough to fall asleep on the
way home. It
was a good day to fish. |
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05/15/08 |
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Fishing Reports from around the Cape
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There isn't a whole lot to report just yet. The bright spot
is the canal which is reported to be loaded with fish to
25 lbs, along with a ton of bait.
There are verified reports of a 42" fish taken from
Sunken Meadow in the Bay. As you read in Capt. Hap
Farrell's report above, the water is still a little cold in
the Bay.
My partner Capt. Jack Riley and Capt. Steve aboard the
Maverick will be fishing hard the next 3 days on the
south side looking for stripers. I will have full reports at
each days end.
The cod fishing around Stellwagon has been reported
to be excellent, with some huge fish being reported. |
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05/07/08 |
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The hunt for a Hatteras blue marlin! |
 This
past week I spent four days chasing blue marlin off Hatteras,
NC. I fished with two of the top Captains in the fleet,
Capt. Dan Rooks on the Tuna Duck, and Captain Steve Coulter
on the Sea Creature. The plan was a simple one, it would be
all or nothing. Big baits targeting blue marlin in places
that were favorable for marlin. I had no interest in
catching anything but a blue marlin, and that was my
mission. Good or bad!
The first day I fished was on Monday. The Tuna Duck left the
inlet under favorable
conditions, yet we knew that there was a chance of weather
blowing in later in the day. We
headed "straight out" because the weather would not permit
us to go to the south like we
wanted. We headed out across the "Rock Pile" and set out
along the edge of the continental
shelf, specifically Hatteras Canyon, known locally as the
"Old Hole". Read the
whole story here... |
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04/18/08 |
The First Fish
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
 This
last Thursday afternoon, the 17th of April, I stopped off at
River Road in Orleans on Cape Cod and cast a lure out into
The river coming from Little Pleasant Bay up into Meeting
House Pond. The first two or three casts did not produce any
action. On the next cast a hit, reeling a little further
another hit and the fish is on. There are fish at River Road
now. I’d heard that fish had been taken but had not actually
seen it. My first fish of the
season.
You know how every once in a while an old memory will flash
into your head? Well, that happened when I lifted that small
striper out of the water to release it. Years ago, when I
moved down to the Cape after getting out of the service I
got back into fishing in this area again. When I got my
first bass I’d run down to tell Old Mack, who owned Mac
Reed’s Bait Shop. Back when I came to the Cape as a kid I
would always get my bait from this kindly old gentleman who
ran a funky old tackle shop. He was a well known and liked
character in Orleans and a wealth of knowledge of where to
fish in Pleasant Bay and other areas on the Lower cape.
It came to be a tradition every year from the early 70’s on
I’d Find Mr. Reed, Mack, and tell him of the fish I had just
landed. He say he’d taken his first a few days before up in
False Channel in Pleasant Bay. Some years he just smile and
nod agreeing I’d taken the first fish. True or not it really
didn’t matter. Mack was a man of few words but everyone
listened
to what he did say.
This Thursday, while looking at that small striper I told
Mack I landed my first fish... |
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04/14/08 |
The Offshore Pursuits Team was on hand for all three days of
the New England Saltwater Fishing Show, RI Convention
Center, Providence, RI.
It was a great pleasure to meet all of you who stopped by to
say hello after following Offshore Pursuits for all these
years. We met many friends and customers face to face for
the first time, and also met many new friends and colleagues
that will help Offshore Pursuits grow even more in the
season to come.
Thanks again to all that stopped by, and the fishing reports
will start the first week in May. I will be chasing blue
marlin off Hatteras aboard the Tuna Duck with Capt. Dan
Rooks the last week of April into early May, so we should
have some exciting stories and pictures to share.
Accompanying me on this trip will be a writer and
photographer from a outdoor magazine that most of you are
familiar with. That is all I can say for now, but if all
goes as planned, this trip will be in print. I will keep you
posted! Dave
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02/28/08 |
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Bluefin Tuna Fishing Tips and Techniques |
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We have created a new website to share our tuna fishing
experiences.
http://www.bluefintunafishingtackle.com. Please visit the site to view some of our tackle, tips
and techniques for school tuna. If you would like to share
some of your tips and experiences please email Jack at
capt.Jack@offshorepursuits.com
and we will credit you with a backlink to your website. |
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02/19/08 |
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School Bluefin Tuna Seminars and Shows |
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Capt. Jack Riley of the Offshore Pursuits Pro Staff will be
presenting bluefin tuna tips and techniques at the Rhode
Island Saltwater Anglers Assoc. monthly meeting on 2/25/08
and at the Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro, MA on 3/1/08 from
12:30 to 1:30 in the afternoon. Dave and Jack will also be
exhibiting tuna tackle and techniques at the Saltwater
Fishing Expo, Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, NJ on
March 14-16, 2008. You will find many show tackle specials
at booth # 211.
www.sportshows.com
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01/10/08 |
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I received the below this morning from Rich Ruais. |
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Tuna Friends:
The 2007 total U.S. catch of bluefin tuna dropped again from
214 mt in 2006 to 193.6 in 2007. The average weight also
dropped from 462 lbs. in 2006 to 423 lbs. in 2007. This does
not include the estimate of recreational catch (usually
200-300 tons) of school and medium tuna which will not be
available until the summer.
The central Atlantic, East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea
fisheries continue to kill our fishery and waste our
sacrifices since 1981 to rebuild the western fishery.
Rich
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12/04/07 |
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I received the below article from Rich Ruais on 12/04/07: |
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ICCAT Fails to Act to Stop Eastern Bluefin Tuna
Slaughter!
The International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was blocked again by the European
Community (E.C) at its regular annual meeting in Antalya,
Turkey from November 10 through the 18th to reign in the out
of control fisheries for Atlantic bluefin tunas in the
Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.
Prior to the start of this years ICCAT meeting, Dr. Bill
Hogarth (Chairman of ICCAT and Head of the U.S. NMFS)
announced that the U.S. would demand a 3 to 5 year complete
moratorium of bluefin fishing in the eastern Atlantic and
Mediterranean Sea. The call for the ban was based on the
total non-compliance by European and North African fishing
countries and fish farms with the scientific advice
presented by ICCAT's Standing Committee on Research and
Statistics (SCRS) in 2006 that fishing catches had to be
reduced to prevent a stock collapse. In 2007 the SCRS advice
on the probability of collapse was even clearer given the
continuing illegal catches.
Read the full
article here. |
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11/12/07 |
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Herring Article from Canadian Perspective |
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Read the above article and then ask yourselves the
importance of pushing the herring issue! imagine what their
tuna season will be like next year... |
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11/11/07 |
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Below is a correspondence that I received
from Rich Ruias on the 11th. |
"Tuna Friends:
Glenn Delaney and I attended a presentation given by Dr.
Barb Block on bluefin to an audience at the World Wildlife
Fund's headquarters in Washington last night. There is no
real new information except that she is now over 1,000
tagged bluefin tunas and the data collected is enormous and
incredibly informative about the migration habits and stock
structure of bluefin.
She has been tremendous at getting the field work done and
providing some basic interpretations of the migration
patterns. She is out of her realm of expertise as she tries
to apply the data collected to the real world of management
hence, our problem with her pressure to include the west
Atlantic in the moratorium proposed by the U.S. for the east
and Mediterranean Sea.
I'm forwarding a little note I wrote to her this morning
(below). She had control over the question period and cut me
off after one or two challenges. In the past she has not
even recognized Glenn for a challenge.
Rich
Barb:
Your presentation was once again fascinating last night. One
would have to be pretty much of a dope to not see how much
you care about bluefin and how hard you are working to help
present the data that can lead to a sustainable management
regime of the complex mixed stock/fishery we have.
Your concern about fishery collapses are reasonable but I
would like a definition of "fishery collapse" and I think
there other many other factors beyond stock condition that
have to be examined and explained in each case where a
"collapse" is hypothesized.
Your suggestion of fishing them to biological extinction of
the western unit is however, preposterous in my mind and I'm
sure in many scientists minds as well. This is particularly
so the more you want to believe that there is a portion of
the west that does not mix on eastern fishing grounds. In
1992 I commissioned Doug Butterworth and Andre Punt to
analyze the probability of extinction for a highly fecund,
widely ranging high seas, rapidly migrating fish like
bluefin in anticipation Sutton's and Safina's CITES listing
attempt. At first they thought I was joking but they went
ahead and did one during an ICCAT Working group. I will have
to dig a bit to find the actual paper but I recall the
probability was practically zero.
You know your audience better than me, but I don't think it
is necessary or helpful to be talking about extinction right
now. Potential collapses are bad enough and potentially real
and measureable.
Rich" |
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Tuna Watch
Bluefin Tuna Landings Update
12/04/07
Click here for the latest landings info. |
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Offshore Pursuit
- A book by John Unkart |
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 Learn
how to rig trolling baits like the pros do, with different
methods to fit different situations. Find the most
productive offshore trolling areas. Tease marlin to the
hook. What baits each species prefers, methods of trolling,
types of spreads, how to chunk for tuna, and when and how to
use special tools such as kites, downriggers, and planers,
are all covered in detail. Easy to understand diagrams,
illustrations, and photographs take the mystery out of
specialized offshore fishing knots, rigging techniques, and
custom tackle design. Apply the tactics and techniques
detailed by blue water fishing pro John Unkart, and your
catch rate is bound to grow exponentially. Whether you're
after billfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo or tuna, you'll gain the
hard-earned insight and knowledge Unkart has accumulated
through more than 40 years of offshore experience. From
rigging techniques to tips on how to fight trophy fish, it’s
all in this book.
Click here to purchase this book (only
$19.95), as well as learn more about the
author.
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03/02/07 |
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Videos |
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If you are getting the itch for some giant bluefin tuna
action, check out our
Video Page, we
will be adding videos on a weekly basis, so check back
often. If you have your own video that you would like to
have included, please
email me with the details. |
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We are putting together a user submitted video contest where
the best video submitted by the deadline (somewhere near the
middle of September, but yet to be determined) will win a
fishing charter. We are working out all the details and will
have the official announcement, rules, etc. posted in the
near future. |
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02/19/07 |
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Read
Trolling Squid Bars and Spreader Rigs by Greg Sears of
Mass Bay
Guides. Very good reading to get you ready for the
upcoming season! |
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CHOIR Coalition |
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There is also a forum dedicated to this topic in the
Forums. |
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 For
any of you that have spent any time offshore, or inshore for
that matter, you know the role that baifish play in the
presence, or absence, of the species that you are targeting.
If you are into tuna fishing, then you know that the seasons
of late have been missing a key ingredient....giant bluefin
tuna! This scenario is not new by any means, just ask the
Canadians.
There is an organization known to some, but not to all who
should know and support it, that is actively fighting to
preserve the herring stock in the NE. Below is quoted
directly from the
CHOIR Coalition website. |
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"Commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, ecotourism
businesses, and concerned citizens from throughout New
England have united with one voice to protect Atlantic
Herring stocks. Atlantic herring form the basis of the ocean
food chain, and are therefore an essential element to the
marine ecosystem. Fishermen know that if food sources are
eliminated, there is little hope for the long term health of
other fish stocks.
Currently, large midwater single and pair trawl vessels
(herring midwater trawlers) in the Gulf of Maine are
removing more herring from the inshore than ever before,
forcing tuna, groundfish, whales and seabirds out of their
traditional feeding grounds. Midwater Trawl boats in the
Gulf of Maine and on Georges Bank have caught protected
groundfish and large marine mammals in their nets as waste.
Now is the time to demand a more ORDERLY, INFORMED, and
RESPONSIBLE plan for managing the Atlantic Herring Fishery
in New England. The future health of our oceans depends on
it. Join the CHOIR Coalition in their efforts to create an
inshore buffer zone free of midwater trawl nets and to stop
wasteful bycatch by insisting on increased observer coverage
in the herring midwater trawler fleet." |
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For more information, articles, and news concerning
CHOIR Coalition's agenda, please be sure and visit their
website. As an organization, what they are doing affects us
all, and we should be supportive of that in any way we can. |
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You will be seeing, reading, and hearing a lot about this
organization on Offshore Pursuits now and in the future.
Please take the time to support them any way you can. |
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© Offshore Pursuits LLC 2009 |
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