"Take it to the Edge"
The Viking Starship - Montauk
by George Jehn
August 8, 1999
(516) 668-5700
When the deep water Canyon party boat fishery began in earnest in the northeast United States approximately fifteen years ago, one of the first party boats to offer these trips was the Montauk-based Viking Starship. Captain Steven Forsberg subsequently developed many of the techniques for this entirely new offshore party boat fishery. He experimented with different approaches from the outset and was responsible for the reputation of the Viking Starship as one of the preeminent tuna party boats. Many of his discoveries have now become the standard -- from fishing all night, to the unique 1998 season party boat trolling techniques. Another great angler, Captain Rich Castellano has joined Captain Steve and together they have embarked upon yet another first.
On August 30th of this year the one hundred and forty-foot Viking Starship will be conducting the first ever three-day party boat fishing expedition to the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Of course, the successful outcome of the trip is contingent upon the weather cooperating at the outset. According to the most recent satellite data, the Gulf Stream is presently running approximately one hundred and eighty miles southeast of Montauk. So the sailing time from Montauk to this fishing area for the Starship will be approximately eighteen hours, quite a trek for any boat. But if you can take fish like those contained in the photos from previous Viking Canyon trips, the potential rewards certainly make the time enroute worthwhile.
Steven and Rich's brainchild was the result of some excellent fishing they encountered in this area while returning the boat to Montauk from Puerto Rico. On that trip they caught quite a few tuna, wahoo, marlin and mahi-mahi (dolphin fish). And hopefully on the August 30th trip anglers will be in for this same kind of action, with perhaps even a sailfish showing up.
The boat will be leaving the Montauk Point, New York dock at 3 AM on Monday, August 30th and returning on the afternoon of September 1st. Right now the plan is to troll as well as fish with bait. There is still some room available on this trip. So if the potential for tuna, marlin, wahoo and the like makes your blood run fast and you are interested in being in on a unique, first-of-its-kind trip, oil up your stand-up gear and get ready for a spine tingling "trip to the edge."
The staff of screamingreel.com wish Steve and Rich only the best on their unrivaled fishing expedition. Dave will be fishing with them on this trip, and ScreamingReel.com will be the first to provide you with an update on the outcome. But if history is any indicator, it will be a resounding success.
Reservations are required. You can give the Viking fleet a call at (516) 668-5700 and they will fill you in on all the details.