Blackfish
1,124 views·14 replies·by Bachala
Headed back to Playland area yesterday. Got beat up crossing the sound in my 13' Whaler. Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross. The North wind forecast of 7mph was more like Easterly 10's. Fished the same general area as last week but the bites were real subtle. Lots and lots of bait stealers. Did not see much action on the other nearby boats. The green crabs I got where very small and was fishing most of them whole. Did hook 1 feisty 19" fish. Called it quits about 4 hours later. Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay. Saw a boat pull anchor near Billy Joel's mansion.. based on the name think it might have actually been him operating the vessel. Sure looked like him. Hopefully I get a few more trips in this year. End of November always produced the biggest fish for me.
MateOriginal Crew81 postsSince 2019
Headed back to Playland area yesterday. Got beat up crossing the sound in my 13' Whaler. Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross. The North wind forecast of 7mph was more like Easterly 10's. Fished the same general area as last week but the bites were real subtle. Lots and lots of bait stealers. Did not see much action on the other nearby boats. The green crabs I got where very small and was fishing most of them whole. Did hook 1 feisty 19" fish. Called it quits about 4 hours later. Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay. Saw a boat pull anchor near Billy Joel's mansion.. based on the name think it might have actually been him operating the vessel. Sure looked like him. Hopefully I get a few more trips in this year. End of November always produced the biggest fish for me.Water is cold, fewer boaters out there to assist. Be safe!
And if you do get in a jam, it puts first responder lives in jeopardy too.
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019
Water is cold, fewer boaters out there to assist. Be safe!Water temps are still in the 60's. Rather be in any whaler than some of these larger boats that will sink. Appreciate the concern but it was never really an issue of safety but comfort.
And if you do get in a jam, it puts first responder lives in jeopardy too.
MateOriginal Crew81 postsSince 2019
Go back and read what you posted.
"Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross."
"Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay."
In a 13' flat bottom boat.
I would put that in the "issue of safety" column.
"Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross."
"Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay."
In a 13' flat bottom boat.
I would put that in the "issue of safety" column.
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019
Go back and read what you posted.I agree with other posts on this thread.
"Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross."
"Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay."
In a 13' flat bottom boat.
I would put that in the "issue of safety" column.
Another thing to consider. Although the Whaler may be unsinkable, you personally wearing what had to be a significant amount of clothing will go down like a stone should you fall overboard. No fish is worth losing your life over!!
CaptainOriginal Crew1,847 postsSince 2018
I agree with other posts on this thread.Another good point.
Another thing to consider. Although the Whaler may be unsinkable, you personally wearing what had to be a significant amount of clothing will go down like a stone should you fall overboard. No fish is worth losing your life over!!
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,411 postsSince 2019
Those whalers have extremely low gunnels. Even standing up is dangerous.
That said, blackfishing solo has it's own hazards: Anchoring, slippery deck from fish slime, crabs........errant hooks, unpredictable fall weather.
Doesn't sound like fun to me but to each his own.
That said, blackfishing solo has it's own hazards: Anchoring, slippery deck from fish slime, crabs........errant hooks, unpredictable fall weather.
Doesn't sound like fun to me but to each his own.
Captain4,156 postsSince 2021
I agree with other posts on this thread.I wear a life vest all the time. I always use my key lanyard. I am very safety concious and meticulous with the maintenance of my vessel. New 40hp Merc with probably less than 50hours on the engine. Thanks for your concern. Perhaps my story telling is a bit exagerrated. Never in any actual danger.
Another thing to consider. Although the Whaler may be unsinkable, you personally wearing what had to be a significant amount of clothing will go down like a stone should you fall overboard. No fish is worth losing your life over!!
MateOriginal Crew81 postsSince 2019
"Never in actual danger"
Years ago, we chunked bunker at Great Eastern. Mid-tide, one of those world cat boats tries to anchor up next to us. Long story short, by himself, his anchor line got caught in the prop, steaming tide had the boat stern to, he went down in a matter of seconds, NOT MINUTES.....SECONDS.
Guys was ok. Boat salvaged but just wanted to let you know how fast things can happen on the water.
Years ago, we chunked bunker at Great Eastern. Mid-tide, one of those world cat boats tries to anchor up next to us. Long story short, by himself, his anchor line got caught in the prop, steaming tide had the boat stern to, he went down in a matter of seconds, NOT MINUTES.....SECONDS.
Guys was ok. Boat salvaged but just wanted to let you know how fast things can happen on the water.
Captain4,156 postsSince 2021
"Never in actual danger"Bachala, please understand we mean no disrespect. We are all concerned for a fellow fisherman's safety. However, Overbored's comment about how quickly the "sh*t can hit the fan" are words to live by, seriously.
Years ago, we chunked bunker at Great Eastern. Mid-tide, one of those world cat boats tries to anchor up next to us. Long story short, by himself, his anchor line got caught in the prop, steaming tide had the boat stern to, he went down in a matter of seconds, NOT MINUTES.....SECONDS.
Guys was ok. Boat salvaged but just wanted to let you know how fast things can happen on the water.
For the last few years myself and several other professional Captain's I know have all commented about how we have essentially stopped fishing at night. We each have tons of experience in navigating all sorts of nasty conditions, the very best electronics available, well-maintained vessels, and still we have all come to the conclusion it is not worth the added risk. There are plenty of fish to be caught on nice days with better/safer weather conditions. November is a dangerous time to be on the water, particularly in a small boat.
CaptainOriginal Crew1,847 postsSince 2018
"Never in actual danger"Overbored-
Years ago, we chunked bunker at Great Eastern. Mid-tide, one of those world cat boats tries to anchor up next to us. Long story short, by himself, his anchor line got caught in the prop, steaming tide had the boat stern to, he went down in a matter of seconds, NOT MINUTES.....SECONDS.
Guys was ok. Boat salvaged but just wanted to let you know how fast things can happen on the water.
That says it all and I agree 100%
I try to keep these words in the back of my mind:
“When life looks like easy street there is danger at the door”
IYKYK 😎
CommodoreOriginal Crew7,060 postsSince 2018
We all get to point of knowing what is right for us as outdoors man. I myself narrowly escaped going overboard this past summer as a result of choppy water and carelessness on my part. We had boated a nice fluke and when measuring the fish with a metal ruler left it laying on the deck. My brother had a beautiful fluke on and when I went to over and net him, a wave came along with slipping on the ruler results was me hanging upside down on the side of the boat and being pulled in by my brother. Not being the best swimmer and swift current we were in could have turned a good day bad in a hurry. Don’t take this as everyone picking on you, just advise from some old salts that been around while and are concerned for you. Catch them up and be safe
CaptainOriginal Crew2,748 postsSince 2019
Go back and read what you posted.Bingo
"Any sane person probably wouldn't have dared to cross."
"Almost didn't make it back. Engine shut off but soon realized my quick connect disconnected from the fuel tank. Upon reconnecting realized I only had about 1 gallon left in the tank. Was enought to get back to Oyster Bay."
In a 13' flat bottom boat.
I would put that in the "issue of safety" column.
MateOriginal Crew241 postsSince 2019
Bachala, please understand we mean no disrespect. We are all concerned for a fellow fisherman's safety. However, Overbored's comment about how quickly the "sh*t can hit the fan" are words to live by, seriously.Fully understand and no disrespect taken. I understand the concerns and honestly, I will probably never cross the sound in the conditions I experienced that day. Please also understand that I am also an experienced boater and understand all risks involved. Definitely do see a bigger boat in my future. Previously had a 22' BW revenge and the worst weather I was in was a bad Summer Squall/Tstorm that kicked up one summer afternoon. Someone mentioned slipper decks.... I am almost never ever standing on my boat, I never cut up bait in my boat. Always on a cutting table that drips into the sea and/or over a bucket. Most all my blackfish I unhook over the water and release and the occasional keeper get put on a stringer and intot he water. IF anything hits the deck I am immediately rinsing the deck off near my feet. Sincerely appreciate the concern from all.
For the last few years myself and several other professional Captain's I know have all commented about how we have essentially stopped fishing at night. We each have tons of experience in navigating all sorts of nasty conditions, the very best electronics available, well-maintained vessels, and still we have all come to the conclusion it is not worth the added risk. There are plenty of fish to be caught on nice days with better/safer weather conditions. November is a dangerous time to be on the water, particularly in a small boat.
MateOriginal Crew81 postsSince 2019
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