06/09/2007 - Fluking Captain Cal II

06/09/2007 - Fluking Captain Cal II


Well, I was up in the air about what kind of fishing to do today, but a phone call from my old buddy Stephan quickly solved that dilemma as we decided to head out fluking on the Captain Cal II. Stephan didn't have a fluking setup for the ocean, so I hooked him up with my backup and we were ready to take em on! For those that don't know, Stephan sustained a wicked shoulder injury this past winter when he and I went snowboarding, tore his AC ligament completely off the bone and had to undergo surgery, pins, screws, the whole nine. So he's been resting up and was long overdue for a good ol' fishing adventure!

Weather was looking a little questionable in the morning as I faced a short rain shower on my way to the marina, with a chance of thunderstorms rolling in. As it worked out, the crowds didn't show up in volume but the weather cleared nicely with the exception of the highly variable, but gusty winds coming out of the North and later Northeast.

Captain Ron took us for a ride up towards Deal and Elberon/Long Branch, where we spent the entire day. Although the winds were making it a little difficult to fish at times, the fluking was quite good with some solid numbers and bigger fish coming over the rail. On one particular drift, we rolled over a real nice flat of fish and the mates were running all around the boat with the nets bailing keeper after keeper. The bite seemed pretty steady throughout the day, with some dry spells/areas on the drifts...seemed like we'd roll over a random patch here and a random patch there as we cruised along. Obviously a lot of shorts, but the sea robin numbers were thankfully lower than I've been experiencing up in the Raritan.

Here's a few pics from today...

Stephan, getting ready to catch some fluke!



Mate Danny, tossing the lines...itching to get us out there!



The conditions as we headed out...







Stephan, enjoying the fresh air on the ride out!



Mate Danny, how's the day going to be dude?



Stephan, getting a fix before droppin his line in!
Note the dude behind him, slamming home a Labatt Blue...at 8:00AM! Haha, NICE!



Stephan, landing a shortie, Mate Danny helping out and figures if he doesn't look at the camera it will somehow magically not include him in the picture! Heh



Youngster Hunter tearing it up early, landing this nice 7lb fluke!
He's a future mate, and a rider, so he wasn't in the pool...and he didn't care, he just wanted to make sure he had a fillet or two for his Dad! You have couple BIG fillets for Dad there buddy, nice job!



Stephan, hooking up a little double header action! Sweet!



The man, reeling in another one!



And in the boat!



I can't remember this kid's name...but he caught this nice fluke mid morning...



Then Hunter couldn't stand being challenged, so he busted his 7lber out to get some more camera action!
Nice pair of flatties guys!



Conditions mid morning, not too bad but a little breezy...



Stephan's all smiles...having a good time out there, waiting patiently for the next stop.



The man's tired from reeling, he needed to refuel! OK, I'm relentless with the camera, I won't even let the guy eat in peace! haha



Stephan, still catchin towards the end of the day!



Final conditions on the way back in...choppy.



Mate Danny, filleting like a madman...



Danny's brother, Mate Brendan...whippin through em!



Fillet em up!



Didn't get to fish with Brendan much as he was in the stern, next time dude!



Danny, livin the life!



Dan Wilson with the pool fish for the day, nice fluke!



Stephan and my final results on the day...not bad.



Stephan, with a couple keepers.



Your's truly, with my two biggest of the day...




Well that's all folks. Just another great day on the water. Outstanding job by Captain Ron and his mates Danny and Brendan!
Crowds were down, weather held out, and the fish were biting good. Stephan ended with 2 keepers and probably 15+ shorts, I wound up with 5 keepers and somewhere in the 15-20 short range with a few dropped, whiffed, etc. Ah, and I also had 1st keeper on the boat, so a 1/2 fare ticket was rewarded...might have to use that as an excuse to head out again tomorrow!


Until next time...