North Fork Finale

With Thanksgiving being next week, the fishing season is rapidly winding down for me. However, Thanksgiving time is eagerly awaited by my fishing crew and I, since it is the time when we usually catch the largest blackfish of the season. For the last five years I have caught blackfish from 11-12 lbs around "Turkey Day".

It is a tradition amongst my group to close our North Fork season with as many trips as we can squeeze in right around the end of November.

Today's trip on the Nancy Ann was a memorable one. The weather gods smiled on us with gentle winds and the day was overcast. We were armed with plenty of green and hermit crabs and we had some of the best blackfishermen I know on the boat.

I anticipated that we would head for a deep water wreck in Long Island Sound. But, due to it being just after the new moon, the tides would be too strong to effectively fish the wreck. We headed out and steamed through Plum Gut, heading west into the Sound.

We ran for almost a hour to the first spot in about 70 feet of water. The tide was flooding and 10-12 ounce sinkers were needed. We had a solid pick of fish from 3-6 lbs., with many legal fish put back to grow. The bite slowed as the tide went high slack. The Captain re-anchored the boat when the tide began to ebb.

For the next hour, the bite was furious with many large tog caught. At least 10 fish over nine pounds came over the rail. Not to be outdone, "Screaming Reel" Dave Richichi went to work. When the smoke cleared, Dave had filled a bushel basket with 4-6 lb blackfish and topped it of with a fish of almost 12 lbs. Some fish!!!

By 12:30 in the afternoon, the outgoing tide really started to crank and 20 ounce sinkers were needed to stay in the strike zone. At 1 PM we decided to pack it in and "head for the barn," Final tally was just about everyone limiting out, with many fish released.

I have one more trip scheduled on the Friday of the Thanksgiving Weekend. I am praying that the weather gods will continue to smile upon us and give us one more shot at these fish.

Tight Lines and Happy Thanksgiving, Al Goldberg