I was going to PM Jackson but figured I'll throw it out in case others have some input. A friend and I want to do some local Blackfishing this Friday ( weather permitting ). I was wondering if anyone knows how the season is going for blackfish ( and sea bass ) abouts now. We'd most likely go out of Port Jeff but if South Shore is better, we'd consider it.
Fishing
- Thread starter jejton
- Start date
Friday is calling for NW winds 15-20kt gusting to 25kt. That will give you 2-3ft seas on the south shore, more of a chop. Pretty comfortable conditions for this time of year. I don't know how the boats are doing on the north shore within the last week, but I can tell you that the south shore bite is hot. It all depends on who you fish with. If you get on a party boat like the Ocean Eagle from Sheepshead Bay or any other party boat you should definitely buy some white crabs from the tackle store. That wll make a HUGE difference in your catch. If you hop on a few of the local charters you are pretty much guranteed to catch but you'll pay for it, as you know.
LMK how you make out.
Good Luck!
LMK how you make out.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the advice Rich. If we go out of the south shore, can you recommend anything? Any idea of North Shore conditions? The main issue is we have to be back in SB by 3ish. I dont mind picking up some white crabs but will have to do some research to find them in the area.
- Location
- Rego Park, Queens
Check Nor Easter....reports have been pretty good for the Sound also...sometimes you can even get bigger fish on the Sound. As for bait...In Queens, the Asian markets carry green crabs for $1.99/lb, and rock/Jonah crabs for $1.25/lb....I believe those are the "white" crabs, in a larger version. I also read references to "asian" crabs being successful...but I don't know what species they are...I'm hoping to hit the Sound on the North Fork over Thanksgiving, for blues and bass...if any are left after this cold snap. In previous Thanksgivings, I've hit lots of big blues...I've also had times when my frozen bunker was still frozen after half an hour in the water....
So I checked the local Port Jeff boats. $75/head! I'd have thought prices would have returned to normal after gas prices went down. I have to see now if my friend is still up for going. I've been on the Captree Princess before and really liked the crew and boat and their price is more reasonable. The problem is they get back at 3 which means I wont be back in SB at 4.
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Go on the Ocean Eagle in Sheepshead Bay. I believe it's $50 per person but you pay for rigs and white crabs. Bring your own hooks and lead if you want to save money. Stella Maris tackle store in sheepshead usually has white crabs for sale. Don't buy the monster white crabs in the chinese fish stores. The smaller, softer shell types is what the fish want.
Ok Rich are you playing a joke on me? I just called a bait shop and asked if he carries crabs. He said he has green crabs. I asked about white crabs. He started chuckling and hung up on me! Another one said he doesnt know anyone who carries white crabs but he did tell me that the report for tomorrow is NW 15-20 knot winds for the Sound. Stupid question, is that bad?
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- Location
- Rego Park, Queens
Sounds pretty bad....aside from feeling miserable, its hard to hold bottom with a rocking boat. Experts know how to shift the rod as the boat rocks...they can still do well. Amateurs, like me when it comes to blackfishing, have trouble, and the bait moves up and down.....
Ended up going on the Celtic Quest ( Pt Jeff ) 7-3 pm trip. It was pretty full as there was a private party of about 12-15 on an employee trip but they were fun and kept to one side of the boat. Pretty much everyone ( except for that group since they were more interested in drinking and joking around ) limited out on 'tog. The weather was beautiful. Very weak wind for most of the trip, almost no swells. At times, if we were in the sun, we could even take off our jackets. The weather started getting worse towards the end but by then we already had a great trip. Would definately recommend the boat. Anyone have good blackfish recipes? How about a better way of getting the smell out of my hands? I've relied on lemon juice rubs and rubbing with a lot of soap for a few days but I was wondering if there was a faster way.
Killerdrgn
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Park Ridge, NJ
ginger works well to get out fish smell too. But you'd have to cut up a bunch of slices and boil it in a bit of water, and then wash your hands in it (when it cools down a bit mind you)
- Location
- port washington, ny
i use gojo to get the smell out..
blackfish smell like roses compared to a night after cutting up bunker chunks
blackfish smell like roses compared to a night after cutting up bunker chunks
- Location
- Forest Hills
how was the catch? any sea bass n sizes?
- Location
- Rego Park, Queens
The last time I caught a decent blackfish....and it was over a decade ago! (but I won the pool with a 6 lb'er...), I baked it in the oven with tomatoes, basil, and a little feta cheese. I think its good in any recipe you would use for cod....or seabass filet...now seabass...that's a fish to eat!
Oh sorry I thought I wrote it - I limited out ( 4 togs ) as did my buddy. I dont know the sizes. The smallest was almost 15" and my largest was probably 20". The guy next to me was reeling them in like crazy and only wanted a couple so the mates were taking his bins to distribute fish to people who didnt catch any. As we're heading back to dock I realize my bin is missing! They accidentally took mine but luckily they didnt finish distrubiting the other guys fish and were able to give me four replacements. As for weight, I'm no good at estimating and didnt have a pool contender so no clue.
There were no other fish caught - sea bass, robins, etc. The mate told me the sea bass bite has been dead on the north shore. I'm hoping to go out for cod sometime after Thanksgiving.
There were no other fish caught - sea bass, robins, etc. The mate told me the sea bass bite has been dead on the north shore. I'm hoping to go out for cod sometime after Thanksgiving.
- Location
- Rego Park, Queens
The seabass pretty much disappear after October...move into deeper water. The long distance wreck trips will get you to them in the colder months. last year, even the short trip boats out of Sheepshead Bay and Howard Beach were getting cod.
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