Shinnecock Star - Hampton Bays
March 31, 1999
(516)728-4563
Capt. John Capuano
So far this year flounder season has been a hard pick, so my expectations were not very high when I headed out on Wednesday morning. I could tell you about once upon a time...long, long ago when I was four and the flounder would jump right into my bucket when I whistled to them...but you probably don't want to hear about it!
Off I went to Shinnecock with my one and only son, Michael. We joked the night before about how we were going to kill those puppies and laughed at each other. I woke Michael up at 4:30 AM...a real joy...if you've ever had to get a 9 year old up that early, you know that it can be a religious experience...the Return of the Zombie, Part II! So I had my camera bag, rod and Mike over my shoulder and off we went. No traffic at that hour, or so I thought. So, as usual I'm late...I hate being late for anything. I was even late at birth, because I wanted to watch one more series of the Honeymooners before I popped out.
Anyway, the crowd all laughed as they gave us those last minute jokes..."you're so special, think the boat waited just for you?!" Got on the boat and instantly we were on flounder...badda bing! Yes oh yes baby! My son was on, I was on...fish to my right, fish to my left...this is flounder fishing! They were hitting the "bump-bump-drag-to-the-side-ever-so-slowly-and-lift". I had a great time and so did my son Michael. I loved the boat and the mate. Capt. Capuano is a real character with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor to boot. I think I met my match! A Captain needs a sense of humor to deal with all you psycho fishermen every day.
Michael and I easily caught over 20 keepers and threw back some shorties. The boat left at 7AM and we were back by 12 noon...I like it! The weather was perfect. Now if I can only go to sleep like normal people at a normal time...three hours sleep seems to be my norm lately...I'm a true fishaholic! This boat get's my four stars for a great family boat and a fisherman's sharpie boat...great attitude...great fun...and the fish don't hurt either!
P.S. The reason for this season's slow start is water temperature. Welcome to reality, we just had a week of real springtime weather. The waters beyond the gates at Shinnecock are 50 degrees and the flounder are more agreeable to bite. The water in the Great South Bay, Raritan and Sheepshead Bay are coming up. The fishing should open up better in the next few days to come.
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