We had a very different sort of charter today.  A film crew from the British Broadcasting Company flew “across the pond” to film a piece on the New England Fisheries.  The 3 members of the film crew started out on one of the Mass State Fisheries Research vessels, while we had the rest of the crew.  They filmed several haul-backs both from the vessel while we shot the operations from the Laura-Jay.  Really interesting process and a fun day.  Definately different than our regular trips.

Looking forward to getting a copy of the video as well as the still shots.  We got right up under the doors of the dragger for the haul-backs – I think those are going to be some great pics.

Last season we had a French travel show shoot a segment on Striper fishing, early this year the BBC, –  wondering what’s coming next?

Good Luck,

Captain Don

The guys from The SaltwaterEdge organized a trip for some of their customers and staff yesterday – good time and a group of really good fisherman. 
Everybody went tight on the first drop and it stayed that way all morning.  Stayed a couple miles outside the fleet and had ridiculous fishing all by ourselves. Limited out early on cod, and had 15 or so good sized pollock in there too. 

Pt Jude Joe of Pt Jude lures sent us some prototypes of his new tuna jig to try out – good stuff. When my father (who pretty well defines “old school”) says those things are working better than the pipes, – I figuere it’s a winner.

Don’s out there now with another group – good luck all.

We’ve decided to roll something new out for this season – Night-time Striper Trips.

In the past, we’ve only run our charters during the day and left the night-time fishing for ourselves (especially during commercial season).  But we thought we would try these trips on a limited basis, as the fishing is often fantastic, and its a great opportunity to target some truely special fish. 

So here are a few of the details:

These trips will be done with Captain Jay, as Don says he has no interest doing a 3rd trip each day (j/k dad).  These trips will leave Sandwich at 7:00 pm and return at approximately 12 midnight.  Trips will be limited to only 4 anglers, and we will using primarily live bait (I will have the boat fully stocked with eels).  All tackle will be provided, and we will have a mate on board as always to assist in every way.  Alcohol will be extremely limited on these trips – no more than 2 beers per person – night fishing is not the time to mess around.  We will also be extremely vigilant in watching the weather, and although the captain will still make the determinations on weather cancellations, we will not be sailing in any rough conditions. 

I’m excited for these trips, as I think it will be a great time for experienced anglers who are looking for a new challenge this season.  Give us a call and check your moon schedule, as the new moon nights in June are open right now – but I’m sure they won’t be for long!

Good luck out there,

-Captain Jay Cianciolo

Captain Don is spending the Weekend at the World Fishing and Outdoor Exposition at the Rockland County Community College in Suffern, NY.  I just got off the phone with him, and he said it’s ridiculously busy and sounds like he’s losing his voice already – I’ll take that as a good sign for business.

Sounds like a great show, and I wish I was there.  Don does too because I backed out at the last minute and he’s on his own now.  Not happy with me.

Stop by if you’re in the are, it’s supposed to be a great show with a ton of vendors with all of this seasons new gear.

-Jay

Hi everyone,

This week we’re launching our new website for the 2010 fishing season.  Many thanks to Mike Grimm from SFC Designs for the great work that he’s done for us.

This newer site is not only more modern looking, but is designed to be completely interactive.  In the past, we have not exactly been diligent (monster understatement) in keeping up with the fishing reports.  Even though I’ve always said if we’re out catching fish, we probably don’t have time to play with the computer – we’re going to change that for this season.  This new site will not only let us make quick updates on the reports, but also publish pictures, videos, and a series of instructional articles as well. 

We’re looking forward to a great 2010 and really having some fun with the new functionality that this site will give us.

Good Luck out there,

Captain Don

Tuna Fishing on Stellwagon is showing no signs of slowing down, as a matter of fact it is really picking up. This time of year the fish are really on the feed as they need to pack on weight for their long winter migration. The weather is our biggest obstacle, as the days to get out there are limited, but well worth it when we can make the trip.

Wednesday (Oct 21) we took my friend Chis who is the computer guru at the SaltwaterEdge out to find his first tuna. Set up at PHill to start, but got a cell call from another charterboat that was on a good bite a few miles to the north. Got up there, but unfortunately the show was over by the time we arrived- happens.
Dead till slack, worked back down the bar, and then as soon as the tide stopped the life started again. Baited two pods, not joy on the first, but on the second we had fish up on both long riggers. Port got tight and Chris did a nice job on his first tuna. Only about 75lbs, but a perfect first fish.
Broke out the spinning rods for the run home, and got a couple shots with the seadogs right tight to the beach, but no love — all in all, a fun easy day.

Thursday we had a real short weather window, but got out there early right to the #’s of Wednesdays morning bite. Plan worked, got tight immediately as I was putting the 3rd rig in. Cool hit as the fish took an 18″ squid bar right in the wash. 54-55″ nice and round.
Got the spread back out, and the fish went wild busting around the boat, and we had a whole bunch up in the spread. Got bit with a good one -got down into the backing a ways on the first run, but we came unbuttoned — Stuff happens. Good crew, good time.
Took off when the wind came up, and we were sitting at the bar in Hemispheres in time for lunch.

Fun couple of stress free days. Back there on the next weather window, unless the chatham bite gets going again, and then I’m packing a lunch.

The tuna should be here in good numbers until mid-November, and even then there will be some fish around after everyone stops looking for them.

Good luck out there,

Captain Don and the Laura-Jay Crew