[addict]

AL and anyone:

For my educational purposes, I'd like to ask this party boat question.

Say it's end of 04/03 and 10/03 - you have a day off and want to go blackfishing. You're at the mercy of mother nature that particular day (let's assume an avg day within 2 standard deviations from your avg day). After sizing up the conditions, what ultimately makes the decision on which boat you go on?

I guess what I'd like to know is, do you chase where the bite is/was recently? or do you size up the conditions then decide where to go based on your experience of which areas/boats which have produced best under the conditions of your day off? or some other thought process?

Many times last yr, I had a day off here and there unexpectedly and simply went to one of my "regular" partyboats out of laziness/convenience. Or at best, looked up reports and chased the bite. After learning so much from folks like you, I wonder now whether it would be better to size up the condtions and go to the appropriate boats or at least the areas for better results. Putting the odds in your favor is logical to me, not to mention the fun of catching more fish.

thoughts?

 

[614668]

Being that Ilive a decent ride from most of the area fishing ports, I chase the bite. The fact that I also don't get out nearly as much as I like to fish makes me forego just jumping on local boat out of convenience. I usually plan my trips in anticipation of a bite. MidMay-Mattituck, Fall- Montauk, Summer-anything goes but always enjoy the poker games on the Sheepshead bay boats when the bite is slow.

 

[Crazy-Al]

Hi Addict ,

That is an excellent question!

For me, fortunately I've been keeping a log for many years and I'm able to see a pattern…. But it does not stop there… I also ask around to see what's going on with the weather, bait and at times I ask for a general location! Once it is said… I cross-reference it with my log and I will have a game plan set.

You see, In my earlier days, I used to chase reports and I came to a realization that in most cases… I would be too late or the report was false. You got to remember that back in the older days… The reports would be a week or two old and by the time you are set… Many things have changed.

The bottom line is…. I usually have a good idea where I should be fishing during a specific time of the year!

My decision factor generally goes like this when I get a sudden day off.

1) What I want to target at a specific season
2) Check a location with a proven track record
3) Weather (if the conditions are right)
4) Tide will tell me what time I should be there
5) Method (boat or shore)

Let's also use your dates as examples: "4/3" is a very interesting time for me…. April 3 is prime time for Trout, Crappies and Pickerel. It is also good for Codfishing and some inshore light tackle bass fishing. The mackerel is also moving in. As for blackfishing…. Hmmm.. I don't think so cause this is the time where they will be on the move to migrate (close to shore). Don't get me wrong… you will catch a few… but if I want your odds in your favor… Fish the last week of April - the month of May.

Also if "10/3" was a sudden day off… this is a no brainer. I would either hit the surf for large stripers but the location would be based on the wind condition, bait migration, location (Montauk comes to mind). However, I would also target blackfish from the shorelines in between tides! Should I decide to fish on a boat… Tuna also comes to mind and so does the doormat fluke (deeper Ocean waters) and Seabass.

Now... How do I choose a Party Boat?
It's simple... Use References (friends and captains) and your local tackle shops will also be able to tell you. Once that is said and done... Check it out for yourself and start keeping a record.

"Crazy" Alberto
[email protected]

(This post edited by Crazy-Al on 04/01/2003)

 

[addict]

exactly the type of answer I was looking for BUT...

...by the "end of 04/03 and 10/03" I was referring to the end of april (last 2 wks) and end of october of 2003 (also last 2 wks). Not april 3rd or october 3rd. Sorry about the confusion. I wanted to specify 2003 because of the real "winter" we had this yr as compared to the last few yrs w/warmer winters. I didn't know how that would affect blackfishing and wanted to hear your thoughts.

Now that the dates are clearer, I'm sure you see why asked this question re blackfishing. Does this change your answer? I sure hope so.

 

[MakoMike]

Addict,
the old adage that the tog are in when the dogwoods start to bloom has been right on for eons, maybe except for the last few, exceptionally warm, winters.

 

[Billy40]

Hey Al - you forgot to tell them the other method you choose a party boat. "When someone challenges Alberto to a duel, he goes" Never mind he passes the ALmighty Sheepshead Bay, pays all sorts of tolls, fights a crapload of traffic on his way home, all to fish with a crab *****"

How I began fishing the OE for Tog - Alberto told me it was teh best, I went, I saw 16# Tog, I keep going to try and catch 16# Tog. Too bad I only catch 2 pound Tog.

For those who don't know, CA is a NUTJOB - he could care less where or when - the bite is hot in SOuth Jersey, next morning, he rollerskates up onto a boat in S Jersey. NExt day could be a Hot bite in Orient, zoom, he's in Orient.

 

[MIKE TUNA]

Mako Mike funny you said that , as crasy as it sounds I always said when the leaves are half off the trees in Long Island in the Fall The Black Fishing really heats up on the North Shore .

Addict I would say with the winter we had we will get a late start of the season .
We will have to wait till we get closer to Oct to make the call on that now . It all depends on the season we have .

As Al said there is much to consider . One tip for the Blackfishing later in the season watch the water TEMPS .

In the past years The last two weeks of Oct I would probably not start my togging just yet , but would certainly start watching the conditions very carefully at that time getting ready . Most likely on the North Shore .

Add a few more weeks to that and you will most likely find me anywhere from Orient Point and west of that . Then I would keep a close eye on the South Shore .

When Dec starts I will most likely be only on the South shore . Then a few more weeks you might find me at 17 Fathoms or some deeper wrecks .

Add a few more weeks to that and If I get a week off at that time you may find me down south Jersy and after that maybe even further south . All this as far as Black Fishing .

Although Oct - Dec It would definatly be a clash with my Tuna , Seabass , Striper and a fun filled day of Porgy fishing .

With all this said that seemed to be a genaral patern for myself but all that can change with conditions ! Remember the Water Temps !

MT

 

[addict]

great stuff - thanks guys.

 

[newyorkcityman]

joke answer:
go to the dock, pull out your gun, spin in a circle with your eyes closed and fire 1 shot. the boat you hit is the one you should fish on.
LOL just kidding!

serious answer:
im ingnoring the dates you mentioned because for me the questiona are what depth and bait.
if tog are biting green crabs at 17 most all the boats will be going there, what boat you get on does not matter, so i judge it by which boat will have the shortest ride to the grounds.
also availability of green crabs. late last season that decided which boat i was to to go on. it was tough to find a boat with live greens after dec 1st.

if tog are biting clam/green crabs in 60' wrecks, then you have options. look at reports, see where they are killin em, and chase the bite! i am carless, and so limited to sheepshead boats, but there were a few weeks last year i would have made a longer trip based on positive reports from other places.

chances are in a fleet (like sheepshead) most boats will be going to the same places, and will anchor closer than the 2 boats were at the dock!
my fave boat is cheap and good, and i see 10+ tog all the time, so im happy.
although i have heard great things about the OE, ive never fished it. will have to this year. especially if CA is willing to accept a challenge.

also...as ive heard it a night spent crabbing the night before will get you a better chance on any boat. might be more important than where you fish.

 

[Billy40]

Mike NYC. Don't challenge Alberto. He's pissed at me for telling you I'm sure. I'm not kidding either.

The guy you want to challenge is Mike Tuna. Challenge him to buy a DVD that he can see, don't mess with him fishing either.

 

[addict]

Mike, Mike, Mike - dissing me like this?
quote:
im ingnoring the dates you mentioned because ...

LOL

Billy - how are ya? gimme some time to catch up to ya guys & I'll challenge anyone. I need another year or two to get the basics down. So, once I learn how to tie a uni-overhand-uni knot for my mono-braid-hybrid-stealth splice job.....sigh*

 

[Savvy18]

I agree with Alberto. You need to be willing to travel wherever the bite is. Word of mouth or the local tackle shop (in the area you are targeting) should provide enough information for you to make a wise decision. Also, keep a close eye on the weather forecast and make your choice accordingly. ALWAYS keep some sort of log of your day. Be
detailed and include everything from baits used to water temps. After a while, you will be able to make decisions based upon your own research!
Most party boats are known for how well they do with a particular species so
get acquainted with the fluke boats, bottom boats and bass/blue boats.
Good luck!

 

[opiesuds]

Party Boats

I don't make enough for a boat....yet, so most of my fishing is aboard party boats in the western sound. I think the answer to this question is simple: trial and error. I've fished most of the boats out of city Island, and the three boats out of New Rochelle and Port Chester.

Each is specially tailored to a type of fishing and I've learned this by paying my fare and seeing how the day goes, usually with numerous tries.

Without making an derogatory (sic) remarks I'll tell you my faves:

For Bluefish and Bass the klondike out of New Rochelle is just plain great. We're talking about a Captain who takes two hour rides to hit Port Jeff and bridgeport to make sure everyone is happy. I've been skunked on this boat a few times but Capt Pete really knows how to hit the blues and bass. Only drawback is the crowds. Go on this boat on a Saturday in July and expect to get to the dock at 5:30 am (3 hours before leaving) if you want a premium spot and watch out for tangles.

For Blacks and Porgies City Island has two great boats in the Island Current and daybreak III. Both are small and the capt's know the area really well.

 

[addict]

Reading this post over, I think what I'm looking for is someone's 30 yr old log book.
I need to put in the dues. In the end, I just wanna be able to wake up, smell the air, and know exactly where to go, what target species, and why.
**** this learning curve is high.