[spygull]

Doughboy and I are considering a run for shark in the AM out of FI or Moriches weather permitting. Any suggestions as to locations? We havent been out this year and this will probably be our only trip. We only have a 21 ft. center console so canyon shots are out of the question.

 

[620083]

If you leave out of moriches head to the fingers to the SE. Its a short 10 mile run and I have had luck many times with makos and threshers during the fall run. You don't want to over run the fish. Good Luck and be safe.

 

[614512]

~~~~~

For a short run out of FI, I'd head for the Linda. Check your chart for bottom structure in that whole area and look for skipjack or similar. If you find skippies and any structure (there are some fingers around the general area), stop and get the chum going.

Last I heard, (although only word of mouth), was 1 - 3's tomarrow). If so, its a good day to run it.

I should be on a "Rubber Raft" in the area. Good Luck. May you catch the 2nd biggest Mako of the day!

...mocean

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Thanks guys,

The weather is looking promising right now, and with our small boat we are watching it carefully. With fall just around the corner, we realize the opportunity for me to catch my first shark is growing shorter like the days. I have spoken to many fisherman who have told me the fall run of sharks is often only a few miles offshore, and my father has earned many years of experience before downsizing the boat 20+ years ago. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the most recent local hot spots. The temperature charts I have looked at aren't telling much right now. Thanks again for your suggestions.

Chris

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Results

Thanks JJV48.

It was a little choppy with a swell from the SE and a wind chop from the SW. We slowly slopped our way out to the SE 120 foot fingers and set up a drift with three or four other boats. Put out the chum pail and while dropping down the first line a mako pup about 25 pounds snapped it up. Maybe the boat disturbance brought it up, because it was right under the boat and the chum wasn't out more than 5 minutes? Drifted North for a few hours before another run-off which we didn't hook up with. Had to head in at 2. Happy with my first shark.

Mocean, How'd you do?

Chris

 

[togmaster]

Doughboy thats number 3 for ya!

Hey Chris banner year for you! First Albie, Mako, Dam I forgot the other but you got a hat trick dude ! Way to go.

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Yea, Mike. It's been a great year. More bass in the spring run than I knew what to do with. My personal best bass, about 30 pounds. My personal best fluke, 7 pounds. First albi, and first mako. First time fishing by boat from Montauk, Shinne**** and Jones. Not surprisingly, a lot of it had to do with this site. I've fished with a lot of great guys I've met from this site and the new environments, techniques and information I've learned have definately helped me catch more and better quality fish. Thanks Nor'east.

P.S. I can't make it out East tomorrow. My girlfriend just reminded me about prior engagements. Keep the weekdays open.

 

[614512]

Doughboy

My trip was called off. So I went to see Johnny Winter play his guitar in Farmingdale. And I had a few beers. Then I get a call on my cell at 12:30, that the trip is back on, leaving at 5AM. We went out in a 23' walkaround. The Linda was a bit crowded, and we didn't get to choose a great spot. Seven hours, over six miles, and 4 chum pots later, we decide to call it a day at 4:00PM. (Third guy on boat is pucking all day). At 4:00PM and 30 seconds, one line goes off, we figure mako from the splashing, but missed him. A groan comes from the cabin from the sick guy, because he realizes we are not done fishing. One hour later, the shark is still messing with baits. Then your 25#'er swims by the chum pot. We head home. My head is still pounding. Congrats on the shark, AND not running too far!

PS. The shark showed up 5 minutes after I threw my banana overboard in a last minute attempt to appease the gods.

...Mocean

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Ahh, that unlucky banana. I never heard about that one until the other day. Maybe it has some merit.

Wow, six miles! We were noticing today how fast everyone around us was drifting compared to us. Those that started way South of us, wound up way North of us. We have a low sided CC and those around us all had cabins and more. With their high profiles in the wind they were like sailboats. Do you think it helps or hinders to cover ground that fast while drifting for sharks? Anyone?

 

[614512]

Personally, I think the more sea you cover, the greater the chances of a shark stumbling across your slick, and then homing in on the source. As long as you are not drifting too fast that your slick is weak. I'm sure there is a happy medium in there somewhere. This is also why we make sure that our slicks are never interfering with, and are pretty far away from anyone else's. Don't want a shark from several miles away taking a wrong turn up another's slick. Its also why I hate when someone trolls or runs too close to your stern, right through your slick.

We were outdrifting the other boats in a 23' w/a with canvas. Not sure why, as some boats had more "sail" surface area. (?)

My head still hurts.

...mocean

 

[B.Attitude]

Doughboy,
the more ground you cover the better.This year I only made a few shark trips with at least two of them with a real poor drift(less than 2 miles all day)The longer the drift the greater your chances of a shark following up on your slick.Mocean,I not a big believer of people cutting through your slick while trolling or running really doing any damage.I feel that 99% of your chum is sinking pretty fast,thats the reason of staggering your baits at 30,60 and 90 ft.That should be the rate your chum is sinking.So when you see a boat 1/2 mile away your chum should be on the bottom already and he should not be affecting anything.What you see on the surface when chumming is basically the oils left.Just my opinion.
paulie

 

[B.Attitude]

Doughboy

Chris,
if the seas look good next weekend and your free I might be doing a shark trip if your still interested.
paulie

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

YES!

"You've got mail"

As I was watching the chum bits slowly sinking away yesterday, I was thinking the same thing. I recall that topic sparked a huge debate here last year, I think it was too long ago to find on a search. It did seem that the chum bits were sinking 3-5 feet deep right by the boat while the oils create the "slick" on the surface, it seems the sharks would be responding to the scent from the pieces sinking under the water. This is purely based on theory on my part though, since I only have one trip under my belt.

 

[614512]

slicks

B.Attitude,
Yeah I definetely agree with 1/2 mile doesnt matter, and that your chum is on the bottom. I was refering more to not wanting the slick to be discontinuous. Last trip, we had a guy troll very close past our stern. I could have beamed him up the side of his head with a baseball. I guess even this wouldn't separate the slick, but I find it rude that someone passes that close in the open ocean. He wasn't all that far from our deep bait, which we hadn't yet slid a weight. Still on my mind I guess and just griping I guess. I'll stop griping; I can do that at work tomarrow. But I do believe that sharks follow the scent of the whole slick, not just the peices of chum on the bottom. They follow the oil too. We all see a lot of sharks traveling the surface, not just along the bottom. They can smell the oil very well. Even if a boat cut close, the slick would probably meld back together quickly. Still the shark will swim up a gradient - to more and more concentrated source of the oil and/or chum bits

...mocean

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

But...

How is your head?

 

[MakoMatt]

doughboy, in regard to drifting speed, there are a couple of things you may want to consider. The faster you are drifting, the higher your baits will be in the water column so you need to weight them properly, when needed. Drifting too fast without weight and your baits will plane. Generaly speaking, the more ground you cover, the better your chances, however, you always want to be over good structure. Fishing a wreck out in the middle of nowhere and drifting 5 miles from it would probably not be too productive.

In regard to how much distance you should keep from someone else's slick, I stay a least 1 mile away. The oil on top attracts fish and trying to figure out the sink rate of your chum is impossible. There are currents, up-swellings, etc., happening below the surface so you only know what you can see.

Tight lines,
Matt
F/V NIKKI ANN

 

[Hunt n' Fish]

Roger that, thanks for the tips Matt.

 

[MakoMatt]

doughboy, just one thing you should know, my tips and a $1.00 (or however much it costs these days) will get you on the subway. Have not seen hide nor hair of a Mako all season and I go pretty often. It's been Blue Sharks, Blue Sharks, Blue Sharks.

 

[Capthookem]

Mako Matt,
I agree that a mile is a good distance to keep between chum slicks....however on a foggy day you can get as close as a quarter mile away.

 

[reelman945]

Its a good idea to always stick around at least for a half hour after the chum bag has been pulled. Many times the sharks will stay back in the slick during the day long drift. Its not until the chum stops flowing that they swim up the slick to see what happened to that steady flow.Always give it a little extra time.This has worked many times for me in the past.