The Captain Al does work very hard to put the fares into fish, but theere just aren't many cod around htese parts naymore. There are a few more around this year than in the past few years, but still not worth the trouble to target them specifically.
I've been going on the Frances fleet for the better part of ten years now. Great boat, captains, and mates, but even up in RI the cod are starting to go downhill. You do get really good trips, but for the most part, it's not as good as it used to be. I'd say on an average trip, you can expect maybe a half dozen cod. Good trips, you can fill a big cooler.
The Helen-H is a little too expensive for my tastes, but it is worth it. You are not going on a local trip, you are heading out to Georges Banks, which has definately been improving since the Netters have been restricted there.
Overall, my best recommendation is to head up to Mass. The Yankee fleet (out of Gloucester) is your best best for a low cost, good cod trip.
yankee fleet
yankee capts
The fare runs about 45-50 bucks for local trips. The ride from NYC area is only about 4 hours, which isn't bad, because if you were to go on the Viking, between the ride out on LI, and then the boat ride, you're going to go over 4 hours anyway. Most trips up to Mass, you can expect to get a pretty big catch of cod.
There's a few other boats up that way too. The only one that I wouldn't recommend is the Seven B's. They are right next to the Frances fleet in RI. I find that the mates just plain SUCK, and the captain could care less about putting the fares into fish. That boat is more interested in their Fluke and Striper Trips.
The only problem is that the weather gets pretty bad up in New England, so most boats from Mass north, don't sail during the winter. Most start sailing late March/early April.
I'm going up on the Yankee on March 22nd, and I'll let you all know how I do. It's their first trips of the year, so I'm expecting to do good.
~tight lines~
~spinfreak~