While we were in Montauk I stopped by a local bait and tackle shop to see if they had any recommendations on what we could do to improve our chances of catching a fish while trawling at 6-7 knots. The guy recommended I get a diamond-shaped metalic lure which should attract bass and bluefish. He also added that he always goes south to fish, and has no idea what we can find and where in Long Island South. "Watch the birds," he said, "and I know guys go to the Race to fish, so you might have a chance there."
Well, one fish got interested on the way, but we lost it. At anchorage near Kelsey point in Connecticut I caught one tiny fish that we let go (maybe should have used as live bait). So Friday morning as we started heading to Northport on Long Island we started trawling right away. One fish hooked the line totally taking us by surprise. We reeled it in, but in my excitement to get it out I lifted it out of the water and it went back in. To make matters worse, the other lures we were pulling behind us got caught on a lobster pot so we lost them. Sigh.
Our luck was with us that day and 15 minutes later we heard the line whizzing on the reel. This time we were ready. Joao hove to immediately, Frank started to work the fish closer to the boat from the cockpit. The fish ended up on the wrong side, so the line was going under the boat. I got amidships and helped pull the line in. By then Joao came with the net, Frank got closer as well and fish was ours.
It was a beautiful bluefish. We put it in the fridge since the wind was quite stiff and shifty, so we were preoccupied with sailing. And we let the line out again, just in case. Another fish took it but slipped off and then we had nothing. Sadly, as we were passing Port Jefferson inlet a motorboat went astern of us and caught the line in the prop, so the lucky lure is no more. But at least we now what to get for next time (and remember to take the line in if we see a boat going astern).
At 17:30 it was clear that shooting for Northport was a stretch. The wind was fickle and we still had 10 miles to go to the harbor entry, and then another 2 miles before the harbor. I didn't want to pull into the harbor at dusk, so took out the iPad to check out recommendations from Active Captain. 6.5 miles north were Norwalk islands which are part of a nature preserve and the wind was allowing us to go there directly. We dropped anchor in time to enjoy the sunset. Joao and Lena took Gabriel for a ride in the dingy while Frank and I cleaned our catch.
Grilled bass was absolutely lovely! We added cous cous, tomato salad, and white wine for a great meal that would have cost us $200 or more if we were to eat this in a restaurant. Fish head is still in the fridge ready to be cooked in a soup, and 2 fillets are ready to be eaten as well.
This morning we took Gabriel to Cockenoe island to let him walk off some energy. As we were walking along the beach I spotted trash here and there. Then I noticed a plastic bag. Fine, I will collect some trash. Joao and Lena joined in. We found 3 more plastic bags and within 20 minutes we had them full with plastic bottles, tennis balls, small bits of plastic, foam, baloons, and other garbage. It was rather sad to see so much trash in a nature preserve.
For the first time since leaving Newport we are motoring. The wind is in our back, but it's so light that as we make 5 knots towards New Rochelle we feel it coming from the forward quarter. Frank is a member of Huguenot Yacht Club and found a slip for Salty Ginger through his connections. That puts us close enough to Hell Gate to catch the morning current to Brooklyn.
Despite the cloudy weather visibility is excellent and we can make out Manhattan skyline from 25 nautical miles away. Civilization, here we come!
Well, one fish got interested on the way, but we lost it. At anchorage near Kelsey point in Connecticut I caught one tiny fish that we let go (maybe should have used as live bait). So Friday morning as we started heading to Northport on Long Island we started trawling right away. One fish hooked the line totally taking us by surprise. We reeled it in, but in my excitement to get it out I lifted it out of the water and it went back in. To make matters worse, the other lures we were pulling behind us got caught on a lobster pot so we lost them. Sigh.
Our luck was with us that day and 15 minutes later we heard the line whizzing on the reel. This time we were ready. Joao hove to immediately, Frank started to work the fish closer to the boat from the cockpit. The fish ended up on the wrong side, so the line was going under the boat. I got amidships and helped pull the line in. By then Joao came with the net, Frank got closer as well and fish was ours.
At 17:30 it was clear that shooting for Northport was a stretch. The wind was fickle and we still had 10 miles to go to the harbor entry, and then another 2 miles before the harbor. I didn't want to pull into the harbor at dusk, so took out the iPad to check out recommendations from Active Captain. 6.5 miles north were Norwalk islands which are part of a nature preserve and the wind was allowing us to go there directly. We dropped anchor in time to enjoy the sunset. Joao and Lena took Gabriel for a ride in the dingy while Frank and I cleaned our catch.
Grilled bass was absolutely lovely! We added cous cous, tomato salad, and white wine for a great meal that would have cost us $200 or more if we were to eat this in a restaurant. Fish head is still in the fridge ready to be cooked in a soup, and 2 fillets are ready to be eaten as well.
This morning we took Gabriel to Cockenoe island to let him walk off some energy. As we were walking along the beach I spotted trash here and there. Then I noticed a plastic bag. Fine, I will collect some trash. Joao and Lena joined in. We found 3 more plastic bags and within 20 minutes we had them full with plastic bottles, tennis balls, small bits of plastic, foam, baloons, and other garbage. It was rather sad to see so much trash in a nature preserve.
For the first time since leaving Newport we are motoring. The wind is in our back, but it's so light that as we make 5 knots towards New Rochelle we feel it coming from the forward quarter. Frank is a member of Huguenot Yacht Club and found a slip for Salty Ginger through his connections. That puts us close enough to Hell Gate to catch the morning current to Brooklyn.
Despite the cloudy weather visibility is excellent and we can make out Manhattan skyline from 25 nautical miles away. Civilization, here we come!
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