We were underway for about a half an hour when the vessel left the bay and hit the open waters. It soon became apparent that it was going to be a long, tough day chasing the Blues. The sea was angry as the steady winds howled, and gusts out of the east exceeded 20 mph. The swells were rolling and grew larger and larger as we headed deeper into the open waters of the Atlantic. We were about half way to the fishing grounds when AnglerBob began chucking over the side. Nevertheless, he kept rigging up the poles as the fishing grounds drew nearer. Finally, the boat stopped and fishing began. An hour went by before anyone had a touch. Then, the welcomed shout of "One on" was heard as a young fisherman began fighting a Blue. He was up to the challenge and when brought aside the boat, the fish was gaffed and lifted aboard. It looked to be in the 8-10 lb. range. Then AnglerBob had a hit. He battled the fish for a couple of minutes, but his drag had loosened and he was not gaining ground on the fish. He paused for a second to adjust the drag, that was all the opportunity the powerful fish needed. With a quick burst of speed and a sudden 180 degree change in direction, he created a slack line and spit the hook. The battle ended abruptly with the fish being the victor. A short while later AnglerKen had one on, but this fish also wasn't about to jump on board. As Ken got the fish alongside the boat, the fish made one last super surge to the depths. He was strong enough to snap the line and another one had gotten away.

     It now 11:00 AM and AnglerBob wasn't the only one donating his breakfast to the sea. Many were ill and were either chumming off the side or headed inside to sleep it off. Still, for AnglerBob and company the fishing continued. Bites were few and far between. Only the heavy hitters in the rear of the boat, using hole mackerel available to only the mates& insiders, were pulling anything aboard. Angler Ken had another hit, but this time the fish managed to spit the hook and get away, once again Ken came up empty. We switched from bait (mackerel and bunker) to diamond jigs and back again with no success. The captain tried a few different spots, but the fishing never picked up. The clouds never broke, and the winds never abated. By 1:30 P.M. the captain announced over the loud-speaker that he had "Overturned every stone" with no success and that it was useless to continue. We headed back to shore with only nine fish landed, two by paying customers. Not one of AnglerBob's crew were able to land a Blue.

     We docked and the boat quickly emptied as the ill were ecstatic to get their feet once again on solid ground. As I was leaving the boat I was surprised that none of the mates were handing out any receipts. Usually, when a boat gets virtually "skunked", the captain authorizes a small incentive to return (sometimes as much as 1/2 fare return trip tickets) to those who have braved the elements. I have also been on Sheepshead Bay boats that gave $5 or $10-off tickets even after a good catch. I went upstairs to ask the captain what his policy is on days like today. He responded that at over $3.00 a gallon for gas, he discontinued that practice. I reminded him that when gas was $1.50, the fare was only $20 or $25 for the day, not the $45 that it is today. He said we all lose on a day like today. I walked away feeling that the fares were only welcome to pay for the gas so the boat could go out and the crew could fish to sell their catch to the merchants. I understand that the boats exist for profit, but I firmly believe that if you take care of your customers, everything else takes care of itself. Unfortunately, I've been taken care of much better elsewhere.

PS: First time I've ever been skunked out of Sheepshead Bay in over 30 years of fishing.

Until next time, "To Tight Lines & Good Times"

AnglerBob