Whining & Dining During Hamptons Restaurant Week

MARCH 2009

2 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine COVERING NY, NJ, CT and RI

THE JOURNAL OF NORTHEAST SPORTFISHING Departments

Features 4. Editor’s Waypoint By Sal Amendolia Whining & Dining During Hamptons Restaurant Week - Part I 16. 6. Dusty’s Angle Here are some reviews of popular eastern Long Island restaurants By Dusty Rhodes visited by an author and feature writer who enjoys eating as much as writing. By Robert Banfelder 8. For Your Information By Steve Byrne Anglers Away: Pez Vela - A Hidden Fly Fishing Treasure 24. 10. Salt On The Fly If you want sailfish, but are game for any challenge, Pez Vela is a fly By Anthony Alessi fishing paradise and one of the best kept secrets around. By Guy Nelson 12. Salt Lines By Steve Byrne 30. Anglers Away: Tropic Star Fishing Lodge Tropic Star might very well be the number one fishing lodge in the 13. Quick Fixes world. It is best known for its black marlin but you never know what will hit your offering next. By Richard DeMarte By Captain Zac Grossman 14. Surf Side By John Skinner 34. Kick-Off 2009 With Barnegat Bay's Winter Flounder Winter flounder season is right around the corner. Captain Kent tells you how and where to catch these tasty blackbacks in Barnegat Bay. 28-29. Trophy Pages By Capt. Kent Madsen By Steve Byrne 51. Nor’east Galley Tackle Buyer's Guide By Eileen Plaia 40. Why Not Buy Yourself a Present this Season? Here is the lowdown on some new and innovative fishing gear. Go 52. Treasure Trove ahead and treat yourself this season, you deserve it! By Chris Grech By Chris Grech 53. Parting Shots Materials for Getting Started in Fly Tying - Part II 46. Read this very informative piece detailing everything necessary to help you obtain the fly materials you really need to get you going on this great hobby. 54. Publisher’s Page By Robert Banfelder By George Scocca

Cover Story With all of the excitement over the amazing codfish bite continuing at Montauk Point, it would be easy to forget that we have the winter flounder and striped bass openers right around the corner. Although blackbacks have become more difficult to find and catch each year, there's something to say about being on your first fishing trip of the season, having fun with your buddies and the mates on your favorite party boat. No matter what the expected result may be, come the flounder season, many of us need to be at the rail, waiting for that first horn to toot. We are eternally optimistic and quickly drop our lines over proven flounder grounds, putting our faith in the experience of the captain at the helm to find us some fish. Some of us, independent diehards that we are, like to do the searching ourselves and use the spring flounder season to get our own boats and miscellaneous marine gear prepped and on the water as early as possible. Whichever is the case for you, in this "new" Nor'east Saltwater March issue, you will especially enjoy the feature article on page 34. Captain Kent Madsen takes you to Barnegat Bay in search of those tasty flatfish and shares tips, locations and techniques that will greatly improve your odds at catching those elusive flounder, no matter where you decide to drop your bait. Good luck and good fishing. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 3 EDITOR’S WAYPOINT Editor’s Waypoint STORIES AND INSIGHT FROM OUR EDITOR IN CHIEF

THE JOURNAL OF NORTHEAST SPORTFISHING Time for Some Changes PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT George R. Scocca 2009 is going to be a special year for Nor'east Saltwater magazine and all of its Editor in Chief readers. This year we will celebrate our 20th year in publication and starting with this Sal Amendolia March issue, we have introduced a new and redesigned monthly magazine. In this Fishery Management issue and every subsequent one, we have a greater number of exciting and informa- Dusty Rhodes tive fishing features than we have ever published before. During the off-season, our

Creative Director Angler's Away section will be certain to bring you to parts of the world that you have Ronnie S. Smith always wanted to travel to and fish. We will bring you back to home sweet home via

V.P. of Marketing our normal entertaining fishing features, when that long awaited fishing season Rob Pavlick begins. They will all provide great reading as well as lots of fishing know-how from

Advertising Sales some of the most informative and interesting feature writers and field editors out John Baier there today.

Proofreader Linda A. Avignone This new magazine contains both old and new departments that we know many of you have enjoyed in the past and will enjoy in the future. Old stand-bys, like our Webmaster James Sullivan famous surf fisherman, field editor, feature writer and author, John Skinner, will provide us with his Surf Side column that you look forward to, each and every month. Contributing Editors: In addition, John's weekly online Surf Fishing reports will appear on the Chuck Barbato Noreast.com web site when the fishing season kicks off. The infamous Dusty Chris Grech Mike Wright Rhodes continues to provide us with the latest news in Fisheries Management via his Glenn Kleinhans good news/bad news Dusty's Angle. Steve Byrne, field editor, feature writer and John Skinner Sean MacNeal guide extraordinaire, continues to keep us informed on important events happening Karim Farid out there in the fishing world via his For Your Information department. Steve will Steve Byrne also continue to keep all you anglers out there happy by putting together the wildly Rob Caluori Anthony Alessi popular Trophy Pages, featuring photos submitted by you, friends, family, bait shops Richard Pannone and captains each and every month. We have brought back the sorely missed Salt Robert Lee Frank Ruczynski Lines, which will provide you with selected "how to" types of fishing questions and Mike Plaia answers from our Nor'east members. As in the past, timely discussions will be Ben Treadwell Greg Hazley selected and copied for you from our Noreast.com web site's Discussion Boards, Eileen Plaia and published by Steve for your reading pleasure. Salt on the Fly is back as a col- Richard DeMarte umn with our veteran Fly Fishing field editor Anthony Alessi keeping us informed on what's what in the world of Saltwater fly fishing. When the season kicks off, Nor’east Media, LLC 525 West Jericho Tpke. Anthony will no doubt provide some informative reports in this column as well. Smithtown, NY 11787-5020 Phone: 631.863.0170 Fax: 631.361.9737 Some new additions to the magazine are The Nor'east Galley, where feature Nor’east Saltwater is published writer and gourmet chef, Eileen Plaia, talks about some of her favorite fish recipes monthly January to December by Nor’east Media, LLC, 525 W. Jericho and shares them with us all to enjoy. Every once in a while, other Nor'east members Tpke., Smithtown, NY 11787. Nor’east will share their favorite recipes with you too. In this month's magazine, you will find Saltwater, Volume 20, Number 03 ©2009 Nor’east Media, LLC. The another new addition entitled Quick Fixes. These informative tips have been provid- design and contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any ed by Richard DeMarte, captain, junior pro angler and regular feature contributor to manner without the written consent of our Nor'east Saltwater magazine. This column will offer you simple solutions to the publisher. We will consider for

MARCH 2009 publication all submitted photographs. some seemingly complex, fishing related problems. (leave it up to the new genera- All material will be handled with care, although we are not responsible for tion of anglers to think of these things) For those of you who enjoy a review of new loss or damage. Photographs will be fishing tackle, rods and reels, boats, motors, etc., our informative Product Features returned only when received with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. and new Treasure Trove series will be worth your attention. These product features

4 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine EDITOR’S WAYPOINT

By Sal Amendolia [email protected] as well as the monthly Treasure Trove column will be done by none other than our "straight shooting" product editor, angler and feature writer, Chris Grech. Manufacturers of Wet or Dry Exhaust System for Over 36 Years In this monthly, you are also reading another brand new column entitled "Editor's Waypoint" where I finally (after 4 seasons!) get an opportunity to pro- REPLACEMENT vide you with my own two cents on what is going on out there in the life of the MANIFOLDS & average saltwater angler. In future issues, I'll talk about lots of things, and, when- RISERS ever I can, share some neat fishing tricks that have been tucked away in my log books and files since I started fishing over 60 years ago. In season, I'll also do my best to point you to some good fishing areas via "What's Biting, another new column which will be a summary of fishing report highlights for all the regions covered by our "best in the business" field editors. Their weekly on-line fishing reports will continue to be available every day at our Noreast.com web site once the new season begins. And oh yes, heaven forbid I forget, you will continue to hear from our great publisher, George Scocca, via his Publisher's Page, whenev- Manifold & Exhaust er he has something on his mind that he would like to share with you. Accessories We Ship Anywhere We will continue publishing our special magazine issues, like the Boat Show, Boat Fishing, Tackle Shop and Surf Fishing editions and will also introduce 631-694-0714 some new and exciting Offshore and Travel Editions. Of course, scheduled for 134 Verdi Street July and special for this year, will be our "20th Anniversary Edition.” All this Farmingdale, NY 11735 for you to read and best of all, the Nor'east Saltwater magazine is still for "FREE". We are very sure that in these bad economic times, it will be appreci- ated more now than ever. We owe this all to our existing family of faithful adver- tisers as well as the growing list of our new ones.

In closing, you will now all have an opportunity to communicate with me to voice your opinion of the new magazine as well as anything else, related to our great sport of fishing, that may be on your mind. Simply send me an email at [email protected] or drop me a letter at the main office address listed on Page 4. I promise, sooner or later, (depending on which fishing season we are in) I will respond to each and every one.

Hope you enjoy the new magazine!

Sal Amendolia Editor-in-Chief

Get The Latest Fishing Reports & Tide Charts noreast.com MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 5 DUSTY’S ANGLE

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ALLOY METAL According to a January 2009 press release issued by NOAA, the government report, "Fisheries Economics of the United States, 2006," stated that recreation- WORKS, INC. al saltwater anglers pumped more than $31 billion into the U.S. economy in 2006. At the national level, saltwater anglers are estimated to have spent $5.8 bil- Marine Fuel Tanks lion on trip-based expenses, such as ice, bait, and fuel, and another $25.6 billion Fabricated on fishing equipment and durable goods like fishing rods, fishing tackle, and boats. E-mail:[email protected] The top five coastal recreational fishing states are: Florida ($16.7 billion), - FREE ESTIMATES - Texas ($3.2 billion), California ($3.0 billion), Louisiana ($2.9 billion), and North Carolina ($2.0 billion). - FREE DISPOSAL OF - OLD TANKS Saltwater recreational fishing generated its highest economic effect in total sales and jobs generated in Florida ($7.6 billion sales, 131,000 jobs); Texas ($2.2 All Major Credit Cards Accepted billion sales, 34,000 jobs); California ($1.9 billion sales, 23,000 jobs); North Carolina ($1.2 billion sales, 24,000 jobs); and Louisiana ($1.2 billion sales, 27,000 jobs). Tel: 631-694-8163 Fax: 631-694-1213 But wait, New York and New Jersey are not far behind. According to the report, the economic impact of recreational fishing in New York was pegged at $812 million with a value added sum of $424 million. That spending helped sup- 146 Verdi Street, port 5,365 related jobs in the Empire State. Farmingdale, NY Garden State spending was higher. The report said that in 2006 New Jersey angling produced a cashflow of $1.6 billion and a value added of $830 million. MILLER PLACE BAIT & TACKLE Some 9,814 jobs were supported by the activity. OPEN 7 DAYS - 6AM TO 7PM • LIVE, FRESH & FROZEN BAITS In addition to quantifying angler expenditures, the report examined how these • FULL LINE OF TACKLE & CUSTOM RODS • ROD & REEL REPAIR + COMPONENTS expenditures circulated through each state's economy and the national economy using a regional assessment. The $31.4 billion in total U.S. expenditures in 2006 834 ROUTE 25A MILLER PLACE contributed $82.3 billion in total sales, $39.1 billion to gross national product, CALL JOHN 631-849-5430 $24 billion in personal income, and supported nearly 534,000 jobs.

Commercial fishing was also cited by the report. The commercial fishing industry-harvesters, seafood processors and dealers, seafood wholesalers and seafood retailers-generated $103 billion in sales, $44 billion in income and sup-

MARCH 2009 ported 1.5 million jobs in 2006.

The report also breaks down the sales, income and job figures for each coastal state. The highest amount of sales generated by the commercial fishing industry

6 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine DUSTY’S ANGLE

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NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 7 FOR YOUR INFORMATION

For Your Information By Steve Byrne IMPORTANT NEWS ON THE FISHING FRONT www.noreast.com/fyi.cfm

DEC MARINE ENFORCEMENT UNIT SEIZE OVER 1,180 POUNDS OF resources will be available for genera- FLUKE AND BLACK SEA BASS tions to come."

SEIZED FISH FROM THE MARY of summer flounder upon landing with On Sunday, Feb. 8, DEC Officers ELIZABETH WORTH APPROXI- additional charges pending. boarded the fishing vessel Mary MATELY $2,400 Elizabeth at Soleau's Wharf in More than 1,180 pounds of summer "Overfishing and fishing out of sea- Hampton Bays. The vessel was found flounder and black sea bass, worth son have been shown to have devastat- to have landed approximately 1,500 approximately $2,400 was seized this ing affects on our local marine popula- pounds of summer flounder, for which weekend by officers from the New York tions," said James Gilmore. "We are there is currently a 350-pound landing State Department of Environmental proud of the work our officers of the limit in New York State. Conservation (DEC)'s Marine Marine Enforcement Unit conduct Enforcement Unit during a commercial every day. Our officers are always on The vessel also had approximately fisheries inspection in Hampton the watch for violators and individuals 100 pounds of black sea bass onboard, Bays, DEC Chief of the Bureau of whom believe they will be able to con- a species which is currently closed to Marine Resources, James Gilmore duct illegal activities on our waters commercial fishing in New York State. announced today. Officers boarded the with no consequences. Our officers A total of 1,142 pounds of summer fishing vessel Mary Elizabeth and will continue to work hard to protect flounder and 45 pounds of black sea charged the owner/operator, John the natural resources our marine envi- bass were seized by DEC. The value of Berglin, with failure to tag containers ronment offers and help ensure these the seized fish was just over $2,400.

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8 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The vessel owner/operator, John It is toll free and DEC keeps the Fishing Series with Berglin, 51, of Hampton Bays, was identity of all TIPP callers confidential. Capt. Jerry McGrath charged on-site with failure to tag containers of summer flounder upon land- Striped Bass Fishing ing. Additional charges against Mr. Tuesday, March 12, 7:00-8:45 PM Berglin are pending. The ASA/Eastern Fishing & Fluke Fishing Environmental Conservation Police Outdoor Exposition shows are the Tuesday, March 26, 7:00-8:45 PM Officers (ECOs) with the Division of finest sportsmen's expos on the East Law Enforcement's Marine Coast. The BEST outdoor gear, acces- Are you interested in some fishing Enforcement Unit are trained and sories and resources for fishing, boat- tips? Stop by the Hampton Bays Public equipped exclusively to conduct ing, hunting, adventure and travel are Library for any or both of these marine patrols within the marine dis- available at the ASA/Eastern Fishing fishing classes. Captain Jerry trict of New York. Enforcement focus & Outdoor Exposition shows. Get the McGrath, avid fisherman and former is to ensure compliance with the state latest gear, plan your next trip, learn Montauk charter boat skipper, and federal fishing regulations. from the pros and meet professional will teach fish finding, bait and anglers and hunters at the finest sports- lure selection, knot and rig tying, For more information on marine fish- men's expos on the East Coast. and baiting and chumming techniques. ing regulations and limits, visit the DEC Shows included the World Fishing website. & Outdoor Expo in Suffern, NY, Please call the Hampton Bays March 5 through 8, and the Saltwater Public Library to register at 631-728- To report any environmental crime, please contact the DEC's 24 hour TIPP Fishing Expo in Somerset, NJ from 6241. Walk-ins are welcome! hotline at: 1-800-TIPP DEC or 1-800- March 20 to 22. For more information 847-7332. go to www.sportshows.com. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 9 SALT ON TH FLY

Salt On The Fly By Anthony Alessi ADVICE & INFORMATION FROM OUR FLY FISHING EDITOR www.noreast.com/saltonthefly.cfm

There is nothing that says "all is right look specifically for any of these crea- Clousers and deceivers in olive over with the world" to me quite like the very tures, though, you only have to look for white and chartreuse over white tied on first striped bass that takes my fly in early mud and shallow water. When you find hooks from size 2 to 2/0 will do the job spring each year. It is an affirming event mud and shallow water you will probably nicely. There certainly are other flies that and a validating moment after enduring find yourself in a back bay type of area. will work well at this time and you never months of dead winter to feel that first This is where the sun combined with the know when one of them will tip the odds take. It doesn't always happen on my first heat absorbing dark mud will warm the in your favor. I have found that a outing of the year and I am actually glad water quickly and it is this environment Winslow's whisper, which is a very for that because, if it did, I would surely that will attract baitfish like silversides sparsely tied silverside imitation, can feel annoyed with myself for not trying and menhaden to the worms, shrimp and sometimes turn on the fish when they sooner as the fish may well have been other squirming creatures that will now won't hit anything else. You should also there waiting on me for a long while be stirring in the warming mud. Here is keep a few epoxy flies in your box as already. It is important, for some reason, where you will find the first striped bass they will sometimes be the ticket when to be there for the beginning just as it is to of early spring. These bass will infiltrate fishing in the gin clear waters of early be there until the end. Like most anglers, the bays of Long Island Sound working spring. While early season fish will take I will consult my log, consider weather, their way from west to east. Because your fly quite readily they can often be water temperature and location when menhaden are usually thickest in the bays less aggressive than they are later in the deciding when and where to make that of the western Long Island Sound in the season when the water warms a bit. first cast. When I finally do feel that first earliest part of the season, the largest Keeping your retrieve slow and deep is jolt of the season, I can't help but smile stripers will generally be found here as key at this time of year. Heavily weight- wide and think to myself that I got it well. Little Neck Bay is a good place to ed clousers will help here. Intermediate right. I timed it all perfectly and the fish target bigger bass feeding on bunker in lines are fine in most circumstances but a and I have both come from the far dis- April. This is not blitz fishing and getting faster sinking line might be needed if you tance of dead winter at the same exact these fish to take a big bunker pattern is a are fishing water deeper than ten feet. I time to take up the dance right where we challenge this early in the season. School have had days during the month of March left off at the end of last season. So it size bass will be there in numbers as well when the only way to get a strike was to begins. and they will be spreading into the bays actually crawl a heavily weighted further east very quickly. These smaller Clouser slowly across the bottom and I To catch fish in early spring, and by fish will take a fly readily and are the do mean actually scraping the bottom. early spring I mean late March to early main quarry of the early season fly-fish- When heading out during the early April, you have to know where to find erman. spring remember that you are looking for them. The first step towards locating the warmest water you can find. Picking them is to understand that they will be When choosing your fly keep in mind a day when high tide occurs during a where their food is. Water temperature that the water will often be gin clear dur- sunny mid-afternoon is a good idea as the plays a key role here. Striper food, at this ing this early part of the season. I've water in the back bays will have a chance time of year in Long Island waters, will always found that sparsely dressed flies to warm up in the sun before flowing consist largely of silversides, menhaden, work best this time of year. The spearing back out to the main basin. On days like sea worms and shrimp. You don't have to will be large at this time of the season. this the mud in the back bays will do a

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10 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine SALT ON THE FLY great job of absorbing heat from the sun and warming the water. Concentrate your efforts during the outgoing tide and around TrophyTrophy TackleTackle out-flows. This is also a great time of year to fish the out-flow Op from a power plant as the warm water that the plant discharges 7 en 7 D will attract and hold bait very effectively. ay s! It is important to dress appropriately for the conditions at this time of year. The water is still very cold and the air temperature can be as well. Start with a layer of a thin polyester under gar- ment and heavy socks. Over that I like to wear plush polyester fleece pants and top. Neoprene waders will help during this time of year, as will a waterproof and windproof surf top. I will wear COMPLETE LINE OF INSHORE & fingerless fleece gloves and a fleece hat as well on a cold day. OFFSHORE FISHING GEAR & BAIT Polyester fleece is an ideal fabric because it holds your body heat well, sheds water and dries quickly. Be careful wading. While getting swept off of a bar is not a good thing during any time of year, it is especially deadly during this time of year as the cold water will quickly overcome you should you find yourself without terra-firmer under foot.

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NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 11 SALT LINES

Salt Lines By Steve Byrne HOW-TO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM OUR MEMBERS www.noreast.com/saltlines.cfm

The following discussions were herring to be caught from shore this time taken from our website. So you're of year. I did notice a few guys posting thinking about making that offshore reports of bass fishing, and catching, in trip for cod and sea bass, but what the Hudson from spots in Manhattan. about your frozen fingers? Our first topic looks at which gloves are right JC30967 for you. Our second discussion is nor'easter whether or not any local species are available from the surf at this time of You can always try for some tommy- year. You can find these and hundreds cod/squirrel hake. They look like ling more new discussions daily at I've got too many gloves. Tried 'em all, but you can catch them from shore. http://www.noreast.com/discussions. but the better are usually made from Although I have not seen any in big Thinsulate imho. Only problem is, if you numbers in a long time, my friend need to keep warm, they are cumbersome caught 2 earlier this year but that was What Gloves To Wear When It's & thick. It's the opposite of what the it. Other than that you can try the her- C-C-COLD? name suggests. A thin glove from any ring for some catch and release bass, or material will not keep you warm enough. wait till March when the skates start Okay, so I've never fished when it is as The heavier, thicker gloves will. showing up in better numbers along cold as it may potentially be this weekend with the non-existent winter flounder. on a George's Bank trip. I've never pre- Capt. Ed III ferred to use gloves given the choice but nor'easter surfmasters there will be no choice. What do you member guys prefer? I've used neoprene; they I go the cheap way & bring four or five were bulky and not warm. I have some pairs of the cotton work gloves. As long As a kid in the 70's, I remember read- other slightly thinner type waterproof as I keep my hands dry they stay warm, ing The Shore Caught Cod articles now material which also isn't warm. I've warn plus they are light enough that you can and then. Even then they described it as them with liners. It's OK, still hard to fish with them on. If gloves are too big to a picky fishery and not one to really work with, always wind up taking them fish with, they are useless. slam them. off for detail work & liners get wet. Have you guys tried Gore-Tex gloves? I looked StepBy hauler at some "ice-armor" gloves intended for member member ice fishing & at some ski gloves. They were expensive. I saw some that said There used to be a decent cod fishery "waterproof", looked like a Gore-Tex What To Fish For Right Now from shore in RI years ago. With the knock off. They were only $12 so I didn't numbers of fish around Block Island trust them. Opinions, preferences? Other than herring, are there any other right now, it might pay for someone to saltwater fish to fish for this time of year try it. Jjkbike if you don't have a boat? Can ling be nor'easter caught from places like the Jones beach MakoMike piers? nor'easter If you don't need to reel a whole lot, try trapper's gloves or decoy gloves. These BASSSURF As far as the tommycod and any are all rubber so the wind stays off your member other smaller hakes we have around hands (a BIG help trying to stay warm) here I used to get some near bays and plus they slip on/off really easy. Most If you catch a ling from the J.B. piers, off piers. Shrimp was always a good have a thin liner too (a must to keep the you should run to the nearest store and bait choice. These days though, they MARCH 2009 rubber off your skin). play Lotto, since you would be on some might be a bit harder to find. lucky streak! Goodchance surfmasters member There is probably not much besides member

12 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine QUICK FIXES

Quick Fixes By Richard DeMarte SIMPLE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE YOUR FISHING DAY [email protected] MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 13 SURF SIDE

Surf Side By John Skinner ADVICE AND INFORMATION FROM OUR SURF FISHING EDITOR www.noreast.com/surfside.cfm

like to change bucktail color occasionally. When jetty fishing, I use as long a leader as I can cast comfortably, which for me is about 44 inches. Being able to grab that relatively long leader from a little bit higher ground is priceless when landing fish, especially on a rough night. If I retie after every jig change, "Calculated risk" - It's a this approach is obvious - a potential I'll either have to fish a progressively phrase that can be applied point of failure (a snap) is removed. The shorter leader or tie on a new one fre- to many aspects of life. "risk" of a snap opening on a fish is quently. I don't like either option. If I totally eliminated. How could anyone was forced to tie direct, I know I'd be From investing, to relationships, to argue with this conservative approach? reluctant to change lures, and I'm posi- whether or not to hit the accelerator What would the potential "reward" be tive that would cut into the number of when the light turns yellow, we make for using a snap? fish I hook. choices in life where we weigh risk vs. reward. Anglers do the same thing. The A major benefit of using a snap is Maybe some anglers can tie knots in guys who fish boats close to ocean being able to change lures without cut- the dark without using a light, but I'm breakers in hopes of pulling stripers out ting into your leader. If you tie direct, not one of them. I'm much happier of the whitewater come to mind, but you have to cut a little into your leader keeping my light off, and a snap allows what I'm going to address has nothing every single time you change your lure. me to stay in the dark through lure to do with safety. It's the decision as to I do a lot of inlet bucktailing, and this changes. Sure, sometimes I want to whether to tie direct to a lure or use a simply would not work for how I fish. I stay blacked out so no one knows that snap. There are those who insist on like to work all of my casting range someone is fishing where I am, but the tying direct all of the time. Whether from the water against the rocks to as more common reason for keeping my they're throwing bucktails, tins, or far as I can cast. The water at those light off is when I'm standing on a rock plugs, you'll never find anything but a extremes moves at different speeds, and in rough water and want to see the knot connecting their lures to the end of I compensate by changing jig weights. waves coming at me. That's almost their leaders. In cases where a "tie If I have wiggle room, I like to move impossible to do with a light focused direct" angler feels that the approach around on the jetty if I'm not locked in on a lure that I'm tying on. restricts the action of a lure, or the lure on a bite. This means more differences So my reward for using a snap is eye is awkward for knot tying, a split in current speed as well as depth, and that I can change lures effortlessly ring will be added. The advantage to again, I need to adjust jig weights. I also without using a light and without shortening my leader. My risk for this flexibility becomes crystal clear once (516) 221-6913 TACKLE SHOP or twice a year when a fish's mouth Kwak’s 2949 Merrick Road comes down on the snap and works it Bellmore, NY MARCH 2009 DISCOUNT Tackle & Bait (3/4 Mile West of open during the fight. This almost Wantagh Parkway) always results in a lost lure and fish. I We Buy, Sell & Trade Used Tackle & Guns fully believe that the small number of

14 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine SURF SIDE lost fish due to straightened swivel tailing. The first thing I did when I got lure on from the back of the clip". That snaps is easily made up for by all of the the clips was try to put an 8/0 rigged eel made a tremendous difference, but then fish I catch because I never hesitated to hook (Siwash) on one. I quickly became I had trouble removing my 2-ounce make adjustments to what I was throw- frustrated enough to conclude there was bucktail with an 8/0 hook. After a few ing. no way I'd be fumbling with those on/off cycles, it became much easier. things in the dark. Then I tried a 2- Tony stopped by my table afterwards I've referred to "snaps" a few times. ounce bucktail and didn't do much bet- and confirmed that they loosen up a bit For me, that has meant a #54 (50- ter. The Breakaways promptly took after a little use. So I came away from pound) Duolock snap. If you surveyed their place next to the idled Crosslocks the show knowing that 2009 will be the the surf crowd, I think you'd find that for the following season. year I replace my Duolocks with Duolocks are the most commonly used. Breakaways. They connect easily to any lure that is My enlightenment came last month suitable for a snap, they're easy to use, at the "Coalition Show" in Another angler who was at my semi- and they hold up just fine more than Farmingdale. During a bucktailing nar stopped by with a couple of free 99% of the time. The problem is that the seminar that I was giving, I mentioned samples of a solution very similar to the less than 1% of the time when they fail to the audience my desire for some- Breakaways. These are the "Backlash" is likely to be on a fairly decent fish that thing more reliable than a Duolock. clips. If you find the Breakaways to be was large enough to inhale the lure and The first piece of advice came from a cumbersome, then the Backlash clips had jaws strong enough to mangle the Jersey angler named Tony. Regarding are worth a look. They're much easier to snap. my difficulty with the Breakaway clips, connect to and disconnect from lures, he noted: "They're easier to use if the and they look very unlikely to open. For reasons stated (and others), I'll clip is attached to some line." OK, I had You can learn more about these at back- rarely tie direct, so I've thought about been trying with the bare clip. When I lashsportfishingusa.com. alternatives to the Duolock that would finished with the talk, I tied a minimize the chances of a snap failure. Breakaway to one of my leaders, and So I just managed to devote my Some anglers prefer the Berkeley being able to gain some leverage while entire column to one very small tackle Crosslocks. There's no question that pulling on the line helped a bit. Then detail. That's OK. It's the dead of winter, these are less likely to open on a fish Manny Moreno gave me a very impor- and time to think hard about some of the than a Duolock. I tried them, and found tant piece of advice - "Don't follow the little things that can make a big differ- them nearly impossible to use on lures instructions on the package - push the ence in the upcoming season. with small eyes, such as small bucktails, and I preferred the rounded end of the Duolock. So the Crosslocks barely made it out of my basement.

Then I heard there was a solution called a Breakaway Fastlink clip. I had trouble finding these at first, but when I came across some at River's End Tackle in Ct., I bought a package of the larger FL1 size. The applications in which I am most worried about losing a cow to an open clip are rigged eeling and buck- MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 15 Casa Basso

he sixth annual Hamptons good service and a fine meal. We expect as to keep the reviews fair, for most of Restaurant Week offered many the establishment to put its best foot for- us have seen restaurant service and fare T folks the opportunity to explore ward from the moment the two of us come apart at the seams when the estab- and enjoy an epicurean extravaganza step through the door. There are, how- lishment becomes extremely busy. that they might not ordinarily experi- ever, restaurants that have no business After all, it is not a perfect world and no ence, for dining out these days can turn being in business, and in short order we one is infallible. Then again, Donna and into an expensive proposition. The see them fold. Some reopen under a dif- I have witnessed restaurants bursting at event gave many of us a chance to ferent name to start anew. Others sur- the seams with wall-to-wall customers escape the tedious task of preparing din- vive by cutting back in areas where they while waitresses, waiters and back wait- ner, serving family and/or friends, and should not. Donna and I set out to do ers did not miss a single beat from first performing that laborious chore of something about this sad situation by course to last. How does a restaurant cleaning up afterward. For eight con- way of a critique that might serve as an staff do that? The answer is proper secutive evenings, between March 30th eye-opener for the proprietor of such an training, planning, and organization, and April 6th of 2008, Donna and I establishment as well as the general which in turn translates into consistency. decided to relax and indulge ourselves, public. For openers, the overwhelming- These are the main ingredients for a luxuriating at a price we could afford. ly inflated price of wine is one case in well-oiled machine. These are the sta- Participating restaurants proffered the particular that we often whine about, but ples for continued popularity and suc- public with a three-course price-fixed there is a good deal more to address here cess. Floundering in any of those key dinner for only $21.95. A bargain? Yes in what ostensibly seems like a good areas is a recipe for sheer disaster. and no. deal but is simply not. We have taken Offering the public a bargain dinner for MARCH 2009 the time, absorbed the expense, and $21.95 during Hamptons Restaurant When dining out, whether it is made it our business to compare the Week in order to lure us back as repeat Restaurant Week or not, Donna and I great, the good, the bad and the ugly. customers is sound business. However, expect nothing short of experiencing We made early dinner reservations so ostensibly giving us something with one

16 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine hand while taking it back with another is pure folly; it negates an operation's intended purpose.

We had dinner reservations set for on March 30th at Casa Basso in Westhampton. The grounds are anachronistic, with an eighteenth century miniature castle standing adjacent to the eatery. Ranging from the whimsical to the sublime, historic sculptures and statues line the property as well as a series of objets d'art found within the Headquarters restaurant proper. The establishment offers fine Italian cuisine. Donna and I arrived at 5 p.m. sharp while they were for All Your first starting to serve dinner. The first question our waitress asked us was had we been there before. We certainly had Fishing Needs! and very much enjoyed those evenings. Next, she asked whether we wanted tap or bottled water. Donna replied that tap water would be fine. While we appreci- Largest Selection ate a good wine with a fine meal, we look upon the offer of bottled water as purely a come-on. For me, tap water of Fishing Tackle would solely serve the purpose of covertly cleaning any utensil that might need immediate attention. The table- in the State! ware and glassware were spotless. We try and keep a very low profile while reviewing restaurants and not bring unnecessary attention to ourselves, addressing any and all negatives with 3 Great Locations management at the end of the evening so as to hopefully make it better for RT. 17 RT. 46 other customers. Some managers RAMSEY LEDGEWOOD appreciate those comments; some do 9-9:30, Sun. ‘til 6 pm 9-9:30, Sun. 10:00 ‘til 6pm not. This gives you good insight into the mindset of the powers that be. Too, 201-327-8141 973-584-7799 we offer praise when and where praise is due. RT. 17

I inquired about their discounted PARAMUS 9-9:30 pm, inc. Sat. wine selection for Hamptons Restaurant Week as advertised in the ad published 201-261-5000 by WordHampton Public Relations. Quote: “Imagine, eight nights of incredible three-course prix-fixe dinners for www.ramseyoutdoor.com MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 17 only $21.95. Not to mention discounted us say that Bob and Donna do not go out “All right, rare,” she repeated mostly wines.” Unquote. The majority of to eat; they go out to dine. And we do. to herself, writing the instruction restaurants we patronized during these down . . . I think. annual events do not participate in offer- I raised my glass and toasted Donna ing you a wine deal. Period. The song for all her public relations endeavors Donna's scallop dish was eccellénte. and dance from our waitress amounted concerning several projects we are work- The generous portion of salmon set to a definite no. But there were wines ing on together. Relaxing and unwind- before me was completely raw on the galore at inflated prices as evidenced in ing with my merlot felt marvelous. Our inside with the exception of the ends. I their regular wine list. Unfortunately, waitress returned and took our order. rarely send anything back to the kitchen, the list did not indicate wine sold by the For the appetizer, I had selected Grilled nor did I that evening, for sushi is a glass nor carafe. You had to inquire, and Calamari. Perfètto. Donna had the favorite of mine, and seeing as how I the inquiry can turn into an inquisition. Mussels Chablis in a light creamy sauce. had risotto as a side, too, I was good for Many folks feel intimidated to ask the Delizioso. Donna had decided on the duration of the meal. How's that for didactic question: “How much?” fol- Scallops with Risotto. I elected to go stoicism? Besides, the fish was very lowed by, “What exactly am I getting for with the Salmon Grand Marnier. I knew fresh. my dollars?” This can turn into a game I was headed for trouble when the wait- of twenty questions and is totally unnec- ress asked me how I wanted my salmon The problem with Casa Basso refer- essary. Donna and I have a thing about cooked, pronouncing salmon quite pho- encing the improperly prepared paying too much for wine, and things netically, that is, with the l enunciated salmon resulted from poor training of have gotten out of the waitress hand referencing from the get- the price of wine go. I'm certain these days, it was not the whether delivered chef's fault in to the table in a light of the bottle or served by antics I experi- the carafe or glass. enced with the Some restaurants waitress taking on the East End my order. are charging ten to Again, the twelve dollars a restaurant was glass for mediocre not busy at that wine. That is hour. Raw in criminal. I accept- lieu of rare is ed a nice heavy- probably the bodied glass of order she hand- merlot for $7. Fair ed in to the enough, for it was kitchen. Too, a decent pour. The games some eateries and solidly intact. She wasn't trying to the wine list should have included vin play with wine by the glass is abom- be funny. Nice lady. American born. by the glass as well as carafes so as to inable. No accent. No excuse. I told her I would avoid an unnecessary, intimidating like it prepared as follows: discussion. With regard to the sup- “Need a few more minutes?” our posed “discounted” wine debacle, it waitress asked pleasantly. “A tad underdone, please, so that it is behooves the public relations folks at “We'll relax for a bit, and I'll catch not dried out,” I specified. WordHampton to clarify their ad, that your eye,” is my usual comeback. “So you want it raw, in other words,” is, to set the words down forthrightly, MARCH 2009 “Fine,” she agreed most amicably. she stated rather emphatically. not bandied about ambiguously. We “No, not raw, but rare would be fine,” overhear many complaints from folks Friends who have broken bread with I added evenly. in this regard.

18 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine Addressing the wine issue, you might continental fare. We arrived on March not terribly busy at that early hour, it be thinking: When you phone for a 31st at 5 p.m. Unfortunately, the deal on tells you something right from the start. reservation, Bob, why don't you simply discounted wine was dead in the water. The best that I could churn up in my ask if the restaurant participates in the A glass of Chianti was eight hard-to- research (later that evening) was that discounted wine program? That's a swallow dollars for a fair to middling Labada is of Indian origin and possesses good question, and here is where many a wine. For an appetizer, Donna ordered a supposed smoky flavor. In any event, restaurant excels. Equivocation is the the Classic Caesar Salad tossed with a Donna was assured that the ribs would order of the day. be tender. Whenever I Ambiguity abounds. order ribs, I want to be Double-talk takes on assured that the meat prac- new dimensions. tically falls off the bone. Tergiversation is lift- Donna is not that particu- ed to a practiced art lar, just as long as the form. Rhetoric takes meat is not dried out. I the form of rhapsody selected the Pancetta as you'll hear a sym- Wrapped Shrimp, careful- phony of verbiage ly instructing our waitress, that refuses to answer a pleasant enough young the question. On lady, to please have the other occasions, the chef somewhat undercook person answering the the shrimp, explaining phone simply and politely that I did not want truly does not know those crustaceans over- Above: Trumpets On The Bay. the answer to that Below: Waterfront at Trumpets On The Bay done. She understood question. But does completely, having repeat- anyone get back to ed my request. you with an answer as promised? The When the entrées answer is no. Why? arrived, the look of disap- Because the owner(s) pointment was clearly do not participate in written across Donna's the program and fig- face and mine. It ure you won't be appeared that even a cen- coming in anyway if trifuge wouldn't be able to they did have some- remove the Labada sauce one call you back from the ribs let alone a with a negative drop of moisture from the response, so why meat. The glazed sauce bother? That's why. covering those ribs gave it The dollars you'll be an artificial appearance, saving on the meal like that of a food prop during Restaurant Week, some restau- creamy, dreamy garlic dressing. used for demonstration purposes in a rants desire to make up immediately in Delightful. I had to try their Sautéed novelty store window. My blanketed several devious ways. Overpricing wine Salmon Cake lathered with a light dill bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimps were is but one of them. cream sauce. Lovely. For an entrée, burnt-the pancetta singed. Our waitress Donna decided on their St. Louis Style was gone in a flash. When she reap- Trumpets on the Bay, on Moriches Barbecue Ribs with Labada sauce. No peared, she was ready to defend her Bay in Eastport, has a fantastic water one had a clue referencing Labada, and presentation as I pointed to the fact that view and is open year-round, serving no one offered to inquire. As they were the shrimps were dry as were the ribs. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 19 “See?” I said, pointing to both dishes. our own pockets. Just like you and “Can I buy you a drink?” was the bar- yours. We always leave a gratuity by at tender/manager’s reply. She nodded. “You have to understand least doubling the tax and rounding up. that in order to cook the pancetta prop- Only a rude waiter or waitress would “Nope,” I said, hiding my exaspera- erly, the shrimps will have a tendency to alter that course of action. Quite tion as best I could. be overdone,” she offered demurely. frankly, that has rarely been our experience on the East End of Long Island. The man then said that he would take “Oh, really!” was my immediate up my complaint with the waitress. In response, wanting to inform our wait- The accompanying vegetables du this case, I feel the onus lies more with ress that neither she nor the alleged chef jour were prepared and served properly; the cook (as I would not refer to him/her would ever make it in the restaurant that is, al dente-not mush. Donna had as a chef just yet) than the waitress, for business if that was truly their collective asparagus and a sweet potato mash. she had understood completely how we thinking, but I held my tongue. Scrumptious. My dish came with a pan- wanted our entrèes prepared. zanella bread salad, which is of Italian Management should address these types Our server did not even bother to origin. Fantàstico. of complaints with their key players. It address Donna's rib order. She had done all goes back to training people proper- a one-eighty on us. I half-expected her Lastly, for dessert, we both decided ly. to lecture me on the risks of consuming on rice pudding with raspberry compote. undercooked food. Had she stated right It was magnificent, but the dining expe- Donna and I dine out quite regularly, up-front that the shrimp could not be rience as a whole had left a bad taste in and we see these kinds of problems prepared as I had cautiously directed, I our mouths. On the way out, passing the often. We all hear stories where one per- would have happily ordered another bar area, I had asked the bartender if I son says, “This restaurant is dynamite,” dish. The fact that the shrimps were, might see the manager for a moment. while another says, “Yeah, and about indeed, jumbos made the dish salvage- ready to explode.” Consistency can be able. Although both the Italian bacon “Yesss,” he said, standing abaft the as elusive as a dream and many times it and the shrimp beneath the wrap were bar, just staring at me from behind spec- is. We're right back to training, planning burnt along the outside and dry within, tacles. and organization if restaurants wish to they were eatable. But that is hardly the “Are you the manager?” I asked. remain consistent. Donna and I have point. Once Donna cut through the crust “Yesss.” eaten in several beautiful establishments with a serrated blade, which she literally “Bartender/manager?” I further on the water where management relies used as a saw, her ribs were nothing inquired. mainly on its ambiance rather than con- short of comestible, too. You might ask “Yesss.” cern itself with what is going on in the yourself, “Why didn't Bob and Donna kitchen, feeling that folks will often- send those dishes back?” Answer: This I told the man that I am reviewing times settle for an inviting atmosphere is a restaurant review and a one-shot restaurants every evening during alone-especially during those busy sum- deal. No second chance to regroup and Hamptons Restaurant Week. I went on mer months. This hit-and-miss recoup. Aside from that, our waitress to tell him that I do not announce that approach to doing business is very sad made no overture to take back those fact until after the meal, offering an to us. The potential for Trumpets by the dishes. Oh, and by the way. No one is overview of the dining experience. I Bay to become a renowned five-star picking up the tab for us. We walk in explained the happenings with regard to restaurant is extraordinary-with the right unannounced and pay the check out of the burnt and overcooked dishes. people running the show.

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20 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine

Jedediah Hawkin's Inn & Restaurant

From the moment you stroll the of the menu-as it should be-$21.95 a I would be remiss if I failed to say a walkway to the second you cross the bottle. Two whites and two reds. We word or at least a hundred on the sub- threshold of this restored, historic selected a 2005 Wolffer La Ferme ject of their breads. Note that I did not landmark, you realize that you have Martin Merlot. Marvelous. For an utter a comment on the subject con- entered a splendiferous world boarded appetizer, Donna chose Vine Ripe cerning the first two restaurant within a bucolic North Fork landscape. Tomato/ Fresh Mozzarella/Baby reviews for the simple reason that Jedediah Hawkins in Jamesport is a Spinach/EVO/Sea Salt/Balsamic Syrup. there was nothing to really write about jewel, a centerpiece, a cornucopia of I decided on the soup du jour: Cream of in that regard. Donna and I feel this elegance. We had made our reserva- Broccoli. The presentation was exqui- way: There is really no good reason to tion for 5:15 p.m. on April 1st. We site. Creamy and served hot. Imagine put out mediocre bread(s), apart from were not to be fooled. The fare is that! I'm not being cute. Creamy soups the cost-saving factor. It takes money termed by the driving force of two rarely make it from a kitchen to a table- to make money. Put out great bread, renowned chefs, Tom Schaudel and arriving tepid at best. We sampled the and your customers will remember Michael Ross, as “vineyard driven cui- fare between us, both agreeing that this you. After all, your business is your sine,” offering a four-season presenta- establishment had their act quite togeth- bread and butter. Donna and I savored tion of the freshest produce, fish and er. While sipping our vin, we sized up our rolls of aromatic basil bread along game found locally. the staff in a heartbeat. Superb. Totally with the fabulous fragrance of our professional. Absolutely and positively wine. Four featured (discounted) local first-rate. Our first course was a smash- wines were set in stone at the bottom ing success. The true test was yet to come, for

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22 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine the place was already packed. By accompanied the dish. Shameless, I astray with their Southern Bread rights, as we were serving in the know. Pudding/Bourbon Custard Sauce/with capacity of reviewers, we each should Maple Sugar. To die for. That third have chosen a different dish for a sam- Second course near complete but course capped a perfect evening. pling, but we both somehow had our still reveling in every moment hearts set on steak. Hence, for our and morsel, Donna decided on ✰✰✰✰✰ second course Donna and I ordered the Chocolate Mousse/Creme the Sliced Sirloin Steak/Mushroom- Anglaise/Chocolate Sauce/Puff Pastry Five stars across the board. Demi Glace/Buttermilk Mashed for dessert. Decadent. I'm a pushover Potatoes/and Asparagus. We both for bread pudding and was easily led To be continued… enjoy our steak rare, and rare is what we got. Not raw or medium rare, but MAKOMANIA SPORTFISHING rare. Rarely, do we receive steak done 30’ Blackwatch - Inshore/Offshore to such perfection. Rarely are they For 1 to 4 Passengers done to a turn, which these were. In Sailing from Wakefield, RI retrospect, I believe it was that beauti- Capt. Mike 401-667-0641 ful heavy-bodied Wolffer that whet our appetite for steak, for red wine and rare meat is a marriage made in heaven. Ah, but to each his own. Along with this wonderful entrée, we politely asked for-but would have begged- another basil roll to use as a sop for the delicious demi-glaze gravy that MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 23 Blue water fly fishing definitely brings elegance and style to offshore angling, but it is not always the most productive technique in HereHere isis thethe authorauthor withwith hishis firstfirst sailfishsailfish onon thethe fly.fly. this arena. Couple this with a sparsely populated, nomadic unique fishery, ideally suited for billfish behind the right teaser. Tino grabbed the quarry like sailfish and you need and only a short ride from the shore. rod and artfully teased the fish to with- to even the odds some how if suc- Guatemala City is a four hour flight in casting distance. With heart in mouth cess on the fly is to be achieved. from Miami International and buses I made a presentation cast and began The solution to this conundrum is depart from zone four terminal every stripping line back. This was met by a the small port of Pez Vela on the half hour from 5am to 6pm to Puerto blistering run but the hook missed its pacific sea board of southern Iztapa. This 3 hour trip cost about $2 mark. Once again the teasers were US and often is via Escuintla and Puerto released and this time three sailfish took Guatemala. Pez Vela, only 3 hours San Jose. My girlfriend and I paid $20 chase, one of which being larger and drive from Guatemala City, sits US per night for a basic but clean dou- noticeably more aggressive than its two on the outskirts of Port Iztapa ble room at Sol Y Playa Tropical in cen- counterparts. Another cast saw my fly and roughly translated means tral Iztapa (881 4365). From here we mauled by the largest sail estimated at sailfish. For those who need a lit- traveled daily to Puerto Pez Vela, over 100 pounds. Strangely this fish tle more encouragement, Captain roughly 8 km north by local mini bus didn't jump, immediately sounding costing $10 US return. deep to our stern, soon to be joined by Hook, one of several resident two other sails which remained with charter boats, caught and Day 1 him for the duration of the fight. Over released 57 sailfish in one day on I arrived into the marina on Monday an hour passed but the stalemate was a fly here, only one of a myriad of morning with mixed emotions. We had broken when our boat maneuvered too world records held at this port. had some problems the previous night quickly giving the fish a slack line and with contacting the captain of the boat an opportunity to throw the hook. and the threat of no boat or captain was This journey started roughly two heavy on my mind. My fears, however, Day 2 years ago in Vanuatu (South Pacific). I soon ebbed away as we were greeted by We raised one sailfish in the morning dearly wanted to catch a billfish on a fly Tino and his brother and led to their and had a flurry of hits from several rod, but four barren days brought home boat. As the dark volcanic beaches of large mahi mahi but no hookup with the the difficulty of this task. A year passed, Iztapa dipped under the horizon we fly. Early afternoon we raised a 300- but the gauntlet had been laid down and deployed two hookless white and blue pound blue marlin which took both the task of finding sailfish in April was bubble-headed teasers each rigged with teasers but showed little interest in the on. An exhaustive internet search a ballyhoo. One hour turned into two fly. This encouraged us to get a rigged ensued which saw Guatemala turn up with no sign of any sails, then silence lure ready just in case another marlin trumps with Puerto Iztapa. was punctuated as line peeled off the turned up. Shortly after the first marlin Shoehorned between Mexico, Belize right teasers. A large bull mahi mahi the short dark bill of a second blue mar- and El Salvador the majority of launched skywards with our teaser but lin wagged through the wake of our MARCH 2009 Guatemala's coast line lies on the pacif- several attempts to feed it a fly ended in boat. Instinctively Tino cast the rigged ic. Active volcanoes littered the land- frustration. We decided to try another lure back into a shot gun position and scape and cavernous marine mountain mark. Within ten minutes of trolling a immediately hooked up. A big blue esti- ranges spire from the abyss producing a dark bill appeared, slicing the water mated at 400 pounds almost spooled my

24 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine TLD 20 on its first run. Some impressive acrobatics ensued and after an hour we had him grey-hounding on the surface by the boat, but my hopes an early release were not realized. The marlin sounded, which queued a 3 hour arm-wrestle. On 30-pound tackle this fish was not going to accept direction and my arm was starting to make an upsetting clicking noise… I was beaten and we cut the line.

Day 3 Pez Vela was hosting a national game fishing tournament so we accompanied 20 other boats out to the dropoff. We decided to do some light tackle trolling for the morning which produced several bonito. By lunchtime 40 sails had been tagged in the tournament and a hot sailfish bite was on. The sails had become very aggressive, worrying teasers to within a few feet of the boat. We engaged a pack of four mid size sails, and as the boat pulled into neutral they milled around some 30 yards to our rear. Seeing my chance, I cast behind them and made my retrieve. One fish split from the pack, engulfed my fly and gently turned. I struck it so hard the rod nearly sprung from my hands surprising both the fish and myself; this time the hook had set! There was a striking difference between the stamina of a 70-pound sail and one 30 pounds its senior, offering me far greater control during the fight. Eleven minutes later the sailfish was boat side and my goal of a billfish on the fly had been realized.

Belize The calm azure waters of southern Belize was the next port of call. Traveling two hours south of Belize City to the Sittee River, we ferried out to Glovers Reef. Named after John Glover, an 18th century pirate, who attacked Spanish mer- chant ships from here, this palm-studded coral island really is paradise. Positioned on the crest of a submerged mountain ridge the water surrounding quickly drop off to 3000ft. The cay, protected by the reef, is vast, averaging 6-12 ft. in depth and contains over 700 fringe reefs. Camping here for a week cost us $100 US, but for $240 you can stay in a cabin on stilts over the water (for more info visit www.glovers.com.bz). The

Here is a powerful blue marlin breaking the water, near the boat. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 25 shear diversity of the fishing here is Although these fish do have the tem- onds. Ten minutes later a 25-lb. kingfish amazing with bonefish-infested flats perament for long blistering runs, most was flapping around on the deck and and more barracuda, kingfish, trevally reels with a good drag and capacity for Warren seemed to have kept all his dig- and grouper than you can shake a stick 100 yards of backing will do perfectly. its intact. With spinning rod in hand I at. I joined two visiting fly fishermen, For the afternoon we netted some stepped up and launched my bait Dave and George, for a day, fishing the Sardines for live bait and dropped towards a slashing kingfish. My line flats guided by Warren, son of the anchor on the edge of the reef in 80-foot went taut and was met by a fright train island’s owners. I gained a reputation of of water. A hand full of sardines was run spooling the 300 yds. of 30-lb. braid sorts by lightly hooking Warren's grand- thrown in, which in turn sparked a off my Stradic on full drag in what ma the day before whilst attempting to series of explosions around the boat as appeared to be about 20 seconds. drop a fly in front of a passing bar- Slightly shocked I borrowed another racuda; nearly everyone saw the rod and continued fishing into the funny side! evening releasing some sizeable There wasn't a breath of breeze as groupers, horse eyed jacks, barracu- we motored out; the coral flats were da and two silky sharks. As the sun like a mill pond and gin clear. We wandered towards the horizon we drifted over several shallow reefs in headed in with two 6-inch pushers in search of the allusive permits I had tow, both of which took some big spotted snorkeling the previous day. eye tuna, perfect for sashimi and a The eerie calm weather we were fitting end to a memorable fishing experiencing was the precursor to a holiday. storm and, as a result, the permit had moved into deeper water. Warren Sportsfishing is never cheap, but knew a mangrove where there was a Above: Here are some big kings and a nice I have found that it is possible to prolific school of bonefish ranging grouper, earmarked for tonight's dinner! keep costs down by dealing directly from 1 to 12 pounds with several with the boat owners and negotiat- Below: Here is one of the many bonefish (pocket thousand of these 'pocket rockets' rockets) caught on the fly, during this action ing deals for smaller craft for sever- calling this mangrove home. As we packed trip. al days. In Guatemala I chartered a pulled into the shallows facing the 25-ft. Sportsfisher ideal for 2-4 mangrove, what appeared to be a dark anglers for $500 US per day includ- cloud of weed, 50 yards in diameter, ing lunch and crew. In Belize wafted to the other end of the beach. $250US per day covered a 20-ft. "That's them," said Warren as we ten- Panga with guide. Although both tatively entered the water to our outfits supplied standard rods and waists and positioned ourselves along tackle, specialized fly fishing equip- the beach. The technique was to wait ment must be brought from home. until the patrol returned, cast in front Regarding fly gear for sailfish; a of them allowing the fly to settle, quality 12 or 13-wt. rod and before twitching it through them. This reel with 300m of 30-lb. Dacron proved to be very productive and in backing is a must. Scientific two hours I hooked five and landed Angler makes a very good billfish three bones all between 3 and 4 pounds. some giant king mackeral ripped specific line essential for turning over Crazy Charlies and Clausers in pink, sand through the surf. Our guide, to my hor- those large flies. Camsigler and white worked well although any ror, produced a hand line and tossed his (www.camsigler.com), Rio (www.rio- shrimp pattern would suffice. Using live bait into the fray. I envisioned a products.com) and Tyger (www.tyger- intermediate line was perfect, but you bloodied stump of a hand at best and leader.com) all produce a range of should bring a floating line as well and waited with baited breath. The take was IGFA approved leaders and tippet your favorite 6 to 8-weight outfit. savage swallowing 150 yards in sec- materials. Fly H20 (www.flyh2o.com) stocks a comprehensive range of big game flies made to the highest standard. So if you enjoy an adventure and want to experience the billed beasts of the Pacific, or the unparalleled variety MARCH 2009 of the Caribbean on a fly rod, perhaps Southern Guatemala's Puerto Iztapa, or Glovers Reef, Belize, should be the next port of call.

26 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine MONTAUK’S GONE FISHING MARINA

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NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 27 Above: Charleston, SC - Andrew Chalson (right) smiles wide and poses with his buddies proudly displaying 5 beautiful wahoo weighing 45 to 67 pounds! Andrew took everyone out on his boat on 2/9/09 and in an amazing two hours caught the fish using trolling weights and large wahoo lures. It was two days after the full moon too, Andrew said. Nice job Andrew!

Left: Hawaii - Here is Terry Mehlig showing off some wahoo of her own. While cel- ebrating her anniversary in Hawaii, with her husband Ed, (not shown) she out- fished him, hands down. She is a “natural” Ed said.

Right: Viking Starship - Ross caught this 25-pound cod and took home the pool after a day of “lock and load” fishing out of Montauk. Right: Nancy Ann - Here is Rob Pavlick, our Marketing V.P., happily displaying his first ever double digit white chin, weighing 11.3 pounds. Rob was fishing on Captain Rich Jenson’s Nancy Ann out of the eastern North Fork of Long Island. This fish, as well as many other monsters, were taken this past November on our Editor’s annual blackfish charter.

Below: Capt. Mark - Here's Bucktail Bob with a quality Montauk cod taken on the Capt. Mark.

Left: Rosie - As soon as the sun came up on 2/11, the cod were slamming the jigs for anglers on the Rosie. Kringo shows off two of his 14 keepers caught during the trip to The Block. You have to experience it to believe it!

Above: Super Speedy - Noreast.com member grouperscooper won his first-ever pool with this big cod back on 1/26/09 aboard the Super Speedy. Congrats on a great fish!

Left: Miss Montauk - Capt. Rick Cohen runs his My Bonni from spring to fall, but with a red-hot cod bite, Rick was quick to hop on the Miss Montauk and get in on the action before getting his own season under way. Dolphin coming aboard! This was an average dolphin for this trip.

Fishing trips, especially those you have to travel to are picked up by a special shuttle and taken to a private airport usually expensive. Rarely considered necessities by an where we boarded a small twin engine plane run by Tropic angler's family, no matter how necessary you think they are, Express. We flew for about an hour until finally spotting a lit- they usually require saving in advance for. tle island that looked like the one in Jurassic Park. We landed I waited a long time and had many dreams about going on a dirt airstrip. Then we boarded a tractor drawn tram for a to the place dubbed the number one fishing lodge in the world ride through the jungle ending at a river with a couple of by the Robb Report. Finally I was ready. docks. We boarded a panga powered with a small kicker at Tropic Star is located in Piñas Bay, Panama. They are the stern for the final leg of the journey to the lodge. The river most known for marlin because the nearby Hannibal Bank led to the shoreline of the rocky island and after rounding one abounds with black, blue and striped marlin as well as hordes of the rocky points we were faced with a secluded little bay of huge Pacific sails. The inshore areas are teeming with backed by lush rain forest and mountains behind that. We many other game species. headed into the bay toward the docks and saw a dozen 31-foot I found out that the prime time for black marlin, which the Bertrams anchored there; each a different color. lodge is most known for, is the winter. When I called to book We disembarked and walked down the long pier to the a trip I learned that there was a 2-year waiting list. I then read main lodge building where we were greeted and then shown about Guy Harvey's love for the place, the fact that he has to our quarters. We each had a private two-room bungalow been there over thirty times, and that he likes mid-summer as with all the amenities including a porch with hanging bird it affords a very good chance of catching all the different feeders to attract the hummingbirds which were everywhere. species during the same trip. Not being the prime season, There were twelve groups of guests staying that week and we there were openings and even a reduced price. all met later at the main lodge for orientation. It was there that As you might expect, this place is expensive. I was able to I received the biggest, and most welcomed, surprise. We were find only one fishing buddy who was able to go, plus my wife informed that there are virtually NO mosquitoes! I had who just planned to go on the boat as an observer, and not brought lots of repellent, knowing that we would be in a rain every day. My friend Dale McMichael, who had been there forest; how wonderful to find out that it was not needed. That twice before, was going to meet us in Panama City, Panama, night the dock master took our food order for the next day and the first stop on the way. did that every day after that. Sandwiches, salads, fruit, soda, Even the trip to the lodge is exciting and helps build up the and water are all provided, with beer and wine available. anticipation of what is to come. We flew to Panama City's The next day fishing began. This morning and for the next Tocumen airport and were greeted in the airport by represen- five days in a row there was a knock on the door at 5:30AM; tatives of Tropic Star. First class is the only way to describe the wake up call. You open the door and are handed a tray the experience right from the start. We were ushered to the with fresh coffee on it and told you are expected at breakfast Tocumen Royal Saloon VIP Lounge where we were offered in 30 minutes. The choices for breakfast are what you would refreshments (anything we wanted) while the Tropic Star staff expect at any good hotel. Excitement abounded as the restau- walked our documents and luggage through the airport proce- rant was filled with guests anxious to go fishing. MARCH 2009 dures. No lines and no hassles; what more could you want? Every group had been assigned a boat, captain, and mates We then spent the night at the Marriott Panama, one of the in advance. When I booked our reservations I specifically many fine hotels there, all of which can book afternoon tours asked for a crew that was into light tackle and fly fishing of the famed Panama Canal locks. The next morning we were whenever feasible. We boarded the "Panama" and headed out

30 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine Oakdale Boat Center 1479 Montauk Highway ◆ Oakdale, New York 11769 631-870-3550 noreast.com “A must-see website for the serious angler. the only website you need for sportfishing It rates with the best outdoor sites on the web!” information Access Magazine

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NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 31 My friend Dale with a nice loaded with 20-pound-test braid. I decided to use this outfit first amber jack. and informed the crew that when it was my turn, if a sail or a small marlin came up I wanted them to do the bait and switch. It wasn't long until this happened. It was my turn and in the wake there was a fully lit up sail, dorsal sticking out of the water as it followed one of the dead baits. The mates started reeling the bait away from it and I tossed out a popping plug. I've used poppers offshore in the past on tuna and white marlin and the plugs I use are modified for that purpose. I take big Rebel and Cordell Poppers, Gibbs Polaris, and Pencil Poppers by Gibbs and Cotton Cordell and remove all the tre- ble hooks. I then place one large Siwash style hook, which I dress with flashabou and bucktail, at the tail of the plug. It only took one loud pop of the noisy plug to attract the fish's attention. It practically flew out of the water to dive on the lure. I have to admit this was like shooting fish in a barrel, but I still loved it. As the fish turned away, I set the hook. Then things changed. The boundaries of the "barrel" were vastly expanded. The fish took off and the drag screamed. These huge sails have weight and power combined with incredible speed. In seconds the fish was leaping out of the water a hundred yards away. Jump, splash, jump, splash, over and over as the fish went from way off to the right of the boat to way off to the left of the boat. It was uncontrollable until it finally settled down and I could begin to fight it. After an exciting struggle the fish was alongside. The mates here are very adept at carefully posing fish for the cam- era, removing the hook, and making sure the fish is in prime shape before released. What a blast! The next time I was up, with the fleet. The first stop for everyone was the bank where I told them I wanted to do the same thing but now with my bonito congregate. It was time to catch bait. We slow trolled 12-weight fly rod. In minutes, Dale was hooked. After the hand lines with small jigs on the end and were soon into 5- release it was my turn again and I was poised at the port cor- pound bonitos. These were quickly brought aboard and put ner of the transom, rod in right hand, huge popping fly in left into tuna tubes. You can observe or participate to whatever hand, and about forty feet of fly line coiled on the deck at my level you wish in every aspect of the trip, a great way to learn feet. There I stood waiting for yet another sail to pop up, but how to make "Panama" strips from the experts. instead the dorsal of a blue marlin showed up following one These boats have the best setup I have ever seen. The live of the live bonito. Fire drill! bait station consists of a live well in the center surrounded by Amidst all the shouting between the captain and the mates, I six tuna tubes into which live bonito are dropped head first. was winding in my loose fly line off the deck as fast as I could. Water is forced up from the bottom of the tube so the fish are I handed the fly rod back to my friend as I moved into position in essence swimming into a current, kept alive and frisky. The by the starboard rod, while putting on a gimbel belt, just as the whole thing is one molded unit. After we had six big baits marlin engulfed the bait. I picked up the outfit, put it into free loaded into tubes and a few that were killed to make their spool and thumbed the line until the captain told me to lock up, famous strips, we headed for the world famous Hannibal Bank. reminding me that they only use circle hooks at Tropic Star. Two live baits (bonitos bridled on huge circle hooks) and I did as told and a gleaming blue and silver missile weigh- two strip baits were deployed as we trolled around the bank. ing about 400 pounds shot out of the water and began to tail- In short order two Pacific sails rose behind the boat and walk across the water. When it finally fell in, it sped off to the scoffed up the dead baits. As the first day went on we had left dragging lots of line behind it. The captain threw the port huge sail after sail (these fish averaged about 100 pounds) engine's single lever control into full throttle reverse. The and many double headers. The day was spent with aerial boat started backing toward the fish, which had now surfaced "fireworks" going off at regular intervals, punctuated by eat- and was walking on water again. Now the other engine went ing the fabulous lunch they packed aboard for us. into reverse and we backed quickly toward the fish. The next day started out the same way, getting live bait and It kept jumping and we were getting closer until it decid- MARCH 2009 then out searching. After a few big sails on the standard 30- ed to sound. That's when I really felt the power of this fish. I pound class outfits it was time to "fool around". My friend Dale was pinned to the transom, helpless as line literally melted off was content to stick with the standard tackle but I wanted to the reel. Then the line went slack. I wound like crazy as the experiment. I had brought along two fly rods and a spinner boat shot forward to help keep the line tight, but the fish was-

32 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine Here is the author with a nice sailfish that he took on one of his modified poppers.

n't charging the boat. It had thrown the snappers up to about 25 pounds and a then found the big sails to be very oblig- hook! roosterfish of about the same size. ing. While out there we watched another We started trolling again, but after an Luckily it was warm so being drenched boat fight and land a black marlin of hour with no bites, the captain asked if (even with ponchos supplied by the about 600 pounds and heard that another we would like to try a little inshore fish- lodge) was actually fun. boat had landed two of them, but not us. ing. Sure we said. July is in the rainy Any edible fish caught by the fleet That's okay, what a day we had! season, and I mean rainy. Back close to were given to the chef (and I do mean We stuck to this routine, inshore shore, the rain was coming down so chef). They were added to the choices plugging in the morning and offshore heavily it looked like water being offered at the gourmet meals back at the trolling, baiting and switching as often poured out of a bucket. We started lodge every evening. as possible, for the rest of the trip. By trolling small live baits near the shore- Next day was much of the same, the end of the week we added amber- line and were rewarded with cubera except no marlin showed up for us. I did jack, cero mackerel, blue runners, dol- manage a few sails on the fly rod phin, jack crevalle and corvina to the Fighting one of the though and then after lunch we decided list of fish caught "inshore". On the last many sailfish to go inshore again. This time we day there is a special dinner (including caught on this caught cero mackerel and corvina on baked Alaska) where award certificates dream trip. bait, but also on cast swimming plugs are given out in various categories. Dale close to the rocks. Again we were and I were recognized for being high drenched (this is an every afternoon hook on sails for the week. thing at that time of the year). We decid- Unfortunately we never got to land a ed to try something different the next marlin, but that's fishing. Next time! day right from the start. Rather than expound on every battle, Instead of heading out to catch live I just want to say that the few descrip- bait and go offshore, we said we wanted tions above tell it all. Every fish was to fish inshore, casting plugs in the morn- exciting, the variety was great, the ing while the sun was still out. It was a crews were outstanding, the accommo- good choice. By noon we had landed 11 dations first class, the attention to detail yellowfin tuna up to about 40 pounds, 9 superb, and the food scrumptious. The wahoo up to about 20 pounds, a few Robb Report was right. If you want to cubera snappers up to about 10 pounds, experience the incredible fishing the and 2 roosterfish, one going about 35 Pacific has to offer in the tropics and do pounds. All on various popping plugs. it with style, then Tropic Star is the We ate lunch while heading offshore and lodge for you, 'nuff said. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 33 big picture. From late October through December, flounder leave their offshore haunts and move into coastal estuaries to spawn. They travel well inland - often into brackish water – where they spend the winter. As the temperature rises and spawning concludes, the flounder gradually migrate eastward, eventually returning to their deepwater For Northeast anglers, it has been a Commission has tightened restrictions homes along the edge of the long, cold winter. Freezing tempera- on recreational anglers, instituting 12- Continental Shelf. What does this mean tures and gusty winds – not to mention inch size and 10-fish bag limits and to the angler? Well, early in the season closed seasons and the scarcity of some shortening the season to roughly seven – say late March and the first week of traditional winter sport fish - have kept weeks. Still, there are flounder to be April – expect to find fish in the west- most of us indoors. Our fishing plans caught, and in my non-scientific opin- ern and northernmost areas of the bay have been pushed to the backburner. ion, the average size of the remaining and up the tidal creeks. As April pro- But with March here already, it’s time fish has actually increased. You just gresses, look for them along the chan- to move ‘em to the front and nels that lead seaward. By turn up the heat. Barring any May, most flounder will be in last-minute changes, New fairly deep “staging areas” Jersey’s winter flounder season close to Barnegat Inlet. Of opens on March 23rd, and course, an unusually mild Barnegat Bay’s population of winter could put them a week these tasty flatfish is as healthy or more ahead of schedule. as you’ll find anywhere in the Garden State. OK, I know what you’re thinking. References to west, Don’t misunderstand. When north, channels, and staging I was a boy, Barnegat Bay was areas are pretty general in literally paved with flounder. nature, so let’s try to narrow In clear water, we would watch things down a little more. dozens of them flutter across Regardless of where they are the bottom competing for our along their spring migration baits. It took little effort to route, winter flounder prefer A nice mess of Barnegat Bay flounder. catch all we wanted. Now the certain types of habitat. As a bay’s flounder stocks have rule, they like muddy bottom. declined drastically, as they have have to be savvy and give yourself That’s not to say you’ll never find them throughout the Northeast. It’s my every possible advantage in order to put on sand or shell bottom, but fishing understanding that commercial interests those flatties in the box. That means over mud will greatly improve the odds. account for 95 percent of flounder land- learning when and where to fish, the Flounder commonly gather in deep ings. Draggers scoop up the fish before peculiarities of each location, how to spots (in Barnegat Bay, “deep” means 7 they enter the inlets. Worse, fyke nets draw flounder to your boat, and how to to 12 feet), venturing into the shallows are set all over our bays and rivers, motivate them to bite. to feed as the midday sun warms the killing untold numbers of flounder water. Maximize your time over pro- before they can spawn. Regulation of KNOW YOUR QUARRY ductive bottom. Early and late in the fyke nets is lax – almost non-existent, in day, fish channel edges or holes and fact. To address these problems, the Before you worry about specific troughs close to mudflats. If you decide Atlantic States Marine Fisheries fishing spots, it’s important to see the to fish the flats themselves, do it when

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34 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 35 the sun is highest. Note that flounder are feet of water. This area is locally famous PRIMETIME attracted to mussel beds. Because they as the place to be on opening day. hide in the mud waiting for currents to Although lower Beaver Dam Creek bring forth bits of boat- or storm-dam- In central Barnegat Bay, there’s a and the Mantoloking Bridge area will aged mussel, you’re more likely to find narrow channel on the north side of the still hold some fish, most of the early- flounder around the perimeter of the beds Route 37 Bridge. It runs east-west, season hotspots will be devoid of floun- than directly on them. Flounder also for- more or less parallel to the bridge and der by the second week in April. During age around clam beds, nipping off razor above Pelican Island. The flats on either peak season, concentrate your efforts and “piss” clam siphons which pro- along the bay’s main north-south The author displays trude from the mud. If you discover a nice fat flattie from channel. At the 40 Marker south- an area where clams are abundant, Barnegat Bay's east of Cedar Creek, depths range give it a try. Double Creek from 6 to 10 feet. This location runs Channel. hot some years, cold others. The 2- Now that you know what to miles of channel between the BB look for, I’ll offer some hints on and BI Markers are more depend- where to look beginning at the able. If you can’t find fish in 9 to 12 bay’s north end and moving south. feet of water close to the channel, At this point, you might want to do not hesitate to explore the 6- to break out the chart. Shockingly, 8-foot depths to the east and west. some folks claim my directions Oyster Creek Channel runs from aren’t clear enough to stand on the BI east to Barnegat Inlet. Here, their own! there may be a good bite on the outside are covered by less than 2 feet of going tide, but you can bet the action EARLY-SEASON HOTSPOTS water, but the channel bottom drops off will shut down when the tide turns and to as much as 18 feet in places. Though that chilly ocean water rushes in. West Just below the Point Pleasant Canal flounder don’t linger here for long, it’s a of the entrance to Double Creek (a.k.a. Intracoastal Waterway) entrance, decent spot in what I’ll call the late Channel lies another promising spot, you’ll notice the 2 Marker. During early-season. South of Route 37, plenty the 42 Marker. Double Creek Channel March and early April, the 8- to 12-foot of flounder winter-over in the Toms itself is something of a flounder high- depths east and southwest of that mark- River. Fish the Golf Course Hole, the way, or major migration route. It, too, is er are quite popular with flounder smaller holes off Pine Beach and Ocean best fished on an outgoing tide. You enthusiasts. Nearby, Beaver Dam Creek Gate and the area in front of the Island may also experience success on an receives less fishing pressure, but its Heights Promenade. Out in the bay, the incoming tide, provided you’re willing lower reaches are as close to a sure 7-foot depths off Martell’s Water’s to make frequent westward moves to thing as you can get. A large sandbar Edge Restaurant and the entrance to keep ahead of the advancing cold water. guards the mouth of the Metedeconk Cedar Creek are worth a shot. Below the 42, you’ll notice the main River. Flounder will sometimes hold in channel narrows considerably and veers 5 to 7 feet of water west of that bar. Farther south, flounder are caught in to the southeast. Few people fish this Back in the bay proper, the main chan- Oyster Creek anywhere from the Route stretch, but from time to time I’ve nel runs between the Bay 9 Bridge east to the creek mouth. enjoyed fine action between the 46 and Head–Mantoloking shoreline and Discharge from the Oyster Creek Power 52 Markers. Herring Island. This entire stretch is Plant can raise the water temperature 10 productive - the 4 Marker, the eastern or more degrees above that of the sur- LAST LICKS channel edge and the deep holes at the rounding area. This makes for good south end especially so. From the fishing in March, but the temperature In a typical season, the first week of Mantoloking Bridge south to the 14 can top 60 degrees by early April, caus- May finds the majority of flounder near Marker, flounder will be found in 5 to 8 ing the flatties to make a hasty exit. Barnegat Inlet. Time to get in your last

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36 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine licks. Any reasonably deep water may locations from which to choose. Are tured in the 1960s. For laughs, I bought serve as a gathering place from which the you ready? Without the proper tackle them at a yard sale and rebuilt them fish can stage foraging runs and, eventu- you’re not. Winter flounder hide in the myself – great flounder reels! If a client ally, their offshore migration. The eastern mud, sucking in an assortment of tiny is uncomfortable with baitcasting or reaches of Oyster and Double Creek bottom-dwelling critters. They don’t conventional outfits, I supply 7-foot Channels are fairly reliable. Cuts, troughs chase down large prey. Occasionally, a light-action spinning rods with Penn and holes in various sandbars will pro- flounder will slam a bait and take off 4400SS reels and 8-pound mono. I duce if your timing is right. The most running, but 99.9 percent of the time the mention these outfits only as examples. consistent action takes place in Meyer’s - bite will be a gentle peck-peck-peck. If there’s one that works better for you, or Myer’s, depending on which chart you Tackle must be selected accordingly. go with it. Likewise, if you prefer braid- examine – Hole. In the shadow of Light-biting fish require sensitive rod ed line, feel free to use it. Barnegat Lighthouse, Meyer’s Hole con- tips. You want to feel the slightest nib- tains some of the deepest water (12 to 24 ble. And since flounder are relatively THE BUSINESS END feet) and muddiest bottom in the entire small fish (a 20-incher is a monster), bay. Sandwiched between a sandy spit of heavy gear is totally inappropriate. So much for rods and reels. What land called The Dike and the bay’s east- Rods and reels should be of decent about the stuff that actually comes in ern shore, it’s also a great place to get out quality, but they needn’t be outrageous- contact with the flounder? In my expe- of the wind. Just one drawback – Meyer’s ly expensive. Flounder aren’t impressed rience, a proper flounder rig is designed Hole gets crowded. Finally, on the north by brand names and don’t give a damn with three principles in mind. First, the side of Barnegat Inlet, there’s a pocket of how much money you spent. fish have small mouths, so small hooks deep water east of a big sandbar known are essential. I use # 8 Chestertons or # as The Horseshoe. When all else fails, it On the Wrong Tern, I supply my cus- 10 wide-gaps. Second, flounder seldom may offer a shot at departing flounder. tomers with 6-foot baitcasting outfits. leave the bottom in pursuit of prey. It is The graphite rods are stiff, but highly imperative that your hooks rest on the CHOOSE YOUR WEAPONS sensitive. I use Ambassadeur 6500C3 bottom, and rigs must be constructed to reels and 10-pound monofilament. I ensure that they do so. No high-low No matter what stage of the migra- also have a couple of little Penn rigs. Use short leaders, about 12 inches. tion you fish, you now have some prime Baymaster conventional reels manufac- Never tie the leader above the sinker.

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NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 37 Instead, attach the leader to the same anglers, and with good reason. It’s tough to predict just what will snap or swivel that holds the sinker. Together they put more flounders in appeal to Mr. Flounder’s palate on a Third, keep it simple. Walk into any the box than all other baits combined. given day. Arrive at the flounder bait and tackle shop and you’ll see pre- Interestingly, sandworms are most grounds with a variety of baits – the packaged flounder rigs with all sorts of effective in the northern reaches of more the better. I’d say bloodworms, colored beads, twister tails, mylar, Barnegat Bay. Elsewhere, blood- sandworms and clams at a bare mini- spinner blades, and God knows what worms have the edge. Because worms mum. else. I’m convinced that such accou- are expensive, you’ll want to get as trements scare off more fish than they much use out of each one as possible. DROP ANCHOR, RING THE DIN- attract. A single yellow or green bead But don’t get carried away. Some peo- NER BELL above each hook is sufficient. ple make the mistake of cutting worms into miniscule bits that wouldn’t tempt Whereas fluke fishing involves For those who care to tie their own a tadpole. The average worm will drifting, winter flounder fishing is done rigs, here’s what I’d suggest. Start with yield two baits. You could get three or entirely at anchor. If the current is two snelled flounder hooks. Pick one four baits from the bigger ones. strong or there’s more than a light and tie a double overhand knot in the Thread your worm onto the hook so breeze, use two anchors – bow and center of the snell, but don’t tighten the that it covers the shank and be sure to stern – to maintain your position over a knot just yet. Pass the end loop of the leave a “tail” free to flutter in the cur- hole or channel edge. And because second snell through the double over- rent. Never ball-up your worm – this you’ll be fishing from a stationary posi- hand knot in the first snell, then over ain’t catfishin’. tion, you’ll want to draw the fish to you the hook on the second snell and pull and keep them there. That’s where tight. Now tighten the double overhand Although not on a par with worms, chum comes in. Don’t leave the dock knot in the first snell. Attach the end surf clams make good flounder bait. On without it! loop of the first snell to a small 3-way the hook, use only the toughest parts of swivel. Add a Duo-Lock snap to hold the clam. Cut the mantle (that ribbon- Naturally, you will need a couple of the sinker and you’re in business. like muscle that runs along the edge of chum pots. Purchase the cylindrical the shell) and the foot into strips rough- wire-mesh type. They come in quart In most sections of Barnegat Bay, ly 3 inches long and ¼-inch wide. Pass and half-gallon sizes. Mesh size should currents are light and heavy sinkers the hook once or twice through one end be ½-inch. Be certain your chum pots aren’t necessary. Though 1 ½-ounce of the strip. Or – and this is deadly on have enough line to reach the bottom. sinkers are usually ideal, to be safe I large flounder – bait up with a worm carry an assortment from ½ to 3 and for added attraction, dangle a 2- Bait and tackle shops sell frozen ounces. I favor the round variety, but inch piece of clam from the same hook. “chum logs” which consist mainly of dipsey and bank sinkers are fine, too. After a storm, it’s easy to gather clams ground clam and fit neatly into chum On occasion, flounder seem drawn to while walking along the beach. All you pots. Chum logs are convenient and brightly colored sinkers – yellow in need is a 5-gallon pail and your own work great. In the water, one chum log particular. Other times, colored sinkers two hands. Well, you may also want a lasts about half an hour, so bring make no difference whatsoever. Why is clamming license. Some authorities are enough for the duration of your trip. this? You’ve got me. Some folks claim more concerned with the letter of the Folks with the time and inclination can bright colors are only effective in law than its intent. make their own chum. Using a meat cloudy water, but my fishing logs don’t grinder or an old food processor, grind support that conclusion. Regardless, I Mussels can be raked from local up a bunch of clam “bellies” (the soft always keep a handful of yellow rocks, bulkheads and pilings. They’re parts unsuitable for hook bait). Add sinkers onboard. Since you can’t buy difficult to keep on the hook, but they some cooked oatmeal, boiled rice and yellow sinkers, you’ll have to create catch a lot of flounder, especially when canned corn. Stir everything together to ‘em. Simply scuff some sinkers with fished around mussel beds (no surprise make a paste, then freeze it in quart- fine sandpaper, suspend them from a there). Mussels have another use, sized milk cartons. Save the clam piece of string or old fishing line, then which I’ll get to momentarily. shells. On the fishing grounds, toss spray paint them. Another option is to them overboard. As you do so, give dip your sinkers in some of that plastic Looking for a secret weapon? Get each one a solid whack with a fish billy coating for tool handles. It’s sold at yourself a fine-mesh net and scrape it or rubber mallet to bust it up. Oh, most hardware stores. along seaweed-covered bulkheads and remember those mussels? I call ‘em pilings to collect grass shrimp. Few “instant chum”. Place them in a sturdy MARCH 2009 THE MENU anglers are aware that flounder love bucket, crush them thoroughly, pack shrimp. Use only fresh shrimp. Pin two them into a chum pot, and lower away. With rigs ready, you’re going to or three of the little buggers on a # 10 need bait. Bloodworms and sand- wide-gap hook and get ready to be Alone, canned corn is a poor substi- worms are favorites among bay amazed. tute for clam- or mussel-based chum.

38 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine Well-worn tools of the trade: chum pots, a mussel rake and a shrimp net.

Still, in a pinch, it’s better than nothing. a 16-foot wooden pole. No reason a bounce the sinker lightly, no more than When tossed overboard, corn sinks “plumber’s helper” wouldn’t work 6 inches off the bottom. The idea is to slowly and even a light current will today. move the bait enough to get a floun- carry it well away from your boat. der’s attention while keeping it within Solve that problem by placing the corn, Don’t settle for one chumming his reach. Try a dozen quick bounces along with a rock, in a flimsy paper method. Do everything possible to followed by a one-minute pause. If no bag. Use some string to tie the bag shut ensure success. Bring along chum logs, bite is forthcoming, repeat the process. and lower it to the bottom. After 5 min- clam shells, a rake to collect mussels, If at any point the slightest tap or utes or so, the bag will become saturat- several cans of corn, and a device with twitch is detected, stop! Do not set the ed. When you give the string a good which you can disturb the bottom. Use hook. Instead, allow your bait to sit yank, the bag will rip open, spilling the them all. And shake those chum pots motionless on the bottom. Give the corn onto the bottom right below you. periodically to release some extra fish a moment to swallow the bait. If goodies and send up little puffs of sed- no further tapping is felt, slowly raise Wherever you anchor, Mother iment. your rod tip. Do you feel extra weight? Nature has already placed some chum If so, hit him. beneath your boat. Take advantage of TIPS it. The mud is full of all kinds of organ- Finally, be aware that flounder fish- isms that flounder dine upon. A grap- Alrighty then. A fishin’ hole has ing ain’t what it used to be. Every fish pling hook or small mushroom anchor been targeted. Rods, reels, rigs, and is a valuable prize you don’t want to tossed out and retrieved along the bot- baits are in readiness. The chum is lose, so remember the landing net for tom will force these creatures out of onboard. It’s time to do battle with the big ones. Good luck. See you on their homes and onto dinner table. winter flounder. At this juncture, I’ll the bay. Flounder are curious fish and the bil- leave you with two bits of advice. lows of mud alone will draw their Capt. Kent Madsen attention. In the good ol’ days, we’d First, work your baits and pay close Wrong Tern Sportfishing, LLC stir things up with a “flounder attention to every sensation that’s (732) 349-4384 pounder” – a toilet plunger attached to transferred up your line. Learn to [email protected] MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 39 Shimano's Lucanus Jig System One Of The Best Gets Even Better

Shimano's Lucanus Jig System continues to take the angling world by storm. They have been catching everything from fluke and striped bass inshore to sea bass and cod offshore. These jigs mimic the look and movement of squid, which we all know are one of the most effective and universal baits in the ocean. Everything will eat this jig if given the opportunity. The aerodynamic head design enables the Lucanus jig to quickly sink to the bottom and also aids to stabilize the retrieve. Another great feature is that they boast a duel eyelet design. This allows the angler to tie a line with a sinker to the bottom eyelet for fast current conditions. This is priceless when the drift for fluke speeds up or when targeting deep-water species like cod, hake and pollack.

The most recent news is that a new pink/white color is now available from Lucanus, which has always been one of my longtime favorite go-to colors. A total of seven color patterns are available which include pink/white, blue/silver, chartreuse/white, green/gold, black/gold, orange/white and purple/red. Each color can be purchased in a variety of different weights including 2oz, 3oz, 3.5oz, 5.25oz and 7oz for a total of 35 size and color combinations. If you need a little guidance in selecting the weight of your Lucanus jigs, it's always beneficial to go lighter than you usually would. The shape of these jigs cut down drag in the water and you can always add some weight via an additional sinker with the duel eyelet design. Also, with the mind-boggling variety of braided lines available for every fishing situation, there's no rea- The beautiful and effective son not to be using braided line with these jigs which will Lucanus jig in orange. also allow you to fish much lighter and have more fun.

40 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine The Lucanus jigs are made to handle abuse with their durable silicon skirt and trailers that wobble and vibrate dur- An assortment of Fishbelly swimbaits. ing retrieves and drops for increased action. They also feature a glow eye for that extra edge when working deep water. The best technique for using these jigs is to basically work them slow. Start by dropping the jig to the bottom then start cranking the reel very slowly. Move the jig through the desired water column then reel up and repeat. Instead of setting the hook when you feel the first bite, keep reeling and lift the rod tightly until the fish hooks itself. A mono leader and the included colors include Marsh Killie, Silverside, multiple Owner hooks will help you out Fishbelly Greenback, Ayu, Speckled Minnow and there. The key here is to work the jig All Fishermen Should Have A many others. slow and a conventional reel with a Fishbelly 5.0:1 gear ratio, or less, is ideal. Another great offering from the Shimano also offers additional products Fishbelly may not be a name that many Fishbelly product line is the 6-inch Gator to improve your catch with these jigs. anglers are familiar with but it's about Minnow. These scented lures were As part of their exclusive Lucanus Jig time we all learn about this great line of designed for saltwater fish like striped System, they offer a new Calcutta TE soft plastic swimbaits. One of their bass, fluke, sea bass, weakfish, etc. They 400LJV reel and a new line of Tescata standout products is the Tri-fin Kick-S provide incredibly life-like action and Rods featuring 4 conventional and 3 Shad. My favorite is the 9-inch version swim like a real baitfish. These lures spinning models. Some other products pre-rigged with a 6/0 Mustad Ultra include a split tail for even more action. available include replacement shirts & Point J-hook and a 1.5oz head. This When fluke fishing, these soft baits can trailers, replacement multiple hook sys- swimbait is absolutely deadly for be simply rigged on a jig head and tems, monofilament wind-on leaders, striped bass, especially in the Pearlblue bumped up and down off the bottom jig keepers and a jig storage box. and Herring colors. These soft plastics while drifting on a boat or casting from http://lucanusjig.com are designed to mimic a live and/or wounded baitfish with its tail-wagging shore. Another great way to rig these up STUR-DDEE BOAT CO. action. The tri-fin design helps the for fluke is to use them as your teaser. Est. 1947 Family Owned & Operated swimbait vibrate as it "wages" its tail in Simply rig the Gator Minnow with a the water. It is also comes in a variety of plain hook and tie it up via a dropper different scents, such as menhaden loop 2 to 3 feet above a standard offering (bunker) and shad, to increase bites and of spearing and squid. When you lift encourage curious fish not to let go. The your rod tip up and down, you may be surprised that you catch more fish on The Amesbury Dory 9-inch Tri-fin Kick-S Shad is also avail- your plain teaser than on your bait. The Available In 12' • 14' • 16' able unrigged as well as in smaller 5 Tiverton R.I. 02878 and 6-inch sizes. The unrigged versions Gator Minnow is available in 3.5, 5 and 401-624-9373 are great for you to customize your baits 6-inch sizes. It's also available in a gen- www.stur-deeboat.com with your own hook sizes and weights erous selection of colors including Fishing Reports at or add them to an umbrella rig to troll Smelt, Whitefish, Flying Fish, Atlantic up some big bass. Choices of additional Sardine and Blackback Menhaden. noreast.com MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 41 If you want to try something a little smaller, Fishbelly also offers the Hawg Shad. They are similar to the Gator Minnows but are more geared towards light tackle saltwater and freshwater fishing. Sizes include a 2.8, 3.5, 5 and 6 inches. The smaller 2.8 and 3.5-inch sizes are available in split-tail, paddle- tail and pintail-versions. Color choices: Anchovy, Gold Shiner, Bloodline Minnow, Green Venom, Bleeding Heart and many others. To get more info on these as well as the entire line of Fishbelly products, be sure to visit http://www.fishbelly.com. A closeup of the Holzster, a very useful and practical invention.

Ralph's Fishing Station, New 2007 Grady White Gulfstream, 1 to The Holzster heading back into your boat slip? Did 4 Passengers, Families Welcome Stop Playing Games With Your you enjoy untangling them all after- Long Island Sound & Skinny Water Fishing Adventures Rods wards? Have you ever placed your rods www.luv2fishcharters.com (631) 736-00470 or (516) 635-99456 on the dock to clean them after a trip Full/half day charters only to find out that some clumsy fool Reservations suggested How many times did you have to fum- "Skinny Water" 1 person max Capt. Barbara ble your rods around the deck when stepped on them or knocks them into the drink? Fortunately there is a rela- DRIFTER SPORTFISHING CHARTERS tively inexpensive yet brilliant way to POINT JUDITH, RI • INSHORE/OFFSHORE • 1-6 PASSENGERS solve all of these problems and it's SPRING COD - APRIL 1st! called the Holzster. BOOK NOW Fishing Cox’s Ledge & Block Island The Holzster is a strap-on fishing rod rack designed primarily for your ice Striped Bass, Cox’s Ledge Cod, Fluke, ALL SPECIES Blackfish, Tuna, Bonito, Bluefish, Shark ALL SEASONS cooler. It's basically like have a rocket launcher installed on your cooler or Captain Richard J. Chatowsky dock box that you can easily remove if 2ND GENERATION necessary. The included ratchet buckles FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED • 401-364-8835 • www.drifterchartersri.com are precision crafted of stainless steel and designed to battle salty marine conditions. Rod holders are injection molded, UV inhibiting, high density polyeth- ylene for strength. This innovative From Capt. Greg Dubrule & Crew product gives you the flexibility of THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SEASON! extra rod storage in any accessible loca- The Black Hawk will begin sailing for the 2009 season on Saturday, May 16, 2009. tion that you choose. The Holzster is Gift certificates are available and make

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42 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 43 wash them properly. No one is going to and out of the way of dock lines and pil- mounting straps are made of polypropy- accidentally step on them, break a ings while navigating your slip or oper- lene webbing, making them UV and guide, scratch the blank, tangle them ating in close quarters at the marina. abrasion resistant. The end result is a up, or kick them into the water. Your You'll never again have to rely on others superior design that is removable yet fishing rods, which can be a huge to rearrange the rods on your boat or still requires no screws and no drilling. investment, will finally reside in a safe cringe as you see your custom rod break The Holzster is available in a variety of place on the dock. That alone is worth in half as it gets hung up on the dock. different sizes including 3, 4, 5 and 6 the price of this product. Besides the stainless steel buckles and rod racks. With the optional side panel tough rod holders mentioned above, this racks, available in 2 and 3 rod designs, Another great place to put a Holzster is product packs even more features to you can hold up to 12 rods with the by strapping it onto a cooler and keep- really stand up to abuse. The horizontal reels attached onto one cooler. For ing it on your boat. You now have an panels are manufactured using marine more information, including additional ideal resting place for your fishing rods grade polymer and is environmentally pictures, dimensions, and how to and reels while docking. This will stabilized to resist the sun and saltwater. buy this product, check out remove all the rods off your gunnels All hardware is stainless steel and the http://www.holzster.com

Angler’s Fish-n-Mate The Angler's Fish-n-Mate being used for what it was designed for! Another Reason Why Man Invented The Wheel

Man invented the wheel to help you carry your fishing gear! How? Make your life easier by loading it all into Angler's Fish-n-Mate. This fishing cart was designed to carry all your fishing rods, reels, tackle, cooler, etc. to and from your fishing destination with ease. Whether it's a walk down to the pier, a hike down the sandy beach or a simple stroll on asphalt, the Fish-n-Mate will get you there in style with minimal effort. This amazing product, including so you'll be immediately ready for any able bait bucket, inflatable 5" x 15" all components, weighs a mere 24.7 situation. One example is having a rod pneumatic tires, stabilizer legs, vinyl pounds. It's so light that anyone can set up with a weighed snag hook in case rod tube covers to protect your equip- pick it up to load or unload it from a car some baitfish show up because you ment and mono lanyards for the detent or truck. won't have time to tie a rig when that pins. Its aluminum tubing construction happens. Even better is that your rods is corrosion resistant and capable of With the Fish-n-Mate, the days of carry- and reels will be safe, out of the sand carrying up to 200 pounds. This partic- ing all year gear like a pack mule for a and out of the way of getting damaged. ular model will easily carry up to 8 rods day of surf fishing are over. It also has You can even use this cart if you're just and reels, a 48-72 quart cooler, one some great features that will make your going to the beach with the family, tak- smaller cooler for bait, one medium outing more enjoyable. It carries up to 8 ing out the garbage cans or doing some sized tackle box and even some lawn

MARCH 2009 rods, with reels attached, so you can yard work. chairs and an umbrella. If you want to have all your tools of the trade ready to start doing things the easy way with go. Now you can have several rods Features include a removable handle, Angler's Fish-n-Mate, visit setup with different lures, rigs, bait, etc. food grade cutting board with remov- http://rodrack.com.

44 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine An assortment of HI-SEAS Grand Slam Braid.

HI-SEAS The line will not bury in reels, knots are breaking strength to provide you with an Don’t Forget To Replace Your stronger and don't slip and abrasion unequalled level of performance. Colors Line This Seasonl resistance is greatly enhanced. Its com- include clear, green, pink, fluorescent yel- pact diameter reduces wind knots and rod low and smoke blue. 300-yard filler to It's always been highly recommended to tip wraps which can be a big problem large 5-pound spools are available in sizes change your fishing line once per year. with other braids. Made with the finest ranging from 6 to 400-pound test. It's especially true when you fish in a Spectra fibers and manufactured using a harsh saltwater environment and your process that weaves it into the tightest If you seek a more stealthy approach, HI- line is constantly rubbing onto rocks, pil- braid pattern possible, this remarkable SEAS Quattro is the monofilament line ings and wrecks. Not to mention all those new line is guaranteed to perform like no for you. It boasts a low-visibility 4-color bluefish that chewed your line! So when other. It's available in green, red and flu- camo that disappears underwater making you're respooling your favorite reel in the orescent yellow in 10 to 200-pound test. it ideal for line-shy fish. This line is super off-season (if you even have an off-sea- Spool sizes come in 150, 300, 1,200 and strong and virtually abrasion proof. Spool son), why not try one of the new offerings 2,500-yard spools. In further detail, 30- sizes from 300 yards to 5 pounds are from HI-SEAS? It's better than having pound Grand Slam Braid is .011-inches available in 8 to 400-pound test. Want to the biggest fish of the season break you in diameter, which is equivalent to 8- further increase your odds in shallow off because your line is old and frail. pound mono. water on sunny days or when targeting a species with good eyesight? Try HI- If you’re looking to try braid for the first For monofilament line, HI-SEAS Grand SEAS 100% Fluorocarbon Leader. It time, or try a new brand that you may not Slam is an excellent choice. It features sinks faster than mono, is virtually invisi- be as familiar with, you should check out ideal sensitivity and control, high knot ble underwater, matches light refractivity HI-SEAS Grand Slam Braid. It offers strength, abrasion resistance and smooth of water and is abrasion resistant. Sizes super thin diameter, great casting ability, casting ability. Every yard is computer include 25 and 50-yard spools in 12 to it holds knots well and has no memory. checked for consistent diameter and 330-pound test. http://www.hiseas.net MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 45 If one is not careful, he or she could frequently, however, the term saddle order to keep your sanity. As a rule, sad- easily wind up with enough feathers, furs, hackle is used interchangeably referenc- dle hackle, as compared to cape hackle, fibers and flash material to fill a large pil- ing both sexes. To add to the confusion possess stems that are thinner, exhibit less lowcase. This caveat does not only apply when employing the word hackle by curvature, display broader, rounder tips, to the beginner, for it certainly addresses itself-used in its noun form-some will and are webby. Capes possess stiffer the accomplished flytier as well. In my argue that the feather only applies to that stems, exhibit less curvature, display own case, I could easily fill two pillow- of the rooster. To hackle the body of a fly- pointy tips, and are less webby. The main cases. This is not hyperbole, nor did this used as a verb-simply means to wrap purpose of writing this three-part series is accumulation happen overnight; it hap- (palmer) a feather around the artificial. In for you to have fun, not experience frus- pened gradually. It happened almost this sense, hackle applies to either gender. tration. I trust that this elaboration helps imperceptibly over the course of many To keep it simple, hen hackle is largely clear away the cobwebs. years, beginning with tying freshwater flies for trout and poppers for large and employed in tying wet flies, that is, flies smallmouth bass. In getting started in fly that will readily sink below the surface Selecting Saddles & Capes tying, we will concentrate on the basics, simply because the softer feather absorbs covering fundamental materials crowning water. Rooster feathers, conversely, are As most fish are taken on wet flies, a wide range of patterns that will certain- commonly used in tying dry flies because let's explore hen and rooster hackles ly catch fish from Maine to Florida, as they resist absorption, trap air bubbles, worth their weight a hundred-fold. Colors well as beyond those boundaries. If I had and therefore aid in keeping the fly afloat. can and do vary widely. First off, if I had said "around the world," you might quiet- Chiefly, hackle feathers come from both but two colors to choose in getting started, ly accuse me of gross exaggeration. the male and female gender of our com- I'd select dun-colored hackles (a brown- Therefore, I'll tread cautiously and alert mon domestic chicken. Whereas a saddle ish-gray) along with white. You will hear you to the fact that the materials we shall usually refers to the area below the base the phrase "match the hatch," referring to explore together are used globally. You of the neck of both hen and cock, a cape replicating the emergence of nymphs, will need less than two dozen materials in (commonly called a neck) covers the top aquatic insects, and minnows in freshwa- order to get started. Those items can be of the bird's head, cascading down its ter applications. It is also applied to salt- stored in a desk drawer, a designated box, neck and back like a cloak. As a rule of water situations when imitating bigger or displayed (not strewn) along your tying thumb when tying wet flies, soft saddle baitfish. You can generally purchase table for easy accessibility. hackles from the hen are tied in by their these hackles in quarter or half saddles as tips. When tying dry flies, the stiffer cape well as half or full capes. I advise that Hackles: (saddles, capes, and confusion) (neck) hackles from the rooster are tied in you buy what your budget will allow but by their quills. You now have a fairly suggest considering a quarter or half sad- Generally speaking, hackles refer to good handle on saddles and capes. dle along with a full cape from both a hen the feathers of birds. Referencing fly and rooster. You will then have on hand tying, saddle hackles are commonly Please keep the following in mind in the proper sized feathers covering a wide referred to those feathers found below the neck of the bird, specifically-but not cate- gorically-the posterior section as it also MARLIN V’S includes the flank. The term saddle hack- COD - COD - COD le oftentimes leads to confusion as it may Sailing Daily at 4AM MARCH 2009 refer to the softer feathers found along Montauk, NY Weather Permitting and below the neck on the hen (female — Call Capt. Jake — fowl) as opposed to the stiffer feathers RESERVATIONS A MUST! found on the rooster (male fowl). More 6 3 1 -66 6 8 -55 8 5 2

46 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine range of tying needs. For example, you can then coordinate Therefore, it is well-suited in tying wet flies. Today, most floss opposing curved feathers from each side of a saddle or cape for material is made from strands of rayon, whereas years ago, shiny creating wings and tails on streamers and such. If you can cover silk floss was traditionally used to tie salmon flies. Select a the cost of two saddles and two full capes from each gender, con- spool of four-strand floss that usually comes in ten-yard lengths. sider these four colors: dun, white, black, and brown-or combina- Let's run with red for starters. tions thereof. They are referred to as grizzly, badger, ginger, et cetera. Generally speaking, bright, showy colors catch fishermen, Deer Hair not fish. Dull colors will make your day. Another advantage to purchasing these neck capes and saddle skins is that you will have Deer hair obtained from the animal's hide, including its tail a nice assortment for covering a wider range of hook sizes with (bucktail), are essential fly-tying materials. Don't leave the fly- which to work. Explore the wonderful world of feather hunting by tackle shop without them, for you won't find any in craft stores. logging on to both Whiting Farms' and Metz Feathers' web sites. They come in their natural gray/brown and white shades as Note, too, that you can buy by the grade, such as a quality #1 or well as an assortment of dyed colors covering any chromatic #2-generally meaning the number of feathers as opposed to their hue imaginable. Select one natural swatch-sized section from quality per se. Again, let your budget be your guide. the belly and one bucktail from the North American white- tailed deer. Choose a natural gray/brown and white medium Peacock Herl tone as opposed to a darker shade. Also, select one soft yellow bucktail, one pink, and one black. We will be using these col- Peacock herl is a greenish-blue iridescent material from-you ors in our fly-tying recipe in Part III. Later on in the game, guessed it-the peacock; the male of the peafowl family. The you'll probably be dealing with several different colors. But material may be purchased in craft stores, as it is used for deco- for now, we'll start with the basics. The important thing is in rative purposes. Its fronds can be found strung along a base of knowing what the hair from the belly and tail (two extremes in cord in packaging, bundled loosely, or purchased as a full tail. performance) entails in tying-and why. In selecting bucktail, The quills are, indeed, delicate; however, there are tricks of the pick the biggest, softest tails you can find. The top of the tail, trade to make the material bulletproof. As an attractor, it may be that is, nearest the tip, is marvelous for tying saltwater stream- found wound around bodies for a segmented effect, forming col- er flies. The hair at the base of the tail tends to flair as you tie lars, or displayed in lengths as toppings for wet flies. It is it in tightly; nevertheless, it has definite advantages and is not absolutely deadly. Freshwater trout especially fall prey to this to be discarded. devastating magnetic-like hue, but don't underestimate its ability to attract pelagic species as well.

Yarn

Yarn can and should be purchased in a fabric store rather than buying single or assorted packages of the material in a fly-tying shop. If you commit such folly, you are paying for that merchan- dising several times over. Better yet, a spouse's or a neighbor's sewing box is sure to yield a handful of assorted colors. That is all you really need to get started. If you had but a single color to choose from, select white. Then again, if you can raid a crochet- ing or knitting basket, you are sure to come away with all the colors of the rainbow and shades thereof. Thick pieces of yarn can be pulled apart to form thinner strands, or altered to create dub- bing material. You're in business.

Chenille

Chenille is a yarn with a protruding pile. You can also purchase this item in fabric stores just as you may obtain many other articles germane to fly tying. Look around or ask a salesperson for small packaged or miniature card-wrapped quantities of chenille as opposed to buying a single skein. Search for yellows, pinks, olives, and reds. Floss

Floss is a glossy, absorbent threadlike material used mainly to build up bodies or create decorative bands along the hook shank. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 47 Hair taken from the belly of the deer below the surface. You can either wrap color selection to choose from, it would flares and/or spins dramatically when the wire directly around the hook shank, be rainbow flash. This might sound like torque is applied by the thread. This is or first build up a base of thread in order the proverbial genie in the bottle granti- exactly what you want it to do. It is a fan- to help support lengths of wire beneath, ng a single wish, to which I would wise- tastic material for building bodies and atop, or alongside the shank so as to con- ly reply, "My one wish is for you to grant heads on flies of all sizes. Packing in and trol what you wish that fly to do down in me three other wishes." Rainbow flash is torquing down bunch after bunch upon the water column. For example; you a killer. The key to tying in most materi- the shank of the hook allows you to actu- could have the hook ride upside down, als is to tie sparsely. You are striving to ally sculpt flared and/or spun deer hair. creating some deadly flies tied Clouser create a profile, not build a brush with Although this long, coarse hair from the style-named after Bob Clouser, veteran which to paint the side of a barn in a sin- belly section of the body is not actually flytier-or you might give it a crippled gle stroke. When you graduate to tying hollow, in the sense that a straw is hollow, effect by having it ride to one side. You flies with schlappen (large feathers), its cellular structure, which allows the can even create a kind of keel with especially used for shark fishing, that's hair to flare, does indeed trap air and aid 'matchbook' lead strips to help keep the another story . . . and will be such when in keeping the fly afloat. However, if you fly tracking true. I hook into one worthy of mention. Pick wish for that fancy piece of artwork to up a package of red flash material, too. sink below the surface, wrapping wire Tinsel and Flash You will need it to simulate gills. around the hook shank (beforehand) for added weight is the ticket so as to get that Tinsel and flash materials are shiny Eyes fly down into the water column. This attractors. Tinsel is a thin, narrow metal leads us to the next useful and necessary strip used to wrap the hook shank or Eyes are an important anatomy of the material. body of the fly. Try a spool of 1/16-inch fly. You will catch fish without imitating copper color as opposed to the usual them. You will catch more fish by adding Wire choices of gold and/or silver. Flash that part of their anatomy to your pattern. material comes in a myriad of mind-bog- Whether you paint on peepers, burn in a You can buy lead wire (some frown on gling colors. It is made of Mylar, and is pair, figure-eight dumbbell or bead chain MARCH 2009 its use) in a fly-tying shop, or you can packaged in long, thin, film-like narrow balls onto the hook shank with thread, head toward your local hardware store strips-sold under a number of labels such epoxy over prism-tape orbs, or glue-gun and pick up a small roll of .020 fuse wire. as Flashabou and Krystal Flash. It is fan- large molded 3-D-like lamps-the eyes have As mentioned earlier, most fish are taken tastic for streamer flies. If I had but one it! The eyes are your window of opportu-

48 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine nity to score big. I have eyes in every pensive; therefore, if you can go one size minus its saddle and tail. For approxi- medium mentioned above and then some. up and down on either side of the scale, so mately a seven or eight-inch narrow cape I have eyes in many sizes and colors. much the better. You will then have a fair- (face included), you will pay in the Allow me to share with you what works ly decent range of deadly eyes to start you neighborhood of $10, which will include well: a black pupil with a golden rim, that off. Not to complicate matters, but only to layers of black-rimmed white feathers of is, the iris. In keeping things simple for give you some idea when computing the various sizes (behind which are attached starters, I'll suggest flat, prism tape stick-on sizes of eyes for fly tying (don't even both- much smaller but invaluable dun-colored eyes. These eyes are fabricated from a er to do the math conventionally), take a tippets that you will save for freshwater multi-layered mix of pearlescent and clear peek at the standard conversion table fly tying), a series of beautiful black- Mylar, thereby reflecting light much like below. rimmed, forest-green feathers, and sever- that of a fish's iris, which is found to be flat al extremely narrow one to one-and-a- in most cases. The eyes of baitfish are the As a reference, the eyes are sized in half-inch rust-red feathers. We will be predators' targets. millimeters from 1.5mm to 12mm. The concerning ourselves with the bird's conversion is as follows. 1.5mm = 3/32, black-and-white plumage in the next I ask that you hunt up pairs of flat, 2.0mm = 1/8, 2.5mm = 5/32, 3mm = 3/16, installment. The pattern we will tie prism tape, paste-on, golden-rimmed eyes 3.5mm = 7/32, 4mm = 1/4, 4.5mm = 9/32, together shall be quite unique in the true with black pupils that we will need later for 5mm = 5/16, 6mm = 11/32, 6.5mm = 3/8, sense of the word. Promise. our fly-tying recipes in Part III of this 7mm = 7/16, 8mm = 1/2, 10mm = 5/8, series. These sizes are measured in inches 12mm = 3/4. MARABOU FEATHERS or millimeters. Look for small 2.5mm eyes that are equal to 5/32-inch. Also, larger Lady Amhurst Pheasant Feathers True marabou feathers come from the 6mm eyes corresponding to 11/32-inch. marabou stork, which is native to South These are overall dimensions encompass- This bird is native to China, but had Africa and the Sahara Desert. These birds ing the iris and the pupil. Try coming as been introduced to England; namely, are rare. Therefore, as a substitute, our close as you can to these measurements. If Bedfordshire. Whereas the overall so-called marabou feathers are obtained you have trouble locating exact sizes, not length of the bird is approximately forty right here in the United States from under to worry because we will have some wig- inches, in fly-fishing shops it is general- the wing of the domestic white turkey. gle room. The eyes usually come fixed to ly found packaged from the top of its The Chinese buy them from us by the car- small, narrow cards. They are fairly inex- head to the base of its neck; that is, load, selecting the largest feathers in order to manufacture boas. For fly-tying pur- BOUNTY HUNTER Got Fish??? poses, we employ the shorter soft plumes- BOUNTY HUNTER New For 2009! 2 Boats Up To 12 Passengers dyed and available in many different col- New Bedford, MA - Captain Eric Morrow “Fish Where The Action Is” Full Day & Half Days - Inshore/Offshore ors and shades thereof. It is an excellent Night Stripers - Vineyard Jumbo Fluke BOOK NOW SPRING PORGY, fly-tying material because the downy fluff SEA BASS & BLACKFISH CUSTOMIZE ANY TRIP! presents a fluid, lifelike leggy action that Special Spring Squid Trips www.fishbountyhunter.com is unparalleled. Simply breathing upon a Bottom & Wreck Fishing Specialists 508-748-3474 plume immediately lets you know how it is going to behave in the water column ASK ABOUT OUR FLUKE LIIMIIT GUARANTEE -- IIff You Don’’tt Liimiitt Outt We’’llll Pay Your Gas!! when allowed to settle back down after being stripped forward. Its wispy, undu- DEBORAH ANN IV “Bring Your Lunch, Catch lating, underwater movement is a killer Your Dinner” and a favorite for tying in wings, tails, FISHING CHARTERS legs, collars, et cetera. Generally pack- Over 30 Years Fishing Long Island Sound All Bait & Tackle Provided aged and labeled as 'strung marabou Capt. Bryan H. Hocking Harbour Square Marina blood quill,' select a solid white for under- Stamford, CT bodies, red to simulate gill plates, black for general night fishing, and yellow to www. debannfishing.com - 203-792-2277 drive fish mad during daylight hours. I find yellow to be an underrated color Capt. Harvey Smith whether I'm fishing plugs, tins or flies. Cell 646-879-7964 Sometimes you will see packages oaker www.soakerfishing.com S Fishing Charters labeled as Grizzly Marabou. These are Sailing from West Lake Fishing Lodge • Bottom Fishing Specialists soft feathers with natural barred markings found on some chickens, which may be Half & Full Day • Inshore • Offshore • Charter Boat 1-6 Passengers sold under the name Grizzly Chicabou. BLACKFISH, SEA BASS AND COD Stick with turkey marabou for lifelike MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 49 breathable action. Waspi is a U. S. compa- Hooks In short order, you will have the basic ny dealing in fly-tying materials whose materials to start a most enjoyable hobby. founder many years ago discovered that Last month, under the heading VISES, Before closing, I'd like to reiterate those the plumes from the turkey are similar to I covered hooks of all sizes. For saltwater two companies that produce superior those found on the genuine marabou stork applications, pick up a small package of product in reference to saddles and hack- of northern and southern Africa. Mustad-O'Shaughnessy style #34007 1/0 les covered herein. I might be accused of stainless steel hooks, and a small package feathering their nests, but so be it. You are Later, after you navigate your way of black Owner size/Nº 2/0 (short shank) dealing with quality, period: Whiting around, you will undoubtedly start to hooks. For freshwater applications, pick Farms and Metz Feathers. There are other collect other feathers from ducks, geese, up a box of Mustad-Viking #94840, good companies out there, but if you partridge, grouse, ostrich, quail, et cetera; Number 6 hooks. This will get you start- begin with the big boys- as I did as a hair from moose, elk and other deer as ed in covering both fresh and saltwater sit- beginner-you won't be disappointed. See well; fur from mink, fox, rabbit, seal, rac- uations. Never ever sell yourself short by you next month when, together, we will tie coon-ad infinitum. You won't be able to buying bargain (cheap) hooks. two deadly fly patterns that will take fish help yourself. most anywhere in our region. Meanwhile, Epoxy & Head Cements good shopping. Fur I have good success with Z-Poxy, a Editor's Note: Bob Banfelder is an A versatile material that we will be two-part (resin and hardener) five-minute award-winning novelist whose using in one of our fly-tying recipes is formula. In covering those flat, prism- psychological thriller, The Teacher, grizzly (grayish white) crosscut rabbit fur, tape orbs, mentioned earlier, with less was the winner of the Best Fiction which is packaged by Orvis in three-foot expensive epoxies, I find that they tend to Suspense Book for 2006 from by 1/8-inch strips. Be sure to select the yellow with time. A one-fluid-ounce bot- NewBookReviews.org. His newest crosscut material as opposed to zonker tle of Flex-Seal, and a small bottle and release is The Author, of which Mark Reid strips, which are uniformly cut lengthwise brush of clear Sally Hanson Hard As says, "Banfelder has written another win- instead of crosswise. This is but still Nails-With Nylon (nail polish) are all you ner for 2007." Bob weaves a love and another deadly material that belongs in really need to coat, protect, and give a knowledge of the great outdoors through your arsenal of fly-tying accoutrements. glossy finish to those thread wraps. his fiction and, of course, his nonfiction. VIKING FISHING FLEET CATCHING FISH SINCE GRANDMA WAS A GIRL! Sailing From... Montauk, NY

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50 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine NOR’EAST GALLEY

Nor’east Galley By Eileen Plaia CATCH ‘EM & COOK ‘EM www.noreast.com/recipes/index.cfm

Welcome to the Nor’east Galley. I’m looking forward to sharing some Bouillabaise, Italian Style of my favorite recipes with you each month. My “better half” is a fisherman and I’m a “foodie” – I love to prepare and enjoy food, especially seafood, so it works out very well. I want to start out by giving you one of my most delicious and versatile and easy recipes, a bouillabaisse. Bouillabaise started out as a simple Mediterranean fisherman’s stew made from the leftover catch of the day. It was flavored with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, onions and herbs and originated in Southern France. There are a lot of variations, including mine, so let’s cook!

1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onions 1 tablespoon each: chopped garlic, celery, and green pepper 1 - 28 ounce can drained whole tomatoes 8 ounces of tomato sauce 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon paprika ½ cup sherry 3 cups water Pinch of dried basil 1 ½ pounds shrimp (21 to 25 count) 1 pound sea scallops 1 ½ pounds fish 1 ½ dozen clams Optional – 2 small lobsters or lobster tails or 2 cups crabmeat

Saute the onions, garlic, celery and green pepper until soft and lightly brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Then add the tomatoes and the tomato sauce, salt, paprika and sherry. Cook 15 minutes. Add the water and dried basil and cook on a low flame for an hour. After the sauce is cooked and seasoned to taste ( you might want more salt), add all the seafood and cook together for 40 minutes or until done since cooking varies with the seafood. Serve with lots of crusty bread.

Cook’s notes: I usually make this dish with clams, shrimp, scallops, and cod though you can substitute any white fish such as striped bass, sea bass or fluke to name a few. I like a thick piece of cod and I tie the fish in cheesecloth (make sure it’s suitable for cooking) to make it easier to get out of the pan and keep the fish from the non-fish eaters. Lobster or their tails are good, but whole lobster can be messy. Other suggestions are rock lobster tails, lobster or crab meat. Leftovers are great the next day – be sure to refrigerate them. I use San Marzano tomatoes, but Progresso is also very good. The sherry I use is an inexpensive cocktail sherry. The sauce can be made hours before the shellfish goes in and left at room temperature. Then 40 minutes ( or according to your seafood choices) heat the sauce and put all the seafood in. I especially like to do it that way, so when friends and family come over everything is ready to go.

I hope you will try this recipe. Let your tastes, and what’s available, and your wallet dictate what you will put in the sauce. Vary the quantities according to your appetite, and have fun with it.

Bon Appetito. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 51 TREASURE TROVE The Treasure Trove THE NOR’EAST’S TAKE ON NEW AND EXISTING PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET By Chris Grech

Chum-King and ready to use next time. It can't get any easier than that. New Chum Inserts are now available in Offshore, Chumming to Shark, Striper and Inshore scents. increase your odds of catching fish is noth- $24.95 www.chum-king.com ing new. The Chum- King, however, puts a AFTCO Bluefever new spin on this Cold Pro Gloves & Release Gloves proven technique since it can be used AFTCO Bluefever Cold Pro Gloves are perfect for two ways. The first is those colder mornings running offshore to fish for like a traditional chum spring stripers or winter bluefin. Their glove-within-a- pot or bag. When glove design features an inside liner of waterproof, sharking, simply fill breathable Hipora fleece for exceptional warmth in the Chum-King with temperatures down to 20° F. The gloves have an outer your choice of frozen construction which features a durable Tacky-Grip chum, tie it up to a palm of rubberized polyester for a secure grip on slip- cleat and throw it pery gaffs and boat hardware, even when wet. The overboard. It will float Spandura back and fingers, along with the neoprene on the surface and cre- knuckle pads, insulate and protect the hands without ate a nice chum slick depending on tide and wind con- restricting movement. A full-knitted cuff helps seal ditions. If you want to get your chum deeper to target out the chilling effects of wind and moisture, and a fish in the middle of the water column, add some synthetic terry cloth thumb panel adds additional weights to the bottom of the Chum-King and lower it warmth and comfort. AFTCO Bluefever Cold Pro down to your desired depth. You can even drop it all Gloves are offered in sizes Medium through 2X the way down to target bottom fish. What makes this Large. $61.58 per pair. product unique is that you can also use it to release thawed chum, cut bait, chunks and even live bait exactly where you want in the water column. There are struts built into the unit that allow the Chum-King to be open underwater by tugging on the rope. Let's say you want to target bottom fish that are holding tight to a wreck. Add some thawed chum or cut bait into the Chum-King and drop it down to the bottom. Next, use the same bait on your hook and drop your fishing line down near the Chum-King. Grab the rope holding the Chum-King and pull it firmly a few times. The entire contents will be released on the wreck creating an instant feeding frenzy. Hang on to your rod, because you'll get a bite almost immediately. With this bait release feature, your imagination is the limit. You The AFTCO Bluefever Release Glove is ideal for can release large chunks 40 feet down, release live leadering monofilament, bill-grabbing a marlin, or bait on the bottom, etc. Another great part about this just getting a grip on anything slippery. Extra tacky unit is that it's self-cleaning. The days of messy chum Diamond-Grip polyeurathane molded into nylon mesh MARCH 2009 pots in your boat are over. When you're done fishing palm improves the glove's grip in wet conditions. for the day, pulling up hard on the Chum-King's rope Super tough Armortex along outer hand and reinforc- will release all excess chum and the unit will be clean ing index finger maximizes protection when wrapping

52 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine TREASURE TROVE

leader on a big fish. Vented foam-backed mesh keeps looked and tracked like a real baby crab. The final hands cool and protected, while Spandura forchettes design consists of the lure's shell and swim fins being improve dexterity. Perforated neoprene cuff with molded from a real blue crab. No matter how the lure Velcro® closure assures a secure fit. lands in the water it immediately inverts to the retrieval position. Once in the water the clear keel and bill disap- $36.30 per pair. www.aftco.com pear, giving the embossed legs a suspended appearance.

CW CRAB When retrieved in water all of these realistic features come together to perfectly imitate a live baby crab. Floater, suspender and sinker models are available to match any fishing scenario you may encounter. CW CRAB makes a great shallow water bait, working a floater slowly on or just under the surface. All three models can be retrieved slowly in shallow water and walked across the bottom. When fishing in current or strong tidal flow, always retrieve the lure with the current. A great tactic is to cast up current of any type of structure. Swim the CW CRAB naturally through, over Matching the hatch to duplicate the bait and present- or even bump it against the structure. Retrieve slowly, ing it in a natural way can mean the difference between pausing from time to time letting the lure go with the fishing and catching. It's a well known fact that all current like a real crab. Just "Be the Crab" with CW inshore gamefish love to eat baby crabs. CW CRAB is a CRAB. patented crankbait lure that has been in development for over fifteen years. The idea was to create a lure that $7.95-$9.95 www.cwcrab.com

Parting Shots KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

LEFT: Capt. Dave (of the Capt. Dave) jumped on the Rosie out of Moriches with his son for a day of cod fishing. The future captain is a quick study and put the old-timers on notice: There’s a new kid in town!

ABOVE: Frankie and Rich help out Desmond (center) with his pool-winning cod. The three friends had a classic cod trip aboard the Miss Montauk. MARCH 2009

NoreastSaltwaterMagazine 53 PUBLISHER’S PAGE

Publisher’s Page By George Scocca LAST WORD FROM OUR PUBLISHER www.noreast.com/publisherspage.cfm

www.noreast.com Taxation Without Representation APPAREL New York saltwater anglers are outraged at the treatment we've received from Baseball Caps the current administration as they steam ahead with a saltwater license that will do little if anything for the marine district. It appears that they are either clueless, or Nice and heavy, this could care less, about the negative impact that their version of a license will have cap is per- in the saltwater fishing community. fect for those offshore They've held at least one closed-door meeting on the issue, although yours truly trips! The "didn't make the short list," but from what I was told it was pretty much what we've Nor'east logo is embroidered seen all along. They want $19 a year for a resident and $40 for a non resident, no across the front. Also comes matter what the consequences. in dark blue. $14.99 There seems to be this mentality that the cost should be the same as our freshwater license, or that we're somehow getting a free ride. I guess they're forgetting "Outer Banks" Knit Shirt about the 10% tax we pay on every piece of fishing tackle we purchase or all of the permit fees we pay to either launch a boat or drive on a beach. We pay plenty, and High quality we're even willing to pay again, but they need to be reasonable and work with us knit golf shirt on price and regulation. with the Nor'east Saltwater anglers in this state have fished license free since the beginning of Saltwater time, and whether right or wrong, many of them consider that their right. Whacking embroidered them with a $19 tax at a time of - to put it mildly - economic uncertainty, will on the breast. Heavyweight. Perfect to wear under that undoubtedly severely reduce fishing participation. Without trying to sound like the Noreast Jacket! rest of the doom and gloom you've been hearing recently, this tax could have devastating affects on what is already a struggling industry. $24.99* According to the states estimates, they expect to sell just 150,000 licenses the White Denim Shirt first year. This is a far cry from the estimated 881,274 anglers that NMFS says par- ticipated in saltwater fishing during 2007, and it begs the question as to why they Heavyweight would even consider such a move. NMFS numbers also show that over 140,000 out denim shirt in of state anglers fished in New York in 2007, and a $40 tax on them is sure to white. Long sleeve. Great severely impact that segment of the fishery. for the fall. The license proposal as it stands now is bad for the anglers, the industry it sup- ports and it's bad for the overall health of the fishery itself. $34.99* Our members at Noreast.com have sent that message loud and clear, in fact as * Add $5 for XXL of this writing they've sent 8,479 letters and emails to their elected representatives Please note that XXL and Small sizes take an expressing their disgust over this licensing process. It has certainly put this issue extra couple of weeks delivery time and XXL sizes may be higher in price. Delivery times on the political agenda, and I'm still hopeful we'll be able to slow this process down are based on stock. New York residents: 8.75% sales tax will be and put together legislation that we all can live with. added along with a $3.50 shipping fee Good fishing,

MARCH 2009 All apparel can be purchased at www.noreast.com or send a check to Noreast Saltwater 525 West Jericho Tpke. George Scocca Smithtown, NY 11787 Publisher I miss you Bro.

54 NoreastSaltwaterMagazine MARCH 2009

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