Catch Date: 08/12/2016 8:26 AM

Story Date: 08/12/2016 12:41 PM

Location: New York NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
Does It count as a Skunk if you never wet a line? I was too early to rent any gear and a park attendant pointed out a sign about Blue Algae that was so thick the park authorities were no longer renting gear anyway. One fellow was fishing with his own gear and he claimed that Largemouth up to 4 lbs are swimming in the Harlem Meer. He also said that the rental gear (and supplied bait) mostly produces Bluegills. They are present in the hundreds, although with water that is greener than an Olympic Diving pool I couldn't see any. Oh well - maybe my next trip to the Big Apple. You can make out some turtles swimming behind me. Lots of them in all Central Park Ponds.

Posted By:

Canuck
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 07/21/2016 15:51 PM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
Well this trip didn't go as planned. The eels Joe picked up only go bitten in half by Bluefish...even my fake eel was lost to bluefish. I had a small fish on but lost it while Joe was able to land a few up to 8lbs...skunked for me! We will be back at it shortly.

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 07/18/2016 15:38 PM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
The bluffs on Montauks South side mesmerize me. In the darkest nights these same bluffs can be very intimidating making me feel Iike they could come down on me because that's how they are formed. Not on this trip but my last I came to fish a section of the tide and caught nothing. But that's ok it's a part of fishing no one likes but it happens...Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 07/07/2016 20:59 PM

Story Date: 07/08/2016 15:56 PM

Location: Long Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I dragged Joe away from a spot he wanted to fish for the night to see if a particular bait showed up that bass seem to love. Bunker showed up but had no fish on them. They came to feed, and take shelter for the night. No fish, and the assault from buggs (our big spay had no affect) made us both call it a night early...skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 06/30/2016 2:53 AM

Story Date: 06/30/2016 16:01 PM

Location: Far Rockaway NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I think I either had my personal best bass, a shark, or maybe a cow nose ray brake me off last night while bait fishing. I can't get it out of my mind...it was big whatever it was. Felt way more heavy than my 25lbs bass...I need therapy.

I had only one two day old bunker, and five salted clams I didn't want to waste so I decided to soak them in the surf . I was catching sand sharks, and skate before I used the head along with a peice that I know stripers tend to hit fast. Crabs had first dibs on the head but it was still in good condition so I sent it back out. Bait was getting more attention so I stopped casting lures to keep an eye on my bait rod. I was three steps away from the rod when I saw the pick up...it might be another skate because the hit was light so I took one step towards my rod keeping my eyes glued on the tip...then it doubled over just about pulling my aluminum sand spike into the ocean.

I go to pick up my rod and the spike came out of the sand with it. I didn't even bother to separate them because I was more concerned about loosing the fish. I go to set the hook, nothing but drag. When I dead stick I set the drag tight enough to let the fish hook itself, and take drag if it runs before I can get to the rod. I reeled down, tighten my drag, and apply pressure on the fish...the weight was like nothing I ever felt. My PB bass was 25lbs I remember how my 12' Carnage II handled that fish but this felt 10 to 15lbs more. The rod was bent so much it made me nervous. I'm thinking what is this? I went to reel the fish and the drag is still complaining...tighten some more! All this time I only felt one no more than three head shakes or deep tail pumps. Whatever this is its not moving much but it's heavy! So I held my rod up to keep pressure on it not reeling...ping gose my line. I let out a Roar of lions proportion just like I always do when I loose a good fish. I inspected my line to find my main was cut clean not any portion of my three way rig, with 50lbs mono/braid, and a 7/0 siwash hook.

The questions I can't get out of my mind are did my braid fail, was my drag too tight, or was it bitten off by another fish because none of my leader was cut? I will never know now because that fish is "the big one that got away" Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 04/25/2016 15:58 PM

Location: Long Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I just had to check my Blue fishing grounds to see if they have arrived yet. I only had two hours to spear to cover my Bookmarks…not enough time! The fog was a perfect cover however the water temps are ice cold still. I waded out close to the channel but I couldn’t bear the cold water even with my waders on. I hope this week’s warmer weather makes a huge difference because I need to keep going back to know when they have arrived. I love Blue fishing…Stay Bent!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 04/18/2016 15:56 PM

Location: Staten Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I wanted to explore another new to me spot at sunrise because watching the sunrise as I am fishing just puts me in a good mood overall…catching a fish would be a bonus on this trip. When I arrived a few folks were already there bait fishing. They looked like they had been there all night in the good spots. This location had much better structure than the last location. I took a walk down the beach to decide where I would get started when I stumbled upon a garbage bag full of freshly snagged bunker…I’ve bait now! After I had enough of begging for a bite with daytime lures I switched over to bait. Not before one of the overnight fishermen packed it in toting a nice 15lbs striper…missed that bite also. I fished bait for a few hours with no hits nor did I see anyone else get one. Time to pack it in, and get ready to catch the “reported” Bluefish that has invaded my playground…Skunked…Stay Bent!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 04/18/2016 15:45 PM

Location: Staten Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I finally had the chance to fish after a rather busy off season. Between work, several business opportunities, and writing my book (currently getting edited, and should be available shortly) I had no time for anything else “fishing” related. I did manage to go to three shows (Striper day, Surf day, and Somerset) this off season. The new gear that I bought got tucked away in my closet until about a week before the season opened. It was a mad dash to get all my gear, and new set up ready to fish by open day…I’m not the last minute type but hey that’s exactly what it came down to but I got it done!

I headed over to a new to me spot that I heard so much about last season from various fishermen. It’s primarily a “bait fishing” spot but you can also fish plugs there as well. This early in the season bait rules, and I said I would spend more time than usual fishing bait this season to increase my Striped Bass catch…got to give them what they want right? I just about never get to make the bait shops before they close because of the times I get off work. I usually have to snag my own bait so I went to a pier where I saw buys catching herring for the last three nights using Sabiki Riggs with the assistance of artificial Bioluminescence…I only had the Sabiki rig so no herring for me…I’ll have to try lures at the bait spot. Glass calm conditions and a light Northeast wind meant soft plastics should get a bite…Nope! I did see one guy catch a nice Striper. It was a 12 to mid-teen lbs. fish a fine catch on bunker this early in the season. It’s times like this when I wish I had bait…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 12/15/2015 23:24 PM

Story Date: 12/17/2015 16:24 PM

Location: Far Rockaway NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I was able to fish on the last day of the 2015 Striped bass season for NY. I couldn't shake the feeling that I could catch a 30lbs bass just before 12AM. Just about everything looked good for a it to happen. High tide was at 11pm, and the wind was west changing over to North West...perfect for jetty tip conditions. That only gave me about an hour before I had to pack it in for the season on the surf. This jetty is a dangerous one, and you usually "should" wait and hour after high to safely cross the two places where the water crashes over...but the sea conditions where much calmer tonight with cloudy skies. The air temps where still very warm thanks to this El Nino pattern we're experiencing.

I chose this spot because I wanted to experience a location that is close to home that would give me the full experience of this season...I wanted to drive the beach for the last time. I aired down, went to checked on a few of the other spots I have caught on before heading over to the jetty...nothing. When I arrived there was one jeep parked but I'm sure they weren't fishing. While at the tip it must've been about 11:30 when my entire offerings couldn't get a hit...I put the heavy needlefish on and felt like I had a hit. I set the hook to feel like I had snagged weed or a bag. I held the rod tip up keeping a bend to see if there was any fight...none just some weight but then my drag clicked three times very slowly...Hmm what do I have was my thought. I began cranking it in just to see/know what's on my line. I thought crab because I've had very large crabs attack my lures hear in the pass. Just as my lure got 11' in front of me it felt like something hit my line, then I saw a splash…no more weight, and my needle didn’t have any weeds caught in the hooks. Great now I'll never know what that was! I didn't get any more "hits" after that...Skunked.  The clock struck 12am and so I called it a night/season...the drive off the sand had to be an enjoyable one so I recorded it...felt great to get out for the last trip. I had a good run, and met a lot of nice folks along the way. Until next season...Catch'em up!

 

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 11/07/2015 6:38 AM

Story Date: 11/09/2015 11:57 AM

Location: Babylon NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I haven't caught a "Bluefish" since July 17th. Friday at 7am I got word of an all out bass and Bluefish blitz in one of the spots I've caught some nice sized blues. I even tied a record (11lbs bluefish) the same day once. My first thought was to call out of work because I have the time to use. But then I was reminded that I just got home at 3am, and my wife was working from home that day...I'll see if they're still there at 2:30am Saturday. The fish seem to stay in that spot a long time when they are there any way so I thought I could still get in on the action...nope!

Throughout the day many videos were posted, and I had some friends that were on the beach catching while I worked so this was legit Intel. John caught ten big blues, and three bass in the 30" range...fall fishing at its best and I'm not on the beach. I arrived Saturday fished from 2:30 to 3am, took a nap until 5:30am. I got up feeling fresh as Joe was arriving with my coffee. We fished up and down the beach until 10 for not even a tap. I didn't see anyone else's rod bent so I didn't feel too bad.

This was a hard bite to miss out on. Guys were catching large blues. One guy has a pending state record catch at 25 1/4lbs. The action seemed to continue in the west but I didn't know it came west until I was done fishing for the day. I also learned that by the time the fish got into my backyard they were off shore out of range. This blitz just wasn't for me to be a part of...Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 09/26/2015 22:46 PM

Story Date: 09/29/2015 18:17 PM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I took the trek out to Montauk over the weekend once again. This trip was driven by the conditions that have historically produced big fish. It's kind of hard to ignore an East North East wind, blowing 20 plus, and under the perfect tide for the spot I like to fish. Let's not forget about the fact that it's one day before a super moon/eclipse...should've been a blood bath.
I first had to go check on the crowds under the lighthouse to see if they were bailing fish...snappers and sub keeper bass is what I saw. But I did get word while on the way a 50lbs bass came up an hour earlier...congrats to that guy. I took note of what I saw and moved on a bit where it was less crowded...nothing! It was time to hit the tide at my intended location so I left the beautiful white water to the lighthouse hounds.
I park my truck in the spot I like to park right next to the landmark, get out and guess who is pulling up...Steve! He recognized me, and said he is a big fan of my reports (as I was airing down in the lower lot) kind of made me feel awkward tell you the truth. I'm not someone that should have "fans" was my thought...we spoke for a bit, and went our separate ways. So to see him pull up behind me Here was a shock...however behind him was Lou so it all made sense...they knew each other. Lou had a friend with him, and so did Steve so the five us spread out and began fishing.
The wind made keeping contact with any lure a challenge, and let's not talk about the amount weed, kelp, and something that had the same consistency as red wool in the water that seem to just put knots in my line when they made contact...tough conditions to catch in for sure! Two hours in and I had the overwhelming feeling that I should go to the other side where this wind should play more in our favor. But the historical bite that has taken place hear on this moon kept me planted waiting for it to turn on. Last week Steve had the same feeling hear as it turned out when he left we arrived and the bite turned on...for that reason I stayed for another two hours after a quick nap. I was due to meet my Dad in Port Jefferson in a few hours to bottom fish on the Celtic Grace so my time was limited in MTK.
My plan was to hit the lighthouse before I hit the road to sleep a few hours before bottom fishing. I get to the lighthouse and there is only two guys there but they are exactly where I wanted to fish...moved on to the empty pill box for a bit...nothing. I moved on to turtle cove...nothing I thought about Browns but my time was limited so I decided against it. I made my way back to my favorite spot and it's empty. But still nothing for me as the bait guys began setting up. Well it's time to drive to port Jeff so this trip to MTK was a Skunk for me.

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 09/05/2015 3:51 AM

Story Date: 09/09/2015 2:20 AM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I met up with Joe late last Friday night in Montauk for a shot at the first North East wind blowing at 17MPH maxing out at 21MPH, air temps were at 66 degrees, and high tide was set for 1:33AM. We couldn’t ignore those conditions and decided to give it a shot with hopes of catching a fish of a life time. This trip didn’t pan out to catching anything. However I did finally get to meet face to face two out of many of the top guys I hold with high regards in the surfcasting community on this trip. I first ran into Neil talking to Joe as I’m pulling into the light house lot. Neil and his buddy Mike were packing it in or getting ready to head to the next spot. Joe and I did the same as we got in my truck. When Joe and I got to my bookmark we were not alone…somewhat expected this with the conditions we faced. One truck looked very familiar to me as I recalled Lou has one just like it…could this be the night we finally met after several failed and unfortunate situations…Lou is that you? Shaka! It’s nice to meet you finally. We spoke for a while with some fishing mixed in. Once we hit three hours into the drop Lou split to rest up while Joe and I continued for a bit to see if we can get a hit.

We took a ride to another spot for first light but MTK was Quiet! Joe was “shot” again so he went home earlier than planned…I usually catch when he does that but not this time. The water was a mess with weed wherever we went. I saw two types of seals witch explained the no fish conditions. Hard to get a fish to bite when a seal is in the area. I even saw a half-eaten striper, and several dead bluefish, and bunker (not peanuts) on the beach…I can’t understand why “fishermen” don’t respect bluefish. Throw them back if you’re not going to eat them. Understand there importance to the striped bass fishery…blues feed stripers people! I ran into Lou once again so we spoke some more. Lou told me he’s staying to do it all again until he gets a fish. I wish I could join him but I’ve been gone long, and need to get back to the wife and family…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 08/31/2015 21:06 PM

Story Date: 09/03/2015 1:31 AM

Location: Brooklyn NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I just about had the exact trip the other night as my last trip to the same spot…it was quite spooky in a way. But what can you expect if all of the conditions are the same except the moon phase. Just about every detail is the same so I’ll only mention the differences, and anything else worth mentioning for this mirror image trip.

I actually was able to make some daylight to Fluke with Justin and his neighbor Howard the other night. I had other plans for fluke from shore that night but Justin suggested a spot I’ve never fished before…I’m always game to learn a new to me spot so I joined them. We took a walk down to the open beach front with two game plans. Justin and I had Skinner rigs, Justin had on a Gulp shrimp, and I had Gulp minnow all around. Howard on the other hand was casting a deadly dick for stripers, bluefish or maybe even albacore even though we still have thirteen more days before they might show up in our waters. We combed 1,369 feet of that beach for not a tap. It was nice to fish with them before my 10pm appointment of round two on the jetty.

I got to the jetty by 10: pm and I saw one truck making its way. By the time I got to the beach I saw one more truck and thought okay where are these guys fishing. I scanned as far as my eyes could see in this Waning gibbous lit night. When I got to the base of the jetty I finally saw what I didn’t really want to…two sharpies fishing right where I had planned on starting for the night. One of them was unhooking a bass and I thought OK good sign they are still hear right where I left them. As I’m rock hopping to get by the gent unhooking his bass his rod became separated. With only one way pass him I gave him a hand to get it back together, and then I was on my way. I set myself up far enough pass them that I was not at risk of tangling our lines given that I was down current of them. But I was close enough to keep an eye on them just in case they are catching. I only needed to see there rods against the backdrop of the sky. I picked out my spot and was into a fish no more than ten casts later. I first glanced over to see if they saw me hooked up or herd my drag complaining, and I was happy it went unnoticed.

This fish felt the same as the last keeper except the fight was much more erratic. My thought was this is a bluefish because it was running away from me, then left, and right, and at me. I actually had a hard time keeping my rod bent when it swam at me. There were two differences between this fish and the one from the other night. The drag was set the same (half turn off locked) but this fish had my drag still complaining while I reeled after it was close, and when this fish surfaced slapped its tail, and flopped on its side reveling to me this is a bass showing its white belly and stripes…the hook pulled! This had to be a male fish. I dislike lures with 2/0 trebles. I was careful not to roar like I always do when I lose a fish in an effort not to alert my company of what just happened. Not matter what I did next I didn’t get any more hits nor did I see the sharpies hooked up again as far as I could tell. They eventually left and so did I not long after.

I walked the long way home to sort of digress, and check on some of my other bookmarks back to my truck. I even saw Avi’s tall bearded friend whose name is Israel bait fishing the shallows…how similar can this trip get! We spoke a bit about SP Minnows color patters for a bit. I told Israel where the better “bait fishing” spots are here and I was on my way home…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 08/25/2015 20:20 PM

Location: Long Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I was in the mood for driving the beach to one of my “bookmarks” to fish the darkness. I have a habit of saving the spot where I catch fish to Google maps so I can revisit “the spot”. It also helps me log my trips along with the various apps I use on my cell phone…I wasn’t really concerned about the beginning of the outgoing tide, the hot ocean water temps, North East blowing no more than ten, glass like one foot swells, or the fact that there was tons of Fluke candy in the water. I needed to be on the water, looking at the stars as they poke through the lightly cloudy skies, with hopes of spotting another shooting star while I fish. I had a deprived urge that was now starving for the thrill of the hunt for stripers and blues. It had been too long since I last took a long cast, and felt the hit of a fish…along with a battle of wills, and the need to stay alive depending on who’s perspective you’ve just envisioned.

Picture me pacing the room chomping at the bit if you will because I stay prepped waiting for 12AM to strike lifting “the ban”. I checked with Joe earlier that day to see if he’s up for a late night on the water but he was “shot”. My wife didn’t even put up a fight when I woke her up to tell her I’m going fishing…QT with the family on vacation paid off! On our last vacation to VA I hid two rods in the truck, and snuck out one night to the pier…that didn’t go over so well so lessen learn. I didn’t really plan on staying out too long due to the fact that catching a fish in this heat during the day has proven more than difficult from shore especially…this was supposed to be a night time trip only. I took my 11’ Battalion as my primary and loaded up the 9’ Prevail as backup and I was off!

By the time I arrived at the lot, aired down to 20psi, drove the beach trying to stay clear of the water that is so close by the path, parked between two campers, and walked 652’ West so that I’m right on the spot where I’ve caught some nice bluefish I missed the slack water that I wanted to cast my Tsunami 9” heavy weighted sand eel into that deep water close to shore. Joe and others have caught bass on this same piece of beach. This spot usually is a low tide bite but again I was not concerned about that. I am still trying to get a night time hit on my tension lure putting its versatility to the test so I started with that. I cycled through the bag in two hours taking three to five cast with each lure…nothing.
Now that gave me the rare impression that there is no fish in this piece of water. With daylight starting to make its presence known I decided to walk to some structure I saw on the map to see if the water conditions change. Yes it did but still no hits. By the time I got back to my truck and packed it in the campers was waking up, and so was Joe. I spoke with one of them shortly as he asked me what time did you get here? When I told him he said “oh you’re a diehard” in my head I said aren’t we all but I was unsure how he would take that being we don’t know each other from Adam. I just smiled, and then checked a text from Joe about his fluke plans. I asked the camper where you catching anything last night? “Yeah we caught four 4’ sharks” suddenly my rare suspicions was confirmed or at least plausible…Note to self; keep track of where the people that get a thrill out of catching sharks are fishing and forget about trying to catch bass/blues in those same waters.

I decided to make a small move while Joe eats his breakfast. So I hop in the truck and off I go…I ended up taking a wrong turn behind the dunes so now I’m lost on deep, not driven as often, soft sandy ruts so you know what came next right…I’m STUCK for the second time this season…sand 2 CR-V 3 thanks also to one of my lower skid plates that got mangled on my first attempt on the sand due to someone leaving wood sticking up out of the rut, and it’s now preventing forward and revers motion because it’s buried. I’ve been in this position before and knew how to get out. I took my shovel out, cleared sand from the front skid plate, wheels, and chassis. But this lower skid plate needed to be cut off in order to move. I’m a just in case kind of guy so I had a hand held sawzall blade in my 4x4 storage bin I keep in the back. I cut that bad boy off and got out under my own power! By this time Joe was finally ready to go fluking so I left to give that a try. Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 08/17/2015 2:06 AM

Story Date: 08/19/2015 1:45 AM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
Day two in Montauk felt a bit more like recon for the fall run. I fished almost all the spots I’ve caught fish, on the same rule of thumb tides to fish MTK for no hits. I even went back to the spots I caught both bass, and the only action I had was competing Bluefish. I felt the hit on my spoon jig with a natural color tail, I set the hook, and shortly after I get cut off clean far away from the lure and leader…one more thing I don’t like about bluefish. When night time fell I went to a spot I scoped out earlier that had much cleaner deeper water but I couldn’t buy a hit not even on the tension lure. I felt like I was too Far East on the south side this late in the season was the feeling I had. With all the rather large racks left behind it was a clue that others have caught hear but no telling how long ago. One of things I’ve learned about fishing Montauk…knowing witch of its many points to show up on at the right tides to catch fish. I still have some learning to do. All in all I’m getting myself ready for the fall run with these trips to The End. Brooklyn is far away so I left at 9PM…Skunked

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: Not Specified

Story Date: 08/12/2015 0:56 AM

Location: Long Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I think I had one of the most frustrating trips of all my seasons last night. I had the itch to fish for fluke from shore for the first time this season…I don’t get too excited about catching fluke. It might have something to do with the fight or lack thereof. I wanted to catch the last two hours of day light with my Skinner rig, and my 7’ Shimano FX S-70MHB2/Pursuit II 5000 outfit I like to use from shore when fluking. I usually use my Contender 40 spooled with 20lbs line from the boats for fluke but I’ve had bass break my handle twice…not risking that again. I take the reel from my 9’ outfit and us it with this 7’ just in case a bass/blues take interest in my gulp.

I’ve been “banned” from fishing on Saturdays for the rest of the month to spend some QT with the family so I’m left with fishing during the week…catch daylight didn’t work out so well. I meet up with Avi at the spot I had in mind given the South East winds that I felt should keep the bait tight to shore. Before I could even get there he’s screaming too much weeds in the water. I know that location has that issue around the moons but I’ve still caught a few fish last season on the west sides of the jetty’s. When I arrived it was 9PM, and Avi was done. It was too dark to give fluke a shot so I changed game plans by taking the 11’ out for bass. I gave it thirty minutes before getting sent back to my truck by the weeds…Time for plan B.

I knew of a spot close by thanks to Joe that was holding a plethora of bait two weeks ago. This same wind should have the same affect but give the bait less room to escape. The onset of this storm should also have the barometer dropping making the fish go on the feed. This Back Bay has good “hard structure”, and moderate current to use small jigs even though I’ve caught snappers and Joe lost a nice bass all on the SP Minnow in the same spot this season. I get to the spot trying my best not to spook the fish…as soon as I cleared the brush I’m greeted by a large splash! Yes fish are here. I took a few minutes to note what direction the current was moving, and what type of bait was here so I could decide what to cast. I already knew of one type from my last trip hear but the second type of bait was clear from my time spent on the Western North Shores…that style of evasive maneuvers are only done by peanuts. I started casting ¾, 1, 1 ½, 2oz bucktails with gulp/rind combo, SP, 4” shad, 5” heavy weighted bunker color shad, Tsunami talking popper, tension lure, needle fish, darter, hell I even put my DMag Lures 6” metal lip swimmer in the water for not a tap. From 10:30 to 1:30 the sound of sucking, tail slap efforts to daze bait, thumps, the sound of bait breaching, and even the sight of the wake fish were making as they chased bait was a torment to me and the guy that showed up with his girl thirty minutes before I left. This guy was casting a small jig head with a pink bass master like soft bait. I’m told bass are even harder to catch when they are on small bait. By the time I got to my truck and drove by where he decided to park he was gone. I guess I wasn’t the only one that got skunked!!!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 07/21/2015 16:26 PM

Story Date: 07/23/2015 0:44 AM

Location: Brooklyn NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I was in the mood to be on the water for sunset casting lures after work Tuesday. I don’t usually get to fish sunset’s I always catch the sunrise on the water. With the onset of a storm I knew the barometer would be falling, and that usually make fish go on the feed…just like us humans when a big snow storm is approaching we flock to the supermarkets to make sure we have food to eat if things get bad. Fish have the same frame of mind when a storm is approaching so I went to a bay where I’m sure big striped bass was just caught two weeks or so ago. I figured I check to see if the fish are still hanging back or just enjoy and evening casting my tension lure, and see if I can get a low light strike.

As I’m walking the path to the water’s edge I couldn’t help capturing the forming, and passing clouds so I took this photo…at the end of the path I spotted the bunker school! I was a bit puzzled that the other two anglers seem to pay them no mind…I got my snag out and began trying to hook one so I can deploy the “snag and drop” method that V, and Lou has been doing so well on…that didn’t work out so well for me. When the school got within range I snagged and dropped the bunker. About twenty minutes later I felt a quick tap on the line and that’s all. I thought maybe I just got cut off but a lift of the rod and my snag is still there. Five minutes later I reel in to check on my bunker and it’s gone. Bluefish had to be the culprit because the tap felt too fast for a bass. I know Bass hits to feel like a drawing type of hit or hard tap. After that I went back to casting lures for no hits…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 06/27/2015 1:59 AM

Story Date: 07/06/2015 3:12 AM

Location: Long Island NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
On this trip my buddy Joe and I had it in our heads to fish together but we both wanted to fish a different section of the same water with only four miles between us. At the spot where Joe went I have caught there last season after I got some curtail Intel from Tom. Tom herd about what Nassau county finest told me while I was suiting up “make this your first and last time you fish hear” I told the officer the town office said I can fish as long as the life guards were not on duty. Tom told me where to park, and what moon phases (full) to avoid fishing there due to the weed that seem to kill the bite. I never show up to fish that spot until Tom is catching…Tom let us know he caught and the weed situation is minimal. That was Joe’s motivation to fish in Tom’s backyard.

I wanted to fish the jetty and an inlet I have caught on last season as well. I wanted to fish the smaller jetties at night and the inlet for sunrise that was only a mile apart going west. The parking situation is a bit tricky as well because you need to be a resident of the town…last season’s ticket taught me well. I found out if I park in front of the hotel there is no way of knowing I am not a guest of the hotel unless you see me suiting up and that’s why I arrived at 3AM. We both had excellent conditions that we tossed our whole surf bags at for not a tap. I covered the most ground and all I saw for the entire morning into the early afternoon was one cocktail bluefish a guy caught on clam of all things smh…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 06/12/2015 21:03 PM

Story Date: 06/16/2015 6:48 AM

Location: Montauk NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
This was the first night I fished the surf of Montauk. This stretch of the south side was by far the most intimidating area I have ever fished. It was pitch black due to the phase of the moon at waning crescent, light fog, and it was 1AM in the morning. I'm used to having some light coming from the city lights that most of the western south shore beaches have. But this is Montauk aka The End one of the most extreme places to fish. I actually felt a bit of fear come over me and I‘m not the fearful type.
The causes of all these feelings were due to the fact that people have died fishing hear, I was alone then, it was too dark, the sound of the water rushing over the hard structure told me boulders were close, and I was so close to the bluff that if a piece of the earth should come down I would be done…these are the things that went through my mind as I’m trying to get an idea of what type of water/structure I was casting my heavy weighted shad into. All I could feel was rocks and a type of weed/cabbage I never seen in the west…I had enough of this, and I refused to lose a lure so I went east to find some structure I was a bit more use to.
Once I found it I was rewarded almost instantly! As soon as I put the lure I’ve always caught bass with on I had a hookup on my first cast. The hit was a common striper hit that surprised me at first. But what I felt next on my 9’ Prevail/Pursuit II 5000 told me this was a good fish…big tail pumps with each Zip….Zip….Zip….Zip….of the drag that I might have had set too tight. Only a bass would do this in an effort to get away. After the forth pump the upgraded/modified Blue Marcel floating SP Minnow was free of its hook set…almost had my first Montauk Stripped Bass on my first attempt. That would’ve been epic Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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Catch Date: 06/04/2015 16:08 PM

Story Date: 06/08/2015 2:44 AM

Location: Breezy Point NY

Category: Skunked

Fishing Report:
I had the chance to bait fish with Justin on the wall after work on Thursday. First time fishing with him this season and we had a chance to catch up. Justin has it made being able to walk 100 feet to the wall and fish when he pleases. I’ve fished across the bay and down the way plenty of times not knowing he lives there. We didn’t catch anything other than dog fish but I still enjoyed fishing with a friend. I didn’t want to stay out too late with work the next day so packed it in when Justin did the same…Skunked!

Posted By:

Shaka Antoine
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