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12/27/08
Aren't we fortunate to have a man like Lee Crockett, director of the Federal
Fisheries Policy Reform Project for the PEW Environmental group looking out for our
best interest! I'll make this as short as possible. Mr. Crockett, in all his devine
wisdom has noted the success of the moratorium that was placed on the Striped Bass
for 10 years..may have the same effect for the Summer Flounder...Does this guy
realize we have just had one of the best Fluke seasons in years, maily due to our
sacrifices over the past few years! We have gone from a 14 inch fish all the way to
17 inches and 19 1/2 in New York, the whole time the stock has been rebuilding...if
it wasn't, us, nor the commercial guys would be catching crap! Anyway, my point is
this...when a moratorium was placed on the Stripers...there were, NO_STRIPERS! Yes,
it was needed, but we also had other things to fish for to take up the slack. As a
matter of fact back then Party boats didn't have to fish for Stripers, it was more
of a Charter boat fishery. We had plenty of Whiting, ling, tuna, Sea Bass and
Porgies to keep us going. Here we have the fish, so many that the commercial guys
got shut down early and placed on daily limits!!! What the hell is going on? Common
Mr. Crockett, I'm sure your an educated man, you know the true deal here, have some
guts and admit what's really going on....people will have more respect for you and
what you do..TRUST ME! Unless, putting people out of business is your agenda and
what you where hired to do???????? capt.ron
09/29/07
09/28/07
09/19/07
06/25/07
05/19/06
10/23/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Decided today would be the last trip for 2008....After bouncing around
inshore, offshore back inshore trying to put a catch together, for us, the fat lady
has sung. Managed 5 nice keepers and some shorts on way to many stops....Lots of
bait around, herring, mackerall, Sand eels and today, Bunkers.
Thought we would make it till the New Year, I just don't think it's worth it. Thanks
to all who have fished with us and thanks to those who enjoy reading my posts...hope
you don't go through winter withdrawl!!!!
Dr. Sal is the Big Bass pool winner for the fall beating out Anchor Joe by 6
ounces!!!! Congrads Sal on a very nice fish....See you in April...Capt. Ron
12/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had no idea what to expect today after not sailing since last Tuesday. Headed
down the beach with the binoculars going, the radar fine tuned, looking for bird
life. The fish finder was blank with the exception of a small shot of bait here and
there. Got to the rocks (inshore) to start, saw one tiny mark, stopped and caught
nothing. Ran offshore a bit and found some better bait life in a tide streak..Jon
Devlin caught a short, thought to myself at least we have a pool fish. Ran offshore
to some deeper water, caught a couple hering and a small mackrell. Kept in contact
with Capt.Bob from the Gambler who looked South, then headed North, with basically
the same results I was having.
By 12:30 I was planning on what to do with the rest of my days off for the begining
of 2009..Headed back to the west and pulled the last Rabbit of the year outta the
hat! Gannets hitting the water, readings 10 to 15 ft thick off the bottom!! Exactly
where we had left earlier. Had a good hour bite that produced Rocco's 2 keepers
including a beautifull 20pound fish for the pool. Dave also had 2 keepers along with
10 shorts for High hook. 9 nice keeper fish all together. So what I thought would be
the swan song turns out to be "Can't wait till tomorrow!" Saturdays
weather looks good, but from Sunday on, not so promissing....Saturday looks like it
will be it! Hope one of the guys that were out today could post the pic of Roccos
fish, as I left the camera home with all the holiday pics!!! Capt.Ron
12/15/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Wish I could have taken half of today and gave it back to yesterday!! Went
back to where we didn't catch them yesterday...gannets, bait and loads of fish to
keep us busy. Very nasty though with the hard south wind. Don't think anyone really
cared as the bite was on. Got better as the tide changed and wind picked up!!!
Couple guys had 3 keepers some had 2 and a few had none. The 27 inch fish are the
perfect size now for eating, and we have to toss them back, what a joke. Caught a
keeper cod on the second drift of the day. Dave was the hot man with 4 keepers and
the pool at 16 pounds. Tom and Jerry Krako combined for over 40 fish, with Jerry
getting the keepers...sorry Tom! Nice to put the fat lady back in the box
today...Capt.ron Sorry guys, some of the pics just didn't come out...gotta get a new
photographer.
12/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 3 days tied to the dock I felt like a caged animal waiting to get out
and fish. Today was the day I waited for all season. Made it to the Rocks and plenty
of bird life, first drift had a good shot of shorts and 1 keeper. Got nuts and ran
for what I thought would be bigger fish..gannets hitting the water is normally the
key!! Stopped the boat and in 2 minutes had 8 fish on, the first one made me crazy,
a new big pool fish caught by Dr. Sal at 24 pounds (sorry Joe maybe Monday). Rob and
I didn't put the nets down for 20 minutes...Got about an hour and a half out of the
bite before the outgoing killed everything. Bird life went, bait and fish
dissapeared, didn't matter as we had ours! Looked back inshore, up to the North and
never caught another fish. Mortgage Man Eric, Tom, Jim, Sal, fabien, just about
everyone on the boat had thier limit.....Only problem, TRY TOO REPEAT IT TOMORROW!!
Capt.ron
12/9/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Great morning on the dock, no wind, temps were perfect for December. The
Ocean, that was a totally differen't story!!! Left the dock with that magic 9 number
again and headed South to the Rocks...the further south, the larger the holes
became! Finally arrived only to put the pulpit under on a big one. Never saw a bird,
never read a fish. Turned around and headed back up the beach, was going to give
everyone their money back and call it a day, but the defiant one in me said
no...found some life around Ambrose, the 2nd fish in the boat was a keeper, now I
new we had to give it hell....It wasn't pretty with the outgoing but the guys hung
in there picking away. By 1:30 we finally had a decent incoming with the breeze, a
nice patch of life finally showed and we proceeded to kick butt!! Tom Krako had his
two for the second trip in a row. Ron Solin got the pool fish, a very nice 14
pounder. Half a dozen keepers and countless shorts for the action. Still rock'in,
don't know if it's from the Sea or that special gift given to me by Paul Smitko!!!
Thanks guys, your the best!! Capt.ron
12/8/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only 2 Striper boats out today, myself and Capt. Mike on the Gambler...Headed
south as my deckhand Chris had the day off and played scout for me. Got a call that
the sky was black with birds off Sea Bright. Headed down with our 9 fares to kick
some butt!! Could see the life in the radar from 6 miles away, the anticipation was
killing me wanting to be there now! Naturally as we got there it was the end of the
tide! Had a shot of some small fish, worked off to deeper water, NG. Had to run
further South to the next good shot of life..Very good action for the rest of the
morning. Mostly short fish, but we did box a handfull of keepers. Landscaper Billy
had his 2 keepers in the AM. Ran back to the North as the bite died and found some
good life around Scotland.....Good ole' Bert put on a fishing show landing 3 keepers
plus his 16 pound pool fish to finish out the day. Anchor Joe got his limit and
Billy had a shot at 2 beauties, but they unfortunatly spit the hook....almost looked
like the fish Hammer lost 2 days ago!! Very cold in the AM and we made a ton of Ice
on the way out...it doesn't get any better than this!!! Capt.ron
12/6/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Changed the itinerary for today, only because I knew the traffic to the south
would be tough to deal with. Headed East in the AM. Stopped on some good bird life,
but not reading too much in the way of fish, no matter where we went, knew we were
in trouble!! The reports from down South didn't sound good at all, so we kept
heading EAST!! Made it to Deb's inlet stopping on scattered life with only a few
short fish and a whole bunch of Dogfish...Came back to the channels and caught the
change of tide, started out with a couple fish on readings, a few small patches of
birds started to work. At 1:45 time to go home, all hell broke loose!! Tom Krako had
the largest fish I have seen this season, 30 plus, right to the boat, fish took a
final dive, and that was it, hook pulled and that $1,000 big fish pool swam away!!!
Great action, ended up with a dozen or so nice keepers and a bunch of happy
fishermen. Mike Gasparetti, Lopatcong Twsp. had the pool fish at 16 pounds, his
second in a row. Some tough weather coming, but hey, aren't striper guys supposed to
be tougher?? Capt.ron
12/5/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good morning action with mostly short fish going back, plenty of bird life
and readings tight to the bottom. Couldn't squeeze the tails hard enough on some of
those 27's so they went back also. Was hopeing the change of tide would bring the
hot action like yesterday but the bite went to hell. An odd fish here and there.
Ended the day with plenty of shorts, some blues and 5 keepers. Great day on the
water despite the call for 20 knot winds (which Again, never happened) That's three
days this week I've gotten burned...who can I sue??? With the great weather forecast
(finally) for tomorrow, doubt we'll be able to fish were we have been all week. Have
to search for some new life and hopefully bigger fish in the AM. Couple weeks left,
can't beleave another season is about to pass, my life is flashing before my eyes!!!
Thanks Major John for that excellant birthday presant, as you can tell by this
report...it's working well. Capt.Ron
12/4/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
: Gail force wind, gusts to 35, the end of the world my #$S!!!! Little snotty
going out this morning, pretty good roll going down the beach and in the channels.
Still found the bird life despite being the only bass boat out along with 3 charter
boats and 1 bottom boat. Had a slow pick most of the morning. Ocean, weather and the
bite got 100% better after the change of tide. A handfull of keepers with plenty of
shorts to finish out a beautifull day. Forgot to mention yesterdays 80 to 100 pound
Tuna we had hooked up. Fish took off, burned the hell outta the guys thumb trying to
stop it, and proceeded to take just about all of his line before he broke it off!!
Saw 4 fish the same size come completly out of the water chasing after the heering,
very cool to see nature at it's finest!!!! Capt. Ron
12/3/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
We are still Striper fishing!!!! Trying to get this 12/02 post changed, as I
did not write it!! Excellant fishing yesterday on big fish. Today was a different
story with smaller fish and a tough bite no matter where we went!! STRIPERS not
BLACKFISH.....capt.ron
12/2/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Waited patiently the past 2 weeks tossing back hundreds of non-keepers, today was the day!! Started out in the bird life down the beach, had 3 keepers on the first drift with mostly smaller ones coming in. Bite was hot till slack water, when things slowed to a pick. Made some long drifts getting shots of bass and blues. Moved off too deeper water after the change and glad we did, the first 2 fish in the boat were 25 and 24 pounds!! Huge area of Gannets got the blood boiling and the bite was on again!! 3 of us had the nets going for the last hour and a half of the day. Best fall fishing day of the season so far!! Can't wait till tomorrow....Capt.ron
11/28/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very suprised at the roll in the ocean today after yesterdays calm sea!! Not
as much bird life as the past week but we did catch fish. Had life in the channels
out East and down the beach. Not many keepers though as 95 percent of the fish went
back! Starting to notice many guys using setups with teasers, did someone wright an
article on it and now that's how we fish??? This is probably the most dangerous
situation on a Party boat. Guys swinging short fish, someone is gonna get nailed,
not to mention when the bigger fish are biting, the crew is tied up with the
net...This isn't mackeral fishing and you don't have to catch 2 at a
time....Remember it's my ASS your gonna want to sue when you get hooked. So Please,
let's get back to normal setups, one fish at a time. The guy next to you may not be
so understanding when he gets a hook in the head! It's a bad situation. Thanks for
your understanding...Capt. Ron
11/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Stayed local all day today!! Bird life and the bite got better as the tide
started to run...Plenty of Stripers, just not alot of keepers...if we only had the
slot fish back!! Saw more bluefish action as we got closer to the channel....Watched
in amazment as Fireman John landed 8 bass then not realizing he had a bluefish,
actually lipped the sucker to take it off!!! Good thing when the sucker chomped down
he didn't try to pull his finger out...10 minutes later it was a hook in the other
hand...past the barb!! The pain and the blood didn't keep him from fishing, for that
you get two thumbs up John!!! Huge area of fish so far this fall, North, East and
South down the beach. Only hope some of the bigger fish show in the next two
weeks...Sailing every day 7:30AM. Capt.ron
11/24/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant action again today on the jigs. Life just about everywhere you
looked...Fall fishing at it's finest. Had readings 15 to 20 ft solid from the bottom
up at times. Many customers had well over 20 fish along with a handfull of blues and
some nice keepers to round out the day...Unfortunatly when the wind went South, the
fish closed thier mouths! Amazing how nasty it got in such a short time, felt like a
pinball in the pilot house! Miles of life dissapeared within 20 minutes. Good thing
it was at the end of the day, the guys were tired anyway! Not looking good for
Tuesday, be back at it Wednesday and off on Thanksgiving (the first one in many
years)...Capt.ron
11/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very cold and Windy day...Had a short window to fish locally with the last of
the outgoing and NW wind. Took spray and made ice on the way out, thought it was a
deadliest catch episode!!
Bird life as far as you could see, once around the hook.... good bass fishing on
more shorts than keepers with an odd Bluefish mixed in...Wind picked up even more
after the change, couldn't fish the channels anymore so we ran down the beach.
Looked inshore, just a couple fish, ran offshore and found a little life. Stayed
with it the rest of the day getting some good shots of Bass and blues....Good day
considering what we had to deal with.....Steve your pic from yesterday is attached,
you are now the Shrimp'n Bassman steve....Capt.ron
11/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Best day of the season so far with the jig fishing!!! Non-stop Action from
8:10till it was time to come home. Bass, Blues, shorts, keepers and huge bluefish
for some of the best fishing I have seen this year. Miles of birds working. Kept
hitting differen't areas looking for the keeper Bass. Shrimpman Steve had his limit
then some with all the 25 inch fish that went back...(forgot the camera on the boat
Steve, will post the pics tomorrow and send you the copies.) This is the time of
year I live for, the calendar says so, nature says so, Don't wait too long!!! Capt.
Ron
11/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
You knew it would be time when the cold weather hit. Had to get through slack
and the change of tide today, but the life showed signs of coming together sooner or
later. Several area's of bird life, butl a crazy bite though, not the hot fishing I
thought we would have, especially with the huge readings that were coming under the
boat. Storms and shads were the better setups today. A few on the jigs, plain and
with tails worked also. Tried clamming first thing in the AM but didn't have enough
current to produce any fish...not too say that wouldn't have worked, Just didn't
want to waste 2 hours to prove a point! Little breezy for tomorrow, I think it will
actually help...Capt.ron
11/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nice all day pick on the bass again today. More shorts than keepers with a
much nicer day then yesterday!! Fished the clams, tried 2 drifts at the end of the
day with jigs, just caught a couple shorts and a bluefish. Got to finally toss a
line in myself, caught a keeper (would have been the pool fish) and retired for the
day, the bones can't take the cold anymore!! Weather again looks like crap for
tomorrow, but will see what happens..you know me. Capt.ron
11/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had some gusts today that hit 46 mph!! Sustained 30 all day! Good thing we
had a tide change around 9:30 or it could have been alot uglier. Fished one drop all
day, with a nice pick of fish. Whole load of shorts with a bunch of keepers mixed
in. Ethan fishing in the bow had 11 fish including the pool. Rocco, Tom, Henry and
the boys did their usual thing, and Carmine busted them all with 3 keepers in the
box!! Like I said yesterday, we can almost always find some place to hide. Had
todays wind been Easterly, we all would have stayed in bed......Missed you Steve!!
11/14/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After catching dog fish on the bait and chasing jig fish for a week, today
the bite was on with the clams!! Had a charter with Interior Managment, unfortunatly
(for them) only 8 showed up. Left in heavy fog and once around the hook, a huge
swell. Knew the jig fishing would be very tough so we anchored up on some hard
bottom and clammed. Had fish on within 3 minutes, then, non-stop action till it was
time to come home. Nice mix of fish from tiny shorts to 4 fish that went 33 to 35
inches!! Two of the ladies had never fished before had better than 10 fish
each....Weatherman looking to kill us for the weekend. Will fish tomorrow and keep
an eye on Sunday. Gusts to 40 gets a little hairy (if we get it). Capt.ron
11/12/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
It's that time of year again, fall fishing. I find myself repeating the same
report as past years...With the huge influx of Dogfish to local waters, the bait
fishing becomes impossible. We are now fortunate enough that the jig fishing is
getting hot. Yes, many of the fish are Blues, (only until the water cools enough
that they take thier leave), but the bass are there and we catch them everyday.
Please bring the proper rods and tackle that can handle these fish, it kills me when
we have to gaff fish only to have a customer say they don't want them, gaff a 4
pound bluefish, are you kidding me!!! Hell, I can remember when guys were swinging
10 and 12 pound fish. Noodle rods don't make it, the fact that you have to walk half
way around the boat causing havoc for a 6 pound fish is not the way to go. Like I've
said in the past, we target Bass, the bass eat with the blues, if I could separate
them and only make the bass bite, I'd be rich! Right now that's not gonna happen so
please, bring heavier rods with at least 30 lb. test....swing'em and if you don't
want them, toss'em back. Today, we ended up with a barrel of fish no one wanted. One
of the best fighting fish in the ocean that gets no respect!!
Who say's I'm not an enviromentalist!!!
The jig fish have been the ticket the past few days...tried some clamming
first thing this morning..that lasted all of 10 minutes when just about everyone on
board had a dog fish on, absolutly ferroucious!!! Put the jigs on and had at it.
Non-stop action all day on every size blue fish you could imagine. Just about all
the bass were short with the exception of 4 keepers. Amazing amount of life from
Sandy hook to Seaside and beond from the reports I've heard.....Chartered Friday
Morning for the last one of the season. Capt.ron
11/07/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't sail yesterday so today was like starting over again. Decided to start
where we've been fishing for a couple weeks. Took the ride and was not happy with
the quality of the water. Two days ago it was gin clear, today with the outgoing
tide and runoff from yesterday....nasty. Fished two quick drops and never had a
bite. Got outta there fast and ran back to the North. Anchored up and had fish on
immediatly!! Shorts and keepers. Bite lasted till 11:30 with steady fishing the
whole time. Mortgage Man Eric had the hot hand today as it was his turn in the
barrel along with my dad, Hammer and Tom. Some nicer fish up to 18 pounds for the
pool. Russ Zimmer and son had 3 nice keepers also. Huge swell in the ocean didn't
effect the bite either. Chartered Saturday AM....open again on Sunday 7:30am. No
jigging for us today all bait fishing....Capt.Ron
11/04/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't have to pull the pool winner out of the hat today! After yesterdays
fishing, had to go back to having some patience and wait it out. Made several drops
picking away at shorts and just keepers. Didn't hear of anything better, so we stuck
with it....9 year old Marques was actually High hook with 3 keepers, had many of the
regs talkin to themselves today. Way too many 26 inch fish going back. Ended the day
with a last shot at jig fish, caught a few blues and some bass including the pool
fish caught by Doral, beating out that 9 year old!! Hope I still have a future after
this election! Capt.ron
11/03/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Haven't posted since Friday..as I have been reminded several times!! Saturday
we got our butts kicked with a terrible roll, tried jigging on some bird life, but
not many customers switched to the jigs, big waste of time. Only had a hand full of
fish.....The highlight of the day for me, was coming home to a suprise 50th birthday
party!! Forgot all about that tough day!
Sunday didn't fair much better, covering half the ocean clamming and jigging,
anchoring and drifting, to finally have a shot of fish at the end of the day. Way
too many shorts, but we did manage a handfull of keepers.
Today, Monday: I think I took some of the cockyness outta the Monday regs and
brought them back to reality!! Tried clamming most of the day, NG. Fished a couple
area's where the bite has been good. Drifted, anchored, hell I would have trolled if
I thought it would work....NG. Finally put the jigs on at the change of tide and
found some life in between the channels. Jigged plenty of bass, only to toss them
all back!! Every fish 24 to 27 inches!! Yes, we pulled the pool outta the hat....the
first in a long time.
Tomorrow, the 4th is my actual birthday....guess what I'm hopeing for!!!!!! Capt.ron
10/31/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good bite today, the first in 17 trips! Had to know it was gonna happen
with some new customers on the boat. Started out jigging, couldn't pass the bird
life. Only problem was the fish were wild chasing the bait, saw them rolling on top
and didn't read them on the bottom....not good. made 2 drifts caught a keeper bass
and 2 blues. Went and anchored up to take advatage of the last of the current....NG.
Took a ride to find better action, NG again, some dog fish a few shorts. Ran back to
the North where we caught a handfull of keepers and some shorts. Very tough to say
the least. Pool fish went 17 pounds. Read enough fish on the last drop, just
couldn't get them to eat....Tomorrow's another day. Capt.ron
10/30/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 2 days off, I was ready for some Bass fishing....weather report called
for some wind, but with the outgoing, new it wouldn't be a problem. Hit our first
drop only to find the current still running to the bow, we did pick at the fish,
especially the guys in the bow! High water was 8:05 and at 10:00am we still had
current running in!! Made two drops, caught some nicer fish on the second drop. Left
the area after the tide change when the bite died. Took a bit of a ride, found a
nice reading anchored up and picked away the rest of the day. Those that caught
them, caught them good, yet some guys, my Dad included, never had a bite!!! Go
figure...Tom Krako had the hot hand landing 5 nice fish including the pool fish at
19 1/2 pounds. Ron Solin had 3 along with Fireman Dave. Chief "Circle
Hook" Valentine made his usual contribution to the cause along with Paul
Smitko. Nice day of fishing. All bait as the jig fish of yesterday were no-where to
be found!! Capt.ron
10/27/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Went back to the bait fishing today and glad we did. Fished three area's that
produced for us. Many quality fish including Anchor Joes new pool leading 45
incher!! A long lean Male that barely fit in the net..Joe had his 3 keepers and kept
Mitch on his A game today with his 3. Bert and Dr. Keith also had 3. Andy also put 2
beauties in the box. Switched up between anchoring and drifting a couple times.
Great to see a nice spread of fish for October. Plenty of bait, plenty of fish,
doesn't get any better than this!!! Not one Bluefish today....go figure. Looks a
little windy for tomorrow, will see what happens in the AM. Capt. Ron
10/24/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Doesn't look good for Saturday, Had to cancel my charter! Weather, SE 20 and
gusty with rain, then Gale for the afternoon and evening.....Today we started where
we have been fishing for 14 straight days. Anchored up and proceeded to catch Horn
dogs. started out with one or two then all hell broke loose!!! Guess they moved in
overnight. Left the area to fish some old time spots. Had fish, shorts and keepers
on the first drop until we lost the tide. Got swamped by boats and in the shallow
water, this isn't gonna work. Made a move further to the South, had a couple fish
right away, got swamped again! Left that area and went offshore, jigged some of the
biggest bluefish of the season, only saw one big bass chase a lure to the top, other
than that, no takers! Plenty of action, just not the right kind. Handfull of keepers
and plenty of Blues. Back at it Sunday.....capt.ron
10/23/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Spent the day switching from Anchor to the drift...caught half a dozen
keepers on the first drop, but I wasn't happy with the bite, didn't show too much
promise so we left the area....Tried a couple drifts only a few fish, went back on
the anchor until the change of tide....Back to the drift for the afternoon, the
fishing was much better. Tom (Zambony) had the hot hand landing 8 fish plus the pool
winner. Danny Wistuk, Hillsboro had his 3. Naturally Capt.Ron Sr. got his, including
a very nice 18 pounder!! Found the first real Jig fish at the end of the day, some
big blues with bass mixed in them. Took all day to get it done but the end result
was a nice full barrel of racks!!! Looks perfect for Friday....Saturday is
Chartered...Capt.ron
10/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only boat to make it out of AH today...most of the Captains didn't even
show!! Wind was at 30 knots when we left the dock, a bumpy ride out but once around
the hook, all was good!! Much better conditions and fishing than yesterday. Fished
some new turf to check things out, glad I did. Had to cruise around a bit looking
for a reading, finally found one and anchored up. Stayed on the drop just about all
day with a steady pick of fish. Smaller fish again with the keepers going 28 inches
a few at 30 and the pool fish at 33. Mitch and Billy had 16 fish between them,
couple other limits and a few guys had only shorts. Ocean was actually very
comfortable and we layed perfect on the anchor once the tide started to run. Sailing
everyday 7:30am...We do have a Charter for this Saturday morning.
10/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very tough conditions today with the current running into the wind!! Not a
good senerio for catching Bass. Had a slow one, one pick through the day. Some good
size keepers and shorts. Tried drifting and only found a few that wanted to bite,
went back on the anchor and toughed it out. Wind blew 30 after 12:00pm, swung like a
barn door, horrible to say the least...Water temp. 59 today....May try a new area
tomorrow if it blows out of the NW..Capt.ron
10/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Huge swell in the ocean, read plenty of life but it was all 15 feet off the
bottom. Finally read a shot of fish down low and anchored up....Stayed there all day
with a very nice pick. A lot more smaller fish the past two days, keepers are
between 28 and 30 inches with the pool fish going 34-36 inches.
Ended the day with a good catch of fish. Several limits including (naturally) The
Anchor Inn crew, Joe, Andy and Andy's brother, Billy Horn, Bert, Chris, a couple new
State Trooper customers and Archie Stuart (who was on loan from theAngler)!!
Hi hook ended the day with 11 fish and the pool fish at 16 pounds.
8 days in row of a good bite!!! Water temp. was down to 58 degrees....perfect!
Capt.ron
10/19/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally made the decision to sail at 7:10am when the wind was more North than
NE' Blowing a steady 20 to start. Glad we did, anchored up and had action right
away. Not a hot bite, but shots of 1 to 3 and then nothing for 15 minutes. Kept this
up till 11:30 when we made a move looking for the change of tide bite. By now the
wind is NE blowing a steady 29 knots, starting to get nasty as the outgoing is now
on us. Came back on the anchor, had fish under the boat, told the guys to drop
straight down, had 6 on immediatly. Finished the day with several limits, some
chummers and some with none. Not the big fish of yesterday and way more shorts, but
still plenty of action for some lousy conditions....Didn't take any pics today as
Chriss couldn't keep the camera straight!!!! Capt.ron
10/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Gotta love those NE'sters!!! Very good action once again on bait...Anchored
up and had them biting right away. Had a group from troop 5 boy scouts, they
actually caught the first 3 keepers to start the day and a very nice 24 pounder for
the large one of thier group.
Tom Perry, Garfield, N.J. had the hot hand on big fish landing 8 and winning the
pool with a 28 pounder. He also had a 22 pounder in the box. Dr. Sal gave his usual
fishing leason with 4 fish and a blue. Little nasty and we had to deal with some
tough conditions but very fishable. The end of the day we made 3 drifts and had some
of the best shots of fish all day!! Can't wait till tomorrow!! Capt.ron
10/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today... Guess the change in the weather and downside of
the moon finally had something to do with that. Had action on every drop with the
bigger ones coming early!! Nice new body of fish in the area. Several guys had thier
3 fish limit with the extra's going back..Pool fish at 23 pounds caught by Rich
Vito,Piscataway NJ. several fish from 16 to 20 pounds.
Finally saw some bird life on the way in with bass rolling on top. NE for tomorrow
should make'em hungy again, can't wait!!! Capt.ron
10/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very poor customer showing in AH today. Only 3 of us made it out with a handfull of
customers...fish where a little more finicky today and only bit on the change of
tide. Had a good half hour of fishing and kept 16 fish. Tossed back almost as many
shorts. Once the current ran hard, everything shut down. Still, a very nice day on
the water. Weather looks much better for tomorrow and Saturday, not what they were
saying two days ago!! Capt.ron
10/15/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good bite...most fish were caught before the change of tide,
drifting in the AM. Had shots of 4 to 5 on at times. Once we lost the tide, found a
reading and anchored up. Had a one, two pick, until the last 1/2 hour of the day
when everything went dead...Chief "circle hook" Valentine lead the way
with 7 fish, 3 very nice keepers. Blues Man Dom finally made it back and caught his
limit along with several others. Pool fish went to a first timer (with a rod rental)
25.4 pounds!! Great day on the water...Capt.ron
10/14/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Even better fishing today!! 3 days in a row. Walked out of the house in the
AM, saw that huge moon and thought, what the hell am I gonna do today! First couple
drifts produced 12 keepers along with shorts. Tried to anchor and chum twice after
the change of tide, NG. Went back to the drift, the bite was on. 86 year old Dick
Snyder, Spring Valley landed 3 fish including the largest on the boat, 23 1/2
pounds. Couple others in the 20 pound range. Paul Smitko, Mitch, Billy and several
others all had thier limits. Fish ranged from 24 to 34 inches......kept the stress
doll in the box today Jim"!! Capt.Ron
10/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out slow with the last of the incoming tide against the wind.
Found a good reading and anchored up. Had a slow one, one pick on mostly short fish
for an hour and a half. Did manage 2 keepers. Once the tide changed we put the boat
on a drift, still couldn't get past a one or 2 fish drift until the end of the day.
Breeze laid down, current got just right and the bite was on! Had 3 drifts with up
to 5 keepers on each, then back to a couple. Ended the day with 28 keepers plus a
mess of shorts. Thanks to Jim Tobak for the Fishermens stress doll..had that sucker
torn apart by 11 am, but slowly managed to get it back together by the end of the
day. Jim had his limit and then some. Joe, Andy and the boys from Anchor Inn never
lost thier faith and ended the day with a couple beauties in the box. Pool fish was
caught by Wolfgang from Anchor inn, weighted inn at 19.4 pounds....Capt.ron
10/12/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterday was another, pull your hair out fishing day!! Jigged and bait
fished on some incredible life, loads of bait with fish busting water, first couple
drifts in the AM produced 6 keeper bass and an odd bluefish. It was downhill from
there...you know it's tough when another Party boat passes and you only have 1 fish
on and everyone cheers!!!
Today was a different story, drifted again with the bait, the bite was on! Had 3
good hours of Bass fishing and not 1 blue. Rocco Farina landed six including the
pool fish. Several limits including Bill Stuppi, Joe Litwienski, Tom, Jerry, Dr. Sal
and Mike Martin...Only hope it wasn't a tease!!! Most fish 28 to 29 inches, the
bigger ones going 30-31 inches. Capt. Ron
10/09/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Naturally today we had a nice gang of customers after the last two days
reports! And yes, the fishing was not good. Had White water fish around the boat,
tried every lure and rig you could imagine..Top water, Jigs, jigs with tails, Plain,
crippled herring, shads anything in the box to no avail! Anchored and clammed on
several drops, NG. Very frustrating to say the least. The fish are here, the bait is
here, just a matter of time for the water temp to get right and the bite will be
more consistant. Ended the day with 4 keeper Stripers and a couple of blues, not a
happy Captain!!! Capt.ron
10/08/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Some very nice fish today, but it did take ALL day to catch them. Bounced
around several drops to put a catch together. A few guys had thier limits including
Ron Solin, Mitch Jevic and Major John. Pool fish was 18 pounds. Not as many 27 inch
fish as yesterday, as most went in the box! Had the last of the outgoing and had to
get through slack and the change before any action really happened. Read and saw
tons of Rain fish everywhere we went. The fish we did catch were loaded with bait,
can't beleave they were still hungry enough to eat the clams! It's taken me 30 years
to learn PATIENCE, yesterday and today...it paid off! Capt. Ron
10/07/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better catch today. After chasing the bird life, bait and fish that
didn't want to bite, we took our 10 customers and went clamming. Looked around for a
1/2 hour before we found a scratch that looked like Bass. Anchored up and had a one
to two on, slow pick the rest of the day. 12 fish went 27 inches!! The rest were
keepers. Best day out of the past 6...Still trying to get everyone to use 20lb. test
leaders, that's what works, 40, 60 any of the crap you buy in the tackle shop ain't
gonna make it. Way too many customers try too prove us wrong and catch squat, unless
you consider Dogfish, sea robbins and skates a success! Plenty of fish around,
plenty of bait, if the rain fish would go away I'm sure the action would be 100
percent better. Very frustrating to stop on readings that look like the whole boat
would be hooked up and only see 1 maybe 2 fish on the drift. Naturally, we go
through this every season, when the water temp gets right and the fish start to feed
like there's no tommorow, the reports will be much better...For now, were busting
butt to do the best we can...Capt.Ron
10/02/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
On that roller coaster again! West wind at 25 and gusty, hard incoming tide,
the worse conditions you could imagine. Didn't have a bite until 12:30 when we
caught a 16 inch fish!!! Tried several area's waiting for the tide to change then
took one last shot back towards home. Had a half A**pick for end of the day, stayed
a half hour more hopeing it would break open. No such luck. Paul Smitko had the hot
hand for the last hour, 5 fish, 2 where keepers. Naturally Capt.Ron Sr. had a keeper
and 3 shorts also. Haven't seen any jig fish up our way since the lousy weather last
week. No lack of bait wherever we go, so it's just a matter of time. Maybe this
cooler weather will shake things up.....Capt. Ron
10/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Too bad the talk of showers for today kept the customers home...especially
you Mitch!! Very good bite for an hour and a half in the AM. All on clams, lot of
smaller fish today but we still managed several limits on keepers. After the change
it was just about a repeat of yesterday, had a couple shots of fish but the bite
died all together once the current ran hard....Beautifull day on the water. Cooler
weather coming this week should really start things up!! Capt.ron
09/29/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Two weeks in a row for the Monday boys with a very good bite on Stripers!!
Drifted most of the morning picking away until the tide changed. Anchored up on some
nice readings and the bite was on. Jack had the hot hand today with 10 fish! Anchor
Joe just beat out Big Tom Krako with a 16 pounder for the pool. Several limits
Including the twins, Tom & Jerry, Jack, Reggie, Joe, my dad and a few others...All
fish were caught on the oldest nastiest clams you could imagine!! Been holding them
for over a week as the clam boats haven't been out....tomorrow we will be putting up
NEXT WEEKS BAIT!!!! Capt.Frank ended up very good last night with the blues. Seems
the fish like the dusk into the dark the past two weeks. Jigs and Bait have worked
well.
09/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally had a day today! Swell layed down from the weekend, the bite was on.
More keepers than shorts with several limits and bonus fish. All on clams, not 1
bluefish!! Dave Blendowski/Lodi had the first decent fish of the fall for the pool,
22 pounds. Couple guys managed 3 with bonus tags including Anchor Joe and Dr. Keith.
After the beating all weekend, today was a pleasure to be out. Hope it keeps up!!
Capt.Frank had very good bluefishing on both afternoon trips, exactly where they
didn't bite in the daytime...go figure! Capt.ron
09/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only 9 customers down today, couldn't stay home again! Had plenty of life in
the AM, just didn't catch what we saw. Had fish all around the boat, Bass and Blues,
caught a few on every other drift. All short bass today, no keepers. Decided to run
to the rocks and chunk. Had good fishing for the rest of the day, all bluefish.
Tomorrow looks to be a tough one..will it blow 25 outta the NE?, or will we get
screwed with the weather report again? Who knows. Will shape up in the AM and see
what happens, if it's fishable and enough guys show, off we go! Capt.Ron
09/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Knew I was in trouble for the first day of Bass fishing when 17 outta the 20
customers that showed, were Rod rentals!!! Hit several area's to catch a keeper and
some shorts. Cringed as I watched the people in the stern put their rods in the rod
holders waiting for a bite! Tough to pass up jig fish in the AM, but I knew that
would be a whole'nother disaster.....Hope the Sunday boys bring their A game
tomorrow, your gonna need it...
Only wish I had stayed in Cape May 1 more day, I was relaxed and stress free. First
day back, I'm ready for Valium!!!
Thanks to Bill Horne for his generous donation to SSFFF and for taking very good
care of Rob and Chris from his winnings of the Big Fluke pool. Good luck on your
first Tuna Trip Bill. Capt.ron
09/05/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had some very nice fish to finish out the Fluke season today...got in a
couple hours before the wind started to honk and current ran too hard. Mike Gifford
Jersey City, N.J. landed a very nice 7 pound fish for the last pool of the
season...Bill Horne is the winner of the boats seasonal Big Fish pool.(Assuming we
don't get out on Sunday)..
Bill's fish weighed in at 10 pounds 4 ounces and was the first Fluke he ever
caught!!! Congrads from all of us to a great guy who is now "Hooked on
Fishing". Keeping my fingers crossed on the storm coming up the coast,
hopefully it will be outta here fast and not do too much damage. We start back next
Saturday fishing for Bass and Blues, actually had 3 Bass on the boat today. The
afternoon Bluefish trips, Sat. & Sunday will continue as long as the customers keep
coming. Fishing has been excellant for Blues......Be back in a week. Capt.ron
09/04/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Looks like tomorrow may be the end of the 2008 Fluke season! Some Nasty
weather coming for Saturday, possibly into Sunday. Not the way we where hoping to go
out! Today's fishing started out with a half dozen good size fish, and some shorts,
not a good drift. Fished the snags and rocks...not the sand as some may suggest!!
Ran to the channels to catch the current, good fishing the rest of the day on shorts
and keepers. John Froelich had the pool fish at 6 1/2 pounds, followed by a 5 1/2
and some 3's. Not sailing Monday-Friday next week, will be back at it on Saturday
the 13th fishing for Bass and Blues....To all my Flukers out there, thanks for
another good season, I appreciate the business, especially with what we are all up
against. If I could only convert some of you guys over to Stripers now!!! Capt.ron
09/02/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good action again today. The best of it coming after the change of tide when
the keepers started to bite. Big Ed landed the pool fish at 5 pounds, after tossing
back 19 shorts. Couple nice Sea Bass and a few Blues. Great day on the water, too
bad the customers that didn't show had the after Labor day blues!! Chartered Sat.
morning. Not sailing next week Monday-Friday, taking the bride to Cape May... Will
start fishing for Bass and Blues on Saturday the 13th. Looking forward to some good
fall fishing!! Capt.ron
09/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the last of the incoming in the AM, a bit of a slider but we didn't have
too many customers and tangles where at a minimum. Picked for the first two hours on
keepers and shorts. Hit a few Sea bass snags and landed some beauties through slack
water. Outgoing tide the wind died down, the bite was on! First drift lasted an hour
with up and down fishing! Covered close to a mile and a half....so much for the
bio-mass!! Much better fishing than the past 3 days....Ran back up for another drift
around 1:00pm only too find the current at 3 knots!!! Gotta love the New moon tides.
Finished the day with way too much lead and a couple more fish.....Chartered this
Saturday morning. Capt.ron
08/27/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After yesterdays butt kick'in morning, decided to stay local as the NE was
blowin harder than 5 to 10!!! Had a nice pick going with more shorts than keepers,
but we had action. Bruce Willis (not the actor) caught the pool fish on the second
drift, a very nice 6 pounder. His group managed 11 keepers between them. Picked away
all day throwing back way too many 17 to 17 3/4inch fish. The same old story!
Finally got some incoming and finished the day with a good bite....4 at 16 1/2 or 17
and we would have had more than our share of limits today!!!! Bigger is better is
BS, give the people something to eat for their hard spent money..tiered of seing 14
inch fish in the foodtown, many of them look like the ones I threw back!!!!!!!!!!
Capt.ron
08/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tried some new turf in the AM. Had a nasty NE breeze which made things pretty
uncomfortable for the start of the day. Tough to feel the bites. Picked at some
keepers, a few shorts and some Sea Bass. Didn't think with the hard outgoing in the
channels that would be the place to start, especially after yesterdays fishing!
Headed back that way after the change, wind died down and we started to catch fish.
More shorts than keepers but we had action, unlike yesterday. Couple nice fish for
the pool, no limits and not enough to get some good pics...tomorrows another day!
Capt.ron
08/25/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Seems the hot action of the past couple weeks never happened today! Had a
good swell and way too much current in the AM. Thought if we toughed it out, by the
change of tide the bite would be on like yesterday. No such luck! The swell did lay
down, the drift went to crap and the fish didn't bite! Had a handfull of keepers
(someone with a small hand) and no action on the shorts to keep the guys busy.
Didn't see much bait at all until we got close to the knoll on the way in. It was
bound to happen sooner or later, the great fishing we've had can't last forever.
Tomorrow we'll give it hell again, hopefully with better results...may look at some
new area's before the season ends, just depends on conditions in the
AM.....Capt.Frank had very good blue fishing again last night, mostly on the bait.
Only sailing Sat. & Sunday afternoons 3:30pm till 9:30pm, come on down for some of
the best action all season. Capt. Ron
Couple guys have asked my thoughts on what the quota and size limits should
be for Fluke...My personal opinion and I'm sure will be backed up by many in the
business would be 4 fish 16 1/2 inches and up. Notice, I am willing to sacrifice
again!! 8 at 18 is a joke, yes, it has happened, but the 10% of the customers who
catch 90% of the fish are the benaficiaries of this law. 4 fish at 16 1/2 and the
reports will be," just about the whole boat limited out today". Customers
going home with something to eat, coming back the following week to do it again....I
don't even want to go to the point and argue that the commercials take 14 inch fish,
we can survive with a 16 1/2 inch fish...Is that asking too much? I don't think so,
especially since the science has proven "overfishing is not occuring" and
the fluke have not been overfished!! Throw us a bone for a change and let us
survive. At 16 1/2, the rod rental customers, the first timers, the kids will all
have something to brag about instead of coming home saying I got skunked or I tossed
back a dozen edible fish....The NMFS has gone to extreme to try and put us out of
business, now the egg is on their face. Let's see how far the're willing to go to
make it right...Remember, everyone has a voice, if you don't use it, all is lost and
the guys who busted their butts last winter to make it right would be for naught!
Stay tuned for this years catch assesments, I'm sure it will be very interesting
considering, no-one has talked to any "Party Boats that I know of" for
their catch info. Pulling numbers out of the air again isn't going to help
anyone....The 16 1/2 should also apply to NY fishermen, who have been screwed worse
than us, the guys that sail out of the bay, Freeport and Captree don't stand a
chance at the current 20 1/2 inch law!! Capt. Ron
08/24/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
New the channels wouldn't be the answer first thing in the AM. Pretty good
roll with the last of the outgoing and after yesterdays start, wanted to look
elsewhere. Ran offshore hitting some snags and rough bottom, not a good float there
either but we managed a dozen keepers and some nice sea bass. Waited till 11 am and
headed back to the North. Got there just in time to start going in with the tide and
wind from the South. Good fishing for the rest of the day..still way too many going
back but we did manage a nice catch of keepers. Jerry Krakow..the younger of the Tom
and Jerry team landed the pool fish at 5 1/2 pounds..Rocco had 3 nice keepers while
his son Joe spent the day on the bench, out too late last night. He did redeem
himself though with a nice keeper at the end of the day!! Capt. Frank had excellant
Bluefishing last night for a good group of customers...out tonight, but I'm a little
leary with the South wind, roll and outgoing tide, don't think it's going to be too
nice!! Sept. 7th is the end of the 2008 Fluke season, not many chances left to win
the big pool. Leader so far is Bill Horne with a 10.4 pounder, come on down!! Capt.
Ron
08/23/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Lousy conditions to start the morning, outgoing water on top and the start of
the flood on the bottom, SE breeze. Not much of a bite for the first hour. Once the
tide started to run in we had a nice drift, not too fast, just right, the bite was
on. Had to keep working further East to get away from the traffic, didn't work as we
got swamp every time we moved. No matter, fishing was good but the keeper ratio is
going down. Way too many beautifull FAT fish at 17- 17 1/2 going back to be sold in
the foodtown. This joke has to stop! When you catch 30 fish and get lucky to put a
keeper or two in the bucket is a discrace!! The fish are hungry and many are gut
hooked. We do the best we can to try and save them, but you know how that goes. Pool
fish today was 5 pounds. The keepers are just making 18 inches, the huge amount of
big fish from last week have moved through, by the time the next shot of big fish
come out...we will be finished for the season, such a shame and a big mistake from
the powers that be!! Did you know that the scientist who did the re-study wanted to
allocate 21 million pounds for next years quota. Said overfishing is not happining
and the fish are not overfished...Ms. Kurkle, NMFS had a hissy fit and said, we
should only allocated 17 million pounds, they had a compromise, much to her dismay,
and settled on 18.5 million for next season. This woman has a vendetta for some
reason and should not be the head of a very powerfull organization, that effects
peoples livelyhoods! Also, we haven't heard from Lee Crockett and all his retoric,
what's up with that? How about, we're sorry and will try to make things right since
we've stuck it too you for so long. NO, I'm sure they're thinking of new ways to
screw us!! Capt.ron
08/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the Kearny Fire Dept. group out with us today. Morning started out slow
on the first 3 drifts, fish didn't want to bite. Covered plenty of groud on a good
drift, good bottom, just not much co-operation. Made a move out to the East, slower
drift and a much better bite! Way too many (just short) fish! Keepers mixed in,
including the 5 pound pool fish. Some drifts had excellant action, others, just a
pick. A good day of Fluke fishing, only because I don't make the rules!!!! Capt. Ron
08/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out with the worst conditions you could imagine, hard
incoming tide with NE at 15 knots. Hard slider most of the morning, almost
impossible to keep the boat straight. Picked at the fish, in between the tangles,
which were many!! As the tide eased later in the morning, the wind died just enough
to keep the boat straight. Bite turned on, fishing was good the rest of the day. Way
too many fat 17- 171/2 inch fish GOING BACK..I say GOING BACK because a smart ass
made a comment on the way in that if he measured some of the fish in the rack
bucket, he'd bet they were short!! Robbie told him to go ahead, he didn't. If you
want to bust balls, do it somewhere else, Myself and my crew don't need that crap.
You see us measure every single fish (that's close) it goes back if it don't make
it! I shouldn't even be addressing this but as touchy as this fishing is and as
pissed as I am at the law, don't accuse me of breaking it. If you or your friend
read this, you'll know who you are. Your just pissed because everything you caught
was short, I don't make the rules, don't take it out on me or my crew. Oh yea,
thanks for stiffing them, even though they took out your tangles and took off your
short fish!! Anyone who feels they need to be a smart ass, please DO NOT come on the
Fishermen, I don't need it that bad!!! Rocco Farina had a nice day off today
Mid-week, landing 4 very nice keepers plus the 6 pound pool fish. Today he was
camera shy!!!! Mitch? Where were you? Chartered Thursday and Friday Morning.
Capt.Ron
08/19/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had good fishing again today...way too many 17 inch fish going back but the
action was there. Some very nice keepers including an 8 pound pool fish. Current ran
hard in the afternoon, but we dealt with it. Uncle Tony S. provide the best pulled
pork I ever had for lunch. Weather looks ok for tomorrow, then we are Chartered,
Thursday and Friday....Capt.ron
08/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
100% better fishing today...Still had a lousy slide in the morning with the
last of the incoming and west wind, but we picked at the fish, keepers and shorts.
Kept working out the channel as the tide started to change, slack tide bite was very
good for all of 25 minutes, then back to a pick. Current never got above 1.8 except
for the last few drifts of the day. Yes, 1.8 is still a major pain in the butt, but
we were catching fish each drift. After yesterday we were well prepaired to deal
with the tangles, and we certainly had them!! Andy Seney a Monday reg. came with his
son and Grandson to fish with us today, three generations of fishermen. The
Grandson, Andy the
3rd landed the largest in his group, a very nice 4 1/4 pounder! Good all day
fishing, unlike yesterday where 3 scotches only started to ease the pain!!
Very good fishing again last night with Capt. Frank. Plenty of blues right from the
start. Bait and jigs have both been hot, when the fish are in the slick.
Chartered this Thursday and Friday Morning. Thanks, Capt.Ron
08/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had today's game plan all layed out and knew it would work perfect! Ran out
to the channels for the last of the incoming, just like yesterday. Had a few drifts
with some keepers and shorts. Got mugged as usual, kept moving to new turf for some
space. Tangles up the giggy with not much current, knew I was in deep crap when the
tide changed. Got to be 1.9 knots and we left, fished around West Bank, NG, planned
on going to the Reach, with the outgoing and west wind conditions would be perfect.
As we headed there, saw just about everyone leaving or looking for new spots to
fish...knew we were screwed!! Tried chappel hill, the knoll, ammo pier and the reach
to finish out the day...when they don't bite, you ain't gonna catch'em no matter
what you do....Love to hear the guys in the AM when they tell me, your gonna be
crowded, and go on another boat....it's a beautifull day, the sun is shinning, the
fish have been bitting..IT'S SUNDAY and were ALL supposed to be crowded , that' how
we pay our bills. Hopefully the boat you chose busted thier ass like I
did..............Capt.ron
08/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good thing for the morning bite..had the last of the incoming through the
change, so we did get a couple hours of nice fishing. Very tough getting back to
where I like to drift with all the traffic. I especially appreciate the guys who
stop on my bow and stern so I can't power drift...get a life and use some common
cence PLEASE!
Once the current started to run out, it ran hard!! Drift got up to 2.2 knots, sash
weights would have been appropriate, decided to try elsewhere. The last hour and a
half felt like an eternity, with no bite at all, way too much current no matter
where we went. Too late to run back into the bay, called it a day hopeing for a
longer bite tomorrow. Mary had the pool fish today at 7 1/2 pounds, she also broke
off a double digit as the fish took a dive at the boat, taking the hook and a free
meal with him.
Capt.Frank is out this afternoon Bluefishing, that bite has been good for 2 weeks
now. Capt.ron
08/15/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Gary Perino and the Columbia bank gang out with us today for the 4th year
in a row! Started right in the deep as we were just about on slack water. Good
fishing with some very nice keepers coming in. The $185 pool changed hands 5 times
throughout the day. Had to leave the area late in the afternoon as the current got
too strong and the roll started to get bigger with the southerly breeze. Didn't find
much life anywhere else, a few shorts to finish out the day. Still, no rain or
thunderstorms, dangerous lightning or any of the other crap the end of the world is
supposed to bring. Good day for a great group of men!!! Capt.ron
08/14/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Totally amazing how today we had a much better drift in the AM, not fast, but
at least we moved, still had to work the throttles and the bite was a third of what
it was yesterday with CRAP conditions!!! Caught some very nice fish the first hour
with a slow pick, couldn't see spending the whole day there so we took off to find
(hopefully) something better. Picked fish in Ambrose, more shorts than keepers,
worked to SH channel, no where near the bite we had yesterday. Fished in between on
some snags and rough bottom to catch a handfull of keepers and some Sea Bass. Tom
Krako, Atlantic highlands, just missed his limit with 7 fish, when I blew the
whistle to come home, he gave me the finger!!!! (all in fun of course). He also had
the pool fish at 5 1/2 pounds, but would have lost had the guy with the 6 1/2 gone
in!!!!
Gotta love the intesity of my customers, if I only had time to capture some of the
facial expressions when they swing an miss, I could do a whole book with captions!
Chartered Friday AM. Not sailing Friday afternoons anymore. Thanks,Capt.ron
08/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing in the A.M., even though we had NO drift. Had outgoing tide, no
wind what so ever and no float. Had to work the throttles but it was well worth it!
Several fish from 3 to 7 pounds in the coolers. Ran out to the ocean for the last of
the outgoing and the change of tide, found plenty of action of smaller fish and
keepers mixed in. Good day of fluke fishing. Chartered Friday morning and the Friday
afternoon trips are finished. Just not enough customer participation to keep it
going...Capt. Ron
08/11/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The hot fishing of last week seems to be a memory already...Had some ebb left
in the AM, but naturally the breeze was from the East, not NW like predicted. Picked
some fish here and there, definatly don't see the life like it was...(can't imagine
where they went)!! Morning was going OK till the sky went black and we got hit with
the first thunderstorm. Gust's to 60 knots, rain and hail!! After that passed, some
shots of rain, then another good one to end the day...Nothing like a little extra
pressure to keep me on my toes. Seems this is the year for the Monday regs to get
beat up as bad as me..guess were pay'in our dues guys, hopefully the fall will make
us all forget about the Monday blues.....Capt.ron
08/10/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Working twice as hard the past couple of days to try and put a catch
together. Got way too spoiled with the fishing of the past week. Had a decent drift
in the AM and only found a pick on the fish. Change of tide had a little bite going
on then it got way too fast with the incoming and south wind. Made the last two
drifts in the bay, had a couple nice keepers and some shorts. Action for the most
part, just not what we have had the past week. Capt.Frank had excellant Blue fishing
last night, just a shame more customers aren't coming out to enjoy it. NW for
tomorrow should be a nice day with the outgoing in the AM. Once again, bring the
weight.
Capt. Ron
08/09/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Haven't had a Scotch since going to the Hospital a month ago...today changed
all that!!!!! The horrible conditions of the past few days still haunted us today!
Had the last of the outgoing tide up on top in the channel and the flood on the
bottom, not a pretty picture with a boat load of customers. 12 ounces went out like
there was no weight at all. 4 rod rental actually emptied the spools, so the first
drift cost me $25 in line, $12 in rigs! Ran down the beach figured off Sea Bright
would be perfect..saw Capt.George on the Angler making a major move, stopped the
boat right there, knew that wasn't the answer...gave him a quick call and he
confirmed...NG!!! Caught shorts off the Highlands, ran back to the channels. Luckly
we had a drift we could deal with, had to keep the boat straight to avoid further
dissaster but we did end up catching some fish. Pool fish was a nice 6 pounder. The
end of a tough day came when I had to pull an english hook outta Amy's finger, I
guess SLACK OFF means Yank Harder!!! I'm pretty sure I have 1,000 yards of Spider
wire and Power Pro in my wheels after the past few days.......Capt.Ron
08/06/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Terrible conditions today with a hard incoming and SW breeze to start the
day. Pretty good roll most of the day, must have blew pretty good last night.
Still managed to put a catch together on keepers though. Mitch Jevic and Chief
Valentine both had their limits along with Bill Hornes 7 pound pool fish. Bill
leads the big fish pool with a 10.4 pounder and this was only his 3rd fluke trip
ever!! Hope he doesn't think it's this easy all the time! Breeze came more NW by
the afternoon which slowed the boat but not the current. Way too many tangles had
the crew pulling their hair out. Finished the day in the other channel for the
change of tide, had a few more keepers and way more shorts there. Still an O.K. day
on the water, if we could only get a few more weeks added to the season, life would
be good! Capt. Ron No pics tonight, battery took a dive in the camera on the first
shot....
08/05/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day of Fluke fishing! Great drift most of the day, held
bottom with 8's until the last 1/2 hour. Very nice keepers in the mix again, just
missed another double digit with an 8.2 pounder. 3 limits and plenty of 5 and 6
keepers. Oscar got his today also, 7 very nice fish!!! The Sea Robbins also bit
thier tails off today! NW tomorrow should be a pain in the butt with the incoming, I
can see working the throttles all day trying to keep the boat straight. Capt.ron
08/04/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another good fluking day today with our second double digit fish this week.
Mike Karabinus, Bangor P.A. landed his first keeper Fluke at 11 pounds on the nose.
Unfortunatly he was only in the daily pool, not the big fish pool. Mike and his
fishing buddy had 7 keepers between them and gave everyone away, including the big
one. Had the Monday Handley Anchor Inn crew out with Joe Andy, Al and Russ. Al was
the high man today with 7 keepers, Andy had 6 Joe 5. Beautifull day on the water
good drift until 12:30, then the crap hit the fan! Ended the day drifting 2.8
knots...ever troll for fluke?? Should be perfect again tomorrow. Capt.ron
08/03/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had you read yesterdays report, you would have been here today! Very good
fishing with many quality fish coming in and a few limits. Rocco Farina started it
off with his limit by 12:00pm. Doral followed with his 8 beauties. Mark had the pool
fish at 9 pounds, after the lead changed hands 6 times!! Change of tide was the best
fishing with 2 unbeleavable drifts. Morning was tough with the incoming and NW wind,
but we still picked away on the keepers. Tom Krako, just back from his Alaska
adventure had 4 fish, all over 3 pounds! Great day to be a Party boat Captain! Can't
wait for the Monday boys tomorrow! Thought we would beat the 10.4 that leads our big
pool today, maybe tomorrow....Capt.Frank had very good blue fishing last night on
Jigs and Bait. Also found a nice Striper in the mix. Out again this afternoon, I'm
sure with the change in pressure and wind the bite will be on....Capt.ron
08/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning off with the last of the incoming tide, had a nice pick
going on mostly keepers. Knew from the past 2 days once the current started to run
we would be in trouble! Boat load of customers 2.4 knot current, most couldn't hold
with 12 ounces no matter where we would go, once the tide changed. Did the Earth
tilt the wrong way the past week or am I missing something? New Moon, Old moon, what
the hell is going on? Still put some nice keepers in the boat. Jim Learn had a good
5 plus pound pool fish. Shrimp Man Steve, back from his Montauk adventure had plenty
of action, even landed a Striper at 24 inches. Too see his face when he hooked up
was priceless, thought he had the Fluke of a lifetime!!!! 24 inch bass, 2.4 knot
tide, fish hooked in the side = 12 pound Fluke at least.....sorry Steve!
Had several guys who where out Wednesday and limited out that got the skunk
today....one day a hero, next day a bum! Capt. Ron
07/30/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Best day of the season today!!! Fought the current with 10's, 12's and guys
that did exactly what we told them to do. Several limits (which I thought would be
almost impossible this year). Billy the landscaper and stepdaughter Meghan landed 13
keepers between them!!!
Good all day fishing. We now have a new seasonal pool leader, Bill Horne, one of the
regs who has never fluked landed a beautifull 10 pound 4 ounce fish on his first
cast!! Sorry Joe, we knew that 8.8 wouldn't last, it was just a matter of time. Our
first double didgit of the season. Heard from Tom, the Hammer, in Alaska, told me to
get the grill ready for some Halibut!!! Weather looks hot for the next few days, but
on the water it should be perfect, come on down!! Capt. Ron
07/29/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning out with good conditions, outgoing tide, west wind.
Didn't try the channels too start, was afraid the drift would be too fast. Bounced
around the bay and knoll, slow pick with an odd keeper, not great fishing. Hit the
channels at the end of the tide into the change, had to hold the boat straight with
the engines while the bite was on. Good fishing for the rest of the afternoon with a
nice catch of keepers. Pool fish 5 pounds. Great day on the water, should be O.K.
tomorrow also. Capt. Ron
07/28/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to weigh todays options...fish the reach to start the day with a nice
outgoing and hope the wind didn't go south or Ambrose and fight the current and
ships in the fog. The first option seemed the best to start the day. Had a nice pick
going on a .5 to .7 knot drift. Way too many shorts with an occasional keeper coming
aboard, thought things were going to be perfect..naturally, a tug and barge and 2
ships put the kibash to that. Caught 2 shorts after the traffic went through. Ran
out to Ambrose for the last of the outgoing, had a good pick on shorts and keepers.
Worked the deep and the edge. Change of tide bite was O.K. with some good action on
shorts and keepers. Finished up on the knoll with a nice pick on shorts and an odd
keeper... Had the rules not changed it would have been a banner day!! Capt. Ron
07/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out good, had a great first drift with several nice keepers
including an 8 pound pool fish. Unfortunatly going back up for another drift and the
change of tide bite, one of the customers blacked out smashing his face on the deck.
By the time we got to Coast Guard and back out, the tide had already changed and was
running way too hard to drift the channel with the gang we had. Bounced around
looking for the right conditions. We'd get to an area and the wind would change
against the tide. Go somewhere else, the same thing. Struggled the rest of the day
to put a half @#$ catch together. Eric the Mortgage Man was high hook with 4 nice
keepers,and the seasons first Weakfish. Several customers had none!! Capt.Frank
jigged the blues last night, not much action on Bait. No Stripers
either.....Capt.ron
07/25/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had several good drifts in the AM, catching some very nice size keepers. That
is until the tide ran into the wind. The harder the current, the harder the wind.
Power drifted as much as we could, till we kept covering the same line, then got the
hell outta dodge! Fished the ocean battling the current and a slight slider. Nice
pick of fish there also, more shorts but still some keepers. Pool fish today 7 1/2
pounds with several 3 to 4 pounders mixed in. High hook had 5 fish, Mopar Charlie
fishing the pulpit landed 4 keepers. Very nice day on the water, looks good for the
weekend also. Capt.Frank is out this afternoon, maybe we'll get lucky and find some
bass. Capt.ron
07/23/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again a Charter bailed us out today. With the nasty weather, fog and
rain up north this morning, there weren't many customers in Atlantic Highlands. 3
boats didn't even get out!! Had a great drift all morning, found some very nice fish
also. Several in the 3 to 4 pound range, one at 6 and the pool fish on the next too
last drift at 7 1/2 pounds. Never got any rain but the wind came on and it was just
a dissmal day. Who cares though, the fishing was good!! Sailing open the rest of the
week. Capt.ron
07/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Mike Swartz and the Weichert group out with us today. Good thing cause
there sure weren't many customers around for the rest of the boats.
Tried to fish the ocean, current way too strong and a nice little heave, not good
for novice fishermen. Came back to the bay and had a very nice bite on shorts and
keepers. First keeper 7 3/4 pounds for the largest of the day. Much nicer out on the
water with not as much humidity as the past few days. Chartered Wednesday morning,
then open until the 9th of August.
A question was brought up in another post as to what the Party boats would do if the
size limit went to say 21 or so inches.....I will be going to jail, because I will
have to break the law. Yes, I will be a criminal, maybe then the Government will
realize the havok they have created, maybe not. I'm sure I won't be the only one,
that is if there is anyone left!!! Capt.Ron
07/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good all day Action today. Had the Monday regs and a bunch of new customers
out for some good Fluke fishing. Fished one area until the current got too strong,
ended the day on the knoll for the last 2 drifts. Some nice keepers, pool fish 6.2
pounds, and way too many 17 inchers! Dad started the day with 2 fish at 4 and 4 1/2
pounds then couldn't get past the 17 inch mark, Go figure!! Capt.Frank had good
Bluefishing last night on bait. Little nasty with the hard southerly and outgoing
tide, but the fish were hungry. Chartered tomorrow and Wednesday morning....capt.ron
07/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
No lack of action once again. Found fish everywhere we went, the keepers were
few and far between though. Tried South of the Highlands only to find 62 degree
water and some nice Sea Bass. Headed back to the North and a strong southerly
against the tide. Still picked away and caught the pool fish on the next to last
drift. Ray Dinga landed a very nice 6.9 pounder for the big one of the day.
Good Bluefishing last night for the Verona Fire Dept. Matt Antollino and crew jigged
and baited 2 barrells of fish for thier Charter.....Thanks for the cigar Matt!!
Capt.Ron
07/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Without a doubt, today was the worst fluke day of the season. Started out
with the last of the incoming, not much of a drift with wind against and WAY too
many boats where we've been fishing...Fished Amrose for the change, caught a
handfull of shorts and half a dozen keepers. Fish we did catch were ice cold. Once
the current started to run, it ran hard with the full moon. Chris Kubie and son
chris jr. did combine for 6 nice keepers and a sea bass....
Bounced around the rest of the day and never found the good bite on shorts or
keepers. Hot as hell at the dock and not many customers around for the afternoon
trip.....I would imagine there's going to be some major running around tomorrow with
2 fluke tournaments going on, don't follow me, I'm just as lost!!!! Capt. ron
07/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing again today with plenty of action. Unfortunatly, we have no
control over what goes in the buckets!!! Had Rocco Farina and son Joe, Big Tom,
Carpenter Joe and Mopar Charlie out today to celebrate Rocco's 50th big one! Joe
stole the show with 5 keepers and the pool fish. First time fishermen Jason Duitsman
and Sister Kailey came from California to catch 2 of the biggest fish on the boat
also. Fishing the ocean the past few days, and I would anticipate the same for the
rest of the week. At least we get a little breeze and some relief from the heat,
along with much better drifting conditions......Chartered Saturday Afternoons trip.
Capt.ron
07/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very tough conditions just about all day with the wind against the tide..and I mean
wind!! South at least 25 made it no picnic..Went for the current and the slider in
the ocean, at least we moved. Picked away on more shorts than keepers. Tried a few
area's, but with what we were up against, it was the same story. Rocco Farina had
his 5 keepers and the pool fish at 5.8 pounds. I think Big Tom got the skunk, not
from lack of trying though!! Finished up in the bay at the change of tide, caught a
few more. Can't imagine anything being left after the pounding of this weekend!!!
Capt.Frank had some Bluefish action last night. They jigged some fish to start out
then switched to chumming once things settled down. Bigger Gaff size fish. No
Stripers last night. Out tonight and I would imagine they are going to get a good
Butt kickin when the tide changes! Capt. Ron
07/12/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Couldn't tell there was a gas problem today...can't remember that many boats
out in a long time, even when things where good!! Had a Charter with a boat load of
non-fishermen. Still managed a nice catch of fish with a 6.9 pound pool winner.
Fished mostly the ocean as the morning conditions were crap for the reach. Ended the
day back there after the change of tide. Beautifull day on the water. Capt.Frank is
out this afternoon, so far they are jigging blues up to 10 pounds. A couple bass
have been caught in the area, so he's still searching....capt.ron
07/09/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hard to beleave the fishing has remained consistant for some time now. A
little tougher today with wind against, had to work the throttles all day to put a
catch together. Couple guys had 4 nice keepers with plenty of 17's going
back...Unfortunatly the gas prices are killing the business, not the fishing, as we
thought. Gerry asked how the gas prices were affecting our business, I can tell you
for a Wednesday we should have had a minimum of 25customers on the boat, instead 15.
The Angler, Prowler, and Sea Horse all carried light as well. Couple half day boats
didn't get out in the afternoon. Where is our Government?? We bail out every stinkin
country in the world, and they hate us. We send Billions in aid, and never get paid
back. When we look for help, they don't want to get involved, but we send more
money. How come No-one is talking about an emergency extension on the Fluke season?
Hell, there are hardly any small boats out, the head boats are carrying a third of
the customers we used to, so obviously we aren't taking what we have been
allocated...Give us till the end of September, even if they cut it to 4 fish, at
least we can still feed our familys!! Is it so hard to do the right thing? Yet, the
season could close tomorrow if the powers that be say so, and there's nothing we can
do. Is this what America has come too? Truck drivers out of work, businesses closing
everyday, your food costs going through the roof, where's our government??
Speculators making millions on oil, all's the Gov has to do is open up the reserves
and those bastards would go broke!! I'm all for Capitalism, but at what cost and
where do we draw the line? Sorry to get away from the fishing thing, but this is
BS.......Capt.Ron
07/08/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Jim Learn and the local 164 retirees out today on our Charter...Morning
started out slow with lousy conditions once again. Took an hour and a half to
straighten out. Bite got better with the incoming and a drift. Some nice keepers and
a bunch of shorts along with a few Sea Bass to keep the day interesting. Left the
area once the tide ran too hard, finished up on the Reach for the outgoing. Caught
some more shorts and a couple keepers to end the day. Nice outing for the
guys..........Chartered Friday and Saturday morning. Capt. ron
07/07/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out slow, didn't have much of a drift. Went searching for
some current and better conditions. Found a good area of fish and picked away the
rest of the day. The Monday gang were having a tough time until we got ride of the
squid, plain spearing or sand eels were the ticket today. Chef Russ Marriot had the
hot hand with 5 nice keepers, including a just under 7 pounder for the pool. Great
to see more than one area of fish this time of year. Capt. Frank had 2 stripers and
a few blues on the afternoon trip yesterday. The chuming still hasn't taken hold for
us yet. Chartered Tuesday, Friday and Saturday morning this week....capt.ron
07/06/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Light crowd today with the weather report and the last day of the holiday. No
matter, fishing was good for the customers who showed. Rocco once again had 5 nice
keepers, Brothers Tom and Jerry (no-pun intended) landed 4 each along with countless
shorts. Jim Muha, Morris Plains, started the day off with a 7 1/2 pounder ending it
with another 4 pounder and 4 keepers. Jim found some giant spearing in a local
market, that with a strip of squid proved to be his bait of the day.Good all day
action.
Last nights trip only produced 1 Bass and some Bluefish, not good fishing too say
the least. Hopeing tonight is better with a decent crowd.
We are Chartered Tuesday, Friday and Saturday in the morning this week...Thanks,
Capt.ron
07/05/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing again today...had Tom And Mary Messik landing 9 nice keepers
plus taking home the pool. Rocco and Tom also combined for 9 keepers between them.
Nasty morning kept many of the customers home, also lost a few to another boat as
one idiot thought he was doing the Captain a favor by hustling my people on too a
less crowded boat. Not a good idea when things are as tough as they are in this
business. Capt. Frank is out this afternoon, Stripers been showing closer to our
area, so we'll give it a shot tonight....Capt.ron
06/30/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterdays new pool leader didn't last long at 7 1/2 pounds...Joe Hanley,
Union Beach landed a very nice 8 pound 8 ounce beauty for the new leader position.
Still trying to break the double digit mark though! Wind with the tide made for a
pretty fast drift in the AM, along with a swell that made it to the back bay. The
swell did seem to have a major effect on the production today from all the reports I
heard.
We did manage some nice keepers and plenty of shorts on several drops.
Not sailing Friday Afternoon as we have the Fireworks cruise up to NY
Harbor..Capt.ron
06/29/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good drifting conditions in the AM, had a pick on shorts and keepers, not the
hot action of the past few days though. Fished a couple areas to find the same
thing...Abe from Gabor Associates, Staten Island, is our new Big fish pool leader
with a very nice 7 1/2 pounder caught today. Capt.Frank had a couple bass the past
few nights but the blues are the dominant species right now! Chumming on the
weekends. Still tickets left for the Fireworks Cruises if anyone is
interested......capt.ron
06/28/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing the past two days for both charters. Lots of action in the AM
with a good drift on the outgoing. Had to bounce around a bit in the afternoon
chasing the current, but still found fish just about everywhere we went. Yesterdays
biggest went 7 1/4 pounds, todays 6.3 pounds! Hot as hell till the Southerly picked
up late in the day!!! Capt.ron
06/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had good, all day fishing today. Plenty of action with the shorter fish and a
nice catch of keepers. Gail Bernard was High hook with 5, beating out my Dad who had
4 ( not good to show up the SR. Captain)!!! Pool fish just under 7 pounds, and not
in the big pool! Chartered Friday and Saturday AM trips. Capt.Frank will be Chumming
this weekend, hopeing for blues and praying for Bass.........Capt.Ron
06/23/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a good drift in the AM with the incoming, not the bite of the past few
days though. Picked at the smaller fish for an hour before we landed a keeper. Tried
a couple new area's and found the same results. Bite got much better for the last
hour and a half after the change of tide. Andy Seney, Union Beach landed his first
Fluke pool of the season. Chris, my deckhand, used his day off to fish, instead of
cut grass and landed a very nice 6 pound Fluke. Suprised with the area we covered on
the drift that we didn't catch more fish, go figure!! Still a very nice day on the
water for the few who showed up.......Capt.Ron
06/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman really screwed us BIG TIME today!! 80 percent rain and
thunderstorms all day kept the customers home...It's now 4opm and there isn't a
cloud in the sky!! How can these idiots keep this up, I'd be out of business if I
screwed up this bad all the time...anyway, had some nice fish again today along with
a pick on the shorts. Had a bit of a slider in the AM with the wind and current
condition, didn't have many customers though to make it a problem. Rocco Farina took
the lead in the Big Fluke pool with a nice 4.7 pounder, however, he lost the days
pool to a young lady from Sweden with a 6.4 pounder!! High hook only managed 3
today. Last nights trip had a handfull of Bigger Blues and no Bass. Fished to the
south chumming and jigging...Looks like the Blues will be the main effort in the
afternoons, the Bass will be a bonus if we can catch them.....Fireworks cruises on
the 3rd and 4th if anyone is interested, please E mail me. Thanks, Capt. ron
06/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another perfect day on the water for Jeff Merrill and the Conoco Phillips
crew. Good fishing again with action on just about every drift. Several nice keepers
at slack tide, the largest 5 1/2 pounds to win a $200 pool!! Staying pretty much
local, haven't really had to do too much running around to find the fish. Capt.
Frank ran down the beach last night only to find a no-show on the fish. Several bite
offs on Blues, no Stripers. Hope tonight is better...capt.ron
06/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice day on the water, actually had a drift most of the day! Picked away
on shorts and keepers with 5 being our high hook. John Pignoti took the lead in the
Big Fluke pool with a 3.15 ounce fish, he also had 4 keepers...to add insult to
injury I get a call around 12:45 with a Captain telling me he had 50 Bass and
countless bluefish in the boat..fish to 40 pounds, all on jigs! I now need a new
cell phone as the one I was using is in 30 feet of water!!!! Figures....Chartered
Saturday morning. Sent Capt. Frank to the hot spot of today, waiting to see what
happens. Capt.Ron
06/19/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Emil Stefanacci and the Avaya group out with us today for some Fluke
fishing. 30 seconds after the whistle blew for the first drop, a 5 1/2 pounder was
netted. The rest of the day found a nice pick on shorts and keepers. Good conditions
with the outgoing tide and West wind, made for a nice drift. Naturally my Dad was in
the bow giving his fishing lessons, keeping 4 nice fish and tossing back how many??
Feels good to actually put fish IN the boat for a change!! Sailing daily for Fluke
7:30am 3/4 day. Chartered Saturday morning. Capt.Frank will be at it again this
weekend on the Magic Hour trips, hopefully that fishing will be a little better
also.
06/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After a dismal Spring Striper run, it's time to surrender! Ran way to the
South again today, had fresh Bunker, live bunker, dead ones, you name it, caught
dogfish, no Bass. Seems the bite has been hot early in the morning then again late
in the afternoon. Tired of beating myself up waiting for more steady action. Fluke
fishing from Friday on....Mopar Charlie won the big striper pool with a very nice
28.8 pound bass he caught on Thursday...Some very positive news coming from the Saw
meetings and Dr. Munder. Looks like all the money donated so far hasn't gone in
vain, we still need lots more to keep the ball rolling, please continue to support
SSFFF. We will be attending an open public meeting at the Belmar Pavillion on
Tuesday, we will be updating where we are with the current Fluke sitiuation. Hope
you can attend. 7:00pm. Chartered Thursday AM and Saturday AM trips this week.
06/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Took a ride again, only to miss the bite, once again!!! Found loads of bait
with fish mixed in, only problem was the bait was deep, not on top which told me the
Bass weren't feeding. Had a couple nice ones but it was very tough fishing for the
gang we had. The guys who kept dropping to the bottom caught Dogfish, and plenty of
them. Ran back to the Rocks to finish out the day, not a bite. Bill Horne had the
pool fish today at 24 pounds!
Haven't caught a Bluefish in 3 trips!!! Tomorrow is the last Bass trip sorry to say.
Thought we could hang in there with this shot of fish down the beach. Don't mind
burnin the fuel if we could catch'em, but it's just not good enough. Fluke from
Friday on. Chartered Thursday and Saturday morning.....Capt.ron
06/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The Monday gang were out in force today..adrenaline and testosterone running
rampent from Thursday and Fridays report. Got a call that the bite was on, which
made it even worse! Ran the hour and forty minutes to the "hot spot", had
Bass flippin bunker out of the water, got set up on the drift, naturally my Dad
hooked up first, a very nice 20+ pound fish. No other bites. Wind came South..made
another drift, Dad hooked up again, same results, no other bites. Bunker went into
stealth mode and dissapered, still read loads of fish and didn't have a
touch....Left the area and headed back to the Rocks, two drops there NG!! Made a
last ditch effort to the North and caught 1 more keeper, not 1 Bluefish today. Very
dissapointing as we missed the early bite by a half hour. Will give it two more days
then switch to Fluke fishing. Chartered Thursday and Saturday Morning this week.
Capt.ron
06/15/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better fishing today than yesterday. Managed a bunch of keepers with
Rocco and Joe putting 3 nice fish each in their box. Joe had the pool with a 4 1/2
pounder. Plenty of smaller fish for the action after the change of tide..still kills
me to toss back the 17-17 3/4 inchers!! Back to Striper fishing tomorrow. Will give
it a couple of days to see how we make out. Could always change the sign!! Chartered
this Thursday and Saturday morning...Happy Fathers day to all you Dad's out there.
Capt.ron
06/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
All big fish again today!! Only 1, that was under 20lbs, the rest between 22
and 29.8 pounds. Mopar Charlie was back today after yesterdays 3 fish performance to
catch 2 beauties and take the lead in the Big fish pool with a 28.8 pounder. He lost
the daily pool to first time bass fisherman Bryan with a 29.8 pounder.
Major John ran a close second with his second big fish of the season at 27 1/2
pounds. After 2 1/2 months of torture waiting for the bite, a huge weight has been
lifted off the shoulders. Will stay with the Bass into next week, see if we can keep
it going. Capt.Frank is out tonight.....no pressure Frank!!
Chartered Saturday Morning only. Capt.ron
06/12/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, some beautifull fish caught today! We now have a new Big fish pool
leader with Ron Solin taking over with a 25.8 pound Bass. Ron had 3 keepers along
with Mopar Charlie 3 and Tony Santostephano 3. Tom Krako and Rocco combined for 3
between them...Had to take the ride way to the East, but it was worth it. Water temp
finally hit 66 degrees, the bunker are here with the fish chasing them all the way.
Can't wait till tomorrow!!! Chartered Saturday AM and Fluke Fishing on Sunday. Will
decide over the weekend what to do on Monday....hopefully Bass fishing. Capt.ron
06/08/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a bunch of the regs out today for some Striper fishing....David
Blondowski lead the way landing 4 nice keeper Bass, plus winning the pool. First
time Bass fisherman Abe Beren had 2 keepers. Rocco and Jerry (the younger half of
Tom & Jerry) also got theirs! Several fish around the boat, but still many customers
with none. Didn't see the jig fish in the A.M. so we went right to the bait. Took
all day and a whole lot of patience to catch what we did....even a blind squirrel
gets a nut once in a while!! Now for tomorrow???????? Capt. Ron
06/07/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a Charter out today with the National Marine Consultants group....Stayed
local fishing for Fluke and Blues....The realization of what the hell is going on
hit me when I had to throw back the first fish at 17 3/4 inches!!! People look at us
as if we are nuts! We managed a handfull of keepers and plenty of blues for the
action. The change of pace was actually kinda calming, especially after the past 2
months of Striper fishing!! Actually don't need a cocktail tonight!! Back to the
grind tomorrow, I'm determined to find those suckers somewhere.......Capt.ron
06/05/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had bass rolling all around the boat in the morning, tossed every thing you
could imagine at them only to watch them swim away!! We did get a couple keepers and
some shorts. Waited for the change of tide and anchored up..stayed on 1 drop for the
rest of the day...when the blues would back off, we'd catch a nice Bass. Only
problem was, the Blues didn't back off that often!!! Still, nice action all day for
a change and the weather was fantastic...Chartered Friday Afternoon and Saturday
morning this week...Capt.ron
06/02/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The Monday gang faired only slightly better than the Sunday crowd. Had life
first thing in the AM. Got a few shots at the fish, Bass and Blues before the
current started to run hard. Took a ride to the South, best bait life I have seen so
far off the Highlands. Rain fish, Bunker and Herring. Tried a few drops but the bite
didn't happen. Hopefully after the Moon things will finally get right. Water temp is
moving up, today we had 56 to 60 degrees depending on were we where....I have always
said, "Patience pays off", my patience are certainly wearing thin, but
I'll hang in there!!!! Capt.ron
06/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Took a ride in the AM on a report of 8 bass in the boat already..figured
maybe it was 3 or 4, but what the heck! As we got there and set up to drift, the
caller left the area??? Knew what I was in for on that one. Gave it a couple drifts
then got the hell outta there. Ran back to the west, fished bunker, tried clams,
jigs, NG. Fished several area's of the bay, NG. Fished the knoll, Romar and
in-between. Jigged a couple blues and one nice keeper Bass that was caught by the
Hammer for the pool......Not a happy Captain!!!
Capt.Ron
05/31/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
As usual, Weatherman blew it again! Morning was perfect, no wind, no rain and
a nice little bite on Bass and Blues. Had fish rolling just about everywhere we
looked. Tough to catch as they were chasing rain fish. We did manage a hand full of
bass and bluefish for the lite crowd that showed up. Weather didn't turn nasty till
1:00pm!! Cancelled the afternoon trip....
Capt. Frank also had a light crowd out last night but managed to jig some decent
size blues and bait fish a handfull of keeper bass......The guy eating the bananas
caught 3 keepers, NOW WHAT??? This could start a trend for all the supersticious
folks out there! Sunday looks great, both trips. Capt.Ron
05/29/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Anchored on readings today that would have had everyone hooked up right from
the start last season....not a bite! Had the last hour of the outgoing so we waited
for the change. Make another drop on decent marks, again, NG. Did manage to catch
one very nice Bass and a bunch of Blues at the end of the day. Very Frustrating too
say the least, especially after some of the night reports from the past few days.
Tomorrows ad has a mistake in it. It says we are chartered for Fridays afternoon
trip..that is supposed to be for next week, so this Friday afternoon is still an
open boat. Steve, if you read this and plan on coming tomorrow...please bring a
gun!!! Capt. Ron
05/28/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Cold North wind in the AM, felt like November..Water temp ranged from 52 to
55 degrees, even the bluefish didn't want to cooperate today. Had a couple bass and
a few blues in the AM. It was run and search the rest of the day. Not good fishing
for a nice gang of customers....Global Warming??? Capt.Ron
05/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Blues, Blues and more Blues!! Fished the rocks in the AM. Blues on right from
the start. Didn't chum and still they wouldn't go away. Tried another drop inshore,
found some bunker and thought we were in, blues where even more ferouscious! Looked
like they wanted to eat through the boat. Lots of action with some of the kids
catching at least 10 fish each. South wind came up hard for the last half of the
day, started to get nasty and that was it...Encouraging to finally see the bunkers
moving up the beach, I only hope the bass are not far behind...I'm runnin outta
Scotch!!!!!! Capt.Ron
05/25/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Blues and more blues just about all day....fished a new area trying to get
the jump on some new fish moving up the beach, hopefully tomorrow the'll be just a
little closer. Couple guys who did catch kept it quite...can't blame them, but I do
have a good memory. Tomorrow, we give it hell again! Water temp up to 58
today...more bunkers coming up the coast...capt.ron
05/24/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the bird life in the AM..all blues, no bass. Hard to beleave guys
still have to run hooked up in shallow water, right through the life to get there
first! Don't even want to get into that, as guys were probably out for the first
time and really wanted to kick butt! .
Tried clamming, NG. Water temp ranged from 52 to 54 degrees no matter where we
went...Holiday weekend, Boat load of customers, not many fish, run all over the
ocean, fuel $4.75 a gallon....Priceless....Capt.Ron
05/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
At least I got the day right this time!! Didn't find the AM action that we
had yesterday, went to plan B which was looking at a new area. Had a shot of blues
and a couple of bass, not good fishing. Bounced around all day to catch a handfull
of fish. Squalls came through all day with wind gusts and rain! Getting tired of
this crap after just about 2 months of the same old thing! I'm always the one to
profess patience, but I gotta admit, it's gettin old! Water temp actually hit 51
degrees, hell, I had that in the begining of April...Ended the day jigging some
small blues down the beach....and I mean small!!! Chartered Saturday Afternoons
trip.
Capt. Ron
05/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant jig fishing in the AM. Had to work hard to get past the blues, the
ones who did were rewarded with some nice keeper Stripers. Chriss Zotti landed his
two, he's been on a roll after a late start! Mark & Nick DePianno played hooky to
catch their keepers, and Chief Valentine had two keepers and won todays pool. Once
the tide changed it was like someone turned off the lights! Looked at a couple
different area's, NG....Great day on the water, lots of action.....Didn't catch a
bass on bait today!!!! Capt.Ron
05/20/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the day jigging, had a couple good shots of fish, mostly blues, but we
did manage to catch a nice 43 inch Striper. Looked around some new area's, didn't
find much as we were at the end of the tide. Waited for some current to see if the
readings I had were bass, not a bite. Ended the day with a pick on the Stripers, a
few nice fish. Had we landed the 12 that were popped off, it would have been a much
better day for the light crowd we had. Weather once again is the S###s! Read plenty
of new bait life coming home, in the channels. A new batch of fish are making thier
way up the beach, I would guess these are going to be the males. Let's hope they
stay around a little longer than the females! We are Striper fishing, not Flukeing
until further notice, I don't quit that easy!! Capt.ron
05/19/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
As if today wasn't tough enough with the wind and horrible fishing (unless
you wanted to jig Blues all day) I recieved a phone call around 10:30 am from Tom
Krako telling me Drew Warden/Sayerville, had been killed in a motorcylce accident on
Saturday. Drew fished with us on Friday and normally would try to make it twice a
week. He loved the ocean, sports and anything that was a challange. At 26 years old,
you ask yourself, Why? Just in the past year we have lost Doc Wagner, Eddie Gallman
(my deckhand of 17 years), my brother in law Darrel (5 days after eddies death) and
now Drew. Kinda puts life in perspective. All the rage about fishing regs, quota's
and all the other crap we worry about seem to disapear. I read that his family is
having him cremated, I only hope they give me the honor of burying him at
sea....Fish on Drew!!! Capt.ron
05/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thought for sure after yesterday and the catch we had with a charter, today
would be the day with the regs....no such luck! Stopped on some bird life and made a
float first thing, looked like all blues so we continued on. Waited for the change
of tide and some current, caught a nice keeper and a few blues. Bite didn't turn on
after and hour and a half, lost my patience, made another drop, NG. Ran back between
the channels to jig some fish, had all the blues you could catch with one bass mixed
in....left that hopeing the bass would turn on with the current, again, no such
luck. Made a few drops in several area's NG!! Knew I was in trouble first thing in
the AM when a customer gave me a nice bottle of Johnnie Walker Gold, BAD
OMEN....Capt.Frank is out this afternoon, Blues so far, no Bass. Last nights trip
was for crap also!
Seems the fish that did come through the past few days kept going, those were mostly
females. Starting to see the males, but not a great number of them, after 30 years I
still haven't figured it out!!! Capt.Ron
05/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Hank Lewis and Skanska out with us today for a Charter...way too much
traffic to fish shallow water. Had a keeper and a few shorts to start the day.
Bounced around after that looking for some readings. Picked away with a one,
sometimes two at a shot. Not great fishing, but after what I heard elsewhere, good
enough. Mark Santagata lead the way with 3 keepers and the pool fish at 44 inches 26
pounds, once I showed him how to hook the bait, he was the man!!! Great group of
guys, lots of fun.....Capt.Ron
05/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Some very nice fish in the AM. Had the bite right away on the outgoing. Tom
Krako, Atlantic Highlands got his 3 and lost the skunk!! Lou Ciafatti, Union city
has taken the lead in the Big Fish Pool with a very nice 24 pounder. Weather turned
to crap early and got worse as the day went on! 25 and gusty out of the East made it
miserable....Chartered Sat. Morning. Capt.Ron
05/14/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing today in the AM. Had a few hours of the outgoing tide,
anchored up and had bass on in minutes. Shots of 5 to 7 fish at a time. All great,
healthy looking specimens!! Many guys had the limit plus, with the bonus tag. More
keepers than shorts on fish to 23 pounds. Mitch Jevic and Bill Yurkovich lead the
way with 17 fish between them. Bite died around 11:30 at slack and really didn't
recover, doesn't matter, we got ours! Jack Vilcheck, Hometown, PA had the pool with
a nice 16 pound fish....The 23 pounder caught by senior member Dick, wasn't in the
pool....Great day on the water after the past two days we've had. Can't wait till
tomorrow....Capt.Ron (Chartered Saturday Morning)
05/11/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good Bass bite in the AM...Bluefish and a few shorts to start the day.
Waited for the change, it only got worse! Bounced around a few more drops, blues
would take over...finally told the half dozen guys who were using bunker to can
them! Made another move and had 8 bass in the boat in 10 minutes!!! Picked away on
some nicer fish the rest of the trip. Rocco Farina was hot man again this week with
7 fish, 3 nice keepers. Jim Mcarthy, Eatontown had 6, plus the pool fish at 17.4
pounds..... Lori Berwick celebrated Mothers day with us catching her first keeper
Bass. Not sailing Monday with the weather forcast.....if they are wrong, I'll
flip!!! Capt.Ron
05/10/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
With todays weather report I expected to wake up to the trees bent over, wind
against the tide and a miserable day! Turned out they were wrong, for the better!
Beautifull day on the water. Just caught the change of tide for a one, one pick,
sometimes two on at a time. Bite slowed to just about nothing once the current ran.
Made several drops, a few had some fish, bass and blues and some drops had nothing.
Some of the fish caught early looked like they had been eating all night! Bellies
looked like they were going to pop! Seeing more males the past couple of days...long
and lean. Pool fish just made 16 pounds. Capt.Frank has the boat out for the first
afternoon trip of the season, good outgoing tide, not much traffic, hopeing for a
good report from him soon....Monday is looking like a blowout right now, will update
tomorrow.......Capt.ron
05/07/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished several areas today looking for the bite. Few Blues in the AM on the
incoming....Waited for the outgoing, took a bit of a ride to find a pick on some
nicer size fish. Couple guys had 2, a few had one keeper. Not great fishing, just
enough to keep the interest up late in the day. Major John Schwanis is the new
leader in the Big Fish pool with an 18 1/2 pounder!
05/06/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
How's it go: "Should'a been here yesterday"!! Naturally, no-one
wants to hear that...Picked some fish in the A.M. on the last of the incoming.
Seemed the same 3 guys where the only ones hooking up. Lost 9 fish before we put one
in the boat. Thought for sure once the tide changed the bite would turn on, as it
did yesterday. We did have a shot of 4 fish as the tide line went through, figured
we were in...no such luck! Went seaching, found a couple more and same thing, bite
died. Made a few moves hopeing to pull the old Rabbit outta the hat, NG. One of the
customers said, must be the New Moon, I agreed 100%....couldn't think of any other
excusses!!!!!!!! Great day on the water, tomorrow will be better. Capt.ron
05/05/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The Monkey is finally off my back! After yesterday's pick, knew today would
be the day...Right from slack into the outgoing it was non-stop 4 hours of fishing!!
Joe Handley, Union Beach has taken the lead in the Big fish pool with a 17.7
pounder, he did loose the daily pool which went to Brian Picariello, Bedminster,
N.J. Brians fish weighed in at 22 1/2 pounds. Capt.Ron Sr. was high hook with 8 fish
followed by Andy Seney, Union Beach with 6. Several limits on fish from 28 to 36
inches!! Some big blues, but they really weren't a problem.....Can't wait till
tomorrow.....Patience rewards, Big Time! Capt. Ron
05/04/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally a nice pick of fish..Blues and bass. Caught the change of tide way in
the back, bite turned on. Not fast and furious, but after the past 3 weeks it was
good enough. Rocco farina caught his limit along with the pool fish. Mortgage man
Eric finally landed one after a long hard day (must have been the beed!) Once I
showed him the hot spot, he was in!!!
Could sink the boat with bluefish if you wanted too, stuck with the bass
though...Nice day on the water once the fog lifted and sun came out. Looking foward
to tomorrow!! Capt.ron
05/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Back to sailing daily 7:30am till 2:30pm for Stripers. Looking foward to a
good week of fishing!!
Starting our Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon trips on Friday May 9th. 3:30pm
till 9:30pm for Stripers
04/27/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
We will be tied up till Wenesday or Thursday this week. Hopefully when we get
back the bite will be on! I'll post if we can get back sooner...capt.ron
04/26/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another typical weekend..east wind and nasty!! Bounced around the bay, read
fish on every drop, never caught more than 2 each spot! Haven't posted in a couple
days, didn't want to keep repeating myself on the reports....No there isn't a secret
bite going on, you'll all know when it happens..TRUST ME! Not sailing Sunday and
possibly Monday...save your money till next week when things hopefully are better.
Capt.ron
04/22/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally a few nice keepers! Had to cover half the ocean to put a couple in
the box...Still not good fishing, today actually was a dissapointment, heard about
some decent fishing last night along with some big Bluefish that have arrived, today
they must have went to sleep! Weather looks great for the next couple of days, it
can only get better!! Capt.ron
04/21/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't post last night...took me this long to recover from the miserable day
yesterday!!! Left the dock in thick fog, once out in the bay, the swell from the
ocean kicked in, outgoing tide came through...need I say more!!! Made 4 drops before
we found a handfull of shorts. Rocco Farina worked his butt off to catch 4. Fish
layed way off the back of the boat and weren't feeding. Amazing, considering all the
chum was screaming to the bow!! 2 customers showed today and not many for the rest
of the harbor. Hopefully, this week things will pick up, weather looks good from
Wenesday on......capt.ron
04/19/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not enjoying the start of the 2008 season one bit! Another day without any
amount of action to talk about. Had a handfull of small fish (very small hand)! That
was it. SE breeze came up when the outgoing started, so some wind against the tide
to add insult to injury...one or two scotches should take away the pain!! Better
days ahead after the moon and Easterly weather predicted for the next couple
days.....capt.ron
04/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very slow morning with only 1 fish being caught. Tried all the usual bay
spots, water looked like nasty chocolate milk. Fished the ocean in the current and
swell for the afternoon. Had a 1, 1 pick on small fish, no keepers. High hook, Mopar
Charlie landed 4. Still not good fishing, hopefully things will pick up the next few
days with all the bait around. Won't start the afternoons till there's something to
catch!!! Capt.Ron
04/17/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Same story as yesterday. Covered the bay, not much life. Looked out on the
knoll and Romar, same story. Did read a ton of bait comming home, in the channel and
just about all the way to our jetty. Fish shouldn't be too far behind.....Looked
back at last year and noticed we were already catching fish, mostly small ones and
the water temp was 44 degrees!!! Just goes to prove, every year is different, every
day is a new begining. Capt.ron
04/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What can I say, the fishing stinks!! Covered the whole bay and Ocean today.
Water temp never got past 50, and that was close. Had a handfull of short fish, not
even worth mentioning. Didn't see much bait, didn't read many fish. The few we did
find, didn't bite! I have to keep reminding myself daily....PATIENCE. Capt.Ron
04/15/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, hard to find warm water today. 50 at the end of the day was it.
Managed a few nice keepers with Buster Lubeski, Hamilton Twsp. N.J. landing the
largest of the season so far...33 inches, 14 pounds. Paul Smitko also had a nice 29
incher with a couple shorts. Not good fishing for most of the day. Looked over
several area's, not much bait or life. Heard there were loads of bunker up the
Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers....Weather this week should get things
moving....Thanks Paul for the generous donation to SSFFF, it's much appreciated!!
Capt. Ron
04/14/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very light crowd today, had the regs down and didn't want to dissapoint them.
Water temp dropped 4 1/2 degrees overnight to 47, told Rob my deckhand we were in
trouble! Spent most of the morning looking over several areas trying to find warmer
temps. Fish didn't bite on the change. At 1:00pm started working back towards home
and some more of the incoming. Found 51 degree water along with a nice reading of
fish...Had a couple on right away including Big Bass Andys Pool fish! Got a half
hour bite out of it, which made the day all that much better. Thanks for the Rabbit
Joe, it worked again!! Capt.Ron
04/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Caught the last hour of the outgoing this morning, read some fish in deeper
water, gave it a shot, didn't have a bite. Ran into the shallow stuff, had a shot of
fish just at the change, finally a keeper. Terrible conditions with the W wind and
incoming tide the rest of the day. Caught a few fish on each drop, still not good
enough though. Water temp hit 51.5 for a high..The fish we did catch looked very
healthy, good color, no strange marks on them....Capt. Ron
04/10/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out pretty dismal, fog and not many customers (your all
waiting for the hot reports). First drop we found some bait, fished 12 ft of water,
didn't have a bite. Made a little wiggle to 8 ft and found some more bait and 1 tiny
scratch of fish. Sun came out, the fish bit for just over an hour on the last of the
incoming. High hook had 7, only bad news is, NO KEEPERS. Nice to see the action
though, plus the water temp got as high as 51 degrees, A nice jump from saturday
where the best we could find was
45 1/2. Like I've said in the past...PATIENTCE, it'll happen.......Capt.Ron
04/9/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weather has had us tied to the dock since Saturday. Thought we would make it
out today with the half way decent forcast, but no such luck! Next couple of days
look to be sunny and mild, hopefully the warm up will get things going with the
Bass. Robbie and Chris have been fishing off the beach, catching some smaller fish,
heard a few reports of some keepers being caught at night. I'm sure by next week
things should be on track for a decent spring... getting restless hangin around!!
Thanks to Blackfish Doug for the donation of a tackle box and bank sinkers for the
dinner, and Bob Kirsten for the generous cash donation! Still waiting on some of the
"Professionals" who haven't come through! Remember, please support the
sponsered Charter and Party boats of SSFFF.
I have a gift basket of Party Boat certificates as well as a $100 gift certificate
from Pete at Atlantic Highlands bait and Tackle for the dinner this Friday. Head
boats donating from my area are: Fishermen, Angler, Sea Horse, Sea Tiger, Sea
Hunter, Atlantic Star and from Keyport, Capt. John. Total package value is $950!!!!
Thanks to all...capt.ron
04/5/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good start to the 2008 season. Ran to the back bay, found some bait,
some gannets, not a bite. Bounced around depths from 20ft to 7ft, inshore, offshore
and in between. 10 minutes before we threw in the towel, a miracle, we caught a
short! The guy was fishing with a Flounder rig! I'm sure someone will post the pic
of the first Bass of the year. The kids fishing opening day probably had bigger
trout! Water temp went from 45 to 47 1/2, had a good outgoing all day and did read a
nice shot of fish tight to the bottom, just couldn't get them to bite. Weather
turned out beautifull with plenty of sunshine. Great too see the regs, they keep me
in business, thanks guys!
NE' for the next two days doesn't sound too good. Andy and Joe, check with me
tomorrow, Monday may be a blow out. Patience will pay off, I promise. Capt.ron
03/16/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A huge Thank you too all who stopped by to support SSFFF. Raffle tickets for
the Mako seemed to be the hot item this weekend. (Never thought I would have to get
into retail sales to stay in business!)
Many of the guys who have already donated money came by to pick up shirts, support
stickers and tickets for the upcoming dinner on the 11th of April. Amazing still,
how many people would walk by and say " They will never close us down!!! Lots
of donations from the vendors, reels, rods things like that for the dinner.....The
vocal cords are sore, the ankles and feet hurt, but it was worth every minute,
especially when the little 5 year old stretched as far as he could to put a few
dollars in the jug...priceless!!!! The guys thanking us for all the hard work makes
it for me also. Thanks again, hope to see you on the 11th.....Good luck on the boat
raffle. Stripers on the 5th, I can't wait. capt.ron
03/13/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
It's almost time!! We will begin sailing Saturday April 5th for Stripers.
Bunkers showing up already in the bay, hopefully the bite will be on. I wouldn't
expect too much though.....
Lots of Small fish last season, in both the Spring and Fall. The big fish never made
it this way in december. A week after we stopped sailing I saw pics coming out of
Virginia and North Carolina of many 25 to 40 pound cows!! I'm sure the lack of
Herring inshore, for us, had alot to do with those fish bye-passing our area.
Not happy with the Fluke or the Fuel situation for this season. We are already being
warned of $4.00 or more a gallon. As you know, I have always tried to keep the price
fare, I certtainly realize how much it cost in addition to the fare just to fish for
one day. I am in a constant battle from the Fluke regulations,too now trying to prep
myself for the Saltwater fishing licence fight. Who would have ever though such a
simple way of life would ever become so complicated!! One thing is a gauraunty, I'll
give you 110% every time out, will go where we have to go and do what we have to do
to survive......Capt.Ron
01/18/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The first open Public meeting for Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund is
scheduled for Monday Jan.21st 7:oopm at the Manasquan Elks in Manasquan. 17 Stockton
Lake Blvd. just off Rt.71. Congressman Pallone will be there to tell us about
legislation his is working on as well as Assemblyman Shawn Kean...The group has been
working hard the past 3 months raising money to support the cause. Any questions you
may have will all be addressed then..Hope you can make it....Please check out the
sight www.ssfff.net for further info. Thanks, Capt.Ron
01/08/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Amazing what some clowns will go too, to try and PSSS you off! We recieved a
letter the other day, it was a return envelope for the IRS...in it was a copy of
some change that this idiot made on his copier. In other words, we are getting too
the opposition. First off let me say, we have crossed our "T's" and dotted
our "I's". Everything we need to do to make our organization ligit is in
place. Still waiting on some things from the state, but hey, this is NJ, it doesn't
happen over night. If this clown was trying to insult us, he only made us stronger!
If you want to donate, that's great, but don't be an A-hole if you have other
beleaves! None of us take a dime from this, and in the end, we will all personally
have spent thousands fighting for EVERYONE! I will continue with this Soap-Box until
we win, if these posts tick you off, please don't read them. You WILL be the
minority! capt.ron
01/01/08
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Looks like this Friday and Saturday will be the end of the season for us.
Weather looks good with light wind and a bit warmer...Already have my cruise booked
and a road trip with my son to the keys!!! After 7 days a week from April 1st, it's
time to kick back and relax. Thanks to everyone who fished with us this season, and
a very special thanks to all who have and are contributing to SSFFF. Remember, were
fighting for everyone!! I'll post throughout the winter any new information as well
as meetings and events. In the mean time, be sure and tell everyone what's going on.
If you go to the boat shows or tackle shops, make it a point to ask them if they are
on-board with us, if they say no, take your business elsewhere, they only care about
the money. As of now Shimano is still not on board..stop by their booth, tell them
you won't purcahse any Shimano products till they help out....Enough of that. Happy
and Healthy New Year to all!! See you April 1st, clammin. Capt.Ron
12/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Headed South again this morning only to find a pick on the Stripers. Had a
few shots here and there, just enough to keep us looking around...Got a call about
some life way back up to the North, the same area that was checked out first thing
in the AM. Both Capt. Rob (sea hunter) and myself figured we had nothing to loose,
so we took off...glad we did. Plenty of bird life, lots of readings, lots of fish.
Managed a few keepers out of it and bailed the day out! Never hurts to go the extra
mile!!! Doesn't look good, weather wise for a few days. Will decide what to do for
the middle of the week on tuesday....hopefully today wasn't the swan song! Another
special Thank you to Sherman Smith, Manny Silva and "Fireman" John
Andreychak, for their more than generous donation to SSFFF......Happy New Year to
all!!! capt.ron
Hapy New Year to all!
12/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Huge swell again today, headed down the beach again, rolling my crueller
off...finally found some gannets and plenty of bait. First two drifts were the best,
plenty of action along with all 4 keepers that we landed...A huge whale came up off
the bow, that was the end of the bite for that area! Bounced around the rest of the
day, some drifts were shots of fish, some drifts none. By the end, the bite was
over. Weather looks good for Sunday..NW 10-15 should knock down the
swell....capt.ron
12/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Beautifull, Sunny day, flat calm, no current,...nothing like the past two
days with the bite. Smaller fish and only a couple keepers! Stopped on readings,
never caught what we had under the boat. Some guys still managed 10 to 15 fish
without a keeper, (the guys who turned the handles that is)! It's beyond me, (and I
have said it counless times) how guys can just stand there and bounce a jig, like
your bottom fishing, when I'm telling them where the fish are, at what depths and
how to catch them. The crew tells you, yet you bounce!!! Somedays that does work, I
think 2 Fridays ago it was a home run. One day out of the season, don't make the
season! Turn the dam handles! Last time I vent about that....promise...Also
heard..can't beleave he came this far south..three weeks ago the fish were in the
channels!! Your killin me! I certainly don't want to run two hours at $3.28 a
gallon, but we do what we have to....much easier to stroke it close to home and save
money Hmmmm, that's a thought! Sunday may be the last trip, will see how the next
two days play out...Thanks to all the guys the past few days for the Cigars, Scotch,
Wine, Homemade beer and generous donations to SSFFF, you are the best!! Capt.Ron
12/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Huge swell, nasty morning, Great Bite!! Gotta love those rough days. Fish
were very aggresive today, had a few drifts that lasted 20 to 35 minutes with steady
action. A few more keepers today than yesterday, no huge fish which is fine with me,
28 inchers are perfect eating size!! Don't know how long it will last, but for now,
it's perfect. Bill Horne, Edison, N.J. had 2 nice keepers along with the pool
fish....Day to Day...Capt.ron
12/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 5 days tied up...there still here!! Had to take a bit of a ride today,
but it was worth it. Plenty of action on small to slot sized fish. Managed to land
some keepers also with the biggest going 15 pounds. Tim Schaffer, West Caldwell,
N.J. had the pool fish. Sand eels were what they were eating. Crocs, Ava's and
Crippled Herring all worked well...as long as they turned the handles!! Will keep
going as long as we can...capt.ron
12/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had over a mile of life to start the morning off...all short fish without a
keeper for an hour. Bite just about stopped close to the change, bounced around a
few area's stopping on some readings, not much of a pick. Had to wait for the
incoming which started things up again. Ran further south, found the birds, the bait
and the fish. Some nice keepers mixed in, not as many as yesterday though. Joe
London, Norwood, N.J. landed the pool fish at 26 pounds! Great day on the water!
Capt.ron
12/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Like I said last week...it ain't over! Had fish right off the bat this
morning. Small, Medium and large Stripers! Worked mostly on readings as the gannets
were no-where to be found. A few area's of birds got us in the right place...All
regulars on the boat today, so it was much easier when I told them to TURN THE
HANDLES!!! Tony and Drew tied for the pool with 2, 25 pounders on the money! Fish
were gorged with sand eels and peanut bunker, never thought they would bite through
the day when I saw that, glad I was wrong. Fishing as long as the weather holds out
and we catch'em. No, we are not sailing Christmas day, after 24 years of marriage
and loving what I do, that could be the end of it all!!!! capt.ron
12/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Wasn't sure what to expect after the weather we've had the past two days.
Ocean looked pretty dirty. Had the last of the outgoing in the channels, didn't see
a bird, fished some readings, mostly bait and caught 1 short. Moved to a few area's
waiting and hopeing the change of tide would do me good.....Ran South with my
fingers crossed, Robbie my deck hand, who I thought was far sighted all these years
spotted some life...it was all uphill from there!! Change came through, bite turned
on. One of the first fish lost at the boat had to be over 30 and close to 50
inches...lost him 2 feet from the gaff! Couple in the 20 lb. Range..pool fish Caught
by Justin Lerner, New Providence, N.J. went 24, his second fish was 21 pounds...he
also mentioned he ended the day with 27 fish total. Lots of action, all size fish.
Love to see those gannets!! Can't wait till tomorrow....capt.ron
12/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Haven't been out in a couple days, wind has been unbeleavable! Weather should
be fine through Thursday, then it looks like some more NE to N wind. Trying to make
it to the end of the month as long as the fish stick around and the weather is
fishable. This time of year it's day to day! capt.ron
12/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good jig fishing again on small fish. I hate to keep saying small.
considering they used to be slot fish!! Several area's of life again, just a couple
keepers. Asked a few guys this morning if they would rather have One keeper for the
day and not much action or steady action all day and maybe a keeper? All said a
keeper would be O.K. but the action is what keeps them coming back!! Never thought
catch and release would work, thank god it does!!! Capt.ron
12/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Lots of life today, excellant bite! Hundreds of smaller fish being caught,
but only a few keepers. Heard their still catching fish in Montauk, last season we
had those fish after they left there. Just checked my log from last year and beleave
it or not on Dec. 13th (tomorrow) we had BIG fish. We had excellant fishing from th
13th till the 20th, then we had a few days with the little ones again. Don't think
it's over, decent weather should still produce some good fishing!! On another note,
we had the South Jersey business meeting last night regarding SSFFF, despite the
lousy weather, 50 hard working businessmen showed up and gave their support for
SSFFF. Most of the guys already had a check in their pocket,realizing how important
our fight is...Thanks to all who attended! Thanks to Maj. John Schwantes USMC
(ret)who today gave me a check for $100 towards the fund! capt.ron
12/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Slow start to the morning, had some incoming against the wind, not much of
drift, not much of a bite. Bounced around working some readings, fish didn't want to
eat. Change of tide action started to pick up, so did the wind and the sea!!! Got
pretty nasty for the rest of the day but the fish did bite. Plenty of shorts for
action and a handfull of keepers. Big Dave won the pool with a nice 15 poound
fish....capt.ron
12/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice day on the water, good fishing for Stripers. Plenty of small fish
with some keepers mixed in. First keeper went 15 pounds, the customer released
it,looked like it was full of row. Very nice to see, even if it was a pool fish....I
still feel like crap taking that big one on Friday. Weather doesn't sound bad for
tomorrow NW wind. Capt.ron
12/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only Party boat to make it out today along with 3 Charter boats from the
area. Only had a mile visability in the AM, which made finding life a little
tougher. Fished the channels and out east, chasing birds on the radar. Small fish,
plenty of them, some guys had over 20, with not many keepers. Plenty of bait and the
water temp was still at 43.5!! Capt.Ron
12/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better action in the AM today. Still, small fish, and some even smaller
than that!! Fished a couple area's close till the change of tide. Ran off to deeper
water looking for the big ones, didn't find them today or they just didn't bite.
Read loads of life everywhere we went. Came back to the channels to finish out the
day. Hand full of keepers and a load of shorts. Special Thanks to Rich Dynes, Chris
Gjertsen,Paul Lobrano,Charlie Leonardi, Tom Krako and Billy Wagner...all guys were
generous enough to help with the SSFFF fund!! Thank you, we surely can't do it
alone!!!! Capt.ron
Regarding the SSFFF Fund: Seems we have a trouble maker trying to stir things
up with our organization! There have been some rumors/questions about who SSFFF is
affiliated with. We are NOT "affiliated" with anyone. The idea was to
start a group who's focus was singular in nature. Save the Summer Flounder Fishery,
period! However, we are "working" with every group that is willing to work
with us and shares a similar goal. Please make sure the fishing club or organization
you belong to is NOT a member or PEW or the Marine Fish Conservation Network. There
are quite a few recreational fishing groups from a number of states who belong to
the very network that is trying to shut us down. Go to the Marine Fish Conservation
Network website, click on "about us" then choose "network
member" I think you'll be surprised to see the recreational groups that are
teaming up with our enemies........capt.ron
12/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Imagine coming around the point of the Hook and seeing exactly what I saw
yesterday, knowing how we did yesterday, pushing the throttles up to get there and
guess what...That's right..nothing like yesterday!!! the life was there, fish were
there, readings almost the same as yesterday, several areas, everything the same.
Don't get me wrong, we did catch fish, many shorts and a shot at some bigger fish.
John Ambrose, Flemington, N.J. had the pool fish at 25 pounds, Jim Yeager and Rocco
Farina both had fish in the 20 pound range. Lost a couple big fish at the boat, one
close to 30 pounds...Just amazing all the running around and all that life for them
not to be that aggressive. Only thing I could think is they were just stuffed. Every
fish that came up was full of Bunker, Weakfish, eels, and rainfish.....Hope they
digest by tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! Capt.ron
12/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing today!! Birds, Life, and fish everywhere you looked. Loads
of small ones with some guys hooking up just about every cast. Kept bouncing around
the different areas trying to find the big ones. When we did, they were big!! Pool
fish went 29 pounds caught by Bill Trauis, Port Monmouth, N.J. Fish was 46 inches
long!! Capt.Ron Sr. had two in the twenties. I even got to take a cast and landed my
first one of the season over 30! Mike Zusman, Hoboken, N.J. had the third largest
fish at 27 pounds. Fall fishing doesn't get any better than this!!! Only 4 Bluefish
today, water temp was 42.5....can't wait till tomorrow!!!!!!!!! Capt.Ron
12/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 3 days at the dock, today was like starting all over. The anticipation
didn't last long. As we came around the hook, saw a mile of birds working in the
channels...3 area's of life! Put the boat on a drift, had fish on right away, mostly
small, some tiny fish. Caught 3 keepers after 3 drifts. Move off to the East on the
next bunch, still small fish..and not many blues. Got cocky and broke the golden
rule "never leave fish to look for fish" told the guys we'd go try to find
some keepers. Ran 4 miles to the south to the next good shot of life, glad we did,
non-stop action the rest of the day! Some very nice keepers and loads of 20 to 27
inch fish. Best day jigging so far this season....On another note, the all and
knowing, Pat Kirkel, has stated that 2 Fluke at 19 inches probably won't be enough
to solve the problem with the shortage of Fluke and is calling for more drastic
measures!!! I feel like I'm in the twilight zone! Don't they realize that any
credabilty left is going out the window? Know one is going to listen to anything
these people have to say, instead of repecting any kind of law, people are going to
do whatever it takes to survive. They are creating a monster that will cause more
harm than good in the long run. I watched 3 good boats go out of business because of
19 inch fish in NY....bet your Ass, that's not happining to me!!! Push a man too far
and even the meek will push back!!! If your sick of it..send those donations to
SSFFF. If you think it's a joke, sit back and do nothing, maybe you will enjoy
bluefishing all summer!!! Capt.ron
12/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Haven't been out since Saturday,conditions then were horrible! Hard NW wind
against a screaming incoming tide..felt like a pinball by the end of the day! Had
some nice bass though..ended the day with 19 nice keepers and blues. Weather the
past few days should start to push the bluefish outta here..Hopeing this week we
start to see some bigger fish..Gonna try tomorrow (wends) and see what happens.
Afternoon trips are done for the season, thanks to all who fished with us on
those....We have Gift Certificates for the Holidays if anyone is
interested.....Please notice I said Holidays and not CHRISTMAS, wouldn't want to
piss anyone off!!!! capt.ron
11/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good way to close out November!! Ran down the beach for a change of
pace today. Nice area of birds working, stopped and caught all bluefish. Tried a few
other patches of life, all blues again. Ran down to the Rocks, had one shot at the
bass, all shorts 1 keeper, couldn't get on them again. Didn't like what I saw, left
the area and headed East. Loads of life again, birds, bait, Blues and DOGFISH!! Left
that area, found another patch of life at the change, had a good shot at the Bass,
mostly shorts again, thought the bite was on. Basically a hack with a whole lot of
running around! 4 keepers, some shorts and Blues....Just cracked open a new bottle
of PINCH!! A million thank you's to Tom Krako, Atlantic Highlands, Tom donated $300
to the SSFFF Fund!!! Brought a tear to my eye!! Thanks again Tom, you are the
best...Capt.Ron
11/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Same bite today as yesterday, with one exception..the bigger fish didn't turn
on after the change of tide! Bird life every where once again, loads of bait, short
bass and all the blues you could want. Fished several area's looking for the bigger
Stripers, couldn't really get passed the blues. Amazing how many of those suckers
there are! Still, very good action and most of the guys LIFTED THEM IN!!! Thanks
guys. capt.ron
We have lost one of our very special customers. Doc (hollywood) Wagner, North
Haledon, N.J. passed away this week. Doc owned and operated Wagner Bus and tour
company in N. Haledon. Doc could talk the Balls of a pool table! But was one of the
Gentlest, kindess men I have ever met. He was never one to complain, there was no
such thing as a bad day to Doc. He will surely be missed by me and all the guys who
came to know him. From all of the Fishermen Crew.....Fish on Doc!! Capt.Ron
11/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to be a million birds working in the AM. No matter where you looked there
was life, only problem was, they were very tough to catch. Picked at the small Bass
and some bigger blues. Kept bouncing around trying to find the ones that wanted what
we were offering...wind against the tide didn't help the situation. Waited for the
change and the right conditions, bite turned on with some of the best fall fishing
yet! Plenty of short bass with some very nice keepers in the mix. All the big blues
you wanted for the action. Had so much fun we put in an extra 1/2 hour to get a few
more keepers. Sherman Smith/Belle Meade, N.J. had the pool fish at 15 pounds.
Several limits including Dereck who had 3 with a bonus tag. Patience paid off
today!! Capt.Ron
11/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
13 customers in the harbor today, only boat to make it out and glad we did.
After yesterdays hack, the fish wanted to eat today. Figures, a boat load of
customers yesterday, no bite, small gang today and more than we could use! Looked in
the channels, didn't find a thing, didn't stop, headed down the beach and found some
life off the Highlands. First few drifts, all bass with a couple beauties mixed in.
Chriss Gjertsen landed a 47inch 34 pounder for the big one of the day. Eddie
Hazletine, Mitch jevic both had fish in the 20 pound class. Plenty of big blues in
the deep when we went searching for more life. My Dad, the old salt he is,landed 6
would be keepers and his share of Blues. Nasty, cold, rainy day, best time to
fish!!! capt.ron
Just recieved my copy of ASMFC Fisheries Focus...2 things have rubbed me the
wrong way. Too make a long story short, one of the comments made is The quality of
the scientific data on Fluke is among the best for mid-atlantic species....What data
is that? The faulty trawl surveys, the personal phone calls at home to the weekend
warriors! BS! The second is, they make a statement tha Both Recreational and
commercial fishermen have said the need more fish!! I have never said we need
MORE..we would just like to keep some of what we catch. Hell, we were willing to go
to 4 fish at 16 inches and up or a slot fish, anything to survive. More fish my ass!
Don't put words in our mouths. We have lived by the rules as I've said many times,
all the way from 14 inch fish to 16 1/2 and god knows what for next season. In the
same article it states the downward trend of the late 1980's early 1990's towards
depletion has been reversed and spawning stock biomass has INCREASED 4 fold!!
Increases in minimum sizes have helped expand the age/size structure, as evidenced
by the increased abundance of large fish. And we still can't keep any! If we go to a
22 or 23 inch fish, does that mean in our life time everything will finally be O.K.
and we can finally take something home..HELL NO, the poundage will be way too high
because the fish are TOO BIG! What a catch 22. More crap to PSSSS me off! capt.ron
11/25/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After yesterdays fishing, today was a total meltdown!! Didn't have anywhere
near the life, birds or fish. When we did find the life at the end of the
day....they didn't bite. Caught some blues, a few short bass and 4 keepers. Ran just
about everywhere looking for some action. Fished offshore where we caught the bass
yesterday only to find some Blues and Horn dogs up the giggy! Suckers ate Jigs,
spoons, even 9 inch shads!!! Several attempts to get the guys to turn the handles
and get off the bottom, fell on deaf ears, went on deck to explain why they had to
reel....no luck. Guess after 30 years, I've become a dumb ass! Knew in the AM when
(TOM) asked how we did yesterday, I was in trouble..put the whammy right out there.
Hey, gotta blame someone or something...A few red wines might ease the pain tonight,
tomorrow we'll start fresh...Capt.ron
11/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good action today, Blues and Stripers. Actually had a nice catch of
keepers along with plenty of shorts. Bluefish everywhere we went, big ones at that.
Fished the channels till that died, ran off to where we only had bluefish yesterday,
today the Bass where there. Pool fish 14 pounds. Had life every possible place you
could imagine, from the Reach, Ambrose, SH channel, the beach, out East, in-shore
and offshore!! Gotta love the fall fishing!! Capt.ron
11/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't have Gail force winds as predicted...naturally! Started Friday morning
in the channels...loads of birds working, All short bass and bluefish. When that
died we took a ride to deeper water, found Gannets diving, thought we found the
Mother load!, Mother load alright, all big blues, not 1 bass. Ran too the rocks,
blues off shore, found some bird life inshore, herring and Stripers (that were as
small as the herring!! You see how the day is going...no lack of action, by now I'm
pissed cause we still don't have a keeper Striper for the pool. Made a last ditch
effort on the way home, stopped on some life had 2 bass...natually, they didn't make
28 inches! Good fishing, no keepers, plenty of blues, a $300 fuel bill, and NO
KEEPERS! It's the challange that keeps me coming back!!! Capt.Ron
11/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Jigged all day today. Life in the AM produced a few nice keepers and a bunch
of shorts. Had to make a run again, when we got there, plenty of birds and fish on
top...only picked at the shorts and some blues until the tide changed. Some drifts
were better than others, but overall it was a good fishing day for the few guys who
showed up....If it does blow tomorrow, will just fish down the beach...no problem!
Capt.ron
11/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had some life first thing in the AM, close to home. Made several drifts
picking at the bass, more shorts than keepers, and a few blues. Action died once the
current ran too hard. Took a bit of a ride to find some more life. Never got the
bite we had yesterday, but still caught fish. Couple nice one's, plenty of blues and
more shorts again, on the stripers. Could have used yesterdays bite today with the
gang we had...naturally, that wasn't in the cards!! Sailing Thanksgiving
7:30am.......Capt. Ron
11/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very Nasty ocean turned on the bite today!! 90 percent Stripers up to 24 1/2
pounds. Fish ate anything we threw at them, Ava's, Shads, Storms, didn't matter as
they were hungry. Fish were feeding on Sand eels and Anchovies. Ed Arill, Boonton
N.J. had the big one at 24 1/2 pounds, 44 inches! Couple others in the 20 lb. range.
A few big blues mixed in, but that was not the norm. Waited all year for a day like
today!! Just hope tomorrow it's not the old "You should have been here
yesterday!!!! Sailing Thanksgiving 7:30am.......Capt.Ron
11/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Jigged all day today. Started out slow with a few short Bass and blues. Read
loads of bait everywhre we went, just a matter of time for the bite to turn on.
Current started to run, action picked up. Way too many 25 to 27 inch fish with not a
whole bunch of keepers. Plenty of blues if you wanted them. Good action though,
hopefully the bigger fish will show soon...Capt. Frank is out this afternoon, the
eeling hasn't been that good the past week, a few fish here and there....Maybe
tonight!! Sailing Thanksgiving our normal trip. Capt.ron
11/16/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Isn't it amazing that the PEW group is funded by BIG OIL! Some of the largest
polluters in the world! No wonder they have turned their attention to the fishermen
of this country...remember Exxon Valdez and Alaska? 250 miles of coastline
destroyed, hundereds of fishermen out of business, families ruined and yet Big oil
has yet too pay the $250 million dollars they were fined. Lawyers keep tying it up
in court. Where's PEW on this one? Now they want or are demanding a Fluke quota of
11 million pounds, putting all their political pressure on NMFS....whos running this
country? All the special interests! Have some balls and tell them to back off, go
back to saving the freakin Whales! (Which are still being slaughtered by
Japan)where's PEW? Imagine being at a Party with these snobs as they drink their
White Whine with the pinky the only finger Not touching the glass, as they look down
their nose and say "So your that Fishermen guy", makes me want to puke!
Get back to the enviromental issues, Pollution,Wetlands all the other crap you are
supposed to represent...What, Big Oil says no...follow the money once again!
PEW...it stinks! Capt.Ron
11/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't make it out yesterday, only had 8 customers in the harbor. Decided to
go for fuel.....$3.21 a gallon!! Gas on the pump was .20 cheaper! How the hell is
that! Diesle used to be the cheapest thing out there, Oh that's right, Winter is
coming, so all the home owners now get their chance at getting screwed! It's beyond
me how people aren't going nuts, unless the newspeople just don't report it. Money
controls everything that we are told, hell we keep hearing how great the economy is,
yet people can't afford their mortgages or insurance. The 1.7 trillion dollars that
has been spent on Afganastan and Iraq is going to cost the average family $20,000
over the years, double that if the war keeps going! 1.7 trillion could have provided
health care to everyone in this country!! I better quit while I'm ahead, this IS
SUPPOSED to be a fishing report so here goes...After swallowing the $2,500 fuel bill
yesterday, took a ride to look at the ocean,. see if there was any
life....Naturally, just off the beach, where we fished yesterday, a mile of birds
working, fish busting!! The worst part of November, it's a transition month, the
NWesterlies come through and blow a gail! We could always fish down the beach when
enough customers show...yesterday and today, they didn't. capt.ron
11/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning out in pea soup fog! Still hard to beleave after that tow
boat incident that someone would venture out here without radar. Had a boat 20 yards
in back of me on the way out....if I had to stop in an emergency, he would have been
in my @*#! Smartin up! Tuned in the Radar to find the birds, got lucky and found a
large area of fish between the channels, Bass and Blues. Very nice bite on the jigs,
unlike yesterday where it took some doing to put a catch together. Richard
Vogt/Whippany, N.J. had the pool fish at 14 pounds...his son lost the FISH of the
Day...so he said!! I agreed, it had to be 30 pounds! Windy next couple of days, who
cares as long as they bite.......capt.ron
11/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
More Bluefish today than Bass, most of the bass were short with the exception
of a handfull of keepers. Good action after the change of tide, just couldn't get
most guys away from the clams! The last 2 days more bass have been caught on
jigs....not like we can seporate the two, just have to deal with it....Commercial
meeting tonight, will post the feel of the evening tomorrow. Capt.Ron
11/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out with a slow morning, had the end of the tide and no current for
some time. Picked a few bass on a couple drops waiting for the tide. Read plenty of
fish and saw some bird life. Bite started around 12:00, Bass and Blues most of the
fish on jigs, but we did catch a few on clams. Nice when you don't have twenty boats
flying through the life...the fish actually do bite!!! Nice day on the water. Last
nights trip was NG, had 2 keepers and a couple shorts. Started out jigging on some
life in the bay., switched to clams till it got dark then put the eels on, caught
the keepers on eels...past few nights have been (tough), to say the least! Capt.Ron
11/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Typical weekend..boatload of customers, birds working, fish busting and 500
boats racing through them!! Tried jigging in the AM, caught a couple short bass,
some small blues. Left that to go anchor up...had a nice pile of fish we landed on,
had 3 on right away..the pool fish and a second very nice fish. Couple more bites
and a few fish lost when sure enough some clown runs up my ass!!! Didn't have
another bite after that, thought maybe we would get them going again,no such luck.
The whole ocean, I go off by myself and there always has to be that one A-hole! Went
back to drifting on the bird life, watched the fish all around the boat, still not
catching much. Managed a nice 23 pounder and a 21 for the big fish. Half a dozen
others and some blues...not what I was hoping for today.....glad I don't carry a
gun! capt.ron
11/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Dan Casey and crew out with us today on a Charter. Started out a little
slow clamming, tough for the younger guys who never did that before. Fished a couple
area's Drifting and anchoring. Ended up with a nice catch of Bluefish and a dozen
Bass, most of which were short. Kids still had a blast with the action. Back to
normal tomorrow!! Capt.ron
11/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A couple fish in the AM. Not the bite we had all week, and twice the amount
of boat traffic. Never really got the fish going on anchor...started drifting on
some bird life..big blues and keeper bass for the rest of the day. Caught them on
Clams and jigs. Couple guys had 3 keepers with bonus tags, largest fish of the day
was caught by Bob Banta, Warwick, N.J. 45 inches, 25 1/2 pounds, the largest of the
fall (so far). 9 year old Markez and his dad Armundo also caught their limit of Bass
and a nice bunch of blues. Great day on the water after a couple good BUTT kickins
this week! Chartered Friday AM....Sailing the afternoons 3:30 till 9:30pm on the
weekend. Capt.Ron
11/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good thing we had Ebb tide most of the day..with the strong NW, it could have
been pretty ugly!! Had plenty of life in the AM, once again a very nice pick on
mixed fish, way more smaller fish than keepers but the keepers were quality fish.
Tony Santostephano, after missing most of the Fluke season, redeemed himself with a
very nice 42 inch 24 pounder for the pool along with another 15 pounder and a
handfull of shorts. High hook had 14 fish with 1 keeper. Action died at the change
today, unlike the past 3 days where the bite was good through slack and into the
incoming..Hey, they don't eat all time! CHARTERED FRIDAY MORNING!! Capt.Ron
11/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nasty ocean today turned the fish on! Nice all day pick like yesterday with
bigger fish starting to show each day. Had plenty of little ones to start the day
off with just a few keepers, once again, slack into the change is when the bigger
fish turned on. Mike Brady/Hacettstown had the pool with a 22 pounder and a second
fish at 19. Half a dozen others over 15 pounds! Gotta love the nasty weather!!! We
are Chartered this Friday in the AM. Capt.Ron
11/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice all day pick today..started out a little slow with just a few fish,
keepers and shorts. Slack tide into the incoming the bigger fish bit, bite got
steady after the change. Plenty of small fish for the action with over 30 keepers
for the box. Pool fish 16 pounds....Not one Bluefish and only had to make 2 drops
the whole day! Capt.Ron
11/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Some differance in the Ocean today! Never thought it would lay down as fast
as it did, especially after the last 2 days. Still a ground swell, but very
fishable. Caught the last of the outgoing tide and had a decent pick on shorts and
keepers...forgot about changing the time on the plotter, thought I had another hour
of current, at 9:30 everything went dead! Had to wait it out for some time before
the bite came back on. Plenty of small fish today, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
Rocco Farina lead the way again with 3 nice fish in the box and close to a dozen
shorts. He also had the pool fish until the whistle, when Lou Carini, Monroe Twsp
landed a 21 pounder!!. Better fishing than I expected, after the past few
days.....Capt.ron
11/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hard to beleave another month has passed, my life is flashing before my
eyes!! Had a nice pick on the Bass this morning, once the tide started to run.
Smaller fish than yesterday, but still keepers mixed in. Bite died half way through
the tide, took a look around, didn't read much so we left the area. Made a drop off
the Highlands, didn't catch a fish. Found a nice patch of Gannets hitting the
water...put the jigs on and finished the day with a bang! Some nicer keepers, plenty
of shorts and some blues. Good day for not alot of customers. "Fireman"
John Andreychak, Hillsboro N.J. had the pool fish at 14 pounds..Dan Wistuk,
Hillsboro, also had his limit plus a few shorts
10/31/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Came home to the front page of the Asbury park press "Fishing Czar sends
a shot across the bow".
Czar? What are we now in Russia!! Czar my A**, this is another guy in a suit feeling
the power placed on him by all the (concerned parties), we all know who they are. If
for one minute, any of you sit back and do nothing, we are all doomed. This is no
joke, are you sick and tired of this crap? Then do something about it..I will post
(after Nov.13th) about a very important meeting that is going to be held.
Commercial, Recreational, Party, Charter, Tackle shops,restaurants any one affected
by this BS need attend. If I'm gonna go down, I'm going fighting, not sitting back
on my butt. This is still America, the dreams my Great Grand Parents, Grand parents
and Parents had are still with me...you want to take that away...putt'em up, I have
had it! Chances are after all is said and done, I'll be one of those bitter old men
you meet in your life, but at least I didn't sit back and piss, moan and do
nothing..............Fishing today was O.K. had to run from one area to another to
put a catch together. Not the nice all day pick of yesterday, but more quality size
fish. Did better on the jigs than clams today, a few more bluefish also.....Capt.ron
10/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice pick on the Bass today...had shots of 2 to 3 then nothing for a
bit, then another shot of 2, like that most of the day. Bite died during slack, made
a few moves waiting for the change...ended the day with another nice shot of fish.
Eric Jensen,Parsippanny, N.J. lead the way with 7 fish and a very nice 16 pound pool
fish....capt.ron
10/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nasty day Sunday with all the wrong conditions, way too much wind with
wind against. Caught a few bass, a few blues, nothing to talk about. Today the
weather was 100% better, but the fishing stunk! Had fish roll around us all day,
very hard too catch. Managed some blues and a couple short bass. Lots of bait, lots
of fish..not much of a bite for us today. Switching the afternoon fishing to
Stripers this weekend..Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm till 9:30pm...capt.ron
10/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 4 days of being tied to the dock, I'm climbing the walls!! Ocean has
been very nasty and all the rain hasn't helped. Should start to shape up better on
Sunday, colder temps all next week should help with the bass fishing. Couple guys I
know had excellant fishing on the hook the other night, in all the nasty weather.
Looking foward to a good run!...capt.ron
10/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Poor weather has us tied to the dock today. Actually doesn't look good for
the next couple days...strong Easterly wind for tomorrow and Friday. Hopefully the
cold front will perk things up and get the fall run going....capt.ron
10/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only a couple of boats made it out today, maybe enough customers for 1 guy to
make a days pay...In my next life I want to be a Weatherman, Christ if I BS'd as
much as they do, I'd be outta business!!! Anyway, had a good morning on the
Stripers, Clams and jigs. A few nice fish along with some slots. Wind did come up
later in the day which made it a little to nasty to stay in the ocean. Tried a drop
on the knoll, caught a couple nice Sea Bass and came home. Felt good to see the rods
bend though!!! Capt.Ron
10/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tried clamming for a couple hours in the AM, caught 1 keeper and 2 short
Bass. Didn't like the lack of readings in the 2 area's we fished....put the jigs on
and bailed out the day with non-stop action on the blues. Fish from 3 to 12
pounds.....capt.ron
10/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Plenty of bird life in the AM, just not enough fish and WAY too much traffic
for anything to happen. Bounced around anchoring and drifting on some readings.
Caught a dozen Bass, 3 which were keepers the rest between 25 and 27 inches...Rocco
Farina had 3 of them with the pool fish at 17 pounds, a long, 39 inch male fish.
Ended the day jigging in the bay, most of the fish were 2-3 pounds until the last
"Rabbit outta the A**" Drift...had 30 minutes of very good fishing on big
blues...Water temp still up there and tomorrow is supposed to be 78 degrees...never
thought I'd be one to wish for the cold, but I could sure use the help!!! Capt.Ron
10/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Managed to get 10 customers to sail today..left the dock thinking, after
yesterdays fishing, today would be easy....got around the point of the hook and WAM,
fog set in! Terrible roll from the south against the last of the outgoing made it
uncomfortable. Started to look around the area we fished yesterday, saw some bird
life on the radar and got very lucky the first 3 drifts. A couple Bass and Blues.
Lost what we had so we anchored up on a snag for awhile, caught some beautifull Sea
Bass and Tog along with a couple more Stripers. Fog lifted around 11:30, 1/2 mile
from where we started The water was boiling with fish. 3 large area's to take
advantage of!! Caught our share and came home just as the rain and wind came
on....capt. ron
10/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First couple drifts in the AM only produced 1 Striper. Left the area and
found several area's of birds working. More Blues than Bass, but we did have a few
shorts and a couple keepers. Amazing amout of bait in the ocean today, peanut bunker
and rain fish. Water temp. still 65 degrees.....Friday afternoons trip is looking
like it might be a bust, calling for some pretty good Southerly wind from the
afternoon on....Capt.ron
10/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, morning started out shakey, to say the least..had only a couple
of bass and a ton of Sea Robbins. Loads of bait with some Albacore and blues in it,
just not enough to stick around. Took a pretty good ride to the South, found some
readings put it on a drift, started picking at the Blues...caught slack water, the
birds showed up, fish started to bite. had 3 drifts on the bass, more shorts than
keepers and all the blues you wanted. Once the current started to run, the bass bite
was over, the bluefish kept on eating. Karl Herkert, Kearny N.J. had the pool fish
in the AM with a very nice 18 pounder. Tough to be in so many places when your one
of the only boats out....Nice to get lucky once in a while!!! Capt.ron
10/16/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
How do I describe todays fishing without using too many four letter words?
Almost impossible, but here goes...After yesterday and a nice catch of fish, today
was the SH**s! Caught one albacore all morning, didn't see a bluefish and the only
birds working, were on the albies. Ran to the rocks, caught a couple blues, sea bass
and finally, 1 Striper at 12:40pm. Ocean was flat as a pancake, water was clear and
64 degrees...no current to speak of. Like I said before, One day a hero, next day a
bum!!! Capt.ron
10/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Gotta love Mondays...3 in a row where we had decent fishing after a lousy
weekend. Drifted all day, picked away on some very nice keepers. Russ Maryott caught
his 3 with a bonus tag and won the pool with a very nice 16 pounder. Joe and Andy,
my monday regulars once again had their limit plus some nice Sea Bass and a couple
Blackfish. Great day on the water, nice to regain a little sanity after the terrible
weekend... Capt.Frank had very good bluefishing again this weekend. Still chumming.
May switch to Stripers once they take hold a bit better...Capt.Ron
10/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Knew leaving the dock, "today was gonna be one of those days!" NW
wind, hard incoming tide, chum ran to the bow and we swung like a barn door on the
anchor. Sea Robbins bit there @##* off! Ran to the channel to try a drift, naturally
with the wind against we rolled our you know what's off! Caught a couple bluefish on
the jigs. Ran down the beach looking for any kind of life, the southern guys had
nothing but bad news, we did find some life off the Highlands, had birds working on
the bluefish, unfortunately, the blues were in rain fish....by now I'm wishing I
stayed in college!!. Tom Krako fished with a 6 oz croc and seemed to be the only one
catching anything. Tried plain jigs, jigs with tails, peanut bunker, clams, you name
it, we did it...only to watch the fish bust all around us...The only good thing
about today is "I will get my revenge soon!! capt.ron
10/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After being tied up for 3 days, today was a pleasure (weather wise) to be on
the water. Morning started off with a couple drifts and some nice keepers. Bite was
short lived as we lost the current. Anchored and tried chumming thinking maybe they
would turn on again, no such luck. Put the jigs for the bluefish, another joke!
Caught a handfull of fish, nothing like the life in the ocean yesterday. Water temp
was 65, with the outgoing and West wind, thought for sure today would be the day, no
such luck. Young fishermen, Ryan Silverman kept up his tradition of showing his Dad
how to do it, with a nice keeper bass. Pool fish went 16 pounds.....Hopefully we'll
find better action tomorrow.....Capt.ron
10/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Been at the dock the past 3 days with the weather. The only positive thing
is, it's getting colder, water temp should start to drop, things should start to get
a little more consistant. My crew fished the beach today, Birds and fish for a mile
stretch! Mostly big blues, but they did manage a few short bass once the blues
backed off. Amazing how nature works. We should be good to go for the next few days,
hopefully will have some good reports. Capt.ron
10/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning out with a beautifull day, picked a few Bass drifting
clams. looked out to the East and could see what looked like the end of the world!
Wind came on in minutes and blew steady. Naturally it was just in time for the Ebb
to come through! Within 15 minutes we were in a different ocean. Got the hell outta
there quick, ran back into the bay, which by the time we got there, was no picknic
either. Rolled our cruellar off trying to jig bluefish in 10ft of water! I'm never
one to quit....today I waved the white flag.....capt.ron
10/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Slow start to the morning on the Bass. Clammed up half a dozen fish, didn't
like what I saw so we went in search of some jig fish. Jigging started out slow with
one small area of birds working, half way through the tide the area became quite
large! Bigger blues and Bass mixed in with them. Caught a couple on jigs, couple on
clams. Young man, Matthew Brojock, along with his dad, landed his first Bass to take
todays pool. Wind was into the West, were they say the fish bite the best! Only wish
I could have had a third of the action yesterday with all the regulars. Capt.Frank
has had excellant Bluefishing in the afternoons, chumming. saturday nightMike Szot,
Old Bridge, N.J. landed our largest of the season an 18 1/2 pounder. Will continue
the afternoons Friday, Saturday and Sunday as long as we can.Looks like some cool
weather in the forcast for this week, let's hope it's the start of good
things......capt.ron
10/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Bounced around the ocean all morning trying to catch the Bass, battled the
fog and 71 degree water temp...even the sharks didn't bite! Didn't have a fish till
12:30 when we headed back into the bay to jig some blues. Very good action for an
hour and a half. At least all the kids aboard got over their boredom and had some
fun. A few gaffers mixed in, but most were 3 to 5 pounds. Had to yank a Jig with a
tail outta a guys arm..thing was right in the muscle, guy never even flinched when I
yanked on the remover, but his buddy almost passed out!!! Capt.Frank had very good
Bluefishing last night again on the bait. Boat is out this afternoon, looks like a
good night. Capt.Ron
10/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
From hero the begining of the week, to zero today! Covered just about every
corner of the ocean, without much success. Had 4 keeper bass on 3 drops in the AM,
took a ride to the rocks, NG, back up to the North hoping we would at least find
some jig fish...fog set in a little to thick...made one last drop, caught 1 bluefish
and lost one....Customers came down today with the good reports of the past week,
naturally it wasn't going to be..Water temp did climb back up to 69 degress..was
that the answer? Who the hell knows!!! capt.ron
10/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
I knew leaving the dock today it was going to be tough! Had the end of the
outgoing with not much current, not much drift. We did get a couple shots right off
the bat with a couple keepers and a few shorts. Went and anchored up waiting for the
change (which took forever to come) had a slow 1, 1 pick. Made a move once the
current started to run, back to a 1, 1 pick. Sharks, skates and then 1 Bass. Most
fish today were 27 inches, we did manage 12 keepers, none over 30 inches. If we
still had the slot fish, it would have been a decent day. Tossing back the perfect
eaters...what a joke!! Yet, I heard a gill netter was working inshore of the rocks
and there were at least 15 Bass floating dead on the water..go figure...capt.ron
10/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
3 days in a row!! October is starting out with a bang! Limited out again by
11:00am. Played catch and release until a couple fish floated away...got the hell
outta there and came home. Fish up to 15 pounds with the pool fish being caught by
Nelson Sigueza, Edison, N.J. His first ever pool fish. Water temp has to be the
answer as these fish were hungry. Many had the hooks way down in their bellies (even
the circle hooks). Maybe this is a reward for getting screwed on the Fluke!! Going
to enjoy it while it lasts.....capt.ron
10/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing in the AM for the second day in a row...had a customer from
yesterday who brought his dad today, told him yesterday was a dream for this time of
year, after the bite was over he asked about Deja Vue!! Some nicer fish up to 14
pounds and plenty of slots when the bite was on. Ended the day jigging some blues
once the bass stopped biting.....capt.ron
10/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!! A report to be proud of. First drop in the AM produced only 1
keeper bass..made a second drop, again, nothing. Ran offshore of the Rocks, found
some very good readings and bait, anchored up and had non-stop action for over an
hour on the Stripers! Limited the boat out in an hour and a half. Fish up to 16
pounds. Played catch and release and came home a half hour early. Water temp droped
6 degrees with the easterly flow we have had the past 2 days, that had to be the
ticket. Jig fishing didn't happen today so it was a good thing we had the clams.
Worst part is, for this time of the season, it was probably a tease!!! Lots of bait,
plenty of fish, when all the conditions are right, well knock the socks off em'!!
Frank Suchwala celebrated his 71st birthday by catching 3keepers and releasing 12
more. First time fishermen Stacy Bushman, Nicole and Mike Bushman from Idaho caught
their limit and also played catch and release..Andy and Joe our Monday regulars, who
have been through the best and the worst of fishing got their reward also today,
catching 3 each with bonus tags. Tomorrow is a true, you should have been here
yesteday story!!! Capt.Ron
09/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nothing like yesterday! Started out the morning clamming, had 3 keepers and 2 shorts on a slow pick all in the first hour. Ran back to where we had very good jig fishing yesterday, only to find no life and a very uncomfortable roll. Fished the rocks, caught a few bluefish. Ran back up to the North at the end of the day, caught a few fish in on the beach with the jigs...not a good day......capt.ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again the NW wind produced a very good bite. Jigged all day catching big blues, a handfull of short Bass and 2 keeper bass...large area of bait, birds and fish!! The Weather was perfect and sea's not bad at all...Capt.Frank had a tough one last night boating only 15 fish and losing a dozen more...first slow one in quite some time...Sailing everyday, we have been carrying the clams, just in case! Capt.ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't make it out today, I guess the call for rain and fog in the A.M. didn't sit
well with the customers. Beautiful morning, as the front had already passed. Had 5
guys looking to go...4 more showed up and got on the boat, went to start the
generator and get things going when I see them leaving the boat..they wondered if I
had chairs to set around my tables so they could play cards!!! Almost lost it...bad
enough I have to bust my ass to produce fish every day, but too do it for guys who
could really give a crap!! Was glad they got off....Stayed tied to the dock and the
crew had some fun catching bluefish without having to leave the slip...Capt.Frank is
out on the afternoon trip, blue fishing has been excellant so I would imagine he's
having a good night. Capt. Ron
09/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning with the clams again today, only problem was, we never
had a bite on 2 drops. Lost the tide and didn't read enough life to wait for the
change. Put the jigs on and headed down the beach. Played chase the birds the rest
of the day, catching big blues. Did manage 2 Stripers that had to go back. The past
few days we have had an incredible amount of peanut bunkers in the harbor, the
bluefish have been chasing them under the docks...we catch a few right in the slip!!
Can you imagine leaving the dock and anchoring in the harbor, life would be good!!
Capt.ron
09/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out clamming on the last of the tide. Had a couple shots of Bass with
a few keepers in the mix. Bite didn't last long, once the tide changed that was it.
Put the jigs on and chased birds the rest of the day. Plenty of big blues around and
we still managed a few bass on the jigs. Much better day than yesterday. Fish are
still tough to catch though, when they are feeding on the rainfish!! Capt.Ron
09/25/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very tough day today, even the good bite we had yesterday on the blues didn't
happen. Caught 2 keeper Bass in the AM, worked further South to fish a few snags, no
bites. Fished the Rocks for a while, caught some nice Sea Bass and 1 big Blue fish
that looked like he's lived there forever! Drifted offshore, ran back to the North,
beat myself up to catch squat!!! Hopefully we get an "A" for effort! Full
moon tomorrow, should be an EXTRA Special day!!!!!!!! Capt.Ron
09/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a few fish first thing in the AM, 2 keepers, half a dozen shorts, then
the sharks took over! Tried not chumming, didn't work. Made a move to another spot
and never got the fish going. Put the jigs on for the blues, excellant action on big
fish till the guys got tired. Ran out to the East to clam the bass again....N.G.
never had another bite. Perfect day on the water though! Capt.Ron
09/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The change in todays weather got things much more active in the ocean. Read
plenty of bait, had lots of jig fish (blues) and a few short bass. Jigged until
11a.m. then went Sea Bass fishing. Lots of little ones and a good showing of
keepers. This time of the season were doing what we have to, too put a catch
together...Claming, jigging, bottom fishing, were going fishing! Weather should be
fine for the next few days...Capt.Frank had good blue fishing again last night,
picked away all night on 5 to 12 pound fish. capt.ron
09/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Am I mentally challanged or was today supposed to be 85 and sunny?? Had fog
in the AM, cloudy, overcast and nasty the rest of the day, and rain to finish out
the afternoon! These weather guys should work for the Fisheries people, they base
their reports on faulty science!! Anyway, today was lousy fishing for bass. Had one
short in the AM, read fish, had a good outgoing and zip! Was going to fish the Mud
until half way there, I say 300 boats. Fished the rocks, didn't find any Blues or
Bass, but the Sea Bass fishng kinda bailed us out. At least the guys went home with
dinner.....Capt.Ron
09/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the last of the
outgoing for a short while today, had a little pick going on some keepers and
shorts, not a hot bite, but action, lost the tide and that was it. Thought when we
finally got some current it would pick up, but just like yesterday, no such luck.
High hook had 5 fish on a rental rod! Stu Silverman also had his limit and a short.
Many guys had none. Water is gin clear and I'm sure with the high, bright sun, that
hasn't helped the past 2 days.......It's only Sept!!!!! Capt.Ron
09/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After todays bite, yesterday had to be a dream!! Knew it would be awhile before we got the change and current, didn't expect anything, and nothing is what we got!! Took forever to get the tide, when it came we caught 3 keepers and a short, figured the bite was on.......had to leave the area after several drops, most of them I read fish on, they just didn't eat. Finished up off the highlands jigging a few big blues, bonito and albacore....Hero yesterday, today a bum.....what a life!!! capt.ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today on the Stripers!! Had some terrible conditions in the
AM with a huge swell and the last of the outgoing. Had to do some searching to find
a pick. Stayed with a one, one, slow bite till just about the end of the tide, made
a move and found some better readings...had shots of 3 to 4 on at times! All keepers
just made 28 to 29 inches with just as many smaller fish going back. Very impressive
action for this time of year. Ron Solin had the hot hand with 3 keepers and several
shorts. Mitch Jevic and Bill Yurkovitch also got in on the action with limits and
shorts. Sailing daily 7:30 till 2:30pm. Bluefish Chumming on the weeekends 3:30pm
till 9:30pm.. capt.ron
09/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Been picking at the Stripers the past few trips. Certainly not the fall run,
but we do manage some keepers on a whole bunch of drops. Jigged some blues when the
birds are working. Andy Seney, Union Beach landed 3 Bass while Joe Handley, Anchor
Inn caught 2. Fishing will get better as the water, and air temps start to drop.
Sailing daily 7:30am till 2:30pm. Bluefish chumming Friday, Saturday and Sunday
afternoon, 3:30pm till 9:30pm...capt.ron
09/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Small group of customers for our first Striper trip of the fall, went right
to the clamming. Caught the last of the incoming off the beach, had 2 fish right
away, a keeper and a short. Made 2 more drifts, didn't like what I saw, took a ride
out to the East, read some fish and anchored up. Had a shot of fish with 4 keepers
and 8, 27 inch fish before we lost the tide. Waited for the change hoping the bite
would start again, only caught sharks on the outgoing...Ended the day jigging some
bluefish....still an O.K. showing for this early in the season, can only get
better!! Chartered Sat. Morning. Open for the afternoon Bluefish trip 3:30 till
9:30pm. Capt.Ron
IMPORTANT - Public Fishermen's Meeting - 9/17
The face of saltwater fishing as we know it is changing. Each year we as fishermen
are faced with further regulations, even in the face of increasing fish stocks based
on our previous conservation efforts. When are we going to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH??!!
This past Tuesday was one of the saddest days in my fishing memory as I saw scores
of boats tied to the dock here in NJ as a result of our closed Fluke season. At
least we knew this day was coming. In NY, the story is worse. They expected to have
a longer season, but will BE SHUT DOWN EARLY. Imagine booking a fishing trip and
being told a week before your trip that sorry, fishing is as good as anyone can
remember, but the government says we have to stop fishing now. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
This coming Monday, 9/17, there will be an important fishermen's meeting that all
fishermen should make an effort to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss
the tightening noose of fisheries regulations, fluke and blackfish in particular.
Scheduled to speak will be the Bogan's, RFA, the Division of Fish & Game and NJ
State Legislators. The goal of the meeting will be to present the challenges of the
current state of fisheries management and to voice ideas on how to protect our
ability to utilize the resource. This is an opportunity to do more than sit behind a
keyboard, it's a chance to come out, meet some people, share some ideas, and HELP US
ALL! Bring a friend (or two or three). Media representatives are expected, so the
greater the turnout, the better.
Meeting is 7:30 pm Monday at the Taylor Pavilion located between 5th and 6th Avenues
on Ocean Avenue in Belmar.
09/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Striper fishing Friday morning 7:30am The afternoon 3:30pm trip is Chartered
as well as Saturday Mornings trip. Saily daily after that 7:30am-2:30pm for Stripers
and Blues. Looking foward to some good fall fishing!! Capt.Ron
09/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Capt.Ron Fishermen/A sorry day!!
Not only is today a day not to be forgotten, but it will also be remembered for the
closing of the Fluke season...The attached photo will show the devistating effect
these morons had on us today..Terrorists, no, our own government!!!! All boats were
tied up today, Thanks, NOAA. Capt.Ron
A special meeting will be held Monday, September 17th at the Taylor Pavilion
in Belmar at 5th and Ocean Ave. Time is 7:30pm. Assemblyman Sean Kean and other
prominent figures from the fishing community will be on hand to answer questions and
try to come up with solutions to some of our current problems regarding Blackfish
and Fluke. Now is the time to come together, Party, Charter and recreational
fishermen. We all need to support one another or fishing will be a thing of the
past. Please try to attend. Thanks, Capt.Ron/Fishermen
09/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
For the last report of the 2007 Fluke season, I would like to start off by
thanking all the customers who supported us each week, even the first timers who
never fished before and came out to enjoy one of the best seasons in a long time.
Never thought when they went to 17 inches we would survive! But we did. Fishing was
very good for the most part,with more quality fish than I could imagine. All those
years of tossing back the 16 inchers finally paid off...Largest for us this season
was 11.5 pounds caught by Carlos Gonzales, we also had a 10 1/2, a few in the 9
pound range and many fish in the 2 to 5 pound class. Limits where tough to come by,
but we still managed quite a few despite the size regs. Today, we went out with a
bang...wanted to end the season on a high note, so busting some A## was not a
problem. Started out in our channel waiting for the change of tide, picked a few
keepers and some shorts power drifting. Didn't like what I saw when the current
started to run so we go the hell outta there! Ran down the beach where I fished
yesteday, past 2 draggers fishing 1.5 miles from the beach (but that's a different
story) Had a slow drift and caught crap! Can't imagine where those fish could have
gone after yesterday bite! Took a chance and ran another 5 miles offshore to the Mud
dump area, fish where there..had some nice shots of keepers on several drifts as
well as some very nice Sea Bass. Joe Handley, Union Beach ended the season with 6
nice keepers and some bass...at the final whistle (I couldn't have staged it any
better)!! 3 rods bent over, first fish 4 1/2 pounds caught by joe, second fish 6 1/2
pounds caught by Rich Wos, 3rd fish 8.3 pounds caught by Edwin Arias, Roselle
N.J.....Went out with a bang, only wish I could do it again tomorrow.....Thanks
NOAA! Capt.Ron
09/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better action for me than what I have had the past 3. Fished the
channels, had a few beauties right away. Got 3 drifts out of it before the current
and the slide turned against us. Fished the beach for a very nice all day
pick...Several fish 2 to 4 pounds with a whole bunch of 16-16 1/2's going back. Pool
fish was caught by Ken Mizdol/Wallington, N.J., again just short of a doormat at 9
1/4 pounds! Couple guys had 7, no limits, but still, much better fishing...too bad
it has to end so soon!!! Capt. Ron
09/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Headed out to the channels this morning, already had the change of tide but
it was still very fishable. Had 2 good drifts with some nice fish, including the
pool fish, before it got a little too crowded. Worked a couple area's with a slow
pick. Current ran too hard, left the area and tried in between, current ran even
harder. Ran south to find NO DRIFT at all! A few shorts and some Sea Bass. South
wind came up again just at the change of tide, worked back up to the North, found a
nice line of fish to end the day with some nice size keepers, a little too late
though!! Rocco Farina had the pool fish again today, his third in 2 weeks, the guy
is on a roll! Bluefishing last night was probably more of a puke contest, very nasty
in the ocean, boated maybe 30 fish...with more guys wishing the stayed home with the
wife!!!! Capt.Ron
09/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Monday is the last Fluke trip for the 2007 season, how would you feel if you
knew you were going to loose 10% of your gross income? Everyone is put in a
situation where we have to go nuts trying to figure out, what's next....Bluefish,
Weakfish, bottom fishing. Naturally, the bluefishing is a home run, but the
customers won't come, sure we could get out everyday with 8 to 10 diehards that come
down, but that doesn't pay the bills, it would actually cost us money. Porgy
fishing, forget it in Atlantic Highlands, the guys who porgy fish normally fish with
Capt.willie on the Dauntless, doesn't mean you won't carry some of your die hard
customers, but will you pay the bills....NO. Weakfish? Right now, unless there is
devine intervention over the next few days, that's a joke. Who the hell is going to
spend $40 bucks for a flat of worms, to go out and practice and pray you catch
something? So where does that leave us? We'll be tied up Tuesday, Wendsday and
Thursday for maintanance...maybe a miricle will happen in the next few days, if not,
I'll let you know what road we chose to go for Friday....One consulation for me
anyway, I do have a Bluefish Charter on Saturday the 15th in the AM........Thanks
NOAA. Capt.Ron
09/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the AM on the Reach...once again, hardly any movement. Tried the
power drift thing, picked a few fish, not enough to stay with it. Ran out to Ambrose
and the current. Found a nice line of fish but the roll was pretty bad..hung in
there picking away on more keepers than shorts to start. Tried the middle in the
deep, not much life there. Came back to SH channel for the change, had a pick going
until the wind came up outta the South, hard. Ended the day drifting 2.2 knots!!!
Still some very nice fish while it lasted, pool fish 6 pounds. Capt.Frank is out
this afternoon on the Bluefish trip, doesn't sound too nice out there!
09/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Slow pick today as conditions were terrible. No drift in the AM, had to power
drift to catch a few fish. Ran out to the ocean and the current, picked at the
shorts and Sea Robbins, best of the bite was at slack into the incoming. Had a few
nice keepers, some shorts but the action again, was short lived. The lack of current
in the AM was more than made up for, after 2 drifts on the change. Left the area
with a drift of 1.9 knots!! Came back in the bay and naturally a SHIP had to be
coming out the channel..caught 4 fish after that! Couple guys had 4 and 3 keepers,
not a great day. Will be tied up Next Tuesday, Wendsday and Thursday for
maintainance, with the lack of Weakfish (so far) can't see working on hope! Will
start back Friday the 14th...let you know for what after the weekend. Capt.Ron
09/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the bay this morning, had a nice drift with the last of the outgoing
and a little breeze, very nice bite until the conditions naturally went to hell. Had
wind against the rest of the day, worked the throttles, picked away on shorts and
keepers. Couple ships put the end to the bite, finished up in the ocean where we
caught the pool fish. Mike Hyde, Kearny, N.J. boated a just shy of a doormat at 28
1/2 inches 9 1/2 pounds! Mike and his son mike jr. ended the day with 8 nice keepers
between them....Still at a loss for what's going to happen next week. You would
think with all the boats out the past 3 days, someone would have caught a few
Weakfish! May go bottom fishing, will decide the next few days...Capt.Ron
09/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tried to fish the channel in the AM, had a pretty good drift, 1 keeper and a
couple of shorts on the first one, not much on the second, didn't sound like
anything happining there and the traffic was unbeleavable!!! Got the hell outta
there. Ran out to SH channel to fight the current...fish are leaving, they ain't
comin in, that was the reason. Found a nice spot all by myself, very short lived! By
the time I got to the next buoy, couldn't move..got the hell outta there. Found a
nice pick out to the East and yes, once again, either a ship or the traffic put the
kiebash to that. Fished a nice piece of bottom power drifting, good first drift,
went back to do it again and some S.O B. Was right there doing the same thing, told
him he had some set of nuts!! Not that anything is my spot, but for gods sake, give
me a break! Ended the day with a few nicer fish, Rocco Farina, Wykoff, N.J. landed a
decent 5 1/2 pounder for the pool. Big fish changed hands 4 times today! No limits,
and not great fishing, action on shorts and Sea Bass....Hopefully a HUGE SCOTCH and
stoggie will calm the nerves for tomorrow!!!! Capt.Ron
09/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nothing like the fishing we had the past three days! Good breeze from the
North most of the AM, with incoming tide. Couldn't stay in the channel long, picked
fish on the edges just about every drift. Finally got the change around noon, wind
picked back up, still should have had a better bite. Had a nice 5 1/2 pound pool
fish, high hooks only had 4 today....way to spoiled!! Capt.Frank had excellant Blue
fishing last night. The guys played catch and release after an hour. Fish from 5 to
12 pounds. Amazing amount of Peanut Bunker around, kinda reminds me of the bait
balls you see in Florida when the blues get on them, still, no Weakfish under
them...capt.ron
08/31/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing for the second day in a row. Started out a little shakey
with a few ships and tugs going out the channel, stirring things up, plus the
drifting conditions weren't all that great. Still picked at the fish with some nice
keepers and shorts coming in. Change of tide was the key again today. Started to
drift the right way, the bite was on! Several limits again including: John Autrey
(who also had the pool fish) Scott Ure, My Dad (naturally), Steve hanstien, who
needed an extra 10 minutes at the end of the day, plus the whistle fish to get'er
done! Too bad we only have 10 days left..better get out and enjoy them while you
can....just a note to some of the smaller boats who missed the etiquette class in
the boater course....Please be awear of the drifting conditions when you stop on top
of the guys working, if the drift is going OUT the channel and a boat is power
drifting, do not stop on our stern, or the downside of the drift, we will naturally
run together. Had a guy today do this, then asked me "What your backing
up" This after he stoped right on top of me. Told him I was trying to hold a
drift line, he even went as far as too say "what, you didn't see me!! Yes, and
you saw me! Don't mind sharing, just give me some room to work...Please....capt.ron
08/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today, one of the 10 best of the season! First fish of the
day 10 1/2 pounder caught by Bill Fierro/Ramsey, N.J.
Tony Bracca, Peapack had second with a 7.4 and Ryan Fritz landed a nice 6.5. A
couple of limits and several, 7 keepers in the box. Tons of Peanut Bunker
everywhere...the Weaks can't be far behind. Last season we started on the 3rd of
Sept. caught fish right away, then it was tough for about a week, then things broke
open. Praying for the same this season, as we are going to need it. Can't beleave
the NY guys are getting screwed again! I listen to them everyday talking about how
most times they have to pull a name out of a hat for a pool winner!! Who the hell is
catching all these fish?? How far are we going to let these bastards push us??? It's
a totall disgrace, like I said before, you can die for this country, but god forbide
you keep a 16 1/2 inch fluke!!! BS.........Capt.Ron
08/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the channels again, had slack water and not much movement when we
first got there. Still picked at the fish though. Lots of 15 to 16 1/2's going back,
just like the past 3 days ! A few nicer fish mixed in with the big one being caught
by Chief Butch Valentine/ Dover N.J. 7.1 pounds for the pool. Loads of bait around
this season, let's hope the Weakfish are not far behind.......capt.ron
08/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not bad action again today, still plenty of shorts with keepers mixed in.
Fished the Channels, caught slack in the AM, by 11 it was moving pretty good. Needed
at least 10's to hold the bottom....Now is when you want to bring the heavier rods
and sinkers, noddle rods ain't gonna make it! We say the same thing every year and I
still hear "I can't feel the bottom or I can't set the hook!! Right equipment
for the conditions all the time...PLEASE. Gene Komorrows/Wayne, N.J. had his limit
and won the pool with a very nice 6 3/4 pounder today. Dad had an off day (he only
had 5 keepers)! Capt. Ron
08/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better action today. After the past week, fishing is looking like it
will get better. Still, way too many shorts with keepers mixed in. High hook had 7,
many guys had none to go home with. Battled the current all day with 10's and a
1.9knt tide. Pool fish was caught by Andy Wise, Howell, N.J. a very nice 7 1/2
pounder. Bluefishing yesterday afternoon with Capt.Frank ended with very good
fishing. The start of the afternoon was a pick, once the sun started to go down, the
bite was on! Fish from 6 to 12 pounds with a 14 pound pool winner...Last shot at the
Fluke, only 14 trips left!!! Capt.Ron
08/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Way too many shorts, not enough keepers, current in the channel was just
about impossible, once it got going. Not seeing the quality fish of 2 weeks ago,
which leads me to think, they had their dancing shoes on this past week. Should
still catch fish that come out of the back bays, and there will be some nice ones,
just not the fishing we enjoyed this season......Bluefishg was much better last
night, after the day I had with the Charter, anything would have been an
improvement!! capt.ron
08/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a crappy day today!! Huge swell, outgoing tide against the East wind, a
sprinkle here and there..and no bite, doesn't get any worse than that. It was most
expected though after the past 2 days, still doesn't make it any better. Tried to
fish the channels after the change of tide,that lasted all of 1/2 a drift, got the
hell outta there with the roll. Fished around the point of the hook, picked some
shorts and a few keepers, lost one nice one at the boat, guy slacked off for that
split second, gave the fish a chance to turn his head and dive..you know the rest,
big fish story! Yes, it had to be 25 pounds...I swear!!!! Chartered Friday and
Saturday morning. Capt.Ron
08/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weather has had us at the dock the past 2 days, hopefully it will start to
get better tomorrow. Still sounds like NE 15 to 20, so most likely the ocean will be
out!! Never know, they have been wrong before, will see what happens in the
AM....Chartered this Friday and Saturday morning trips. Capt.ron
08/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning with not much of a drift in the channels. Picked at a few
fish though. Thought for sure when the current ran we would never be able to put the
day in, was waiting for mega tangles with todays gang. Didn't happen, current at
it's hardest ran 1.2 knots and we drifted straight! No more than normal tangles for
a weekend. Had a very nice 5 1/2 pound Sea Bass, 3 Fluke that went 6 1/2, 6 and 5
pounds for the bigger ones. Scott Ure had the hot hand today (again), boating his
limit. Tom Krako, Atlantic Highlands had 5 nice fish along with a 6 1/2
pounder..Bluefishing last night was very good on fish 5 to 12 pounds plus 1 keeper
Striper...Keeping our fingers crossed on the weather the next few days, report has
changed 3 times already!! Capt.ron
08/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
How about some gusts up to 40 today!!! With the hard incoming tide (even down
the beach) and North wind against, it wasn't a pretty picture. Didn't expect to
catch anything for our charter with those conditions. We did have a drift and
managed to pick away just about all day, shorts and some keepers with a few nice Sea
Bass mixed in. Two very nice fish, one in the AM and the second on the last drift of
the day. Terry Byrne, Bernardsville, N.J. had the first one at 7 pounds, Dave
Saraceno, Coopersberg, PA landed the second at 7 1/2 pounds. Capt.Frank is out this
afternoon..the wind died, tide changed and they are catching fish. Second fish in
the boat was a keeper Striper! Bluefishing has been very good the past 3 weeks, come
on down. Congrads to the lady who caught that huge Fluke...I know several guys who
would probably donate a testicle to catch a fish like that!!!!!! Capt.Ron
08/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing for The Dow Jones group today. Fished the channels all day, with
not very much current. Yesterday, it was hard to hold with 10's, Go figure! Nice
catch of fish, although we are starting to see many more smaller fish...amazing now
we have to call 16 and 16 1/2 inch fish small..next season 2 to 3 pounders will be
small! Capt.Frank is out this afternoon bluefishing, so far the fishing is good on 5
to 10 pound fish.....capt.ron
08/16/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Slower pick today on the Fluke. Had incoming in the AM, not a bad drift at
all, just didn't see the life we had yesterday. Bigger fish did bite again at the
change into the outgoing. High hooks had 5 each.... spoiled after the past few days
fishing!! Chartered Friday and Saturday AM trips. Capt.ron
08/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing today, despite the bit of wind against in the AM. Had a little
slider but still managed to pick away at the Fluke. Must have thrown back 60 to 70
16 1/2 inch fish today!! Bigger fish bit after the change of tide. Drift got fast
for an hour or so, then slowed to where we could hold with 10's. Edwin Arias, Rosell
N.J. was one of 3 guys who caught thier limit. Drew Warden, Sayerville N.J. had the
pool fish 7.4 pounds along with 5 nice keepers. Very nice day on the
water....capt.ron
08/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Great day on the water. Had a Charter with VMWare, problem was, the company
was going public today and most of the people where at the stock exchange. 4 guys
showed up with 40 subs, soda and snacks. A possitive note though, the stock
yesterday was $19, it opened at $29 and last I heard around 11:am, it was in the
$50's! Hopefully the 4 guys that showed up invested some cash!! Picked away all day
in the channels, ended up fine. The guys had a personal deckhand, and my Dad and I
both got to fish....(and eat)!! Capt.Ron
08/12-13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Missed yesterdays report, sometimes life gets in the way of business!!
Yesterdays action (for us) was nothing to talk about. Caught some fish in the AM,
actually had 2 very good drifts, then wind against took over. When the tide did
change it ran like hell. Tangles, not too many fish in the deep made for a very
tough day. The afternoon trip with Capt. Frank was a different story...anchored up
and had a very nice catch of Bluefish. Pretty much non-stop action on 5 to 14 pound
fish. "Big John" finally won a pool with a 14 pounder, the night before 16
year old Stacey Moore from Hopatcong, N./J. showed the guys how to do it with a
limit catch and a 14 1/2 pound pool fish.......Today we had Gary Perino and the
Columbia Bank crew out on a Charter. Very good morning bite for the guys on fish 2
to 7 1/2 pounds. Paul Cuva, Wayne N.J. took the $225 pool with his 7 1/2 pound
beauty! Very tough too fish in the current when most guys aren't fishermen, but they
braved it out and ended the day with 60 plus keepers! High hook had 7 for a very
nice day on the water. Chartered Tuesday AM, Friday and Saturday AM trips this week.
Capt.Ron
FISH MORTALITY/
I love it when these clowns talk about "The fish mortality" the higher the
keeper size goes, the more spawning size fish are going back dead!! Just this
weekend I counted 23 beautifull 16 to 16 1/2 inch fish with their guts ripped out
sink to the bottom!! What the hell are we saving! The commercial guys are on a 500
pound limit, but toss back hundreds of pounds to get the right size fish. These are
all perfectly good eating fish. Now we are looking at the possibilty of 18 to 19
inch fish for next season...what is this a joke? are we all idiots? hell, I'm to the
point I would settle for 4 fish at 16 inches and up, just to survive! Where are the
enviros to see what's happining today? Build for the future my A**, There will be no
future for anyone, commercial, recreational, party, or charter boat if we don't stop
the madness. How, in anyone's right mind can you throw back a 2 to 3 pound fish,
especially if it's damaged? I feel like the Indian in the commercial years ago that
see's a car throw garbage out the window to land on the side of the highway...the
Indian turns to the camera and a tear is running down his face! This is what I deal
with everyday. You want passion, I hope all you guys, commercial, party, charter,
private have the guts to say "enough is enough". I have said it before and
I'll say it again, the suites are going to make alot of criminals out of decent hard
working people...I have to feed my family with the only thing I know and love...if
you want to take that away...put on the gloves!!! Capt.ron
08/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the day off in the channel...still had some incoming with the wind
against (naturally). Fished a few hard pieces of bottom and picked away waiting for
the change. Still a huge roll from yesterday. Got the change, started to fly! Spend
the better part of the day at 2 knots..finished up at Sandy Hook channel, nice drift
1.2 knots..a few short fish, nothing like the fishing we had there on Thursday. Back
hurts, legs are still wobeling from the past 2 days!! High hook had 5 keepers, small
pool fish 3 pounds, and a few customers with none. I'm sure the swell and all the
runoff didn't help. Chartered Monday-Tuesday Friday and Saturday this
week.....capt.ron
08/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Well the Weatherman finally got one right! What a day!!! Had a few gusts to
35 knots with rain that would blind you...but still, people want to catch Fluke! Got
lucky and caught an hour of incoming water in Ambrose...still, no picknick with the
wind coming on. Rolled our crueler off, but managed to catch some very nice keepers,
actually only threw one fish back, the rest were all keepers. Had a very nice double
digit fish at 11.3 pounds caught by Pete Gonzalez, Plainfield N.J...Really no-where
to hide today with getting soaked and beat up, guess we just have to pay our
dues...capt.ron
08/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a good morning bite today, despite the conditions. Hard outgoing tide
into an easterly wind, the breeze actually slowed the drift to where we could fish
the channel. Decent action until the current ran too hard, got way too rolley.
Looked over a couple area's waiting for the change, or at least slack, to come back
to the channel. Finished up the day with a drift in the bay and a very good catch of
keepers. Pool fish 5.3 pounds. Weather's looking shakey for tomorrow. Chartered
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday next week. Capt.ron
08/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Was looking a little bleak this morning with all the rain and lightning going
on..had 3 customers till around 7AM, ended up with a nice group of guys. Fishing was
good again. Had the outgoing and a breeze for a pretty good drift. Had to fish with
8's and 10's but it was worth it. Few limits for the guys who work their butts off,
(like my dad again). Nice fish but not a large pool fish today...3 1/2 pounds. Had
to leave the area when the tide changed..couldn't hold with 14 ounces. Found some
fish between the channels to finish out the day. Bunch of Charters next week, Monday
and Tuesday AM Friday and Saturday AM trips. Capt.ron
08/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good morning bite today! Had the last of the outgoing first thing,
perfect drift, lots of action. More keepers than shorts along with a few limits.
Fish up to 7 pounds, with the average going 2 to 4.
Had a little lull through slack with a ton of Sea Robbins taking over. Once we got
the incoming and it started to move, the bite turned back on.
Pool fish was caught by Paul Smitko, Vernon N.J., a very nice 7 pounder. Once again
the Sr. Captain gave his Fluke lessons, catching his limit and then some!! Hot as
hell, finally got nice when the breeze picked up late in the afternoon...a little
too late though! Capt.ron
08/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman yanked us again today!! SW 25 knots!! BS...had a little shot of
rain in the morning that was it. A little roll to start the morning off, with the
last of the outgoing, once the tide changed it was perfect. A little fast on the
drift, but with the handfull of customers we had, it wasn't a problem. Got the lead
out and had decent fishing. Dad and myself had 16 keepers between us. 1st day I got
to fish all season, thought I lost my touch, but it's like riding a bike, you never
forget!! Bluefishing last night was excellant for Capt.Frank. Nice crowd aboard,
some first time youngsters including Ralph from Slaters deli's grandson and family.
Great way to break the kid in landing 5 of those big blues....Praying for a miracle
that some Weakfish show up for Sept..haven't figured out a game plan yet if they
don't..taking it day to day. Capt.Ron
08/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Perfect day today, weather and fish wise! Good all day bite on shorts and
keepers. Nicer fish than we had yesterday. Had 3 guys catch thier limit, along with
several customers with 3 to 6 fish. Tie for the pool with 2 five pounders! Had to
get the lead out as the current was clocked at 2 knots...Capt.Frank had very good
bluefishing last night and is back on the grounds tonight......capt.ron
08/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out with a terrible slider, didn't have a great bite but we did manage to pick at the fish. Smaller fish today, with a 4 pounder for the pool. Had an hour toward the end of the day the really bailed us out, straight up and down fishing. Tom Krako, Atlantic Highlands was high hook with 6 keepers, his twin brother Jerry landed 1, but it was the one that counted....quality, not quantity for him today!! Hot as Hell the past few days! capt.ron
08/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Rough conditions in the AM with a hard incoming and a SW breeze. Set up to
drift the port side, boat did go the way I wanted, but the lines screamed off the
starboard side! Just enough wind to slow down the drift but still take out the lines
on the other side. Amazing that we caught anything at all! We did pick at the fish,
just like yesterday, and ended with a few nice ones. Floyd Frank, Phillipsburg N.J.
had the pool fish at 7.5 pounds. Donnie Nickels, Morristown had second largest at
5.5. A few 3's mixed in and some shorts. Still had to work your *$# off too
catch'em. High hook had 5 decent size fish....Capt.Frank is out this afternoon on
the Bluefish trip, so far the S wind against the outgoing ain't too pretty!!
Capt.Ron
08/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nice all day drift today. Picked away for the most part, all day. Lot more
shorts than the past few days, Tom Krako had 20 shorts and not a keeper!! High
hook's had 6 each, including Steve Hanstien. Pool fish 7.1 pounds, caught by Hugh
Bleiweis, Marlboro N.J., again, just at slack tide on the big one. Gonna be hot the
next few days...the ocean breeze does keep it a bit more tolerable. Bluefishing
Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons 3:30pm till 9:30pm. Fishing has been very
good the past 2 weeks..come on down!. Capt.ron
08/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Caught the last of the incoming this morning, not a good bite. Picked at
mostly shorts and Sea Robbins with an occasional keeper. The best of action was from
slack into the outgoing, had some very nice fish in the deeper parts of the channel.
Pool fish just under 7 pounds with a couple in the 3 pound range. Current ran way
too hard again to stay there, pretty much hacked it for the last hour of the
day....capt.ron
07/31/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not what I would call good fishing at all today. Started in the channel,
fishing was good, but not many keepers. First day this season where we really had
that many fish going back. Picked a handfull of keepers out of it. Once the tide
changed it was instant 1.7 knots...not pretty! Looked down the beach and was very
dissapointed at what we found. No drift, not much life, not many Sea Bass. Came back
up to the north, fished in on the beach, small fish again with an odd keeper. One
last shot to the edge of the channel, way to fast, way to HOT...3 whistles time to
go....Chartered tomorrow in the AM....capt.ron
07/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very light crowd for a Monday, guess everyone was cleaning up from yesterdays
weather...Had the last of the incoming in the AM, just not much of it. Picked away
at some keepers, an odd short. Slack tide we caught our pool fish, a 9.1 pound
beauty landed by Joe Handley of the Anchor Inn, Union Beach. Once the tide changed
the drift went from 0 to 2.5 knots in no-time. Looked a few other spots over, caught
a few more fish. Couple guys had 5 nice fish each, not great fishing...just O.K.
Last night Bluefishing was very good for Capt.Frank and crew. Fished offshore,
caught 5 to 10 pound fish. Some on bait, some on jigs. Managed 2 keeper Stripers
also....Chartered this Wends.morning...capt.ron
07/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, I find myself reporting the same old story on traffic in Ambrose
Channel. Just yesterday, several boats refused to heed the warnings of the Ships
coming in and out of the channel. Actually watched a boat slowly move to the port
side of a Ship as it passed..thought the wake would flip him over! Imagine how the
pilots on these vessels feel..there careers are in jeopordy if an accident happens
(and it will) sooner or later. 20 minutes after this happend, here comes the CG to
clear the channel. Not for nothing, but this is how we survive! Obviously the boater
courses that are now mandatory aren't working....maybe these yahoo's should have to
take the test,like I did, then when you screw up, you loose your ticket and goodbye
boat! Respect on the water is one thing..STUPIDITY is another! Not only do you ruin
your days fishing, but everyone else who is trying to win the big money on the
fishing tournaments. These are most likely the same guys who drive 95 on the
highway, skipping lanes with no signals, cut people off, just to get ahead of the
crowd. This has been replayed year after year and still some guys just don't get it.
Is your life really worth that 10lb fish? If so, then please have some sense and get
the hell outta the way when you are supposed too, it will make all our lives alot
easier....capt.ron
Tough day battling the Fog, Ships, tug and tows!! No current to speak of for
some time in the A.M. Still, we picked away at some keepers and shorts, a few Sea
Bass. Caught The pool fish on the first drift, Roddy (my buddy from the
islands)landed a nice 5.3 pounder. No limits, no big high hooks (3) for the
day...Amazing how what little bite we did have, turned off as soon as the nasty
weather got near. Didn't catch a fish after 1:00pm! Capt.Frank is out this
afternoon, surprised anyone showed up with all the rain and lightning....let you
know how he does. Capt.ron
07/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Slower morning today, but we did managed to pick through the end of the tide.
Caught a few nicer fish on the first couple of drifts, along with some shorts.
Naturally, the best of the fishing has been on the outgoing the past 4 days. Ended
the day with a very nice catch of fish....no where near yesterday though!! Steve
Waldman, River Vale had the big one at 6.8 pounds. Capt.Frank is out this afternoon,
bluefishing is very good and they managed a keeper bass. Fish up to 10 pounds. Looks
like the blight is over!
07/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing today! Had to wait for the change of tide to get a decent
drift, picked at some smaller fish through slack, once the tide started to run, the
bite was on! Nice long drifts, just like it should be. Had several customers with
limits including, Steve Hanstein, Scott Ure, Jerry Sarapochiello (who also had the
pool fish 6.6 pounds) Scott Scudieri, and Capt.Ron Sr., for the second day in a row.
Capt.Frank has the boat out this afternoon....maybe there's a Bass or two left??? On
another note, last week there was a post about tipping, didn't want to throw my 2
cents in untill now. Had a customer yesterday who limited out, heared from another
customer that the crew didn't recieve a cent. Asked the crew about it and was told,
he never tips anytime....I have some of the best guys in the business on deck, they
bend over backwards for the customers, have great personalities and are not afraid
of hard work....Really pisses me off when they get stiffed! Yes, they get paid for
the job, but there's more to it than that...appreciation for services rendered is a
given in this business. If you sit on you A@*& you should get nothing! If my guys
sit on there *@$, they get fired! Capt.Ron
07/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the fishermen today along with a great drift, it made the differance
100%!! 4 limits and one hell of a catch of keeper Fluke! Many in the 2 to 4 pound
range, with not many shorts. Capt.Ron Sr. boated the big one at 7.4 pounds along
with his limit. Pool fish 7 pounds caught by Mr. Frank. Nice all day action, even in
the fog. Hard to beleave they want to cut us back again with the fishing we've so
long waited to enjoy. Paid our dues for years throwing back 16 inch fish..now we
finally have some quality and here we go again....Let's at least enjoy it till the
10th of September. Capt.Ron
07/25/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally a double digit Fluke! Bob Morrison, Cranford N.J. landed the biggest
fish of season so far for us, 10.3 pounds. Fish was caught right at slack water on
Spearing and Squid. The fish we did keep today was very nice size again with not
many shorts mixed in. Horrible conditions again with no drift at all first thing in
the AM. Had the fog on top of that for a few hours, which is no fun with YA-HOO's
running around at 20 knots!! Ended the day with a half a catch of keepers for our
Charter. Considering most weren't fishermen, I was very happy with the day...not the
conditions!! PS: The channels produced nothing! Capt.ron
07/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to work twice as hard today to put a catch together...boat wanted to
slide with the current and direction of the wind, had to work the throttles for
several hours to keep the boat straight. Still some very nice fish from 2 to 4
pounds with a pool fish of 5 1/2. Couple guys had 5 a few had none! I'm sure all the
fresh water runnoff didn't help either. Chartered Wendsday morning. Capt.ron
07/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Heavy rain here all day today, wind out of the NE with gusts to 25 didn't
help. Only a few brave (or crazy) souls showed up to go out fishing. Weather looks
much better for the rest of the week. Fluke fishing has been very good this season,
especially when conditions are right with the drift. Naturally because it's good,
the powers that be are already talking about cutting us back even more!!! Why not
just take us out and shoot us, get it over with already! Why keep whipping us to our
knees? I guess they didn't expect us to have the fishing we have this season,
figured at 17 inches we would surely go out of business. That didn't work, so let's
change the rules again and see if that will work. Yes, we are becoming a thing of
the past, like the boardwalks and carosels that used to be at the shore. The ASMF
and NOAA are a joke! Everyone knows it, but yet they have the power...hell, if I
give a BS report in any forum, I'd be outta business from the feed back. These
clowns get rewarded and medals for saving the endangered horn dogs!! We are already
over our quota for this season on Fluke....how the hell does anyone know that??
Where's the info coming from? I've had maybe 6 guys catch a limit of Fluke this
season (3 times it was my day) not even a customer. Most guys catch squat or a few
fish here and there. Government..for the people my ASS....there only here for the
illegals coming here. Maybe I'll put everything I own in my son's name, change my
status to illegal,once I have nothing, Then I can get free health care, food, even
housing, hell,I can cut grass with the best of em!!!...This is what happens when it
rains, way too much time on my hands to think! Capt.ron
07/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thought today would be the trip from hell with the impending conditions! Was
very surprised to have a nice drift and a 2 to 4 keeper a drift morning. Once again,
quality size fish with more keepers than shorts. Not hot action but the guys who
worked the bait ended the day O.K. Scott Uribe missed his limit by 1 with 7 nice
fish in the box. Rocco Farina, Tom Krakow kept 5 each. Don't get me wrong, many
customers had zilch! Had to work the baits extra hard today to find any kind of a
bite. Kieran Corrigan, Tinton Falls, N.J. landed his first Fluke, naturally it was
the pool fish on the last drift of the day, a very nice 5.4 pounder....Capt. Frank
is out on the afternoon trip looking for a repeat of yesterday (you know how that
goes)..still haven't heard from him. I'm sure he will be sharing the drop!!!
Chartered Wendsday morning...Capt.ron
7/22/07 Afternoon trip
Striper fishing was as good as it gets yesterday afternoon! Headed out on the
Bluefish trip, started chuming...first three fish in the
boat where Bass..caught a few blues, then the bass took over. Just about all the
time you have a problem getting through the Blues to get to the Bass...this is the
first time in my career I have ever seen anything like this. Boated just under 30
fish and lost just as many if not more, with some of the tackle being way to light.
Couple reels got spooled. 6 fish were 30 plus pounds,Scott Uribe had the big one at
37.8, Kieran Corrigan landed 3 fish, his biggest 37.2, Tom Krako a 36 pounder. All
fish were over 20lbs. Bluefishing wasn't to shabby either (not that anyone cared)!!
For all aboard this was the trip of a lifetime.....Chartered Wendsday
morning....capt.ron
07/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Capt.Frank had the boat out last night for some excellant bluefishing.
Highlight of the afternoon was 8 Stripers up to 41 pounds!! Gabriel Galbes lead the
way with 3 fish, a 34.4, 30.2 and 20lb for his limit on Bass. Ron Kanarr had the 41
pound 49 inch beautie! I'm sure tonights trip will see some company!!! Capt.Ron
07/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Ran a double yesterday, got home way too late to post a report. The morning
bite (Friday) was O.K., actually 95% of the action happened on the last of the tide,
then it was a stroke with the wind against, the rest of the day. Still managed 3
fish over 5 pounds, with a pool fish of 7 1/2 caught by Tom Krako/Atlantic
Highlands. Sean Macwilliams,Pecular Missouri landed 2 beauties at 5.8 and 5.2
pounds. The afternoon bluefish trip we found a very good bite down the beach, left
them biting when it was time to leave. Fish from 5 to 8 pounds with the pool fish
going 11, caught by Stew Silverman.....Today was horrible!! Still had some good
outgoing water for awhile, problem was, the temp went from 70 yesterday to 63
today!!! Wind against certainly didn't help either...nice day on the water though
(if that's any consolation).! Capt.ron
07/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Same conditions as yesterday, except we had the fog to deal with. Had the
last of the outgoing, not much of a drift and no breeze. Once again it took awhile
to get the current, and once again the fish turned on for us. More keepers again
than shorts, couple customers had 6 nice fish each for high hooks. Not hot action,
the quality made up for the quantity with a small gang today. Pool fish 5.3 pounds
with a second one going 5.1...Chartered Saturday and Wendsday morning trips.
Capt.ron
07/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Took a few hours of running around trying to find fish that wanted to eat!
Didn't have much current with the lousy weather and slight breeze against the tide,
when the drift got good the fish turned on! Quality fish with more keepers than
shorts. Many in the 2 to 4 pound range. Pool fish 6.25 pounds. Rocco Farina
celebrated his 50th by landing 6 fish to 5 pounds...put the whammy on himself when
he looked up and said "only need 2 more"!! Unfortunatly the fish of the
day was lost at the net....Rob my deck hand got a little nervous when the fish came
up, took a shot at it, the sucker dove and the customers line broke!! Felt bad for
the customer...worse for Rob, who has been with us for 8 years, I think his legs are
still shaking....Chartered this Saturday AM and next Wendsday AM trips. Capt.Ron
07/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished 3 areas before we finally find some decent action! Had a drift in the
AM, the first 3 spots procuced only 2 fish, took a little ride to find some rough
bottom, had several fish 2 to 4 pounds with a pool fish of 5 pounds for our Weichert
reality group. Better fishing than the past two days, but only in the one area!
Water temp was back up to 68 degrees from yesterdays 65 in the ocean.....Capt.Ron
07/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Caught the last of the incoming this morning, a slow drift, but we did pick
at the fish. Took forever to get through slack and the change, bounced around a
couple areas waiting for something to happen...the bite was short lived! Tide
changed, just enough breeze to screw things up. Tried power drifting, that was a
nightmare, went back on the drift in the reach, a few short fish, not much else.
High hook had 4 a couple guys had 3 keepers....Chartered Tuesday morning. Capt.ron
07/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Capt.Frank had very good bluefishing last night as well as 5 Stripers up to
25 pounds! Fished inshore, shallow water chunking bunkers. Missed the first 12 fish
till the customers got acclamated on how to do it! Today's charter was a different
story, didn't have many fishermen in the group, the few who did listen, caught fish,
the rest just had a hell of a time out on the water. Never saw so many people get
excited over skates and sharks!! Even the power drifting was a futile attempt at
producing a decent catch! Ah, to be a Party Boat Captain......Chartered on Tuesday
morning....capt.ron
07/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to make the best of some lousy conditions today with our charter. 55 rod
rentals, a bunch of young adults and no drift!! Fished tight to the beach where I
knew we could at least have some action for the group. Power drifted most of the day
picking away at the shorts and keepers. Managed to put 48 keepers in the box..a
miracle too say the least!!! Everyone had a blast, nice to see kids smile even when
they catch a shark or a skate...if it could only be this easy everyday! Chartered
Saturday and Tuesday morning...Capt.Ron
07/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the same area as the past week again today. Had perfect conditions,
thought for sure we would bail the fish....picked away all day, not the action we
have had the past few days, Still managed a catch of nice fish along with some Sea
Bass. High hook had 5 keepers, most guys had 2 or 3, some guys no keepers. Not alot
of big fish either, pool fish maybe 4 pounds. Chartered Tomorrow, Saturday and
Tuesday morning...Bluefishing on the afternoon trips this weekend Friday, Saturday
and Sunday 3:30 till 9:30pm. Capt.Ron
07/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
All day fog in the ocean today. Didn't matter as the fish were hungry. Very
good action all day on shorts and keepers. Couple guys had 7 just missing the limit.
No real large fish, pool was 3 1/2 pounds a few in the 2 to 2 1/2 range. Much better
fishing in the afternoon on the incoming as conditions were perfect for a drift.
Chartered Friday, Saturday and Next Tuesday morning trips....capt.ron
07/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out where we ended yesterday, already had a little drift in with the
wind. Picked a few fish, nothing like yesterday. Ran further offshore on some nasty
bottom, had a few nicer fish and some sea bass, still not the action we had
yesterday. Breeze came up harder with the tide, moved inshore had much better action
for the rest of the day. A little less than Half the keepers we had yesterday, but
we also had half the customers! 7.2 pound pool fish caught by James Toner, Pittstown
N.J. Dawn Brady had a 4.4 for second.....Chartered the Friday, and Saturday morning.
Capt.Ron
07/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the day out with no drift, no breeze, had to work the throttles for 3
hours before conditions started to improve. Picked away on the shorts and keepers
till things got right. Hung in there till 12:30, when the bite turned on. Nice
drift, a little breeze finally made my life a little easier! Ended the day with 140
plus keepers along with some very nice Sea Bass. Andy Seney, Union beach, had his
limit plus the pool fish for his 4th pool in a row! Capt.Frank had good blue fish
action last night along with 3 Stripers, 25.4, 20 and 19 pounds fishing down the
rocks. High hook had 10 good size blues. Chartered this Friday and Saturday morning
trips. Capt.Ron
07/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the ocean today, had a nice all day drift for a change. Picked away on
shorts and keepers just about every drop we hit. Carmine Scapparotta, Bellville N.J.
had his limit along with the pool fish, a nice 4 pound Fluke. Finally seeing loads
of Bunkers from the point of the hook south, some nice bass in them too. Capt.Frank
just called to say he fished the rocks tonight for Bluefish, had a nice catch along
with 3 Stripers to 25 pounds....just when I thought it was over..they keep trying to
pull me back!!! Chartered this Friday and Saturday morning. Capt.Ron
07/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Gotta love that wind against the tide...it's become a daily ritual for Fluke
fishing! Had to work the throttles all day power drifting, at that we had better
fishing than yesterday. Charlie "O" Fort Lee had 7 nice fish in the box.
His group totaled 18 keepers. Pool fish was caught on the last drift of the day, 5.6
pounds. Still, not great fishing but we had action just about everywhere we went.
Bluefishing this afternoon with Capt. Frank, the boats that have been out the past
week are doing well on decent size fish..Will sail Friday, Saturday and Sunday
afternoons for Blues for the rest of the Summer..Chartered next Friday and the 3
Saturday mornings after....Capt.Ron
07/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished a few area's where we have been doing good with the Fluke, had wind
against the tide all day, no drift. Tried power drifting and picked at the fish,
nothing like the fishing on Wendsday. Looked in the channels, nothing except dog
fish, water temp dropped quite a bit, from 69 to 63 degrees. Ran back to the shallow
water and change of tide..just a little too late...Capt.Ron
07/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman took his toll on us once again. Had 4 customers show up this
morning! With reports of heavy wind, surf and strong thunderstorms, who would come
down..just a few die hards. Fishing has been good the past week with several very
nice fish coming in. Largest of the week so far is 8.4 pounds. Bluefishing in the
afternoons Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm till 9:30pm....Capt.Ron
07/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better fishing for us today..several fish from 3 to 8.4 pounds. Edmanuel
Rodriguez, Union City N.J. landed the biggest for us so far this season at 8.4
pounds.
Tom Krako, Atlantic Highlands had a nice 6 pounder along with 5 other keepers. 2
limits and plenty of action.....SORRY STEVE missed by a day once more! Bluefishing
on the Afternoon trips Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm till 9:30pm....Capt.ron
07/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tough day for us today. Started in the channels looking to catch some bigger
fish. Had incoming with a slight NW against, not as fast as I thought and not as
productive also. Tried the deep, the edges only saw a couple fish. Left that for a
slow drift in-between, very slow pick again. Finally got the change of tide late,
naturally the wind went South for some more S*#T conditions....Like I said, not a
good day for us today!!! Capt.Ron
07/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day fishing. Conditions were perfect, drift was perfect,
the Fluke were hungry. Very nice catch of keepers along with plenty of action on the
smaller fish. Had a Charter with the AVAYA group, just about all non-fishermen with
Rod Rentals...thank god they were hungry!!! Finished up Bass fishing last night,
will be Chumming Blues Friday, Saturday and Sunday Afternoons, 3:30 till 9:30
pm........Capt.Ron
07/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Perfect drift conditions all day today..it's not too often we get to say
that! Picked fish all day, keepers and shorts just about every where we went. 11
year old Manuel Miranda, South Amboy got his first pool fish on the first drift in
the morning, 4 1/4 pounds. Some Sea Bass and a few small blues in the mix also.
Chartered Monday morning...thanks, capt.ron
06/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hard to beleave another month has gone bye! Had the National Marine
Consultants out on our Charter today, naturally, we had the end of the incoming and
hardly any drift, then slack, when we finally did get the tide it was a cluster %*@&
(if you know what I mean)! 55 rod rentals trying to cast like Curt Gowdy without any
thumbs on the reel. First drift we totaled 12 rods and reels! Did pick some fish in
a few area's but it was certainly not good fishing..unless we can add Sea Robins and
Skates to the mix, then it was a banner day!!!!! Capt.ron Chartered Monday
morning.
06/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the day out with No-drift. Still managed a few very nice fish in the
2 1/2 to 4 1/2 pound range. Got the outgoing, conditions became horrible for the
rest of the day, had a slider with the slight NE breeze. Picked away on shorts and
keepers in several areas, still not the fishing we've had all week. High hook had 5
keepers with the largest going 4 1/2 pounds for the pool....Chartered Sat and Monday
AM Trips.....Capt.Frank is out tonight looking for the last of the Stripers. Loads
of bait around the last 3 days, bunkers, rain fish and sand eels, surprised not to
see more bluefish in the ocean...any day I guess. Capt.Ron
06/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman hurt us again with customers today with the lousy report, day
turned out fine! Had the outgoing right from the start. Picked away at the shorts
and keepers (pisses me off to call a 16 1/2 inch throwback a short)! Once the
current started running hard conditions got a little tough. Had just enough SW wind
to give us a slider, had to keep twisting the boat to keep us straight. Drift got as
fast as 1.9 knots, a little too fast so we tried the beach. Naturally it was very
slow moving and the fish were small, didn't last long there..ran back out to fight
the conditions. Still a very nice day, my Dad gave his usual fishing lesson, a few
guys managed 6 nice keepers each and John Walsh, Bayonne N.J. landed the pool fish
at 6 pounds on the nose! Chartered Saturday and Monday morning's trip....capt.ron
06/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another good day of Fluke fishing. Took awhile to get the outgoing to give us
a drift, had just enough Southerly to make it a pain. Caught fish on every drift,
Shorts and keepers. No limits but 3 customers did manage 6 each. Pool fish 4 pounds.
Very nice spread of fish from what I've seen so far. sailing daily 7:30 till 2:30pm.
Chartered this Saturday and Monday morning trips....capt.ron
06/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First Fluke trip of the season was a success..had good drifting conditions just about all morning till the change of tide. First drift we landed 7 nice keepers along with the 5 1/2 pound pool fish. Nice action just about all day. Looked down the beach at the change of tide, had good action again till it was time to come home. Conditions should be fine for the next couple of days, unless we get a strong southerly, fortunatly that doesn't seem to come on till late in the day! Chartered Saturday and Monday AM trips....Striper fishing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday Afternoon this week.
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Today was the last day for Stripers...had to run all over the ocean for a
dozen keepers, out East, Down the beach, up the beach, you name it, I was there.
Can't hang in till Friday with the bite the way it is, so Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will
start Fluke fishing. After the good fishing we had on the charters Friday and
Saturday, I'm looking foward to the change of pace. We did have some very good Bass
fishing this Spring, not as consistant as I would have liked, but it was still a
good begining to the season. The largest fish made 34 pounds..last season we had
several fish in the 40 pound range, every year is differant. Will finish up the
afternoons with Bass this weekend on the 3:30pm trip then change over to Blues for
the Summer months. We are Chartered this Saturday and Monday the 2nd on the AM
trips......It's Fluke time, hope to see you!!! Capt.ron
06/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterday's afternoon trip with Capt.Frank ended up pretty good. Had fish on
right away, shorts and keepers. Bite slowed after the tide change, looked around and
found another shot of fish. Ended the night with 25plus shorts and 17 keepers. 11
year old Bradly Wilcom, Warwick N.Y. caught his first pool fish...18 pounds!!
Today was a different story, had a slow pick on the shorts, the first 6 fish went 26
to 27 inches...thought I was looking at a possible donut!! Made a move further south
on the change of tide, couple more shorts then 4 nice keepers, that was it for the
day! Looked over a few more area's, no bite. Friday we will be Fluking....Next
Saturday and Monday morning the 2nd, we are chartered in the AM. Capt.Ron
06/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Jeff Merrill and the Conoco Phillips group out with us today for some
more Fluke fishing. Fished the Ocean again. Caught the last of the outgoing with the
wind, had a drift, but not as fast as I would have liked. Fished hard bottom and
some snags, in tight to the beach to put a nice catch together. Much better
conditions and fishing yesterday as today with the wind against it was slow going.
Pool fish made 6 1/2 pounds. Back to Striper fishing tomorrow and for the rest of
the week. Will be switching over to Fluke on Friday as it's time. Be back at the
Bass in the fall...capt.ron
06/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Ed Colantoni and the Picatinni group out with us today for some Fluke
fishing. Fished the ocean up and down the beach, found life everywhere we went. Even
with the wind against the tide, the wind started to take over so we had a
drift..(what are the chances)! The group put together a very impressive catch of
keeper Fluke along with some nice Sea Bass. Excellant first day of Fluking.
Chartered Saturday AM trip. Capt.Ron
06/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Looked over the same area this morning where we fished yesterday, naturally
yesterday's fish are history!!! Got the hell outta there fast! Took another ride,
seems I can't get two days back too back on this fishing...Fished the clam
boats...not a bite, not a reading, ran further out to SE, finally found some
readings and had a few fish right away. Then the endangered Horn Dogs took over,
went through 9 bushels of clams with those S.O.B.'S. Ended the day with just under
30 keepers, a bunch of Fluke and some Sea Bass...Chartered Friday and Saturday's AM
trip. Capt.Ron
06/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman took his toll on the customers today, the ones who did show were
well rewarded!! Fished locally, the morning started out terrible, made 3 drops and
not a bite, looked down the beach almost to the rocks, read some life, a few small
fish to start out. Bite didn't happen till the change of tide, then it was non-stop
for an hour and a half! Fish up to 25 pounds with plenty of small ones mixed in.
Mitch Jevic, Hillsboror once again had the pool fish at 25 pounds, 43 inches. Rick
and Fred Bona, Boonton, N.J. used thier bonus cards to catch 6 keepers. A youngster
Max Soprano, Monmouth Beach, N.J. also had 3 keepers with a bonus card, his largest
16 pounds!
Most of todays fish were long lean males.
Chartered Friday and Saturday AM trips.....Capt.ron
06/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not the Hot fishing we had yesterday, but still managed a couple dozen
keepers. Smaller fish today also with several going back. Pool fish made 21 pounds,
the rest of the keepers where 29 to 31 inches, go figure, after yesterday!! Had to
bounce around on the readings, we'd catch a few, looked like it was going to turn
on, then nothing. Make a move, the same thing. Still a good day, don't want to sound
spoiled......Chartered Friday and Saturday's AM trip this week.
06/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Whole new ball game today with the fishing. After the weekends, non-bite,
today they were hungry! Looked over our beach first thing, didn't like what I saw,
never stopped. Took one hell of a ride looking for the bite. Started out with a pick
on mixed fish till the tide changed, then it was action right till the end of the
day. Fish up to 25 1/2 pounds, several limits aboard....it pays not to throw in the
towell!! Wish we could have had half this bite over the weekend as not many will
beleave todays report... Chartered this Friday and Saturday's AM trip. Capt.Ron
06/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Some Fathers day..spent the night puking my guts out, ate some fried fish
that was cooked in canola oil, had one hell of a reaction. Called in Capt.Frank for
the AM. Hardly got to say two words to my Dad. We did manage a few fish, certainly
nothing to brag about, with the gang we had today we would have needed devine
intervention! Hundreds of boats, everywhere. Waiting to hear from Frank about
tonights trip, maybe things will settle down like yesterday afternoon....Chartered
this coming Friday and Saturday morning....capt.ron
06/16/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterday, I ended my report by saying "I hope it wasn't a tease",
Wish I could express the true words of what today was like!!! Same conditions as
yesterday to start out..caught crap! Left the area. Fished off shore of the
Highlands, figured after yesterdays bite at the Rocks, maybe the fish moved to the
North with all the boat traffic down there... caught the pool fish, a few keepers,
not many shorts. Had a dozen blackfish from 3 to 14 pounds on the hard bottom along
with some very nice Knucklehead Sea Bass, Hey, the sign says Stripers, but today we
did what we had to do! Fished the beach, out to the East, back to the West and
South, not good fishing too say the least....One day a hero, next day a bum as the
story goes. Capt.Ron
The Fisherman magazine is doing a survey for a Salt Water fishing
licence....here we go again! Some people actually think or hope that the money
collected will go for fishing and related issues. BULL, like all other SLUSH FUNDS,
the money will be tapped for non-fishing issues, you can bet on it, the gov. does it
everday.
Others feel we may actually get equal representation if this goes through. We have
been fighting for our lives, if not for Frank Pallone and a select few congressman
we would already be in worse shape. Will they all jump on the bandwagon to help us
once the licence goes through...I doubt it, even though money talks, fishermen are
not important.
Others would like to see the money go to conservation and create habitat. CREATE
HABITAT! They have destroyed acres of natural rock bottom habitat with all the
dumping over the years...how do you create new habitat? I'll tell you, you make
SANCTUARIES..places like the Shrewsbury Rocks, The rock bottom off Deal and Elberon,
now where do you fish? Head boat and Charter boats pay a flat fee (which increases
every year) and keep and accurate customer & fish records....We did that for years
with NOAA. I filled out reports daily, at the end of the season we would send them
in...when one of the head boat guys wanted to get some info on all the data
collected he was told, the data was still in boxes in a wharehouse!! They never even
put it together!!! Is a Salt Water licence going to give me 15 or 16 inch Fluke? We
have to be idiots if we think for a minute the Government gives a crap about us,
don't you already pay enough in sales tax, property tax, the list goes on and on.
Maybe some of the guys here are rich and can afford something like this, I know I
bust my ass everyday and most likely will be out of a career if this goes
through.You can get to the sight survey at betasurvey.com/fish Tell them to STUFF
IT!! Capt.Ron
06/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, after 4 days of beating myself up, the bite was on this morning!
Drifted off the Highlands in the AM. Limited the boat out by 10:00am with fish up to
31 pounds. Lost the tide and the bite. Took a ride trying to find some more action,
just a handfull of fish to finish out the day. Pool fish was caught by Glenn Arnold,
Florida N.Y. 44 inches 31 pounds, a long male striper. Several fish in the 15 pound
range....hope it wasn't a tease!! Capt.Ron
06/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nasty morning again, caught slack and the change. Read a few nice piles of
fish from the point out, anchored up and started catching right away. Just about all
shorts till the current started to run, then we hit some nicer fish, a 23, 22 a few
29's. Ended the day with a 20 pound Drum caught by Chris Bolinger, Broad Top, PA.
Some Fluke, Tog, and Sea Bass made it an interesting day.......capt.ron
06/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nasty day today. East wind with outgoing tide, not a pretty picture, not a
good bite. Fished up and down the beach, got tossed around everywhere we went. Mitch
Jevic, Hillsboro N.J. was high man with 2 very nice keepers,a few shorts, and the
pool fish. Some Fluke and Sea Bass also. Still reading plenty of fish, maybe
tomorrows supposed blow will get them active again.....capt.ron
06/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Terrible fishing today..started the morning with a nice outgoing tide, had a
fish on in 1 minute, read them under the boat....had one keeper,2 shorts, and a Big
Bluefish that bit the guys hook off at the boat, adding insult to injury. Checked
out several area's, read fish everywhere we went, even came back to where we
started, hopeing the change of tide would turn them on....Caught a couple more, but
it was lousy fishing. Amazing how spoiled we get after the 5 days of very good
fishing, the bad one's are twice as hard to take!! Capt. ron
06/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Sunday afternoons fishing ended up O.K. for Capt. Frank, he went back to
where I finished up. Very nice night on the water, they boated 25 keepers....Shot
back off there today anticipating another banner day..well you know how that goes!
Anchored up expecting some good outgoing tide, chum went straight to the
bottom..knew we were in trouble! Boated 3 fish then got the hell outta there. Ran
further to the North for the last of the tide, had 4 fish right away, then slack hit
us! Took one last ride, read the fish, caught a few more than that was it!! The
keepers were nice fish though, just not enough of them....capt.ron
06/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Was a little worried this morning about the bite, only had 2 hours of the
outgoing, slack then the change of tide. Got anchored up and had fish on right away,
mostly smaller fish 26-27's with an odd keeper mixed in. Got surrounded by boats and
that was it. Went off to be the scout again! Took a 30 minute ride too deep water,
and no traffic. Found some life, anchored up, started catching the slots again. Once
the current started to run the bigger fish took over! Had some of the biggest fish
of the season on a very nice bite. Got surrounded again by the followers..guys
actually ran right up the side of the boat over our lines..not giving a crap about
what we were doing. Hard to beleave with all the money invested in some of these
boats, these guys can't read a fish finder!! Anyway..Bear Thompson, West Milford
N.J. broke the 30lb mark with a beautifull 32 pounder. Brian Saylor, Easton, PA had
an 18 and 23 for his limit. Rocco Farina boated a 22 1/2. Jerry Cooney and Son
Jackson caught thier limit also. Jerry is more of a Golfer, as noticed by his
casting abilities!!! He still enjoyed watching his son catch 4 very nice fish...Just
heard from Capt.Frank and he is into them again!! Capt.Ron
06/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Capt.Frank had the boat out last night, the bite didn't happen. Slugged away
at the Blues and a couple of keepers, nothing to even talk about. Fished the back
bay on a couple of drops. Nasty foggy night. Today, we started the morning out with
a change of pace, didn't go right to where I have been fishing right away, knew it
would be close to the end of the tide and after yesterday, would be a little boring
waiting for the change. Stoped short and drifted with the last of the outgoing tide.
Picked away on small fish, only 2 keepers but the action started the day off right.
Took a ride again and still had to wait for the right conditions. Had a one, one
sometimes 2-3 shot of fish. Never got the hot bite of the past few days, although it
did start to turn on as we were ready to leave. Ended the day with 29 keepers and a
whole bunch of smaller fish.....Capt.Ron
Forgot to mention the most important part of todays trip! Gilbert Foulke,
Pensauken, N.J. had the pool fish at 37 inches 23 pounds, he also managed a very
nice 34 inch 20 1/2 pounder. His brother Russel lost a huge fish as soon as we came
back on the anchor, managed to redeem himself with a very nice keeper at the
whistle. Keep that positive attitude russ, it will be there next time...promise!!
capt.ron
06/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Went back East of the Highlands again only to find the end of the tide and
not much going on. Made a few drops (in the Fog) waiting for some current. When it
finally started to run, the fish started to bite. Slow at first with a one one pick,
then 2 to 4 on at times. Left them biting!! Several nice keepers again today with
the pool fish going 19 pounds. Capt.Frank is out on the Afternoon run, haven't heard
from him yet...hope that's a good thing!! Capt.Ron
06/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Best fishing of the season so far!! Went back to where we fished yesterday,
read them, anchored up, had fish on right away. Caught the change of tide just right
so we had action up to the bow for some time. Bite slowed halfway through the tide,
waited till an hour and a half before slack and made a move. Some of the best
fishing I have seen in a long time, slots up to 27 inches, keepers up to 22 pounds!
Paul Smitko, Vernon, N.J. had the pool fish again, his second in a week....37
inches, 22 pounds, also had a group from Aquatic Technologies, 7 of them limited
out....Can't wait till tomorrow!!!! Capt.ron
06/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Today didn't start out like yesterday! Had a strong N to NW wind against the
incoming tide...not a pretty picture with a boat load of customers!! Caught a few
fish, but it was a one, one pick. Stayed with it awhile, not wanting to leave fish
to look for fish. Finally said, the hell with it! Took a ride further off the beach
to deeper water, south of where we were yesterday...conditions were still lousy but
the bite was 100% better. Caught the change of tide bite, that made the
day...several limits on very nice size fish, plenty of action on the 27 inchers
also. Lost one at the boat that had to go 30 pounds...guy got excited and gave it
that one last hard pull at the net, yanked the hook..see ya! Again only 3 small
bluefish and no Horn Dogs (maybe they are endangered). Ended the day with better
than 40 keepers for a great bunch of guys.....Capt.Ron
06/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weatherman screwed us again!! 25 knot winds, 7 foot seas, my #ž Absolutly
gorgeous day on the water,the bonus was, the fish bit thier tails off! Limited the
boat out by 11:00am. Non-stop action from the start. Had to fish further to the
South off the highlands, but they were there. Saw a few pods of bunker in the AM
around the point, then again down the beach. Hardly any Bluefish where we were, did
see one small bunch of them late, but they were tiny fish and very spooky. After
yesterday, today was a dream!!! Capt.Ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
06/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Horrible morning here today, Fog, Rain and wind, nasty swell in the ocean.
Only had 4 guys show up who wanted to brave the weather....Rest of the week looks
good....Capt.ron
06/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The boat is out this afternoon...it's not blowing 35 and We have every
intention of shaping up tomorrow...they have been wrong way too many times in the
past with these weather reports. If enough guys show up, we go, if not, it's
breakfast for the first time in over a month! Way more shorts than keepers today,
but we still had action. Not good fishing by any means though. Water temp. Dropped a
whole lot from what it's been down the beach, guys to the south said they saw 58
degree water from Seaside to the Highlands bridge. "That's what shut down the
fishing". Capt.ron
06/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Anthony Izzo and Quick Responce Co., out with us today. Tried to fish the
beach, (I guess all the blasting of the area had the place surrounded)..tried to the
South, NG, some skates. Took a ride off-shore and found some life. Not the big fish
we had yesterday, but a nice catch of keepers with a bunch more going back. High
hook had 7 fish with 3 going in the box.....Gotta love the weekends! capt.ron
06/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hard to beleave it's June already! Much better fishing today with several
very nice Stripers coming in. Had to hit a few area's and several drops to put a
catch together though. Largest fish of the season so far for us with Marty Riordan,
Hope, N.J. landing his 47 inch 34 pounder on a clam. First run came close to
spooling his spinning reel, once the fishes head was turned Marty heaved a sigh of
releaf! Had a few other fish from 14 to 21 pounds and several that didn't make 28'.
Much happier today....capt.ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/31/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Todays report is not so
funny!! Couldn't wait to hit the beach, drift, catch'em like yesterday. First drop,
a bite, next two drops nothing..plan A went out the window. Plan B, Anchored up on
some readings, slack tide, caught a handfull of fish...think I'd still be waiting
for the tide if I stayed there! High water was 8:00am today, at 10:30 we were going
in circles on the anchor! Caught a few blues, another odd fish, left the area. Made
a drop to the North, came back on the Anchor and had 3 fish on right away. Thought I
pulled out the rabbit again..no such luck, not another bite! 2 more drops, 1 more
keeper, 1 short and 1 missed bluefish....not a happy captain!!! Capt.Ron
05/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing this morning, had very nice action on 25 to 27 inch fish,
keepers mixed in, no bluefish. Had a nice bite till 10:00am, then we had to do some
searching....Had several limits on keepers, pool fish went 37 inches 18 pounds.
Great day on the water with a fantastic bunch of customers!! Chartered Saturday's AM
trip.....capt.ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Better fishing this morning, not great yet, but much better than the past 4
days. Fished the ocean, hardly any current but we managed to pick away. Not the same
body of fish we had mid-week last week, seems were back to the used to be slot fish
with keepers going 28-29 inches. Pool fish just makes 31 or 32. Not many blues
today, didn't see the bird life of the past few days either. Talked to the guys from
the south, jigging sounded tough today also, not much life around. Should bounce
back soon, last year was the same situation then June bounced right back with our
biggest fish of the season....Chartered Saturday Morning this week. capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, the fishing yesterday afternoon was much better than the day
bite. Capt.Frank fished in the back bay again, spoke to guys who caught squat there
in the AM. For 3 days it's been an afternoon bite back there. Very nice size fish
with last nights pool winner coming in at 23 1/2 pounds....Today found better
fishing in the morning, much smaller fish though, with more shorts than keepers. Had
an o.k. pick till 10:am. Made a move and started the same thing. Bounced around a
few more drops and ended the day with a high hook of 3 keepers, the pool fish at 36
inches 16 pounds, 16 keepers and a couple of blues....Chartered this Saturday's
morning trip. Capt.Ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Saturday's afternoon trip with Capt.Frank ended up a pleasant surprise. Fish
decided to bite, exactly were we DIDN'T catch them in the AM. Had 29 very nice
keepers with many of the youngsters on board pulling their share. 14 year old Abby
Witt, Gradyville, Pa., 12 year old, Tim Valente, Malvern, PA and Ryan Silverman all
managed keeper Bass. 2 Weakfish at 10 and 7 1/2 pounds were also boated. Todays trip
found some action in the AM, despite the lack of current we boated some nice keepers
and a handfull of shorts. Got knocked out by the traffic. Went to look for better
conditions...thought we would find cleaner water and some current, problem was, the
current was screaming and the water looked like crap! Took another ride, found some
jig fish, blues and bass which was also short lived. Ended the day back up to the
North with a few more keepers and some shorts...much better than the past few
days...but I sure wouldn't raise any flags!!! Chartered this coming Saturday in the
AM....capt.ron
05/26/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After yesterdays fishing, Capt.Frank had the afternoon run, fished up in the
back and managed a very nice catch of fish for a small crowd. Couple limits with one
customer catching 4. The keepers were all good size fish. Today we were back to the
STROKE!! Started in the back bay, nice brown foamy water, I guess we have our first
algae bloom. Caught a couple of fish on the first drop, then the heat and lack of
life took over. Made one more drop and got the hell outta there! Tried to fish the
knoll, the water was worse. Looked out towards the head of the channels and much
cleaner water, caught a handfull of keepers, a few shorts, not too many blues. Had
the same exact conditions last year, it lasted a few days, then all hell broke loose
again. Had fish fining on top around the channels, was told years ago that the algae
blooms effect the oxygen in the water..the fish get dormant and tend to stay near
the surface...It has too be true cause this is the 4th year in a row I have seen
this happen....Still a nice day on the water......capt.ron
05/25/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Terrible fishing today, started in the ocean drifting, didn't have a bite,
neither did the guys on the clam boat! Got outta there fast...Searched up and down
the beach, ran into the head boats from the South coming North (new we were in
trouble!!) Could have jigged some blues in the AM on birds working in the channel,
but we were looking for the bass...Covered way too many miles for only a few fish!
Amazing how that huge body of fish the past few days just turned off......capt.ron
05/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the Roller Service Corp. out with us today on a Charter. Morning started
out very nice with several shots at the Stripers. Had to bounce around the rest of
the day to put a catch together, conditions didn't get right till late in the
morning. The guys managed a respectable catch of Bass along with a few dozen
Bluefish to 8 pounds. Great day on the water! capt.ron
05/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Few fish first thing in the AM, didn't see enough life to hang around, moved
further south to catch the begining of the incoming, not much there either. Headed
offshore of the Highlands, got lucky and found some very good fishing on Blues and
some of the biggest bass of the season. A new batch of bunkers are making thier way
up the beach, the fish, naturally are with them. Biggest pool fish of the season so
far with Dan Broche, Berkley Heights, N.J. landing a great 46 inch, 30.6 pounder to
win the pool. Joe Santostephano landed 6 fish, 4 over 20 lbs!! Plenty of bluefish
today for some added action...It pays to be adventurious!!! Capt.Ron
05/22/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fish took a break today! The hot bite we've had the past week didn't happen.
Stayed local as most reports were just about the same everywhere. A few early boats
had a shot of fish, then the traffic took over...looked like a weekend out there!
Picked a few fish on some drops after the change of tide, finally found some great
readings, started to pick at the bass and blues, way too much traffic killed that.
Looked out to the East, NG. A few more futile attemps to bail the day out didn't
work....2 scotch day!!! capt.ron Chartered this Thursday AM Trip..
05/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not the hot bite we had yesterday, but still managed better than 25 keepers
for a nice crowd. Had to bounce around a few area's too put a catch together. Lousy
conditions in the AM with current running into the wind didn't help. Caught slack
and the change late in the day to put a few more in the box. Tim Valente,
Philadelphia, PA had the big one at 41 inches 21 pounds.....We are Chartered this
Thursday in the AM......capt.ron
05/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant morning bite, while it lasted. Boated over 70 keepers on non-stop
action. Most fish ranged 29 to 41 inches with only 6 fish not making 28. Way too
much traffic shut it down fast, looked to the South and out to the east to finish
out the day, not much except a few shorts and some horn dogs. Scott O'Keefe,
Manalapan, N.J. landed the big one at 42 inches, 25 1/2 pounds! Several fish in the
15 to 20 pound class today....capt.ron
05/19/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Henry Lewis and Skanska company out with us today on our Charter. Fished
the ocean for some very good morning action. Several Fish up to 35 inches, the
largest 36 inches 19 pounds! Ended the day with 38 very nice size keepers. Nice to
see the bigger fish finaly here. Capt.Frank is out tonight, haven't heard from him
yet....I hope that's a good thing! capt.ron
05/18/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only head boat to make out of the Harbor today. Had a 2 1/2 hour window of
flood to try and fish the ocean. Still very nasty, but fishable for us. Had very
good fishing on mixed size fish and a few blues. 6 fish from 15 to 18 lbs. Managed
18 keepers in 2 1/2 hours with only a handfull of guys left standing! Headed for the
back bay to revive everyone, read life, just couldn't get them too bite. An Odd fish
here and there. Finished out the day with Dean Snook, Doylestown, PA winning the
pool with a very nice 18 pounder! Chartered Sat's AM trip.....capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/17/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!! The one's I've been waiting for! Started the morning out with a few
drifts, first 2 fish a 34 and 32 incher, couple more smaller fish then it died.
Searched around for some readings off the Highlands, found some nice marks and
anchored up. Still had some incoming, picked away at the 26's and 27's with an
occasional keeper. Slack tide the fishing broke open..several in the 32 to 35 inch
range with the biggest going 41 inches 25 pounds. Lew Morton, Saylorsburg, PA had
that one plus another 35 inch 19 pounder. Gene (the bagel guy) Komorows, Tom Krako
both had thier limit on fish over 31 inches. Al Groff, Chapman PA, also had 2
beauties. (Don't think I've ever seen a happier man after landing his second fish.)
Bite only lasted 45 minutes into the tide, but it was a blast while it was on!! We
are Chartered this Saturday AM and next Thursday AM Trips....Capt.Ron
05/16/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out with slack tide this morning, a few bluefish to begin with. Tide
started to run, we had a slow 1,1 pick. A few nicer fish, but the bite never took
hold like yesterday. Left the area to look around, headed down the beach and got set
up. Wind came hard more from the South..against the outgoing, it was no picnic, got
the hell outta there fast! Ran back up to the North, ended the day with a nice shot
of fish. Dave Barrett, Teaneck had the big one at 34 inches, 18 pounds.....Dave had
one that got away that he said was bigger...The old one that got away story!!
Capt.Ron
05/15/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Tony Bruno and the Bergen County Sherrifs out with us today. Left early
and caught slack into the change of tide, good thing cause that was the bite of the
day! Fished shallow water, it was straight up and down fishing for 40 minutes. Once
the current started to Ebb, that was it. The guys couldn't feel the bites with the
hard SW wind and tide running out. Headed for the Reach and the back bay. Picked a
few fish here and there along with some bluefish. Certainly didn't catch what we
read on the machine. Still a nice day on the water. Wednesday looks to be the same
with the wind, shouldn't effect the regulars, there used to it!! capt.ron
05/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice morning bite in the ocean. Had to wait for the current to get
things going, 26 to 27 inchers started out the day, but they got bigger as the tide
started to run. Bite lasted till 10:30 for us,(nothing like the all day bite of
yesterday) then we left the area. Looked over some last years spots, not a bite.
Took a ride to the East, 3 fish right away then nothing. Made a last ditch effort
way back to the North, caught the end of the tide. Had another 8 keepers, some
smaller fish and 2 nice Flounder! Even had a 17 3/4 inch Fluke (that went back).
Can't stay in one place and expect miracles! Capt.Ron
We are Chartered Tuesday and Saturday Morning this week....
05/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Last nights Striper trip with Capt.Frank had very good fish on much bigger
fish. Fished the back bay for the change of tide, several fish in the 20 plus range
with Mitch Jevic landing the big one (Again)! at 35 inches, 24 1/2 pounds.....Todays
fishing was very good. Fished the ocean and had an all day bite on fish to 31
inches. Lots of 25 to 27 inch fish going back. Tom Kracko and Rocco Farina landed
over 30 fish between them. Fish bit right through slack and into the change, left
them biting at the end of the day! Only 1 charter boat in the area all day. Sailing
daily 7:30am till 2:30pm. We are Chartered this Tuesday the 15th AM trip, and
Saturday the 19th AM trip also....Capt.Ron PS: Sorry for any misspelling, someone
brought it too my attention that I may not be a grammer expert.....But I'm sure you
get the point!! capt.ron
05/12/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Capt.Frank had the Jay Durkin charter out with us last night. Got in on the
last of the bite in the back bay. Plenty of Blues and the guys managed 15 nice
keeper Bass.
Today we started out with the lesser of 2 evils, fished the beach instead of the
back bay. First drop, not a bite, only a little current on top, nothing on the
bottom, chum went straight down. Ran back to the north side of the bar, anchored up,
had 10 fish on before I left the wheelhouse, 8 where keepers! Had that 20 minute
shot that made the day. Picked a few more before the area got too busy. Ran further
south looking for some life and less traffic, made a drop, caught a few keepers and
some shorts. Waited through slack and made a move..had a one, one pick on some nice
fish to finish out the day. Chris Johnson/Easton, PA had the big one at 34 inches,
19 pounds. A handfull of blues also. Note: A report I posted on 5/5 made comment to
the fact that the pound nets in the bay had 40,000 pounds of bluefish and 10,000
pounds of Weakfish, in my haste to post the news of the amount of fish and new
arrivals to the bay, I never checked the source of the info..my mistake, the
Weakfish total was only 800 pounds, the bluefish total was less also. Just wanted to
give a heads up as to the blues moving into the bay as well as the Weaks...didn't
check the source of the info, so I screwed up! I certainly wasn't trying to make the
pound guys out as bad guys, they have to make a living also....capt.ron
05/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tough day today, after a very good week of fishing. Fished the beach for the
last of the outgoing, just a few fish. Moved futher East for the change, had a few
keepers a few smaller fish, bite looked like it was gonna start with a few quick
shots of fish, then nothing except an odd fish. Finished up at Romer with a couple
shorts....Not a good day. Capt. Frank is out tonight, will see if they want to bite
with the new tide....capt.ron
05/10/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing again today, not as hot as yesterday but good enough. Still had
some outgoing in the AM, had to get through slack and the change, picked one, one at
a time. Current started to run in, the bite still stayed at a one, one pick.
Occasionally we'd see 2 or 3 on. Several guys limited out again with Tom
Krakow/Atlantic Highlands catching 7. Eddie Dyle/Clifton, N.J. had the pool fish at
32 inches, 17 pounds......32 keepers and plenty of 25-27's going back.....Bring back
the slot fish!!!! capt.ron
05/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Best day of the season by far! Started fish right off the bat at slack water.
Bite got better as the tide started to run. Once again, many quality fish with Mitch
Jevic/Hillsborough landing the big one at 35 inches 18 pounds, a long and lean male.
Mitch and Bill Yurkovitch teamed up to catch over 25 fish between them. Water
cleaned up very nicely the past week. Had some bluefish again, still not a problem,
and the horn dogs have been around the past few days. Chartered Friday Afternoon on
the 3:30pm trip and Tuesday the 15th AM trip....capt.ron
05/08/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Went back to yesterdays drop just in time to catch the start of the incoming,
read fish, anchored up...not a bite!! Made a little wiggle, read them again..not a
bite, started to get pissed! Tried for the 3rd times a charm, that didn't work so we
got the hell outta there! Took a 20 minute ride down the beach, fished some bottom
and had very good fishing the rest of the day. Several guys with 2 keepers, a couple
with 3 keepers. Nice action and quality fish to 34 inches. A few Blues, but they
weren't a problem. Ended the day with 29 keepers,many 25 to 27 inchers going back.
Randy Halat/Wayne N.J. had the pool fish at 34 inches 20 1/2 pounds...We are Charted
this Friday's Afternoon trip and Tuesday the 15th, morning trip...capt.ron
05/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Well, it didn't blow 30.... a steady 20 knots all day. Fished the ocean, it
was nasty. First drop only had 2 shorts, roll started to get bad in the shallow
water so we headed further down the beach. Had shots of 1 to 2 fish most of the
morning. A dozen keepers with nothing over 30 inches. Very nasty down the beach
also, had our share of chummers! Last nights fishing was 100 percent better than
what I had on the AM trip. Capt. Frank fished one drop all night. Several keepers
and a bunch of 26-27 inch fish...Weather looks like it is finally going to break
this week!! Capt.Ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Covered all points on the compass today looking for a bite! Had only 6 bites which
turned into six fish, 4 bass (keepers) and 2 Blues. The only other hits were skates!
Go figure. After the decent fishing all week, with not many customers, today had to
be the day they weren't hungry. The only bite at all seemed to be some jig fish way
to the south (Blues) that was it. Maybe tomorrows NEster will stir them up again.
Pound nets in the bay had 40,000 pounds of bluefish and 10,000 pounds of Weakfish
this morning.....no bunkers. Ah to be a Party Boat Captain!!!! capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Caught the last of the incoming this morning..if that's what you call it, not
much current but we still managed to pick at the fish. Had a decent bite right
through the morning with way too may 26 to 27 inchers going back. Just couldn't
stretch them far enough! Crazy tide today, or lack of it, even the ebb didn't want
to move. Still not bad fishing for crappy conditions......Capt.Ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to pull the rabbit outta my @#* today...Started the morning with the last of the
incoming..not much current. Thought by 10:00am we would have some decent tide, so we
hung in there...no such luck, everything sunk strait to the bottom. We did manage a
couple keepers and a few shorts. Made a move to the east, had current but no fish.
Back up to the North where we finally had current around 11:45, landed a very nice
33 inch 19 pound fish, one short, that was it. Took a 25 minute ride (at 1:00pm) to
look for that rabbit..we did find it, had a good bite for an hour bailing out the
day with 19 keepers and a load of smaller fish....Chris Eckells/Bridgewater N.J.,
had the pool fish, 33 inches 19 pounds. Fish had 3 herring in it's
belly....capt.ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, an excellant morning bite on the ones I've been looking for!
Fished of the beach catching slack into the change, had 2 to 4 on at times. Several
limits with Bill Yurkovitch,Warren N.J. and Mitch Jevic, Hillsboro landing over 30
fish between them. Bigger fish went up to 34 inches. Many 26 and 27 inchers going
back....once the current ran hard, that was it...Best day of the season on keepers
so far. Dave Barrett, Teaneck had the pool fish, 34 inches 13 1/2 pounds.....I hope
this is the start of something good! capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
05/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hard to beleave we were the only Striper boat out of A.H. today...14 customers in the harbor to bass fish on such a beautifull day!! 3rd day in a row of not too shabby fishing. Stayed on 1 drop all day. Caught slack and the start of the ebb in the ocean, never read a thing, no bait, not a scratch of fish. Anchored up on some bottom and starting chumming, had the first fish on in 3 minutes..Maybe all the prayer for some devine intervention paid off! Had a nice pick of fish from 18 to 27 inches with 9 keepers up to 31 inches. Current ran hard for 3 hours, fish laid way back of the boat, stopped chumming for 20 minutes to see if we could draw the fish closer to the boat and it worked. Had several nice shots at em'. Lew Ciafatti had the hot had today boating 14 fish, 3 which were keepers. Two huge schools of bunker in the bay on the way out...any day for the bigger fish. Had the same senerio last season..the tiny fish, the fish that went 24 to 27's then BAM, there they were! Capt.Ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/30/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just about the same report as yesterday. Had a nice pick of fish down the
beach. Ended the day with 11 nice keepers, high hook had 16 plus a keeper. No horn
dogs today, thank god! Yesterday was like an invasion with those suckers. Didn't get
the hard wind they were taking about till we were on our way home. Nice to see some
better fishing.......capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/29/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, Much better fishing today in the AM. Had shots of 2 to 3 fish, then
nothing for 15-20 minutes. More keepers Finally with high hook taking 3 with his
bonus card. 3 other customers had their 2. Tony Santostephano gave his son Joe, a
fishing lesson catching a dozen smaller fish and 2 keepers, the old dog still has
it!! Largest fish of the day 33 inches 12 pounds, a healthy looking male. Not an all
day bite, the best of it was just as the current started to change....Much happier
than I have been the past two weeks! capt.ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/28/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just about the same picture as the past few trips. Had a few smaller fish on
the first drop, second wave of nasty water came out of the Hudson and that was it!
Looked further to the south, picked a few fish right away plus 2 keepers, then
nothing. Checked out a few more areas, some snags, in shallow, only to catch a few
midgets. Ended the day back up to the North for a few more small fish and 2 more
keepers. These are not big keepers, 28 inches on the money That's it! Water temp is
coming up, hopefully the fresh water will clear out, it's the only thing I can think
of that's keeping these fish away or not feeding......wish I could have had some
tiny blackfish for bait, I'm sure that would have worked!!! Capt.Ron
04/27/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Sorry guys, This isn't a fishing report, just a vent! Apparently Mr. John V.O'Shea,
Executive Director of our use-less ASMFC has decided to take on the recreational
angler again. I would like to know how we land so many illegal fish, that we can
supply the live market? With the size limits and numbers in place, most guys still
can't catch enough to eat! Yes, there are many guys fishing illegally and selling
fish, we see it all the time....THESE ARE NOT RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN!!! Over the
past few years I know several guys who have called right from the boat to report
illegal pin hookers, only to be told, there was nothing that could be done, there
were no inforcement officers in the area or some other lame excuse for not coming.
The few times someone did show, all the guy has to do is cut the bag from the side
of the boat. The bag sinks, the fish die, and nothing can be proven in court. The
high per person limits allow large quantities of tog on vessels with many
anglers..What is this some kind of joke? Does he think for a minute that if we have
40 passengers that 40 passengers are going to catch 8 fish each! You can count on
one hand the number of guys who catch thier limits in a season....I can gaurantie
these guys aren't selling. Do you know what's involved to keep these fish alive to
make it too market? I sure don't see live wells and airators coming on the boat!
Here's the biggest idiot statment of them all...Illegal use of undersized tautog is
still common in the Recreational Striped Bass Fishery, it's been a well kept secret
among successfull Bass fishermen that live-lining is probably the most productive
way to catch Stripers!!!! Did this idiot ever hear of BUNKER! Sure the first thing I
want to do in the AM is run out to the rocks or the reef and try to catch some short
tog so I can really catch the Stripers. I would like to commend the guys who have
held this secret for so many years though, it's too bad the secrets out!
Mr. O'Shea would like to encourage law abiding harvesters to report illegal
activities....this is a bunch of crap! If a guy wants to take a fish home for
dinner, so be it, it's the dam laws that have made people out to be so-called
criminals, remember the one, When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns?
Same theory.
Were always going to have people break the rules, to what extent is up to them and
if you get caught you will pay, but too say that the recreational fishermen is a
corrupt, money hungry, fish stock destroyer is bull....The ASMFC should be abolished
as they do absolutly nothing. Hell they didn't have the guts to stand up to
NOAA....as usual. Capt.ron
04/25/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Still not much to talk about. Started in the back bay, didn't have any
current, didn't read much life (bait or fish), only caught a couple shorts. Left the
area. Fished the ocean, good current, not bad conditions, just a few
fish......capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/24/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Still, not much too talk about. Small fish, a couple JUST keepers each day.
Water temp today never made it past 46.5, color of the water is still nasty brown.
Got through the last of the outgoing, slack and change of tide today, don't you know
the wind had to come NW 20 !! Chum, lines, everything ran to the bow, suprised we
caught anything at all. Plenty of gannet life, lots of bait....any day now!!
capt.ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/23/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Still no major bite to talk about. Picked on smaller fish in the AM with
outgoing tide on top, incoming down deep....chum went one way, lines the other. Took
a couple of hours to straighten out, when it finally did and conditions were right,
fish stopped biteing! Couple keepers with Tom Krako winning the pool on a 28 1/2
incher. No current to speak of in the back bay today, so that was a bust
also....better days ahead! Capt.ron
04/21/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally a beautifull day on the water! Just wish the fish would have
appreciated it! No where near the bite we had yesterday. Same conditions, same water
temp and just a pick on small fish. Ended up with only a couple of keepers....maybe
tomorrow...capt.ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First day out since last Saturday. Didn't expect too much with the horrible
color of the water, ended up pleasantly surprised. Had a nice all day bite on small
to just over our old slot fish size. Several fish made 26 1/2 with 2 at 27. Ended
the day with 7 keepers for a small group of guys. Water temp hit 45. I would imagine
with the sun coming out the next few days things could only get better! Loads of big
stuff floating around...be carefull!! Most likely next weekend we will start the
afternoon fishing Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30pm till 9:30pm.....Capt.Ron
www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/14/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally made it out Saturday after 4 days off. Things looked a hell of alot
more incouraging today as far as the bait readings and life in the bay. Water temp
actually got back to 44 degrees. Last day out (Monday) we had 42 degrees, the bay
looked like a dessert! Now, here we are again, tied to the dock for a few days. Bay
should be beautifull with all the runoff from the rain, at least till the end of the
week. Moved the boat to Sea Bright saturday afternoon, couldn't beleave the bait
readings from the end of our jetty all the way up the river. Looking foward to some
good fishing when things get straightened out. For now, the anticipation is killing
me!!!! Capt. Ron www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/11/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Haven't made it out the past 2 days, the harbor has been void of customers.
With the reports of the past few days though, I can't blame them. Water temp is
still cold. Thursdays weather sounds horrible, so we won't shape up till Friday. It
looks like I have to work on my patience this season.........better days ahead!
capt.ron
04/09/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Terrible fishing today. Water temp never got over 42.4 no matter where we
looked. Fished from 7 to 20ft looking for some life. Didn't read a thing, Bait or
Fish, West of Keansburg. Had 2 shorts on the first drop then hacked it till the last
drop of the day, where we caught 2 more....Not enough heat in the Sun during the day
and with the overnight lows where they are....it ain't happining. Come on May!!!
capt.ron
04/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
One drop, nice all day bite today. Water temp still at 44 degress, without
much sun and warmer temps, may take awhile to heat things up. Plenty of action on
the small to 24 inch fish with a handfull of keepers thrown in. Still, not too
shabby for this time of year......capt.ron
04/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another cold nasty day,with a much better bite than yesterday on the Stripers. Same
conditions, hard West against the incoming, didn't read much life, but the suckers
bit anyway. Picked at the shorts and some of what used to be slot fish for a few
hours before catching a keeper.Water temp dropped 2 degrees to 44.5 didn't matter
where we went, in shallow 8ft. or off in 15ft. of water. Made 2 drops and caught
fish on both, right to the end of the day.....Not sailing Sunday. Daily after that,
7:30till 2:30pm. Thanks! Capt.Ron
04/05/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Should have never left the dock today! Howling west wind with Incoming tide
(naturally) made for another day of horrible conditions. Didn't have a fish till the
tide changed and even at that, the bite didn't last long. 8 shorts, no keepers. We
did read a lot more life today, (bait and fish), all along the channel on the way
out and saw more gannet action in the AM. Best I could find on the water temp was 46
degrees..I don't think anything short of devine intervention would have help today!!
capt.ron
04/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out slow again today. Had the last half hour of incoming then
slack..3 shorts too start. Made a move further to the west, found a few better
readings on the bottom, anchored and waited for the current. At 10:30 Sun came out,
tide came through and the little suckers started to eat! Nice pick the rest of the
day on small fish. Managed two keepers along with a high hook of 25 fish caught by
Darrian Dyle, Clifton, N.J. Great day on the water after a foggy, cold start.
Tomorrow sounds like crap!! capt.ron
04/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Horrible conditions today with the wind against the tide, first two hours of
nothing, then a nice pick on smaller fish..no keepers! It will get better....Water
temp ranged from 42 to 46.8 degrees. Fishing daily 7:30am till 2:30pm. Thanks!
Capt.Ron/Fishermen
03/31/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First trip of the year started out slow. We did manage a keeper and a couple
of shorts through most of the morning (outgoing tide). Water temp in the AM went
from 42 to 47 degrees in spots. Waited till the change of tide (incoming), which
came late, but the little suckers started to eat! Hung in there an extra hour
shaking out the cob webs. Ended up with a couple keepers and a bunch of
shorts......Nice to start the season without a donut! Capt.Ron
03/20/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Season Starts March 31st, Saturday, fishing for Stripers. We will be sailing
daily 7:30 till 2:30pm. The fare is $47 for adults, $43 for Seniors 65 and over, $25
children under 12. We also rent rods aboard for $5....hope to see you soon. Capt.Ron
03/13/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good way to start the season's reports ...Eddie, my deckhand and friend
for 17 years, past away on Monday March 5th, a week after his 47th birthday.
Everyone has been floored by the news. Eddie was a tremedous fishermen, sportsman
and teacher to both young and old. At the funeral, dozens of customers came from
everywhere to show thier repect. A collection was taken in leu of flowers and with
everyones generosity the funeral was paid in full. I always said I have the greatist
customers (friends) in the world. Ed was cremated, I will have the honor of burying
him at sea.
We will begin sailing the first weekend in April for Stripers. Clamming as usual.
An odd report here and there of some small fish around in the shallows...things
should start to pick up as the water temp comes up a bit. Keep you posted.
capt.ron
01/07/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the last morning of the season with plenty of bird life in between the channels, only problem, we didn't catch a third of what was there! Fish moved fast chasing the bait, we'd catch a handfull of shorts then move. A couple of keepers, with Rocco Farina ending the season like he started..catching the pool fish! By 10:00am all life seemed to totally dissaper...bait was gone, so were the fish with the exception of a stragler here and there. Looked out to the East in deeper water NG..back to the channels, where it took hours to get any current..unlike yesterday when at times we drifted at 4 knots! Absolutly gorgeous day weather wise, but no way to finish out the season....Thanks to all again. I hope to do some fishing with Dad in Florida, after watching everyone else for 9 and 1/2 months, now it's my turn...watch out muttons here I come!! See you in April. Capt.Ron
01/06/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tough day today, picked a few small fish, a couple of keepers, nothing to even mention really...except the fact the Billy Wagner, Wayne, NJ had 9 fish and 2 keepers! Naturally he waited till the end of the season to get hot....Had plenty of bait, still read lots of fish but we did have a very nasty roll in the channels all day. It only got worse as the tide started to run out. Went from one channel to the other, out to the East with pretty much the same results...tomorrows weather looks much better as far as conditions go. Hopefully will finish out the season on a positive note. If not, April is just around the corner!!! Capt.Ron
PS: Water temp today was 48 and as high as 51 degrees!! Unbeleavable.............January????
01/04/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thought I was in a time warp..is it April already?? Unbeleavable weather!!! Had bird life right off the bat..got a nice shot of fish, even 2 keepers on the first drift, then it went buggy for an hour. Ran up and down the channel looking and stopping on readings, told the guys to be patient, when the tide starts to ebb the bite will happen..sure enough, ran to the North for the start of the outgoing and like magic, here they come! Much better fishing today as far as the action and keepers go. Many of the fish were 25 to 27 inches and had to go back. Gannets, Herring and Butterfish..doesn't get any better than this! Joe "Big Ass" Korek, Livingston, N.J. did it again winning the pool with a very nice 16 pound fish. Don't know how he does it, but he always manages to catch a big one!! Great start to the 2007 season, but we will end it on Sunday....Don't want to push my luck! April is just around the corner....capt.ron
01/03/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Totally different day today! No wind, no sea..and the fish really did bite. Had life right from the start in the channels, never had to leave all day. Once we got some outgoing, the bite was a bit better. Not big fish, but plenty of action. Had only a couple of keepers..but who cares, it's JANUARY for gods sake!! Thought I would be shoveling snow by now, so this is a real treat...Sunday will be our last trip for the season, don't want to push my luck with all the great weather we have had and good fishing, I'm sure it will come crashing down...and you know how much I hate that! Rather get it, before it gets me. Thanks too all for your support this past season, like I have said in the past, I have the best customers in the world! Thank you....capt.ron
01/02/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tried to fish today....Sun came up, wind started howling, 38 knots. Even with the outgoing tide it was a nightmare! Headed down the rocks looking for some life. Read some bait and had a few gannets diving, gave it a few shots, then realized the gannets where laughing at us, not looking for fish!!! Thought conditions would improve between the channels after 2 hours of outgoing, so we headed back up to the North..got there and never stopped the boat..had to pull her out of gear twice with the rollers in between...gave the guys a comp. trip for the next time and came home....Water temp was still 46 and read a load of bait at the point of the hook, so we may get a couple more shots. Sunday will most likely be the last trip...who the hell fishes for Stripers in January??????? capt.ron
01/01/07
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Joe,
In regard to your post, the Bass haven't disappeared, they have been staying offshore chasing the Herring...last year we had a load of Sand eels from Sandy Hook to Asbury park in close to the beach, this year I haven't seen any...could be why only smaller fish have showed on the beach...if you read my post's from the past week, you'll see what's been going on. As far as the Smart Ass from the Party boat, don't take it to heart, were all not assholes!! capt.ron
12/31/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a way to end 2006! Had one last shot at pulling the last rabbit for the year outta you know where..Started between the channels on what looked like it was gonna be good fishing, only to pick at a few shorts and 1 keeper. Bird life didn't last long at all, even less than yesterday.headed down the beach to the Rocks, caught 2 fish there. Went offshore to deeper water, after the third stop we found a very nice pile of fish and landed 6 keepers. Went back to the mark I left on the plotter, couldn't find them anywhere, looked around a few more stops, nothing. Went to the Fishermen buoy and didn't even stop, no readings or bait. Headed back up to the channels looking for the change of tide bite, found a thousand gannets hitting the water just short of Ambrose...another ride but it was more than worth it. Had fish up to 16 pounds with several guys limiting out. Best action in 3 days and one hell of a way to close out 2006!! Fishing everyday this week except Monday....As long as it ain't over, I'll keep going!......Happy New Year. Capt.ron
12/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just about the same fishing as the past two days...Stinko! A shot at some shorts in the AM, a few keepers off shore and not much anywhere else. Bait is still around, water temp is fine, maybe they just took a few days off? Hopefully well get another shot this week to finish it out....sounds like I'm a little gready!! Capt.ron
12/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Well, the crap had to hit the fan sometime..why not today, with a boat load of customers!! Started out with lots of bird life and bait, read piles of fish under the boat, thought we would bail them...picked at the smaller fish....Slack happened early so we headed offshore to look around, read fish and bait again, caught Mackrel! Went further south then into the rocks, picked a few small fish there, including 2 Whiting!! Back up to the channels trying to pull another rabbit out my #**...no such luck. A few more small fish....had all the pleasure everyone could stand..They actually cheered when I blew 3 to come home!! Should have been here yesterday...as the saying goes. Capt.Ron
12/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a shot of smaller fish in the AM...left to go find the bigger fish of the past few days...No gannets diving, and only some small readings in which we did manage a few shots of nicer fish. Lost a 30 pounder at the boat! Big fish never turned so we headed back to the shallow water. Lots of bird life, smaller fish and the occasional 28 inch fish, Plenty of action...Nice to have had that to come back too or I would have been a dead man!!! capt.ron
12/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing again today! Just as good as Sunday, only the bite lasted longer. Two of the first fish in the boat were over 25 pounds! Many limits for the large crowd aboard today. Fished in 55 to 65 ft. of water..the heavier jigs worked a bit better with the NW wind at 30 knots. Had gannets diving on the herring, which is a sight to see itself.......gotta love this time of year! Don't wait, it won't last forever........capt.ron
12/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just a note, we are sailing everyday, as long as the fish hang around and the Weather sounds good...Water temp is still up there and no sign of any major cold fronts yet....Amazing that the Striped Bass may replace Whiting as a winter fishery!!!! capt.ron
12/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After the butt kicking we took yesterday, today was a different story. Started out with absolutly no life anywhere..between the channels was dead, the beach was dead as well as the rocks. Had one keeper till 11:30. Wind started cranking again at the change of tide...found gannets going crazy offshore in 65 ft. of water and proceded to kick butt on the Bass...3 of us had the nets going for over an hour and a half on fish to 20 pounds! Limited the boat out with 3 fish per person with bonus tags....total over 60 keepers! Nice XMAS presant for those with us today. Sailing this coming week, although tuesday doesn't sound good right now. Hard SW wind with rain. Wends. sounds a bit better with 20 out of the west...Would like to at least make it till next weekend, then go from there......Happy Holidays!! capt.ron
12/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nasty day today for one of the only boats out! Started out in the fog...looking for birds!! Tried to use the Radar but the ocean was way too nasty to find them. Hit the areas we have been fishing and ended up finding some life. Picked away at the smaller fish with only a few keepers....Plenty of life once the tide changed, but the ocean only got nastier..got the hell outta there at 1:30......still rocking..capt.ron
12/22/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Bird life again just about everywhere we looked...First drop 2 very nice keepers 15 and 18 pounds. Shots at the smaller fish, then things got tough..went through the change of tide, the day got worse as it went on. Hard current into the wind made the roll just about unbareable. Still managed to get shots of fish till the end of the day....not a whole bunch of keepers.....Sailing next week, as long as there's something to catch and the weather holds up...capt.ron
12/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Same case as yesterday with the morning bite...A million birds on bait, but very tough on the bass. Picked an odd fish here and there...told the guys it would be about an hour till we got some decent current. Sure enough the bite turned on, not as many keepers today..the bigger fish didn't bite here or off in the deep, for whatever reason. Bounced around inshore, in between, down the beach and back out to the east. Best of the fishing was at the end of the day. Life stacked up on the edge of the channel and we had several good shots at them.....No lack of life, just not a load of keepers....capt.ron
12/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, loads of bird life in our channel to start the day. The bite didn't really happen though until the current came through, then it was very nice fishing. Had 2 good drifts on bigger fish, then the smaller ones took over. Did that for awhile then left the area. Found much bigger fish in 65 ft. of water. Most of the boat limited out and used there bonus tags! Hard to beleave after last year catching only shorts this time...Pool fish 24 pounds with a few others in the low 20's!! Won't last forever and only a few days left till XMAS. Hopefully the week after will still have some decent weather....if anyone has any money left! capt.ron
12/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, loads of life in the AM. Slugged away at the shorts, slots and some keepers. Current started to run to hard and the fish got tougher to catch, so we took a little ride....Found bigger fish! Had a few shots at them offshore, that fell apart, moved inshore only to catch smaller fish. Had life in on the beach and went to check it out, had the drift of the day with several nice keepers and our pool fish to finish out the day..Largest of the day 18 pounds...Herring up and down the beach and in between the channels...very nice Xmas bonus!!! This could be your last shot, don't wait! Capt.Ron
12/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Amazing amount of life again this morning..caught fish right away on the jigs...not as many keepers as yesterday and the action slowed down in the afternoon...way too spoiled after yesterdays fishing! Joe SantosStephano, Bath, PA did it again. His big one today topped out at 26 3/4 pounds! Joe started the 2006 season in the spring with a 39.8 pounder! Told him 2 more bunker in the belly and he would have made the exclusive 40 pound club!!!! Great day on the water once again..... Do you think the Wife will get it, when I tell her I didn't have time to shop for Xmas, with all this great fishing going on??? Could be my last reports!! Capt.ron
12/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellent Jig fishing today..right from the first stop, throughout the day! Big fish, Little fish, Slots, you name it, we caught it...Stew Silverman was the man today, after practicing yesterday on the medium and small fish, today he limited out, won the pool with a very nice 20 1/2 pounder and tossed back his share of last years keepers. Several limits on the boat. Great day on the water...doesn't get any better than this...capt.ron
12/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Totally different area today, but the same results as yesterday! Very good jig fishing on mixed size fish. Plenty of keepers, with Bob Zumbo, Brick, NJ, taking home the big one at 22 1/2 pounds...Amazing the action we had yesterday, wasn't there today. Weather is incredable for this time of year and looks good for the next few days. Water temp still 45 1/2 degrees and there's plenty of bait around....sailing as long as they bite! capt.ron
12/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in the fog and what looked like to be a nasty day...Finally got to where we had to be, and had a pick on smaller fish. Chased them inshore and offshore till conditions got right. Big fish took over in deeper water!! Very nice bite the rest of the day on Bass and Blues. Huge pool fish today 47 inches, 39 pounds caught by Scott Kellar, Vernon, N.J..Pool changed hands 4 times today with the bigger fish. Fish were feeding on Mackerell and Herring...At first it was Shads and Storms, then Jigs and Crocs in the deeper water. Yesterday I looked off where we caught them today and never read Bait or fish...day to day! Capt.Ron
12/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Headed right back to where we hammered them yesterday..First drift was perfect, a few keepers some shorts, action to get everyone pumped up...Naturally it went downhill from there! A few fish on each drift, smaller ones. Lost the current like yesterday but figured when the tide changed the bite would turn back on. No such luck, never got the current and never had any drift. At 12:00pm we headed back up to the channels, figured with 2 1/2 hours left of the incoming we would find a float..WRONG! Stopped the boat on a piece of bottom and hardly moved. We did manage 2 very nice fish though, a 21 pound pool fish and a 14 pound keeper, one on a herring, the other on an eel...Very dissapointing after yesterday.....now you know why I drink!!! Capt.Ron
12/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!!! After the drubbing we took yesterday, the bite came back with avengance today. Huge swell and a slow bite to start. Had the end of the tide, no current what so ever. Found a small patch of birds working and picked at the bass..first 3 were keepers then a few shorts. Finally got some current around 12:30 and all hell broke loose! Limited the boat out with 14 guys, fish up to 22 pounds...biggest fish in 2 weeks. Jigs, Crocs and Shads were the hot set up as the fish were feeding on Herring....Feel like a new man!! Just hope it wasn't a tease.... capt.ron
12/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Where do we start?? Terrible roll between the channels, the little bird life that was there, didn't produce a thing. Headed down the beach hoping the roll wouldn't be as bad...WRONG! Rolled our socks off, but managed to find a little patch of fish. Only had a couple shots at them..small fish and a keeper, then they were gone...Headed back up to Ambrose to stroke it some more. A couple fish for a tease then nothing....Went out to the east (way out) with a prayer...that didn't work either....Three whistles, time to come home. Please be advised this report is written after 2 scotches (so far) so I am not responsible for spelling errors!!!! capt.ron
12/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out a little slow in the AM. Just caught the change of tide so we had to wait for some current. Bounced around chasing birds and only catching a few fish. Current got to where it should be, the bite turned on! Loads of smaller fish 12 to 24 inches and the occasional keeper...Unbeleavable amount of fish though. Several areas to work in when things are right.......capt.ron
12/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Amazing amount of bird life today! The Bay, Tin can, in between, down the beach! Jigged all day catching fish from 12 to 30 inches...Just about any lure worked. Still had to move quite a bit to keep up with them, but it was definatly fun. Hard to beleave the amount of fish, especially since everyone was ready to throw in the towel. Sailing everyday as long as we can. Capt.ron
12/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had my Dad do the leg work for me this morning..he drove down the beach in search of bird life. After not sailing yesterday and the bay being very dirty, we needed all the help we could get. Sure enough the phone rang and he found life off the Highlands...Jigged all day, mostly short fish with some keepers mixed in. Tough chasing them around though, we would stop, get a quick shot of fish and they would be up 1/4 mile away. Had a few better shots at the change of tide. I took me 2 hours trying to get the guys to turn the handles to catch the fish...there chasing bait, the lures have to move...at least today they did. Fish were feeding on Squid and Herring...27's, 47's, crippled hearing and heavier storms or shad bodies worked best. I would think Sundays bite should be better, water will be a little cleaner and we'll have another hour of tide. Weather also looks great for next week....sailing as long as we can...Capt.ron
12/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Loads of bird life in the AM in our bay. Picked at the smaller fish and managed 3 keepers. Decided to take a ride looking for the big ones to break up the day. Switched over to clams and headed east where we have had some very good fishing. First drift..Horn Dogs! Second drift the same Moved to shallower water on good bottom, caught 2 shorts, drift was way to fast. headed back into the bay for the jig fish...Don't you know I had to hear why did we leave in the first place?? Hey, if your happy with catch and release that's fine with me, but I figured I'd go the extra mile to maybe get a few trophy fish...it's not to often that dosen't work out..today it didn't. It cost me $120 in fuel to try and do the right thing...Had we caught a few big suckers, I would have been the best..hey, I do what I think is right, most times it works out, when it doesn't...can't say I didn't give it 110%..........capt.ron
12/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Never had to leave the bay today. Started fishing 10 minutes from the dock and didn't stop catching till it was time to come home! All on Jigs and mostly smaller fish. We did manage a couple of keepers...Storm shads work the best, although we did catch them on jigs also. Fish are anywhere from our bay all the way down the beach to long branch. Water temp was 45 today. Loads of peanut bunker and hearing seem to be what they are feeding on....With the amount of fish around, the last thing I want to hear from the political idiots is there is no Bio-Mass!!! They should be here now.....capt.ron
12/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hit the magic 48 degree temp today, jig fish from the point of Sandy Hook to long branch...All short fish with a few that went to the tape and didn't make it...Very good action for a couple of hours, then we went to the clams looking for a few bigger fish...Ended up with 6 nice keepers for a very small gang. Dawn Garber had the big one at 17 pounds 36 inches....I heard of some big fish off of Jones inlet today which is an overnight swim to us..these are the fish that left Montauk..hopefully, they will come our way. Will sail as long as we can, depending on Weather and the amount of customers that show up in the next week or two....Capt.ron
12/03/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing over the weekend. Mostly short fish, but plenty of action with fish up to 27 inches. Saturday we had 8 nice keepers and Sunday 10 fish up to 17 pounds. Tom Krakow, Atlantic Highlands had the big one for the week at 39 inches 17 pounds.
We did see an odd patch of bird life in the morning, but decided not to stop...all 12 inch fish. Still clamming, water temp over the weekend was 51 degress!!! Hard to beleave for this time of year. We'll fish as long as the weather holds up and customers keep coming down. Still bigger fish way in the back bays....they have to come out sooner or later.....capt.ron
11/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another good day of fishing...had to wait for the incoming again, about an hour and a half, but it was worth it. Had a good shot at the keepers and plenty of smaller fish. Put the boat on a drift when it slowed down, pick at them, but caught more dogfish that way....Figures, finally start catching some nice size fish and it's gonna blow again!!! Just can't get a break...capt.ron
11/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!!! After 2 weeks of catch and release on small fish, some bigger fish showed up today. Started out with an hour and a half of nothing waiting for the end of the outgoing and start of the incoming. Once the current started to run, the bite turned on. A whole new body of fish from 12 to 16 pounds for the keepers and plenty of 24-27's going back. Had action right till the end of the day. Ended up with 36 keepers and lots of throw backs........Feel like a new man!!! Just hope it wasn't a tease. 2 weeks ago we had the same thing, went back the next day and only caught 8 midgets and 4 keepers.......capt.ron
11/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just about the same fishing as yesterday. Lots of action with the small ones and again, only a handfull of keepers...Plenty of fish around so the future looks great when they grow up! Amazing the differance in the fishing from last year this time, if you go back to the old reports you'll see from Nov.1st on, we never had to carry bait, we jigged everyday. Bird life from Sandy Hook to Elberon, in between the channels and over to NY. This year, plenty of fish, mostly small, and no life with the exception of an odd patch of tiny fish in the AM working in the bay. Water temp is still 50 degrees...who knows? After 30 years, I still haven't figured it out! capt.ron
11/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a nice bite again in the am. Plenty of shorts and a handfull of keepers till 11am. Left the area in search of some more action. Had an afternoon bite with the smaller fish on the drift....Did see some bird life in the morning going out. Didn't stop though, small fish and I didn't want to miss the tide in the ocean, good thing because they were all midgets! capt.ron
11/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A handfull of nicer fish in the AM today, along with the shorts. Pool fish 14 pounds....Water could still be a bit cleaner though and the swell is just about gone...Weather looks ok till Thursday..then who knows?? capt.ron
11/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
much better fishing today in the AM. Still had a terrible swell and nasty brown water. Small fish but the action was good while it lasted....at least we didn't have to pull a winner for the pool out of the hat! capt.ron
11/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nasty day, huge swell from the past 3 days of NE wind, water completly brown...need I say more? Caught 17 fish, all shorts. The closest to the pool was a 27 1/4 incher that had to go back..Water temp is still 52-53 degrees. Hopefully tommorow the water will clear up a bit, the heave will lay down and the suckers will be hungry! capt.ron
11/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not a good bite today....the fish we did catch were small again, with only a handfull of keepers. Didn't have any current first thing in the AM, waited for the change..the bite didn't happen. Caught some fish on the drift a few on the Anchor...not very impressive!! Capt.Ron
11/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing over the weekend and today. Only problem, not enough keepers. Plenty of action on smaller fish and way to many 27 inchers going back. We still manage a few nicer fish each day...Scott Hashizaki, Mahwah had a very nice 38 inch 22 pounder on Saturday along with Ryan Silverman a 14 pounder on Sunday. Today (Monday) was nice fishing after the change of tide. Still plenty of small fish though. Had what looked like the start of the jig fishing in the AM...got one shot at them, that was it!! Just a tease, then back to clamming. Keeping an eye on the weather for Thursday, I guess they can't figure out if it's going to blow or not.....if the trees are bent over...stay home! Capt.ron
11/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice fishing today on the clams. Action all day with more keepers than we have had in a while. Several fish over 15 pounds with a pool fish at 23 pounds caught by Dave Barrett, Teaneck, N.J. Plenty of dog fish around, but it didn't matter as long as the Bass bit! Looks like a new body of fish has moved into the area..... Capt.Ron
11/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Missed 2 days in a row with this lousy weather. Yesterday blew 25 out of the NE, today only 6 customers showed up....Not much of a swell in the ocean and I'm sure we will sail Wendsday. Still clamming, unless a miracle happens with the jig fishing.....capt.ron
11/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only 2 boats out of Atlantic Highlands today...heavy fog all morning and a lousy weather report didn't do anyone any good. Fished the ocean and had a very nice pick on the Bass. Mostly small fish, we did manage some keepers and a 21 pound pool fish. Found a nice pile of Blackfish to finish out the day....Rain didn't start till we were on our way home....capt.ron
11/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the day out drifting with the clams. Had a few fish on each one, mainly shorts with a keeper mixed in. Waited till just about slack water and anchored up, had much better fishing for the rest of the day. Still way more smaller fish than large, but the action was very good. Tom Krakow and Rocco Farrina combined for close to 25 fish with 6 being keepers...Pool fish 14 pounds caught by, Red Dog Carmine.....capt.ron
11/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Horrible conditions to start the day..NW wind with incoming tide. We swung like a barn door and the chum ran to the bow! Still managed to pick some fish. The first 3 were keepers then all shorts after that. Left the area at slack tide and took a little ride. Put the boat on a drift and banged away at short to medium size fish...Day turned out beautifull as the wind diminished. Lots of action, had we still had a slot fish, today would have been a home run! Rob Winkler Rhinebeck, N.Y. had the pool fish on close to the last one caught. 14 pounds........ Capt.ron
11/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Huge swell in the ocean today...didn't think we would catch a fish! Anchored up with the last two hours of incoming, had a slow one, one pick on small fish. Slack tide we made a move to deeper water, basically waiting for some outgoing current. Didn't catch a fish on the second drop. Moved back inshore and picked away the rest of the day, at times we had shots of 3 to 4 fish, then nothing for 15 minutes. Ended up with 18 keepers and a load of shorts.....Like I said, very surprised we caught anything with the swell. Finally read plenty of bait in the ocean, all off the bottom. Should lay down over night and into the weekend........capt.ron
11/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, the fish are messing with us! After yesterday, I was hopeing today would be easy. No such luck! The same thing that's been happining all week is still going on, Catch them one day good, the next day, just a pick. Had more smaller fish today with the exception of John Faber, Dover N.J. winning the pool on the last fish of the day...23 pounds. Had a couple shots in the morning where it looked like it was going to happen..then nothing.....bad day to quit drinking!!!! capt.ron
11/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Second drop of the day thought was going to be a home run...anchored on a piece of bottom that was loaded with fish. Got there just at the change of tide, started chumming, three rods went off! The first fish 32 pounds, the second 18 then a 12 pounder. Only wanted a good half hour of that and we would have been in...naturally, the current ran like a bat outta hell with the moon tide, and that was the excitment for the morning. Spent the rest of the day running all over the ocean, however there is a happy ending..ran 40 minutes to the NY side late in the day looking for a miracle and we got it. Had 5 very good drifts on fish to 24 pounds, some mediums and shorts! Everyone ended up limiting out and the scotch stayes in the cupboard today!!! Capt.ron
11/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Let's see..was it the Moon, the current, the bait was moving too fast, too many boats?? I have a million excuses for today anyway....Fished out to the east, clamming, a couple short fish. Had bird life again like yesterday and like a dumbass, went after it. Hoped today they would bite, fish moving way to fast chasing the bait, with the exception of 3 drifts late in the day where we found some blues that wanted to bite. Big fish, only that's not what we wanted. Kept going from Anchor to drifting, the bait fishing never took hold. Sounds like a few fish were caught on eels today, but with that moon tide it would have been a nightmare even to attempt that. Perfect Weather, good gang of customers..not many fish....definatly 3 Scotches after this weekend!!!! capt.ron
11/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tough fishing today, with the exception of a few customers...Picked a couple of fish on the first drop in the AM...Saw a whole bunch of life out further to the east, put the boat on a drift with birds chasing bait. Caught a few big blues and an odd bass, couldn't stay with the life...moving too fast so we went back to chumming. Had a pick going on medium and smaller fish...just seemed the same guys kept catching them. Ryan Silverman, age 9 landed 4 bass and 2 big blues, while his dad, Stu, caught the pool fish.....would have liked to had a better day fishing on my birthday!! captron
11/03/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a nice shot of fish first thing in the AM on bait. A couple of times had 2 to 3 on but it didn't last long....got maybe an hour and a half out of it. Saw a half mile of birds working down the beach about 2 1/2 miles away so we blasted off. Thought the fall run was about to kick in..once we got there, read a ton of bait, had 6 fish on at one shot and lost everyone! We did manage 1 big bluefish out of it....got the hell outta there fast, so much for the fall jigging...ran 40 minutes to the next drop, thinking, If I don't catch them here "I'm a Dead Man"!! Anchored the boat...10 rods went off, thought I would jump off the top deck...until I saw they were Horn Dogs!!! Caught a bass right away, then another, then a pick. Busted some heads on the dogs to get rid of them..Oh, sorry..aren't they endangered?? Tide started to run in nice, bite got better and we pulled that rabbit outta you know where.....capt.ron
11/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nasty start to the Morning, rain, wind, kept the customers home. Ended up being the only boat out of Atlantic Highlands, for those who showed up, the bite was very good in the AM. Had some decent size fish along with some shorts....Sun came out for the afternoon change of tide. Bass backed off so we fished a wreck and caught some very nice Blackfish to break up the day.....Hard to beleave a handfull of guys actually went home after driving all the way down here, why get outta bed??? Capt.ron
11/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nothing like yesterday!! Headed to were I fished yesterday, figured we would catch them threw the tide and into the incoming. We did have a little pick on smaller fish...Slack tide they stopped, waited for the incoming like yesterday figured they would turn on again...no such luck. Spent the last half of the day trying to pull a rabbit out of my #@$....A couple smaller fish and one nice one to end the day..Just when you think you got it figured out!!!!! capt.ron
10/31/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finaly had a treat instead of a trick for a change! Started out the morning with the last of the outgoing, only a few fish. Waited for the incoming, lost my patience and made a move. Fished Coney island flats, had fish on 5 minutes after anchoring. Several fish over 24 pounds and 1 that went 31 pounds, 45 3/4 inches, caught by Mitch Jevic, Hillsboro, N.J. Mitch also had 3 more beauties. High hook had 11 and some guys had none! All on bait. Didn't see any jig fish all day. Water cleaned up some from yesterday. Most fish were hooked deep so they were hungry....Sailing everyday! capt.ron
10/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning in the chocolate mess we call the ocean! Water was very dirty from the past few days of weather. Had plenty of bird life, loads of bait, even saw fish rolling on top for a bit....didn't catch any. Went to clamming, the first drop, not a bite. Made a move to the North and pick some nicer fish. Made another drop after that died and caught a few more. Ended up with 8 nice keepers and some shorts. Surprised we caught anything with the looks of the ocean. Andrew Seney, Union Beach landed a beauty at 35 inches, 18 pounds to win the pool. Things should start to happen any day, now that the bait is in the ocean. Capt.Ron
10/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another weekend down the tubes! Just can't get a break in the weather, it's blown 6 out of the last 7 days...hard!! We should get out Monday, there calling for a decent day with the wind diminishing. Hope to start seeing some jig fish, if not, we will still have the bait aboard till things get moving.....Hope to have some good reports this week...capt.ron
10/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, a nice bite today. Had to run some too find them and didn't read much when we got there, but the action was steady with shots of 1 to 3 fish on at times. Bite lasted till the end of the tide, around 12, then that was it. More keepers than shorts. Joe Santostefano, Moore Twsp. P.A. had the big one of the day at 34 inches, 14 pounds. He also had 2 more keepers and 2 shorts. Phil Rizzo and company combined for over 20 fish between them. Now that we finally had a good day, the weekend sounds like crap!!! Go figure.......capt.ron
10/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A touch less wind today,not many fish. Had some life in the bay first thing this morning. Turned out to be all small Blues. Left that and headed down the bach. Still lousy conditions with the tide running into the wind, but we did manage 3 keepers. Went further south, read a nice pile of fish, only to catch 1 keeper. Headed back up to the knoll and Romar...NG the rest of the day.Tom Druckenmiller, Northampton, PA had the big one at 30 inches, 12 pounds. Weekend looks like it's gonna get nasty...hopefully next week things will improve!! Capt.Ron
10/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Wind, wind and more wind. What can I say, I can't even give you any hope with todays report! Had a ton of birds working in the AM, picked some blues and 2 bass. Incoming tide made it impossible to fish anywhere near the Hook, the knoll or in-between the channels. Tried down the beach, never had a hit. Boats from down South were coming here looking for fish!! Wind was steady 30 with gusts to 35. Supposed to be lousy again tomorrow and Saturday is already calling for 25 out of the SE!!! Not panicking yet ..November was very good last season....capt.ron
10/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nothing like a challange...wind 30 knots NW....tide,incoming..need I say more! Had one keeper till around 1pm. Started to pick a few fish on a couple different drops. Not good by an means, but we did manage some keepers along with a 16 pound pool fish....More bait starting to move down the beach, I'm sure by the weekend the jig fish will be ready, especially with the colder weather coming......I have had a couple of customers reply to my rant about the Power Pro..Yes, I was pissed. But I'm even more so now that a couple of guys think it's better to fish on another boat than understand what I go through....Let me just say, for as hard as I bust my @%*ss for my customers and the 110% I put into this everyday I sail, if that's what you feel you have to do, then so be it...I can gaurantee not many others are gonna take care of you the way we do...Yes, there are a few guys who still use that stuff occasionally, but they are customers who have been with me for years and I know, they know what they are doing, still, they have gone back to mono for the Striper fishing. Yesterday, I had a customer with a very nice fish on, the fish headed for the back of the boat...naturally someone had braided line and guess what happened when the fish crossed it..GONE. The guy was not happy..so there you have it, I bent and got burned!!! Capt.Ron
10/22/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better fishing today. Had to work several drops from Sandy Hook to the NY side to put a catch together. Rocco Farina, Tom Krakow, and Henry combined for 18 fish between them. Largest of the day was 18 1/2 pounds. Dind't catch any on jigs and didn't see any bird life (any where)......capt.ron
10/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only a handfull of keepers today. Saw more Blues around than Bass, and they were tough to catch. Did find a few nicer fish on clams and eels, just not enough. Hard NW wind again didn't make for great conditions. Sunday should be better with the weather....capt.ron
10/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the rainy morning out with only 9 customers in the whole harbor. Figured it would be easy after the bite yesterday....Guess what I get for assuming the best? You gest it..a lousy day. Had two patches of fish come up at the change of tide, figured the bite was on..caught a few shorts on two drifts, then the life dissapeared. Went clamming, that was a joke..fished 3 area's not a bite. At 1:45 some life showed between the channels...had fish boiling around the boat, we could count the Stripes on the Bass...caught 2 fish!!! Tossed everything we had at them, jigs, clams, poppers, plugs, everything but the kitchen sink with no luck. To top off the day, just before we got to the slip, the wind blew with gusts to 45 knots!! Don't think my butt didn't tighten up putting the sucker in the slip.........shoud have stayed in bed. Capt.Ron PS: the server for my sight is down if you have tried to get on...hopefully it will be up by tomorrow..
10/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to make a stop today on the way home from the Shipyard..couldn't pass up the mile and a half of birds working!! Eddie and myself had a ball for 1/2 hour then came home. Mostly bass, but they were under all the bluefish.....Weather sounds good for the next few days, we're pumped up to get it going. Will have clams on the boat as well as jigs. You could always pick up an eel or two in the AM if it looks like will fish the channels Fishing everyday now 7:30 till 2:30pm.....no afternoons..Capt.Ron
10/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a few fish on Sunday...certainly nothing to brag about. Bounced around a few snags till we found one that had some fish on it. Lost 3 very nice fish..20 plus pounds.
Boated a couple keepers and tossed back a dozen all most's. Hard Wind against the tide didn't help us at all, no where to go for perfect conditions. Still early, the best of the fishing didn't happen last season till around the 23 of October and on...Still plenty of bait in the bay along with the bluefish. Will be back for Friday to give it hell!! The afternoons are finished....customers gave up before the fish, so we'll try it again in the spring....On another note I have to start to inforce keeping this Power Pro, Fire wire and what ever else you guys use, off the boat...It took Eddie and myself 2 hours to cut that crap outta my bearings today! Im sure it's also gonna cost me $1800 to replace them tomorrow....I am not a happy Captain!! I bend over backwards for my customers, the least you can do is please try to respect that....please. Also, please get out the heavier rods....there will be days when we have to jig fish with at least 6 oz. jigs. There's nothing worse than watching someone with a noodle-rod bent in half (just from the jig)trying to set the hook on a Striper in a 3 knot tide! You're Killing me! Medium action rods at least....Thanks (sorry for the rant), Capt.Ron
10/13/06
Captain Frank reports:
Did not sail today but will get out tomorrow.Bass fishing on day trip & blues @ 5pm.Capt.Ron will be back for Sunday's trip.I will be on 3:30 for blues.
Just a reminder we will not be sailing Mon.- Thurs.10/19-10/19 due to annual Coast Guard inspection.
10/12/06
Captain Frank reports:
Got out today with a handful of people.Weather great again.Stripers were alittle finicky today,they would hit bait 2 & 3 times or more they hooked.Lost quite afew but did catch some.More shorts then keepers but everyone went home with at least one.
10/10/06
Captain Frank reports:
We had a good day striper fishing weather great & bass cooperated wound up with a mix of keepers & shorts.
10/09/06
Captain Frank reports:
Bluefishing was very good Sun pm trip 12 to 15 lbs.
Had tough Morning with weaks again but bailed out in afternoon on ebb tide. Will start striper fishing tomorrow .Also Capt.Ron wanted me to remind everyone about next Mon to Thrus 10/16 to 10/19. we will be in shipyard for coast guard inspection & will not be sailing.
10/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just as I thought...not a good bite today. Had a few Weakfish in the AM on not much readings. Did see plenty of bait in the bay and off the channel, so maybe when the roll lays down, we'll get another shot at them. Wormed some Stripers, which was a possitive, had a high hook of 4 bass! 3 nice keepers and a handfull of shorts. Much more than I expected after the last 3 days of weather.....Will see what happens the next two days....capt.ron
10/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
3 days in a row without sailing! Lousy weather, nasty bay and ocean, I'm sure is gonna take it's toll...Looks like Sunday will be fine for fishing, for us it will be like starting over again..Striper fishing should be right around the corner...We go to the Shipyard Monday the 16th and will be tied up through Thursday. Friday the 20th will be our first Striper trip.....unless something drastic happens this week with the Weakfish. Just have to play it day to day for now.....Hopefully I can get Capt. Frank to post reports here, while I'm gone....be back Saturday the 14th....You can also reach my Dad (Capt.Ron Sr.) at 732-872-1454 to check on the fishing.....thanks! capt.ron
10/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First two drifts this morning ended in a DOUGHNUT (O). Thought I was gonna have a pannick attack! Made a few quick adjustments near the channel and we were back in the ballgame. Had to power drift the edge again (all day!!) to put a catch together. Much nicer fish with several 2 to 4 pounders. Everyone on the boat had thier limit again and then some. Never had any wind like they talked about the past few days, it was perfect. Don't know how much longer it will last, the fish are moving further down the channel each day. I'm definatly worried about the N to NE the next two days. Like I said in past reports, that was the end last year...will just have to wait and see.....I will be away Monday the 9th till Saturday the 14th. CaptFrank will be at the helm and I'm sure on the cell phone with me everyday! I have knocked off Friday afternoons, but will fish Saturday and Sunday afternoon this weekend...customers are starting to become scarce. We will be in the Shipyard for C.G. inspection Monday the 16 till Thursday the 19th, I'm positive we'll be fishing for Bass then....Thanks! Capt. Ron
10/03/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning bite again today, not hot and heavy action, but a nice pick on each drift. A few guys did manage thier limits. Not many bigger fish the past 2 days, and not many fish being caught in the back!! Heard there might be a NE for a couple of days this week...if you remember last year, Oct. 11th was the end of the weakfishing. Had a 4 day NE'ster that chased the bait and the fish out of the bay...we never caught another Weakfish after that. Hope it doesn't happen, but if it does, we go to plan B...If you gotta ask what that is...you don't fish with us. I had two customers correct me on a spelling error they have seen in my past reports..thought it was pretty funny...Seems I have been using THOU for the word THOUGH!!! They thought it was from the bible!!! Sorry, Capt.Ron
10/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nice AM bite with the outgoing tide and West wind...naturally it wouldn't last, slack tide into the incoming proved dismal today. Had wind against the tide, no float. Yesterday it didn't matter as we power drifted and caught them. Today was a different story, sat right on top of very good readings and they didn't want to eat. Good thing we had a fw hours in the AM to bail it out. Ended up with a 6 pounder for the pool on the last fish of the day....Bluefish last night was excellant! This coming weekend we are just sailing Saturday afternoon 5-10:30pm and Sunday 3:30 till 9pm on the Magic hours. Fridays are finished for this season. Still sailing for Weakfish everyday 7:30 till 2:30pm......capt.ron
10/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Great start to October! Very good fishing again today. Had to work the throttels most of the day once the tide changed. Didn't have a drift with the wind against the tide. Everytime we would bump foward or back, you'd see 4, 5 or 6 fish. Largest of the day 4 pounds for the pool.....Went and snagged some of the bunker in the channel and had a blast with the big Blues. Was hopeing there were a few Bass under them...not yet....Capt.Frank had good Blue fishing again last night and managed to catch 3 very nice Stripers. A 24, 22 and 18 pounder.......capt.ron
09/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Can't beleave Sept.is gone! Very good way to end it thou. Had a fantastic slack tide bite, with some very nice size fish to start the day. Just about Everyone on the boat had their limit on Weakfish. Despite all the boat traffic, the fish bit all day. The 15 to 20 knot winds never came and it was perfect. Saw an amazing amount of bird life in the AM, from Chappel Hill to the Reach and the knoll. Tons of bait fish, peanut bunker, herring and schools of large bunker moving around the channels. I would think as long as we don't get any major weather, fishing should last at least another week....you never know thou, it could all be over tomorrow! Pool fish 7 pounds today. If your afraid of the rain on Sunday...bring a raincoat...no reason to stay home, these babies do bite in the rain and I'm sure there woun't be much traffic out there...get'em while they last!!!!!!!!! Capt.Ron
09/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Left the dock just in time for the tide to change and wind to start blowing! Blew 25 to 28 knots all day. Against the incoming tide, it was no picnick, rolled our crueller off! Morning started off with a few fish, then we went in search of...ran all the way to the back bay looking for a little releaf from the roll. Had a shot of fish, thought it would be good.tried the drift again and caught squat! Had to come all the way back to the roll. The fish did bite from mid-day on, just very tough conditions. Surprised to catch what we did!!! Capt.ron
09/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Before I get to my report...Todays Asbury Park Press came out with "Sierra Club and others back Saxton for re-election" Now you know why the vote was put off till after the elections!!!! Money talks, it's the way it's been, the way it will always be! I am very surprised at Mr. Saxton. This man has supported us whole hearteadly over the years...I just have to pray that he will do the right thing..even thou I can't afford it! When money rules over conscience, are you truly a man of integrity?? We will see....
Fishing started out slow this morning..read fish near the pier and went right by them looking for the better bite, where we had them yesteray....BIG MISTAKE!!! Ended up backtracking after an hour! That's what happens when you go looking for the kill or go second guessing yourself..Still ended up with very good fishing...had some nice fish again. 7 1/2 pounder for the pool, our biggest so far this season. Saw loads of bunker moveing out the channel today, some blues under them, but I did see a few bass tails smacking the hell out of em'. A couple of customers took advantage of my report to not wait 2 weeks to come, they were glad they did today! Trying one more weekend with the Bluefishing, if not enough customers show this week, we will start Striper fishing in the afternoons. Fish have been caught, mostly shorts, but some keepers have come over the rails........keep you posted. capt.ron
09/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Amazing readings first thing in the AM. Stopped the boat, had fish on right away. Got two drifts out of it before I was completly surrounded!!! Now I now how Custer felt! Anyway, got the hell outta there to find something else. Moved up the channel to the next open space, caught them again. Some very nice size fish today, several over 3 pounds wit a pool fish of close to 7. Tons on bait, loads of life.....don't miss out!!! Capt.Ron
09/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning with wind against the tide, didn't expect to do too much. Was pleasantly surprised on the first drift to catch fish! Picked on every drift for the rest of the day. Sandy Roskelli,PA caught her limit and had a nice 4 1/2 on 4 pounder to top off the cooler. Only 7 customers showed on such a beautifull day...hard too beleave when the fish are biteing no-one shows....don't wait two weeks to come down when there gone, then ask me where's the fish!!! capt.ron
09/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Looks like the same pattern today as yesterday only didn't have the 25 knot winds. Tough bite in the AM, not much movement. A hand full of fish, although I did have two customers who couldn't miss! Finally got outgoing late in the day, picked away, not great fishing but everyone went home with some. Conditions are everything, no matter what you fish for. Had live peanut bunkers today and that didn't seem to make any differance.....Weather looks great for the rest of the week.........capt.ron
09/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Todays bite started out exactly like yesterdays...incoming tide into the W wind, not much of a drift but we did move slowly across the channel. Read life, just didn't catch too well. Got threw slack and into the outgoing, had a few nice shots, only problem was, as the current ran harder, the wind blew even harder. Had a 2.2 knot drift for a while. Still ended the day with a nice catch of fish for the few customers who decided to show up. Last nights Bluefishing was excellant! Mostly gaf size fish now, with more than enough action to go around.....capt.ron
09/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a lousy start to the day...The 30% chance of rain started at 5am and lasted till 8:30! Pretty good breeze blowing and not the best conditions for a bite. Didn't read much at all...again, just the opposite of yesterday. Stopped the boat on a small mark, Tom Krako cast out and hit one on the head for the first fish of the day...didn't even have the engines shut down yet. Picked a few fish (small ones) most of the morning, not good fishing at all. Bounced around waiting for the change, by 1:oopm conditions were perfect and the fish started to bite. Where there were no readings all morning, changed to the machine being red from 3 foot off the bottom to 10 ft. thick. Last drift of the day lasted for 3 buoys down the channel. 9 year old Ryan Silverman ended up catching the pool fish, a nice 5 pounder. He and his dad put 14 fish in the cooler. Several limits aboard.
I Forgot to mention in yesterdays report that, Al Ristori had sent me an E mail regarding the Gill netter and that the Fish police were going to give him a WARNING....God forbid if I get caught with a fish 1/8 of an inch short or someone using a piece of fluke bellie for bait..these guys make you feel like you robbed a bank!!!! WARNING my @#$$ One more note, The Fluke statement yesterday was meant as a joke..if you think for a minute that sucker went back, you have to read what was said, once or twice....capt.ron
09/22/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good fishing day. After a slow start with the last of the flood and no drift, things got better as the day went on. Actually left them biteing in the end. 6 1/2 pound pool fish, with several others in the 4 pound range. Amazing the differance in the bait readings from yesterday to today! Ended the day catching a nice 4 pound fluke.....had too throw it back thou, it said, gone for the summer!Capt. Ron
09/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The morning started off in a panick....didn't read a thing from the time we left the dock, all the way up the channel...no bait, no fish, nothing!! Couldn't imagine where the hell that much bait and fish from yesterday could have gone...Water temp. only dropped .5 degress, so that wasn't the answer. Ran to where I started yesterday looking for some devine intervention, stopped the boat (on nothing)..after 5 minutes we had the first 4 fish in the boat, all 3 to 5 pounders! 9 year Mike Hyde, Kearny N.J. Started things off with a 4 pounder..he also went on to catch the pool fish at 5 pounds. Mike and his dad caught their limit...he told me he had off from school today, but I really think he was playing hooky! Anyway, as the bite was going on I watched the fish finder and didn't read a thing, no bait, no fish. Finally got some outgoing and started to move, had to hold the edge of the channel most of the day to put a catch together, but it was worth it Readings got much better late in the day..have no idea where the stuff came from, but very glad it did!
Several limits on the boat and a day I thought would be a disaster turned out O.K....Fishin, gotta love it!!!!! Capt.Ron
09/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today!! Seems the cool change in the weather started to spark things up...Had the start of the outgoing first thing in the AM..slow bite at first, but we did pick fish. Bounced around looking for the best bait areas. Once the tide and wind started pushing us along, things got much better. Had fish on every drift, in the deep on the edges and in the flats. Fire tails, rubber worms and Gulp Sandworms worked great today with the fast drift. Several limits aboard. Fish went from 13 inches to 6 pounds for the pool. A shot of bluefish in the AM added to the fun. On a very disturbing note: Capt.Gregg from the Ocean Eagle/Sheepshead bay was fishing Sea Bright 2 days ago when a Gill netter who has been working the beach apparently had way too many Stipers...naturally you can't take them in NJ so they all went back "DEAD" Gregg said he was putting 15 to 30 pound Bass in his customers coolers, which everyone had 2..when he left there were still plenty left floating!! I saw the same guy down there 2 weeks ago....How the hell can this go on! Everyone has to make a living, and I have no problem with that, but God dammit there has to be a way to save these beautifull fish. This guy obviously couldn't give a crap! To kill these fish trying to catch a few lousy pounds of Blues is something I can't figure out. Like I said, everyone has to make a living, but you could at least show a little respect in what you do!!!! Capt.Ron
09/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Went out on the Fishermen for a beautiful day and my first time Weak Fishing. I caught 6 Keepers and landed a bunch of Bluefish along with a large Herring. Missed the Pool Winner by a couple ounces. Captain Ron worked very hard to get us on the fish. Great Boat. Great Crew.
09/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not much of a bite all morning a few Bluefish, just a couple Weaks. Had to wait for Slack and the change before anything happened. Had a couple good drifts before it was over. A few fish 3 pounds, pool fish 4 pounds. High hook did have 12 and a fw others had 8 and 6....naturally, a couple guys had none!!! Hard to beleave with the proper set up that you wouldn't catch them when they bite......capt.ron
09/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Loads of traffic out there today! Tough to stay with the fish with everyone running around. For me it's twice as hard, once the small boats see a net move, it's normandy invasion!! Please, use the fish finders you paid good money for...you don't need me to be your guide, I don't mind getting you to the area, but give me some room to work, have some pride for god's sake! Anyway, picked some fish on most drifts, read loads of life, just didn't catch what we saw...Once these fish start to bunch up a bit better and get ready to leave, I'm sure the bite will be better. Several fish 3 to 5 pounds, pool fish 7 pounds. Bluefishing yesterday and last night was very good. Starting to see bigger fish each week, no Albies or bonito caught yet, and the water has been clear. Had 2 keeper Stripers and 1 short last night also.....Capt.ron
09/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Miserable day today with rain never ending. Even had a bonus, the wind blew 25!!! Still managed to pick at the Weakfish from the last of the outgoin threw slack and into the incoming tide. Once it started to run good, that was it! Read bait and plenty of fish, they just stopped biteing High hook had 8 nice fish. Chartered Saturday AM......capt.ron
09/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
No current to start out the AM, had to wait for the change of tide. Caught a few Blues to start out, then moved to the channels. Had a shot of fish once the current came threw, then picked away for most of the AM. Plenty of Blues in the area, if that's what we were doing, could have sunk the boat with them. The Bite hasn't been lasting too long all week, I read loads of life under the boat..and no doubt it's them, yet when I look around the deck I'll see 2 maybe 3 fish! Nicer fish thou when we do get into them, seems like the little ones last year have grown up a bit. Mitch Jevic was high hook with 6 nice fish...he did manage to lose a handfull of others..told him, you can't eat the hits!!!!!!!! Capt.Ron Chartered Sat. AM trip.
09/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another nice morning bite...fished way in the back bay..didn't read any life till we got back that far. had some big bluefish on the first drift. Bounced around and had shots at the Weaks. Nice fish again 3 to 5 pounds with some smaller ones mixed in. The bite died completely as we got closer to slack and didn't happen on the outgoing. Didn't see 8-10 foot swells in the bay either! Fishing everyday...but we do have a Charter Saturday in the AM.....capt.ron
09/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally some Weakfish to be caught! Had a few drifts in the AM picking at them along the channel. Worms and artificials both worked as well as jigs..Nicer size fish this seson 3 to 4 pounds, but we did have smaller ones also. The bite didn't last that long so we played around with the Fluke....That didn't last too long either! Waited for the change of tide and came back to the channel, a few drifts with nothing, then the bite turned on again. High hook had 7 nice fish including the pool and a double header! Looks like we will be Weakfishing for the rest of this week and into next...hopefully this next NE doesn't screw things up again!! Capt.ron
09/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Last nights fishing was very good again for Blues. Capt. Frank fished the Mud buoy, 1 drop all night. Pretty much non-stop action after 5 minutes of chumming. Today was a different story, the life we had yesterday down the beach, didn't want to co-operate today. Had a handfull of Fluke, some Sea Bass and Porgies. Most likely we will be trying to mix things up this week between bottom fishing, bass and blues/ whatever works is what we will do, were going fishing! The specialty thing just isn't going to work this time of year, unless some Weakfish settle in. Porgies are starting to show as well as the Sea Bass. Stripers have been caught in the AM the past few days, it's just not an all day bite with them right now. Would love to go Bluefishing in the AM, That's what there are plenty of, but the customers don't come down. Too bad, it's excellant action......capt.ron
09/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Read some terrrible new to start my day off today...It seems the politicians are going to put off the vote on the Magnuson act until AFTER the elections. How political! Why don't they just tell us, bend over and take it like a man!! Obviously we are going to get screwed big time..does it really matter who the hell we vote for? Democrates, Republicans, what's the differance, they all have their own agenda. The oil companys are funding the enviromentalist...I guess so they don't bitch about drilling in the arctic..but that's a whole different subject...I know this is supposed to be for fishing reports only so...today we struggled and did catch some nice keepers, some Sea Bass....does it really matter?? I'm so pissed, not knowing what the future holds...all my effort and hard work everyday will be for nothing if this is allowed to happen.....Thanks for the support from everyone, but obviously we are dealing with a much higher power....GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!! Capt.Ron
09/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Back to the elusive Fluke today. Tried just about everything we could, ended up with 4 keepers 4 shorts. Beautifull day for a boat ride! Chartered this Saturday afternoon....capt.ron
09/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thank God we had a Charter today! Only two half day boats made it out, no 3/4 day boats. The one 3/4 day boat from Highlands reported lousy fishing for Fluke again...Talked my people into Blue fishing this morning and it's a good thing. Had a nice pick on 5 to 8 pound fish. A few Sea Bass mixed in with them. Nice day on the water once the sun came out....Thought by now we would at least see a bounce back in the Fluke fishing, maybe tommorrow....We are Chartered this Saturday Afternoon's trip. Thanks! Capt. Ron
09/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it would take a few days for things to settle down....Sailed today after 3 days of hell, watching 21 sailboats become missiles in our harbor after they broke loose from their moorings. Thank God Sea tow was in the Harbor or I would have had a 38 footer as a Mascot imbedded in the bow! Anyway, fishing was the absolute shits today...don't think it could get much worse. Fished everywhere you could imagine, and where I didn't go, someone else did! Managed to catch a pool fish and 3 shorts after a whole bunch of Prayer. Water is Brown from all the runoff, didn't see the bait like last week on the way out, I knew we were in trouble. The drift in between the channels and in the channel topped 2.3 knots, so that was out! Tried a few wrecks, some snags, rough bottom..hell, the Sea Robbins and Scates wouldn't bite. Did all we could do, then threw in the towel! Hopefully a few more days and we will have a better idea of what's going to happen..........capt.ron
09/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Two days in a row at the dock, just sitting here wondering what's gonna happen when we do sail (hopefully Sunday)! I'm sure between the runoff and swell in the ocean, it's not going to be easy...Monday and Tuesday look great, weather wise and Wendsday we have a Charter in the AM. Hopefully some Weakfish will after this blow.....capt.ron
08/31/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
With everything against us the past few days, we still managed to catch some fish..nothing like it was, but we did manage to put a little catch together. High hook today had 4, some customers had none. Hopefully after this weather goes threw we can find some life in the ocean, if not we'll be keeping our eyes open for the weakfish. Last season we started on the 13th of the month, so we still have time for some devine intervention!! If not, I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Plenty of bait in the bay so all the signs are there for a good fall run...........capt.ron
08/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First 2 drifts of the day...thought we were in! Fished the edge of Chappel hill channel, had 12 keepers on the first shot...ran back to do it for the 3rd time..current came threw and that was it! Bounced around West bank and a few snags waiting for the tide to ease....went back to where we started, had to power drift the edge, but we did manage to put a catch together. High hook had 7 keepers. Still much better than I expected with the roll and nasty weather we have been having. Didn't see yesterdays report posted yet...Sandy Rostelli, New Tripoli.PA had her 4th pool fish of the season, a 3 1/2 pounder. She also managed 4 nice keepers and the first Weakfish of the season...high hook had 8 keepers with most customers catching between 3 and 4 fish.....Weather's not looking too good for the weekend...check with me before coming down...capt.ron
08/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Made it out today, surprisingly, with the weather report. Tried the channels first thing, had a fast drift, read plenty of bait...never had a bite. Started on the edge, went across the deep, not a Sea Robin, Scate or Fluke...got outta there fast! Headed up to chappel hill, were we put the day in. Fishing was actually the best we have had in 4 days. Managed 1 customer with his limit. several others had 3 to 5 keepers. Sandy Roskilly. New Tripoli, PA did it again....her 4th pool fish this year...3 1/2 pounds Sandy also caught our first Weakfish of the season today, along with 4 keeper Fluke! Gotta love this women, she makes me look good!! Looks like we will have to tough it out for the next few days, god only knows whats going to happen with the weather
08/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
1st day off in 4 months! Not that I was hoping for it, but after the fishing over the weekend and the weather..it's well deserved....On a sad note: Captain Tom Marconi who has owned and operated the PILOT from Sheeshead bay past away yesterday. Captain Tom was one of the premier Blackfishermen of all time. Just a month ago he came to my home and purchased a gear box to have as a spare...even knowing he was very sick, he still worried about his boat and his customers. It took years to Master his craft and master it well, he did. He will surely be missed in the Party boat business.......Capt.Ron
08/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another lousy day, weather and fish wise. Not too many places to hide with the SE wind and nasty roll. Fished towards the Verranzanno, only a few fish there. Made a couple of drifts at West Bank, just a few there, got too nasty. Finished up in the bay, a few more shorts and a couple of keepers....nothing to even mention. Bluefishing was good again last night fishing at the rocks. Nasty night but the bite was very good. 4 to 6 pound fish.....capt.ron
08/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to change the game plan today...and I hate doing that! Strong East wind and too much current to fish the outside in the channels, so we headed to the Northern part of Ambrose Channel. Found more fish on the flats, some nice keepers 2 to 4 1/2 pounds. Not much at all in the channel. Could have been the conditions thou. I'm surprised we caught anything at all with the lousy day. Capt.Frank had good bluefishing again last night, only his night started out on the wrong foot...First fish of the night and he gets a 5/0 right in the fore arm! Ouch! Couldn't pull it out so he left it in till they got in...how's that for dedication! Capt.Ron
08/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nice fishing today, with a boat load of customers, not normal! Usually, everything is against us..wind, tide, current. Had a very nice pick going on the incoming, more keepers than shorts and it's not too often we can say that. Larry Marchiony, Orangeberg, N.Y. landed the big fish of the day. 6.4 pounds. Had several others that were very nice also. High hooks had 6 keepers, then some 5's, 4's and 3's like that. Saw 2 draggers who worked the area last night, so I don't expect this to last too much longer. We did find a few fish down the beach, some keepers and Sea Bass......capt.ron
08/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another great morning of fishing for Fluke! Very nice action threw the last of the incoming, into slack and the outgoing tide. Bite lasted till 11:30 then we tried the other channel. Not as much life there, but we still managed some fish in the deep. Didn't see the life on the edge like last week. I would imagine these babies have thier running shoes on. I would hope to get another week out of it anyway. Keeping an eye on the Weakfish, just in case....capt.ron
08/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the one in 5 days all season where we catch things perfect. Had the change of tide first thing in the AM....very good shot of fish until 10:45 when the drift got too fast. Guy Fox, Walnut Port, PA, caught his 7.5 pound pool fish and several others had 4 to 6 fish in that time! The last part of the day we found some Sea Bass off the beach, no drift thou, so we headed back to the current. Picked a few more fish, then came home. Very nice day! Capt.Ron
08/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
No way to fish the channels today...hard SW wind with a swell and a screaming outgoing tide, didn't even try it. Headed off the highlands where I fished last week. Picked away on most of the drops, some keepers, shorts and Sea Bass. Had a couple of 3 to 4 pound fish and I even got a chance to land a 6 pounder! Bluefishing was very good again last night, fished the Rocks in shallow water. Largest fish of the night was caught by Tom Krakow, Atlantic Highlands....13 pounds. Tom also fished the morning trip yesterday and landed 6 nice keeper Fluke.....capt.ron
08/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Can't Imagine there would be any fish left after today, had to be 500 boats fishing the same area. Stil managed to put a catch together with a boat load of customers. High hook had 6, a few guys had 3 to 4 keepers. Pool fish was caught by Joe Tuminaro, Bloomfied, N.J. Joe had a very nice 6 1/2 pounder on the second drift of the day.....Waited till 12:30 for the change of tide bite...after the last two days I figured that would top off the day..no such luck, we picked some fish to finish out the day, just think all the pressure on them hurt. Still a beautifull day on the water....capt.ron
08/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day with the fishing. Morning started out with a pretty good swell from the south, not very comfortable, but fishable. Picked away on the edge of the channel. The best of the fishing was change of tide into the incoming, long drifts picking away the whole time. Pool fish 4 pounds, no double digits the past week. Who cares with action like that. Capt.Ron
08/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!!! The best fishing of the season for Fluke. Had perfect conditions just about all day. Caught the last of the outgoing tide, picked away, power drifted threw slack tide, they still bit. Finally got some incoming and had the drift of the day! Several limits on board, pool fish 4 1/2 pounds...And they want to take this away!! Over my dead Body!!! CaptRon
08/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished Ambrose in the AM..caught some fish right away on the end of the outgoing. Had to power drift to get some movement, which made a mess of tangles. Bounced around in between and Sh channel. Much better fishing than yesterday, but still not great. High hook had 4 keepers....capt.ron We are Chartered this Friday, both trips.....
08/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Terrrible fishing today..had a huge swell from the east just about all day. Never got the 25 knot SW wind, thank god! New we were in trouble when the scates didn't want to bite either. Only had a few Fluke and some Sea Bass. Fished the beach, offshore in the deep, back in between the channels and in the channel. Just a crap day..........capt.ron
08/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Gary Perino and Columbia bank out with us today fluke fishing. Had a nice mix of Sea Bass and keeper Fluke until the South wind came up. Was like someone closed the window! Largest fish of the day 6.6 pounds Also had the first Cow Nose Ray of the season, almost spooled the young lady who had that sucker on! Bluefishing was very good again last night. Fished 17 catching our fill of 6 to 12 pound fish. We are Chartered for this coming Friday AM and Afternoon. Thanks, Capt.Ron
08/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The change of tide bite worked a miracle today. Didn't have a very good drift all morning/ Only had a handfull of fish and not too many Sea Bass. Waited for some current or wind which didn't come till very late in the day. Made a 20 minute move, caught the start of the outgoing and had 4 very nice drifts. Roddy Mitchel, Neptune, N.J landed a very nice 9 pound fish, The fish had to be 3 1/2 inches thick! Ken Hagon had the second largest at 5.8 pounds. Some 2 to 3 1/2's and a good shot of 16 1/2 to 18 inch keepers. Rocco Farina, Tom Krakow and Roddy all have 4 to 5 fish on the last three drifts. Last nights Bluefishing was very good again. Fish in the 6 to 12 pound range and plenty of them. Bouncing between the Mud buoy and 17....We are Chartered for this Monday 8/14 and Friday AM and afternoon.....capt.ron
08/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a beautifull day on the water! Thought the AM was going to be like yesterday with the roll, but the wind had a touch more North to it and it didn't blow 25! Started out with a slow pick on the Fluke and Sea Bass.. Seems like the bite has been better on the outgoing the past few days. Sure enough we had a change of tide bite that lasted a full drift. Managed 6 nice fish up to 7.4 pounds...then it was over! Back to a pick. Carmen Scaperrotta, landed his biggest yet this season at 7.4 pounds for the pool Love those double digit fish thou...they get the press!!! Bluefishing in the afternoons with Capt.Frank has been excellant....Fishing the Mud buoy or 17, the bite has been consistant for 2 weeks now. Haven't seen any Albies or Bonito yet, I'll keep you posted....Not much on the Weakfish to report yet either....capt.ron
08/10,11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Missed yesterdays report with all the paper work going on with this Magnuson deal. Had some very nice fish again friday, a few 3 to 5 pounders and the 3rd big one in a week and a half! Tony Debacco, Peapack, N.J landed another 11.2 pound doormat. Today was a different story. Had a strong NE wind against the incoming for most of the morning, pretty rollie, but fishable. Had a nice shot of Sea Bass and short Fluke on the first drift, but couldn't repeat it. Bounced around most of the day with a slow pick. Finally got the change, the ocean laid down, not much of a bite still. The bottom was most likely pretty riled up with the swell. Tomorrows another day....Thanks for all the support with the phone calls and E mails on this situation we are in. So far the responce has been fantastic! You guys are the best! Thank you, Capt.ron
08/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Some very nice fish today! 7 Big Fluke from 4.6 to 7.4 pounds.Don Hoffman, Union, N.J. had the big one at 7.4 pounds. 10 year old Liam Dougherty, Summit, N.J. had his first big fish at 5.2 pounds. Nice all day pick, with Sea Bass mixed in. High hook managed 6 good size keepers. Bring some extra tackle as we have been fishing some nasty bottom, snags and wrecks. Also, start thinking about bringing that heavyier rod, the channels should start picking up and Noodle-rods ain't gonna make it!! And please, keep the fire-wire, spider wire, whatever else they call that crap home! Had a nice section on splash rail torn off the other day with that stuff, Eddie, my deckhand cut his arm and I almost lost a finger on it. Todays pool winner had to be hand lined because of a tangle with it..no fun. On another note, please read my first post for today, I hope the web master allows it, it has nothing to do with fishing, but our future..thanks, Capt.ron
To All,
I know many of you read my reports, customers and non-customers. I have recieved many E mails and comments from customers on other boats as well as tackle shops and the guy who owns his own boat. You all know how serious I take what I do. I am now asking for everyones help.......We are about to become a thing of the past. The Government is proposing an amendment to the Magnuson Stevens Act, that will basically shut down Fluke fishing and other species down the road. We are trying desperatly to change a few Congressmans views on the proposal they have submitted. I am asking all of you to call Congressman Jim Saxton at 732-914-2020. tell his secretary that, you are not in his district, but you are a fishermen and the proposed change to the Magnuson act will effect you directly and to please reconsider his view. If this goes through, in 2 years there will be no Party, Charter or Recreational fishing as we know it...The other thing you can do is become a member of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). I have 300 applications on hand if you would like one. The cost is $35. This gives us a voice in D.C. and Trenton. They send letters and postcards and have direct E mail to take action when needed. I would rather see you miss a day of fishing with me, for the cost involved, then to let this pass. I would never try to solict money from anyone unless it was a matter of life or death! At this point in time, that's where we are at........Please help in any way you can, even a phone call will let these people know that we are united...thank you, Capt.Ron Santee/Fishermen
08/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning with two drifts at the channel. Had 6 keepers right off the bat. Current and wind together made the drift too fast so we headed down the beach off the Highlands. The bite started out slow with some small fish, worked in shallow water, not much, noved off a bit a little deeper, same thing. Fished the rough bottom and started picking away on some nicer fish and Sea Bass when Nick Joanow, Bloomfield, N.J. hooked into his doormat! Fish weighted 11 pounds 7 ounces. Finished up around a few wrecks catching some very nice keepers...nice day on the water, good conditions, good fishing..capt.ron We are Chartered for this Saturday's afternoon trip and Monday mornings AM trip.
08/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the ocean again today. Despite the roll with the SE'wind, I couldn't see fishing the bay with wind against the tide all day. High hook, Rocco Farina, Mawah, N.J. 6 nice keepers and 8 Sea Bass. Pool fish Was caught by Catherine Daly, North Arlington, N.J. 6 1/2 pounds. The fish actually flew off the hook when the boat took a roll, Thank god Robbie, our deckhand, was quick with the net, thought he would fall over board going after that sucker. Excellant Bluefishing again last night on 17, bigger fish up to 12 pounds...capt.ron
08/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Nice all day fishing again today. Finaly had a drift that lasted the whole time we were out! Loads of smaller fish for the action in shallow water, then keepers and bigger fish in the deep. Had a 6 pounder leading the pool till the last drift. An 8 pounder took it at the whistle...Some nice Sea bass on a few of the snags also....Amazing what a change in the weather will do. Capt.Frank has had very good bluefishing this week on the nights we were Chartered and on the open boat. Fish are anywhere from 4 to 12 pounds. Capt.ron
08/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in between the channels, with the outgoing tide and NW wind, almost impossible to fish there. tried a drift on the bar, no current, made another try closer to the channel, too fast...got the hell outta there! Headed down the beach and found some fish. First few drifts had some keepers and shorts. Made another move to fish some rocks and caught some beauties! Pool fish 8 pounds. Had one good shot of 3 to 8 pound fish, then back to the shorts and 16 1/2 to 18 inch fish..No limits but we did have several customers with 3 to 4 keepers each. Some Sea Bass and Bluefish. Best day in a week and a half.........capt.ron
08/03/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just about the same fishing as yesterday. A pick here and there, some keepers, some shorts. Hopefully once this weather pattern we've been in gets outta here, the bite will be better. After the few good days with bigger fish last week, I can't beleave they have left. Saw a 13 pounder today on a competitors boat, so they are still around. After yesterdays vote by the Mid adlantic council to cut the catch to 19.9 million pounds ( a 16% reduction) the National Marine Fisheries service, who overides the the Mid-Atlantic, will probably veto this! MS.Patricia Kurkul, the director thinks this limit is too high! She has the gaul to say "We've been overfishing in every year of this rebuilding program"....Obviously she hasn't fished on a Party or Charter boat! Who the Hell is overfishing..I gotta bust my ass everyday to hopefully catch 30 to 40 fish (on a good day)! Maybe this lady, who now has the balls of a man should come out and see what is really going on. Power breeds injustise, and this is exactly what it is. The Mid-atlantic council should be abolished if they are going to be overrided on every view they take. The Enviromentelist should stick to saving the Whales, Wolves, and enviroment, like their supposed to! Hell, the ocean is dumped in every day, acres of Natural Habitat have been destroyed, where's the red flag! Like I have said in the past..we don't make a pimple on a ducks ass what we catch..millions of pounds, are you kidding me. Check out the long faces on the customers who just threw back thier 8th fish that was 15 to 16 1/4 inches. Fish that are now very fat and perfectly edible. Fish that they could purchase in the supermarket on the way home. I should have gone to college and been a lawyer, then I could have sued the crap outta all these clowns.......Capt.ron
08/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in the channels, last of the outgoing tide. Had a good drift, but not the pick of yesterday. Moved in between the channels on some nice bottom, had 3 drifts with some keepers. Tide changed into the wind again, tried a couple more spots and got outta there..Went down the beach, hot as hell, not much drift but we did pick away. Ended up with some nice keepers and plenty of action toward the end of the day on smaller fish...Best action in 4 days....capt.ron
08/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Jim Learn and the local 164 retirees out today. Had a few quick drifts in the AM at Ambrose, just before the change of tide. Managed 15 keepers and some shorts....headed down the beach to fish some snags and rough bottom. Not great conditions, but we did manage to pick at the fish. Had some Sea Bass and a handfull of Fluke.....HOT as Hell out there! Don't know how the guys took it all day, but they did and things turned out fine..Not great fishing by all means, but a hell of alot better than the last 3 days! Capt.Ron
07/31/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
If you read yesterdays report about today going to be the day they bite because the weekend was over....WRONG! Absolutly worse conditions today..didn't think it could possibly happen, we had no wind against the tide and never had enough current to give us a drift (anywhere). Fished Ambrose channel in the AM, thought for sure without the breeze we would move..waited and waited, movement never came...made a few moves trying to find a drift, power drifted to no avail. Had a handfull of fish, some Sea Bass and ling. To top it off...it was hot as Hell! tommorow doesn't look much better. We do have a Charter anyway, so stay home in the AC and give this weather pattern a few days to clear out....Bluefishing was very good again last night....Went to fish the spot we were at the night before, but unfortunatly it was occupied by a mook trying to bust chops! No problem thou, we just went elsewhere and caught'em....capt.ron
07/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a weekend! Thought nothing could be worse than yesterday..wrong!! Perfect, just enough wind against the tide all day. Fished the channels, in-between, down the beach, back up to the North, back to the channels...the real kick to add insult to injury is, we finally got a little drift at 1:15!!! Just in time to come home....Tommorow should be perfect, not many customers, a great drift and I'm sure the fish will bite their A#$#@ off!!! Bluefishing last night was excellant, 3 to 4 gaffs going all the time. Nice group of people, great bite...doesn't get any better than that. We are Chartered Tuesday Morning...capt.ron
07/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
You just had to know that, with a good incoming tide until 12:00, the wind would be WEST!!! Terrible conditions for drifting. Stoped on the edge of the channel, right next to a buoy, watched the current run hard and the boat sat still. Tried a few other areas waiting for the change. Finaly started to pick some fish around 12:30...just not enough to save the day....Couldn't get any where near where I wanted to fish in the AM with the Fluke tornament going on...what a mess! capt.ron
07/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
5 days in a row of good fishing! Had a 6 1/2, 5 1/2 a bunch of 3 pounders along with a nice catch of 16 1/2 inch plus, fish. Nice drift most of the day..until the change of tide again. Good thing it was much later today, didn't really have that much of an effect being that the day was just about over. Looks like a nice body of fish, catching them on eels and spearing....Too bad the customers didn't show..only a handfull of people today...Figures!!! Capt. Ron
07/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the ocean again today, had the last of the incoming tide...not much current thou. Had a few fish on each drift, not the start we had the past 3 days. Had to wait for the outgoing...right at slack for the second day in a row..8 pounder! Fish was caught by Jeff Dellapiazza, Summit N.J. Yesterdays 8 pounder was caught by Gregg Fox, North Hampton, PA...Naturally as the current ran harder, the south wind blew just as hard making for tough conditions. Still spend 95% of the day in the ocean...Ended up with a very nice catch of fish....4 nice days in a row, Am I dreaming??? CaptRon
07/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Headed to the ocean first thing today. Caught the last hour of incoming tide. Had fish on 4 nice drifts, more keepers than shorts...for a change! Slack didn't produce too much, moved further up the channel to catch the outgoing..as the tide ran harder the wind from the South blew harder!! Figures...Still, great too see some fish out there, had our first ones of the season in the deep!!! Ended up back on the knoll for the last hour, not much there, a couple shorts. Good thing for the bite in the AM, it's great to get out of the bay. capt.ron
07/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the ocean all day today, finally! Started out with slack water, picked a few fish right away. Still some sharks around, I guess there here forever. Current started to ebb pretty good, so we covered alot of ground. Picked away all day, shorts, keepers and a few nicer fish again. Pool fish would have been 5 pounds, had the customer gone in it. Winner just made 4 pounds...Still not great fishing, but much better than what its been. Water temp finaly back into the 70's, with plenty of bait around. Got a chance to fish myself today, with the lack of customers....now I have to cook!! capt.ron
07/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in the bay, wind with the tide for a change! Decent drift, picked at a few keepers and some shorts. Bounced around a few areas with the same results. Waited till close to the end of the tide to try the ocean, still a pretty good swell, but we did manage some much nicer fish Pool fish 5 1/2 pounds....Stew and Ryan Silverman managed 7 nice keepers between them, Ryan fishing with Squid and spearing and his dad fishing with kellies....capt.ron
07/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Sorry for the missing reports the past few days, it's just that there hasn't been too much to report. Lousy weather and a heave in the ocean had us fishing in the bay most days. A handfull of just keepers and some shorts. With the Charters it's twice as hard to catch because, obviously, these folks are not fishermen. We work twice as hard to catch even less..Now, let me get to the good stuff!! It's been awhile since I've vented so here goes. First thing that happend this week, I get a call from a potential customer concerned about the Tropical storm and 8 foot seas....I tell him, if you listen to the weatherman you would never come out of the house in the summer, these guys have been killing us for years....He tells me "I'm a Weatherman"!!! My reply "I can't wait to see you in the AM, I've got an ear full for you"..Needless to say, he never showed up, and I doubt he went out with any one else! Second on the list, and most important, I'm sure everyone has been reading about the Fluke fishery and the proposed cutbacks for next year. Can you imagine a proposal of 2 fish at 18 inches with a 6 week season! The cutback to a total of 5 million pounds of Fluke for the commercial and recreational sector will put us out of business...hell we have a hard enough time trying to catch 16 1/2 inch fish. The NY boats that are now at 18 inches are just about out of business, a few last diehards that come to support the boats are dwindling fast. What a dissgrace! This is Freakin America!! What the hell would all these guys who devoted thier lives to fishing do? You fish every week, you know what we catch, what we throw back, how many days do you see 50 to 100 keeper fluke? This season so far, not too many.....the abundance of small to medium fish fish along the shore is unbeleavable. There are days we throw back 200 to 300 fish, and a bunch of them are 16 to 16 1/4 inches!! Yet we can't take them. Lack of Fish my ASS! Politics, enviromentalist, all the people who could give a crap about what we do and who we are have a bigger say than us....Like I said last year, because we have no lobbiest paying off all the right people, we make the list of non-ecentials....Hell, tell me where to send the check, just let me survive! I'm sure also, that this is thier way of getting back at us for fileing a lawsuit claiming poor data collection and basing everything they do on faulty information. I would bet my first born that most of these goof balls have never even been on a Party or Charter boat, or have even gone fishing in thier lives. I guess if the govenment can take peoples homes, they can certainly stop us from making a living...it's not about saving a fishiery anymore, it's about showing who's got bigger Balls! And they are going to win.....all too prove a point, The point is "Because they can". Imagine a family business that has supported the community, taught hundreds of kids over the years how to fish, where when they had thier own kids, they brought them back to experiance fishing for the first time, being called non-essential....Why don't they send out hitmen to take us out, it would be less painfull!! Capt.ron
07/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out pretty mcuh the same as yesterday, wind against the tide (my life story). Bounced around looking for a drift, didn't happen till the current really started to run in. Found some nice fish off the Highlands and picked away from early afternoon on. A nice 6 pound pool fish with a few 2 to 3 pounders mixed in. Naturally some small fish...not hot action, but for what was caught in the bay it was good enough.....capt.ron
07/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very tough conditions again today with wind against the tide. Just enough to screw us up no matter where we went. Fished off the Highlands again, power drifting to get some movement. Loads of scates along with short fluke. Managed a handfull of keepers by days end, nothing to brag about. After the nice fish yesterday, today was a dissapointment.....Last nights Bluefishing trip was NG either, Maybe a dozen fish for a boatload of customers. Tonight's fishing so far is 100% better, a nice steady pick of 5 to 8 pound fish. Chartered this week Tues, Wends., Friday and Saturday AM Trips...........capt.ron
07/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally! Some bigger fish....Started off the morning with a nice pick on Shorts and a few keepers. The first nice fish was a 5 pounder, then a 3 1/2. Found plenty of action tight to the beach, but way too many shorts. Moved off into deeper water and found some very good size Flukes. Jong Kim, Palasades Park, N.J. topped the day with an 11 1/2 pound beauty! Some very nice Sea Bass mixed in also.....Action on just about every drift.......capt.ron
07/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What can I say..water temp still 65-67 in the Ocean...Only a few fish here and there. Even the dogfish made their return with the cold water. Fished the ocean, knoll, romar, bay, chappel hill, reach and points beyond....
Hell, I don't even want to write this report,it's starting to sound like a broken record..We did have a nice 6 pound fish thou...at least one customer was happy..Didn't make it out last night or tonight with the weather. Hope to get back on a normal schedule starting tommorrow. This is July....right???? capt.ron
07/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thank you Major John!! John must have had a premanition on todays fishing, so he brought me a very nice bottle of Scotch....Yes, today I need it! Went to fish the ocean to catch the last of the incoming tide, were we caught some fish yesterday..only the water temp was down to 65 degrees! Made a few drifts and only had a few shorts and maybe 3 keepers. Looked in on the beach...15 ft. of water, no different with the temp...Headed back up to the North and the shallow water. A very nice wind against the tide all day to add fuel to the fire. Picked at the small fish with an occasional keeper (not many). Fished the knoll, same thing. Tried a last spot on the edge of the channel, 1 keeper, 2 shorts..time to go!! No lack of hits, but the fish would only grab the end of the bait,drop back to them and they were gone, not very aggressive. The first one of the day is VERY SMOOTH.......capt.ron
07/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thank God for my Dad! Today he put on one of his Fluke fishing displays...8 nice fish plus a bunch of shorts....I watch the customers watch him and they still don't do what he does....bounce the baits!!! Maybe everyone is tierd from Bass fishing, but Fluking is probably a hell of a lot more work...Nice bait, the proper rig and BOUNCE the sinkers! Had a few 3 pound fish today and again, lots of shorts. Bluefishing broke open on Saturday afternoon for Capt.Frank...after a two cigarett pack night on Friday, Frankie found the main vein east of farms. Had 3 gaffs going the whole time on 5 to 8 pound fish....personally, I would swing an 8 pound fish...but after catching only a few fish the night before, I'm sure he wanted revenge!! Now sailing Wendsday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons 5-10:30pm and Sunday afternoon 3:30 till 9:30pm.....Chartered This Friday in the AM..then on 7/18 7/19 7/21 and 7/22 all morning trips...thanks, Capt.Ron
07/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Can't remember working so hard for so little in 30 years of fishing!! I know if the size limit were a half inch shorter, none of us would feel this way!! Too many 16 inch fish that are going back....The differance between a hero and a bum is a lousy 1/2 inch!! Plenty of action in most areas we fish, way too many shorts, but we need the action to keep the customers happy...Haven't seen any quality 6-8 pounders yet, and we have tried the channels...in the deep, the edges and so on. Water temp the other day went from 72 to 67 degrees!! Can't imagine what the bottom temp is, but the sinkers were Ice cold. Many of the fish we do catch have had plenty of rain fish in them so they are feeding. Bluefish starting to show now, so we will be sailing Wendsday till Saturday afternoons 5-10pm and Sunday 3:30 till 9:00pm. A few Charters coming up PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE DATES!! 7/14 Friday 7/18 & 7/19 7/21 & 7/22 All morning trips..thanks...capt.ron
07/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Normal Fluke fishing today..shorts, keepers, no huge fish but still a pick all day on most drops. High hook had 5 nice keepers, naturally some had none, but plenty of smaller ones...Didn't find much on the edge of the channel, fish moved up into the flats, where we found the better action.....capt.ron
07/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Picked away on most spots today, lots of throwbacks (16 inchers) that just miss the mark...but some nice keepers to go along. High hook had 6 fish, until one jumped out of the bucket and made it threw the gunwale..Wind and tide constantly changed with the rain and front coming through, so we never had the same drift twice. Power drifted the edge of the channel for awhile, but that gets old fast..too many tangles and not enough fish to warrant it...Bluefishing Wednesday to Sunday in afternoons, hopefully the Endangered dogfish will be gone by then! Capt.ron
07/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Been Flukin around the past few days...down the beach, the reach, in between the channels, In the channels..you name it I've been there! Loads of fish down the beach, but only a handfull of keepers. Wind against the tide for three days made the bay fishing a joke....a few nice fish power drifting..not enough thou. Did manage a few good high hooks thou...7, 5 and 4's like that. Unfortunatly not everyone can produce like that..Hopefully the channel fishing will improve soon, then we should see some nicer fish....capt.ron
07/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another day with the small fish..probably had 300 fish with only a handfull of keepers. Boats have been spread from the Reach, to the Rockaways and down the beach in search of keeper Fluke, same story everywhere, only a handfull each day....Hell even the so called EXPERTS can't catch them!!! Water temp is moving up nicely so hopefully things will start to happen on bigger fish....Yesterdays afternoon trip had only a few customers show up with the holiday weekend, We managed to catch Bluefish and 2 nice Stripers fishing off the Highlands.....capt.ron
06/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished in the ocean all day...didn't like the color of the bay with all the rain runoff. Had some keepers right off the bat along with plenty of short fish....what a joke to call a 16 inch fish short!! Here we go, one day and I'm already pissed! Anyway, worked the beach all day, fish seemed to be right tight on the beach, 13 to 18ft of water. Once we got deeper than that, sand sharks and skates...High hook managed 7 keepers (although that is not the norm) A few other customers had 4 and 3 keepers each. One customer had 18 fish and went home with none!!! Still a very nice day....Capt.Ron
06/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a very nice last day of Striper fishing. Stayed on one drop just about all day. Had some nice shots of fish come threw, alot of last years slots (26-27) inchers. Then we would smack a few keepers..largest of the day was 24 1/2 pounds. Several fish in the high teens. Loads of Bunkers with an occasional BIG fish coming up to slap at them...Thanks for a great Spring..The fall run will be here before you know it!! For now we will concentrate on the elusive, Big Fluke! Blues on the afternoon trips.....capt.ron
06/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again no sail today...tomorrow will be the last shot at the bass....Fluke from Friday AM on...The afternoon trips will now be fishing for Blues...Friday, Saturday 5:pm till 10:30pm and Sunday 3:30 till 9:00pm....After next week we will add Wends, Thursday to the schedule for the afternoon fishing....Thanks..Capt.Ron
06/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't sail today...weatherman has his strong hold on us this week....Our last Striper trip will be Thursday, the lack of action and time of season has us going too our summer schedule fishing for Fluke. We will start Friday in the AM. Hope to see you...capt.ron
06/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Ended up the day with a little catch of fish..had to make a bunch of drops, fish weren't settled on the bottom. Caught a few, then had to move. .Hope it last's the week....Probably will be switching to Fluke on Friday...and Blues in the Afternoons...capt.ron
06/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to Fluke today with a Charter...enough said!!! Back to Stripers Sunday.......capt.ron
06/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the worst conditions imaginable today...current ran straight to the bow just about all day! Caught a few fish right away, not what we read thou...bounced around several spots, reading fish on most of them..hust couldn't get them to eat...came back up to the North for the change of tide and boated 6 more nice fish...all fish except one were just barely hooked in the lip....probably grabbed the bait because it fell in front of thier face!! Will see how the next few days go..Fluking is no picknick right now either........capt.ron
06/22/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
New day, much better fishing...had a great shot right off the bat in the AM. Started out with shorts and blues, then the bigger fish took over. Got a good 40 minutes out of it..Went searching from there to find only a few fish. Some very nice keepers thou. Pool fish was caught by Noel Westerlind, Middletown, N.J. 26 pounds 44 inches..........capt.ron
06/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a feeling we would be in trouble today right from the start.....All the good reports the past few days had customers coming out of the woodwork! Got to the area we have been fishing and BAM! No drift, no current, no wind! This lasted till 12:00pm threw slack and the start of the incoming. Had 4 keeper fish till then...Finally got some moving water, went to my 7th or 8th spot and started to pick...Nice fish, just not enough to keep everyone happy, especially me. Gave it an extra half hour hopeing the bite would get better, no such luck...just a one one pick. Would have had to fish till the morning to make everyone happy.......Hero to Bum in 12 hours, what other job gives you this opportunity!! capt.ron
06/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing/all big fish today. Started out with a very tough morning..3 drops and no fish..had the end of tide and just swung on the anchor. Finally started to get the incoming and it was like someone threw a switch! 3 to 4 on at times...Largest of the day was caught by Tony Bracca, PeePak, N.J. an honest 40 pounder! The fish just beat out Joe Zooks 39.8 pounder for the pool. Over a dozen fish in the high 20's and not one throw back! Just about limited out the boat with 24 customers.....Wish it would last forever, but all good things come to an end....I hope not at least for another week or so! Capt.ron
06/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much bigger fish today..Paul Leuscr, Stephensburg, N.J. landed a beautifull 36 pounder to take the pool. Had another 31, 28 and several others in the high teens, low 20's. Not as many shorts as the weekend, but we did have throw backs. Bite lasted right up till the time to come home...Hope to get as much out of this as we can. Starting to see the larger schools of bunker in the ocean..so who knows...Friday and Saturday afternoons were tough fishing with Capt.Frank, but things bounced right back on Sunday with the boat limiting out on big fish! Largest of the night was a very nice 30 pounder..Rocco Farina and Tom Kracko lead the way with several nice fish in the cooler.......We are Chartered this Saturday AM trip only.........capt. ron
06/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A very nice Fathers day today...Got to where we fished in the AM yesterday and naturally a follower was right where we started...doesn't matter thou, I was fishing readings, not a piece of bottom!! Read fish and had a decent bite till 12:00pm...South wind came up and that was it....smaller fish with more shorts going back, but we still managed a nice bunch of keepers....pool fish 16 pounds....capt.ron
06/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had our Charter today with Traffic Saftey Services, fishing for Bass...picked some smaller fish on the first drop then went looking around. Had some nice readings off the Highlands and anchored up...very good fishing on Big fish till the boat traffic put an end to it...went searching again, found another shot of bigger fish! Largest of the day was caught by Rui Marques/East Newark 42 inches, 30 pounds. Ceaser Endegoian/Harrison N.J was second with a 26 pounder...I can't for the life of me figure out why guys with $150,000 boats have to troll threw an anchored chumming fleet, especially when they come right across the stern!! Thanks for the respect guys! Capt.Ron
06/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to do the Fluke thing today..I guess it was a good omen thou...not too many Bass caught and a bit of running around for the guys who did fish....Even watched one guy go to where he thought I was catching the past few days....NG....Had plenty of shorts and a nice mess of keeper Fluke. Nothing too brag about on the size, but keepers....I hope to get at least another week or so before we switch to Fluke, but who knows, every year is different......capt.ron
06/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another roller coaster ride again today!! Started out the morning where we slammed them for an hour yesterday....3 tiny fish...got outta there in 15 minutes, saw the writing on the wall....went too the second HOT spot....not a bite!! Looked offshore and found a nice pile of fish...excellant bite for an hour and a half, mostly bigger fish..Largest of the day was caught by Gary Dubin, River Edge,N.J. a 47 inch 36 pound beauty!!! Several fish over 20 pounds...only 4 shorts that had to go back today. 3 days in a row with pool fish over 30 pounds....Chartered Friday and Saturday AM trips.....Capt.ron
06/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Total opposite day today from yesterday...had fish on right from the start..a handfull of small ones, then the bigger fish took over....Several limits along with 6 fish over 20 pounds. Mitch Jevic, Hillsborough, N.J. landed the best fish of his life at 47 inches, 38 pounds, 25 1/2 inch girth! He also had 3 others over 20 pounds which were released....Amazing day to day how things change, never will totally figure it out.....Capt.Ron
06/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After yesterday, thought today would be easy....no such luck! Same place, same conditions just not enough fish. Made several moves to find not much life. Highlight of the day was 9 year old Vincent Palermo, Lino Lakes MN catching his first Striper a 32 pound 43 inch beauty! Had a few others...still a dissapointing day...capt.ron We are Chartered Friday and Saturday AM trips...
06/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After the terrible weekend, things were back to normal today..had an excellant morning bite on fish up to 22 pounds! Caught the last hour of incoming and slack.....looked around after the change and found some bigger fish off the Highlands..Chriss Hancock, Atlantic Highlands had his first Big Striper, a 40
inch 22 pounder...Starting to see more males in the mix and females still carring row...Limited the boat out, something that has only been done with smaller crowds this year, until today. Just hope it wasn't a tease for tomorrow!!! Capt.Ron
06/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
More wind again today!! Swung like a barn door with the last of the incoming into the West wind..Picked some fish, a few keepers, some shorts....Found a few bigger fish on another drop, just not enough for the gang we had....Took a ride back up to the north and had another shot of fish to finish out the day...nothing exciting, no bluefish today....Capt.Frank had some action the past two afternoons....some nice keepers, a bunch of shorts and plenty of bluefish....Been fishing in the back bay on the afternoon trips....2 charters this week Friday and Saturday AM...Capt. Ron
06/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to do the Fluke thing today with a Charter....fished way down the beach with the 30 knot winds, not much fun....Mostly short fish, certainly not what I have been used to the past 2 months. Sure hope today wasn't a window into the Fluke fishing this season...I'll end up shooting myself!!!!!!! Back to the Bass tomorrow. We are Chartered again next Friday and Saturday....sorry guys, but the way things are going with weather and business I have to take the gaurenteed thing sometimes....capt.ron
06/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice morning bite till 11:am then it died. Mixed size fish today, not the bigger ones we had yesterday, but more than enough action while it lasted. Bounced around to finish out the afternoon, only to find a few more fish.....Still a very nice day! Capt.Ron
06/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing today on big fish! Had a small group of guys show up with the lousy weather report, not really enough to go, but we made it anyway. Glad we did. Had 3 fish over 40 inches, the largest caught by Robert Werner of Midletown, N.J. 45 inches 34 pounds. Had 2 others that were 43 and 41 inches. Limited out and came home by 1:00pm. Very good feeling after the past week of up and down fishing....Capt.ron
06/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Weather got us today, first lost day in the past 44! Things should get better by late tonight so will be back at it again on Thursday. We are Chartered for Saturday AM trip.....capt.ron
06/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very tough start today. Had a fish right off the bat.(Bad Omen) that was it....Headed to the NY side, drifted for a while, anchored and chummed, just a couple short fish. Looked back in between the channels,NG...Headed south at 12:00pm! Jigged some fish on very flighty bird life, all blues..at 1:45 gave it the last ditch effort on a small wreck and was well rewarded! Had over a dozen big fish all on clams...largest of the day 42 inches 29 pounds! Tough sounding Weather for the next two days, but will give it hell....We are Chartered Saturday morning trip....capt.ron
06/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out with 2 fish right off the bat! Figured we were in...naturally that went out the window in the next 20 minutes. Headed off to fish the piece we had all big fish on the past two days...good conditions, current, nice lead off the side...not a bite!! Looked off in deeper water, caught 1 nice fish for the pool fish. Headed back up to the North for the change of tide. Settled in a had a nice shot of blues and a steady but slow pick on the Bass. Not great fishing but considering what I heard went on today, it was a home run! Capt.Ron
06/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
2 days in a row with a nice bite on bigger fish! Started out to the North again for the last of the outgoing, stopped on readings that I thought would sink the boat....had just a pick on a few keepers and some short fish. Once we lost the tide, worked south off the highlands for the change. Had a 24 pounder right off the bat...picked away till 12:30, then the bite was over...Mike Mclean, Hazlet N.J. had a Happy Birthday today catching 5 great fish all over 14 pounds..Mike Tansey, Hillsboro, N.J. won the pool with his first 24 pounder. Afternoon fishing was not good Friday or Saturday, a Few short bass and plenty of blues....Capt.Ron
06/03/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The morning started out dismal...end of the tide, no bite, fog....Made a move to catch the incoming on the knoll. Had 8 fish, all shorts then the dogfish took over....jigged some blues off the beach, then went off to fish a wreck again...Finally, some very good fishing on Big fish! Largest of the day was caught by Victor Bador, Clifton, N.J. 42 inches 24 1/2 pounds. Ended up with 18 keeper fish all over 16 pounds....capt.ron
06/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tried a new game plan today....headed for the back bay with some fresh bunkers...had heard of a good bite yesterday in the AM, wanted to give it a try.....got there just at the change of tide, loads of bait and some decent readings, only no Fish! Waited for some more current, made 4 drops then got the hell outta there! Fished the knoll and ended up with a last of the tide into slack bite...Mostly slots that had to go back, but we did manage a handfull of keepers. 14 pounder for the pool..... capt.ron
05/31/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in the fog again, only this time the short lived bite of 2 keepers and a bunch of shorts went out the window with the endangered dogfish. Headed south, fished a piece of bottom where we had some big fish earlier in the week....no bites. Put the boat on a drift working the bird life and readings. All Blues, no bass. Headed back to the North hoping the change of tide would bail us out....no such luck. Tried one more drop on the east end of the knoll...another desert!! Maybe tomorrow...capt.ron
05/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Better fishing today. After yesterdays trip around the world, we managed to put a catch together on a few different pieces. 19 pounder for the big one. Had to toss back at least a dozen fish that were 25 to 27 inches!! Lots of bird life to the South, mostly blues and very finnicky. Saw fish finning again in the blues, almost impossible to catch them when there up like that. Lots of Rain fish, not much Bunker on the beach..........capt.ron
05/29/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First drop in the AM had the pool fish in 5 minutes, a few blue fish and bite offs.....then the dogfish took over. Left the area for the east end of the knoll, no good there. Headed back to where we caught them last night...NG. Old Orchard, West bank, a few snags, Romar, the knoll.....HOME!! Worst day of the year....capt.ron
05/28/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterdays afternoon trip ended up very good. Nice big fish with plenty of action. Several limits aboard along with the Blues........Today was a different story! Started out anchored and clamming on the last of the incoming, after the last two days, thought it would be a home run for at least an hour....so much for thinking! Had a shot of Blues, a few short bass and 2 keepers, then the endangered Dog fish took over! Got the hell outta there fast. Went for the jig fish, nothing like the past few days on that either. Some small blues and a couple of short bass, then that died....came back up to the North..lost a very nice fish then back too the small ones again, one last spot looking for a miracle..no such luck.....Tiki Bar here I come!!!!! Capt. Ron
05/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning out with a Bang! Had 5 fish on before I left the wheelhouse. The bite only lasted 35 minutes before the traffic and slack tide slowed things up..Smaller fish today also, with the exception on Tom Balsamo's 39 pound 43 inch Bass..Left the area to find some jig fish after the chanbe of tide. Caught fish off the Highlands, Blues and a few Bass. Not much current down there today, so it was tough catching the bass. All in all it was a great day to be out, plenty of action and perfect weather! capt.ron
05/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Love the Fog!! Got to fish a piece of bottom, I haven't been near in 2 years! Had the best bite of the season on big fish...largest a 46 inch, 26 pounder...several limits on board and only a few Blues. Fishing has been day to day this season, lots of bait around and it keeps moving. We have fished the NY side, Staten Island, Rocks, Mud bouy..you name it we've been there on a daily basis. Doesn't matter as long as the end result is catching fish!! capt.ron
05/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning with Bass rolling and fining all around the boat ( I think they were laughing at us) because they sure didn't want to bite. Caught a couple of fish, know where near what we saw....Went up to Romar, another joke there, current ran hard and no bite, skipped on the Knoll because of the current. Headed down the beach, caught 3 fish on the first drop, then had wind against the tide,,,,,could it get worse? Actually not, went further to the South off the Highlands at 12:30 and started wailing the blues....managed a couple of short bass with them, just not enough. After the lack of action in the AM, this was a major stress releaver!! Mostly jig fishing, only 3 fish on clams today. Pool fish caught by Jeff Luick, a very fat 26 pound fish....capt.ron
05/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much better fishing today! Had a 28 1/2 and a 24 pounder on the first drift...Current ran so hard it was very tough too anchor and fish a gang of customers. Picked away until we found some life between the channels. Had several nice shots of Bass and Blues. Birds working for over a mile! Drifted until the change of tide, anchored up for the last 1/2 hour of the day, started to catch again on the incoming. Had the first short fish in 4 days! A few limits on quality fish and plenty of Blues. Thank god they weren't as wild as yesterday, it gave us a much better shot at the Bass.Drew Warren, Sayreville, NJ had the big one at 28 1/2 pounds, 44 inches! Great healthy looking fish......capt.ron
05/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Water temp actually cooled off to 55 today! This is almost June, right? Started out to the North, read some fish, thought for sure they would bite. Had a short and a keeper. Hard outgoing tide made it a little tough, but still fishable. Gave it 20 minutes, didn't like what saw so we left. Worked down the Beach, more Blues than Bass the past two days, seems we couldn't get away from them. Managed a few nice bass, nothing to brag about after the past 3 days. So much live stuff around, it's tough to stay with them. Had fish finning on top a few times, couldn't get them to take anything. Thought maybe the change of tide it would get better, only the Blues got Hungrier!! capt.ron
05/22/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Big fish again today! 32 1/2 pounder topped the scale for the largest of the day. Not the wild bite we've had, but all keepers....plenty of Blues mixed with them, they actually made it tough to get threw to catch the Bass. Lot of wind from the NW, but it was still very fishable. Lots of bait fish around, Sand eels, Rain fish and Bunkers....would love to see those sand eels make a comback, it' been several years since we have had any abundance of them. Jig fishing was at it's finest when those babies were around. Fished up North in my favorite place! capt.ron
05/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning in our usuall haunts...sure didn't waste to much time waiting for a bite. Never had a fish to the north today...ventured South. Found some very nice keepers, not one short! Blues mixed in also. Just can't sit in one spot hopeing for a miracle!! Capt. Ron
05/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yesterday afternoon fishing with Capt. Frank was absolutly excellant! Left the dock at 5pm, limited out by 6:30 with all big fish.....Largest of the night 25 3/4 pounds 42 inches. Several others in the 15 to 20 lb. range. Today we had a Charter with Anthony Izzo and Quick Resonce company. Went back to yesterdays Hot spot...only today it wasn't so hot!! Didn't waste too much time there as we were just about to hit slack tide. Went back up to the North and had a nice pick of fish, Largest was caught by the boss, 22.5 pounds. A nice handfull of keepers along with 5 very nice Tog, some blues and short bass. Bounced around the rest of the day after the tide changed and never really found a good bite. Still not too bad for 35 Rod Rentals!! capt.ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Amazing how yesterday one of the drops only produced 2 fish, today the same spot and it was unbeleavable!! Had fish right from the start, Slots, Shorts, Blues and some 12 to 15 pound fish...slowed for a bit when the tide started to run. A small rain Squal came through and during it the bite was fantastic on all Big fish. Largest of the day 19 pounds! Donnie Nickles and sons along with their pal Fred managed to fill up the cooler with some very impressive keepers...Picked away the rest of the day when the sun finaly came out. One of the top 10 days so far....Chartered Saturday AM trip....capt.ron
05/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After searching most of the day for a bite...the back bay, Romar, you name it, we were there! Had a nice shot of fish inshore on the cedars....all big fish along with some blues. Largest of the day, A 39 inch 26 pound cow, caught by Jason White, Newton, NJ...Several other fish that topped 18 pounds. Today definatly tested my patience trying to find the bite!!! capt. ron
05/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning with a slow pick on all keeper fish..managed to land 8 nice one's and lost just as many.. bounced around some of the drops we caught them on yesterday...not as much life today. Did have some small fish at Romar...but we wanted bigger fish so we kept looking. Waited for the change of tide hopeing the current would turn them on..again, some short fish....After 6 very good days, I can't complain, it's bound to happen! capt.ron
05/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out where we hammered the fish yesterday in all that nasty weather.....had 1 bite!!! Got out of there within 15 minutes. Moved up to Chapel Hill, had fish on right away. Picked away most of the day and ended up with some very nice size keepers...outgoing ran very hard, only a few fish at the change of tide, but they were all nice size. Largest today 36 inch 19 pounds....capt.ron we are chartered for This coming Saturday 5/20/06 in the AM only....thanks
05/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
NE wind 25 gusts to 30, very rough seas..doesn't get any better than this!! Fish bit there tails off today..nice mix on the size from 18 inch fish to 38 inchers. Didn't think we would last the whole day in the ocean, especially when the tide started to ebb, but the wind layed down a bit at slack and the bite got better...everyone went home with more than enough diner. Ira Kinder had the big one at 38 inches 18 pounds.........capt.ron
05/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another nice bite this morning...started out the day with a very nice pick of mixed size fish...not the hot bite of yesterday, but more than enough action to keep everyone happy. Fish bit till the start of the outgoing, then we had a lull of 30 minutes. Made a short move and started a 1, 1 pick again. No Rain, No Wind, just a slight swell from the east...largest fish was caught by Rocco Farina, Mahwa, NJ 34 inch 17 1/2 pounds. Yesterday afternoon we had the MC'2 company out with Capt. Frankie, Several very nice fish were boated fishing in the back bay...Kim Patti Mount Bethe, PA. lead the group with a very nice 25 1/2 pounder followed by 12 year old Brian Van Hoogt, Stroudsberg, PA. 22 pounds and Jen Chistman Kresgevill,PA 20lbs. A few of the larger fish were caught on Fresh Bunker Heads....3 solid days of fishing so far, let's hope it continues! Capt.Ron
05/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day of fishing...Started catching right off the bat, right through slack and into the outgoing. Bite died as the darker runoff from the rain hit us. Tried another drop to the North, no good, 2 fish. Really didn't matter by that time thou....we had ours!!! Capt. Ron
05/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Why can't I get a job making a ton of money to be wrong most of the time!!! Weatherman took away a perfect fishing day for those who didn't come because of the report.....Had one of the best days of the season on big fish! Limited out, came in early!! Largest of the day 22 pounds.....Sorry, but I was stupid enough to put in yesterdays report that the next few days looked like we would loose a few trips. After the last, god knows how many times I got burned...will never do that again..unless it's a dam Hurrican!!!!!! capt. Ron Chartered for the Saturday afternoon trip this week 5/13/06
05/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning out with a shot of fish, Shorts and keepers...Once the current ran out into the East wind it started to get nasty. Left the beach, headed for the knoll...picked away on some nicer size fish. Not great fishing, but with the conditions, I'm surprized anything bit! Probably going to loose a few trips the next 2 days with the weather...not too many places to hide and catch fish with East wind and outgoing tide. I'm sure the rain will keep customers home also......Is this April????? capt. ron
05/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally!!!! A decent day, Started out a little shakey with only 1 nice keeper where I fished yesterday. The bite today was right at slack tide (which we missed,) once the current started to run, that was it...got out of there fast! Fished the beach off of Highlands, very nice bite till 11:30 then a pick till the end of the tide. Nice mix of fish with plenty of slots for the action.
Keepers up to 15.4 pounds...with a few guys catching their limits. Jermey Kapler, Bernardsville N.J. (a first time Striper fishermen) caught his limit and won the pool with the 15.4 pounder. Getting back to yesterday for a minute....all that crap I anchored on without doing much decided to bite around 4:45pm!!!! Almost exactly where I was fishing....Had a buddy of mine call (too rub it in) to say they were all over the place....Thanks. Capt. Ron
05/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Again, the weatherman got it wrong! 25 with gusts to 30 out of the NE! We had maybe 15 to 18 max! Started in the bay, loads of bait and fish readings, again, not much action for whatever reason..had one good shot of fish, thought things would get going, no such luck. Made several drops, same thing. Watched the trollers catch fish, along with a few guys live lining Bunkers....left the area. Fished the Ocean, nasty swell, rough conditions, but we had the best bite in 3 days. Ended up with some nice keepers. Largest was caught by Tom Krako, Atlantic Highlands...31 inch 15 pounds....Supposed to be less wind and better conditions tommorow........Capt. Ron
05/08/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Lousy conditions today, with outgoing tide and an East wind..Loads of readings , that didn't want to eat...Had all short Bass and just a couple of Bluefish. Sounded like the trollers caught a few fish while the bite lasted. Very nasty in the bay, tomorrow doesn't look much better.......capt. ron
05/07/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Missed the morning bite in the Ocean by 20 minutes! Caught 1 nice fish at Romar...ended up in the bay picking at the Blues and an occasional Bass..Same story as the past week...move catch a few then nothing. Can't wait till these suckers spawn!! Afternoon fishing was pretty much the same case. Friday only saw a few fish, with Saturday being the better bite of the weekend.......capt. ron
05/06/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Contrary to yesterdays report, today was one of those days...First drop had no current but managed to catch a nice keeper...no other bites. Moved up the beach to find some tide, had a nice reading of fish, unfortunatly they didn't bite. Fished a wreck near the channel, again nothing! Finally found a light bite and caught 7 very nice keepers. Conditions were not that great and fish are in their spawn mode..Ran up the red side of the channel and saw fish finning on top...this normally happens when the water temp goes up quickly...a few days ago we had 54 degree temps....today 58 to 60! Capt. Frank only had a few fish last night also...tonights bite does sound better from his last call...more shorts than keepers thou...........gotta get better after the spawn. capt.ron
05/05/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After 3 days of beating myself up with a few fish here and there, finally had a nice all day pick of Bass and Blues....not the wild action everyone expects, but normal Striper Fishing. High hook had 9 fish, fishing in the bow. Some bigger fish again also...largest caught by Flor Flete, Pompton Lakes, N.J. 31 inches, 16 pounds. Capt. Frank has the boat out tonight, conditions are good, I'll report tomorrow about the afternoons catch We are Chartered this Sunday Afternoon on the 3:30 trip...Thanks, Capt. ron
05/04/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A few fish in the AM(not much) and mostly all shorts...caught the end of the tide, waited for the change, not much better after that...fished Romar caught 3 right away then nothing...same thing as yesterday, a few quick fish then nothing! Headed toward the back bay...stoped in the bunkers, snaging them and floating them out..had two very nice fish and a few more that were lost....still a terrible fishing day......Anyone who happened to grab a rod by mistake from the stern on Tuesday, please call me to let me know you have it...The Rod belonged to Stew's son Ryan and he is quite pissed that his Dad took it with him....Everyone was a regular that day, so I'm sure it was an honest mistake..Thanks, Capt. Ron
05/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The decent pick of the past few days was nowhere to be found today....Had good conditions and a decent lead off the Port side...2 keepers, some shorts and blues. Worked just about the whole bay, anchored on some good readings and nothing....Tried a different area at the change of tide, again, good current, just no action. Tommorow is a new day...capt. ron
05/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The call for 35 knots out of the NE' never came as predicted yesterday..it did blow maybe 20 at times, no problem for us to fish in that...First drop in shallow water didn't produce a fish..water was way to dirty, worked further to the west on the shoals and had a nice pick right up till the change of tide...Lots of bluefish in the area along with plenty of bunker. Ended up with 15 nice keepers, a bunch of slots and Blues.......We do have clams for the next few days, didn't think we would, but I lucked out...Yesterday afternoons trip never got going, only had 4 keepers and some short fish that had to go back....capt.ron
04/30/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Working hard everyday to put a catch together. Some very nice keepers coming in the past few trips....today started out with 2 fish at 18 and 16 pounds right off the bat! loads of readings, thought we were in....Bluefish took over so we moved...each drop had a couple fish, then bluefish..made 5 drops before we found a pile that wanted to bite....Had them going good till two boats thought I was a wagon train, kept going around me in 10 foot of water!! Thanks Guys, your lack of knowledge is not appreciated...Made one last drop in the bunker school, had 4 more very nice fish to finish out the day....Afternoons so far have been decent fishing, Friday was very good, Saturday the bite lasted about an hour and a half then nothing. Clams are impossible to come by the next few days..Huge swell in the Ocean has kept the guys at the dock..Once we use what we have in the freezer, I'll have to switch to Bunker for a Trip or two.....whatever it takes..........capt.ron
04/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Sorry guys, I have been trying to get my posts up daily, I guess there is a day delay...The post for the 26th is still not up yet....anyway, started the morning out with the last of the incoming,picked away at some mixed fish...nothing like the past two days, but O.K. Thought it would get better with the tide..it didn't. A fish here and there...then I remembered the new Moon today....Guess we could use that one! All fish we caught were loaded with clams and not very aggressive. Pool fish 33 inches 15 pounds. High Hook 4 fish..........capt. ron
04/26/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another nice bite today...caught the first of the outgoing, a few 28's and some slots. Once the current ran hard, the bigger fish turned on. Largest 33 inches 18 pounds.....Some of the better fishermen had 10 to 15 fish all on clams, Mitch Jevic, and Billy the Boss had over 20 fish between them, once the current slowed, so did the fishing, back to some slots and smaller fish, didn't matter thou, the day was made! Capt. Ron
04/25/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
What a change from yesterday! Had fish on right from the start and they were hungry....Several limits with fish to 16 pounds. Bite lasted till 1:00pm, the end of the tide. Fish are very healthy looking, nice and fat....good conditions for tomorrow also, outgoing all day...capt. ron
04/24/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the morning in the back bay, the first drop read 2 nice marks of fish....got pumped up thinking this was it! Especially after the lousy weather. After 20 minutes without a bite..I knew we were in trouble! Made several more drops, didn't find much bait, when we did...no fish in it....left the area to fish some snags, the beach was way to nasty so that was out.Ended up catching a little bite right at slack into the incoming. Once the tide started to run hard, that was it....6 keepers and a handfull of slots....actually better than I expected...A few days, things should be back to normal....capt.ron
04/23/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Lost the weekend, both day and afternoon trips with the lousy weather. Hope to sail Monday, wouldn't expect too much thou, the ocean is nasty, the back bay won't be much better with all the run-off. May take a few days to clear up and get back to normal. Will start the afternoons next Friday 5-10pm. capt. ron
04/21/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nasty day today....morning started out with SE 25 against an outgoing tide...need I say more! Made several drops waiting for the change of tide and better conditions,it did get better,not much thou. Finally had a bite around 12:40pm! 6 keepers and a bunch of shorts to end out the day...Saturday looks worse, lots of wind and possible rain....my advise: wait till next week, if we get all the rain there talking about, the runoff will kill us........capt.ron
04/20/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning started out with a pick, had slack tide, just before the incoming. A handfull of keepers and last years slots started the day out. Would get a shot of 2 to 3 fish then nothing..almost exactly like yesterday. Bottom fell out around 11.......stroked it the rest of the day!! Pool fish 16 pounds..high hook 7 fish....Water temp ranged from 51 to 60 degrees on the way in, amazing after Monday being 47-49....capt. ron
04/19/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the morning off with a pick of keepers and slots...didn't last long for whatever reason. Made two drops then left the area. Read some life at Romar...never had a bite....Headed west, for the bait life, bounced around catching a few smaller fish here and their. 3 more keepers in the shallows... Tough to keep the bass in the clams when they are chasing after the herring....water temp at one point was 54 degress....plenty of fish around, just have to wait them out....sailing Friday, Saturday afternoons 5 till 10pm and Sunday afternoon 3:30 till 9pm.....capt.ron
04/18/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Lousy conditions today with the tide running up to the bow...North wind with incoming tide..Still managed to pick away most of the day. More slots, unlike yesterday where most of the fish were big. Still had our keepers thou. High hook 2 keepers, 16 slots...Water temp up to 51.5 .....Capt.ron
04/17/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant bite today! Had fish right from the start, the big ones are showing up...caught our limit, stating tossing them back. Didn't use any bonus cards as I think it's overkill.......Much happier now with the bigger fish showing up. Last years slots are beautifull thou, nice and fat, very healthy looking. Avg. size fish 28-31 inches on the keepers. Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons this weekend! Capt. Ron
04/16/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Water temp dropped 4 degrees from yesterday, still managed to catch some fish. Had 5 nice keepers and a good shot of slots for the small group that was out today....Fishing should be good this week, incoming tide for most of the morning the next few days...Starting the afternoon fishing this week. Friday and Saturday 5 till 10:00pm and Sunday 3:30 till 9:00pm capt. ron
04/15/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally! A bite like it should be...had 2 hours of the incoming with non-stop action. Plenty of slots for the action, and 17 keepers to make it even better. Water temp is 51. With lots of bait and the downside of the Moon, things finally got going. Should be good fishing from here on....I will be adding Friday and Saturday trips 5 till 10pm and Sunday 3:30 till 9:00pm this week........come on down. Capt. Ron
04/14/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally some bigger fish! Took all day to catch them, but it was worth it. Started the morning on the end of the incoming, no current and a handfull of short fish. Didn't catch what we read anywhere. Waited for the change of tide and some current, when it did come the bite was no better. Left the area to look around. Fished a small snag and had 7 very nice keepers, the largest a 32 pounder caught by my Dad Capt.Ron Sr., nice to see he hasn't lost his touch. Tom Krako had 2 keepers and the pool along with Rocco Farina keeping 2 fish. Had 4 others that the guys panicked on and blew'em. Fish are nice and fat with all the bait around, 51 degrees on the water temp.......I would think the upcoming week we should see a much better bite......will be adding Friday, Saturday afternoons next week 5 to 10 PM and Sunday 3:30 till 9:00pm. Capt. Frankie will be back at the helm for the afternoon runs...........capt.ron
04/13/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the day off with the Pool fish and some shorts. A little too rollie to fish with wind against the tide. Headed for the back bay. Had a couple more keepers and a pick of shorts. Bounced around looking for better fishing with all the bait in the area. Ended the day with a nice bite...just not many keepers, yet. Half a dozen last year slots that had to go back. Things should pick up after the Moon..........capt. ron
04/12/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tough day today. All the fish were tiny and had to go back. I think one would have made a slot last year. South wind came up against the tide, that sure didn't help conditions. Water temp was up a little today, 49 degrees. Had plenty of bait, just not an impressive bite....better days ahead! capt.ron
04/11/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started the AM out with a pick of fish. Mostly shorts and slots until 10 year old John Maka of Mine Hill N.J. hooked into his first Striper, a 36 inch beauty! Managed to catch a couple more keepers then the bottom fell out. Took a look around and dropped on some nice readings, had another shot of fish for 20 minutes till the wind went South and that was it. Water temp still only 47 today. Did manage to find some 51 degree, but it was in 9 ft of water, no current there so we caught squat! For April 11th I am still pretty happy about the pick the last few days...it can only get better..........Capt. Ron
04/10/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally, much better fishing yesterday and today, although today took 3 hours to get a bite! Mostly short fish and fish that would have made slots last year. Today we had a nice 2 hour bite and managed to keep 6 fish over 28 inches........Didn't have the bait life around like yesterday so it was alot harder to find the fish. Water temp also was 2 degrees less than yesterday! Things should get going this week with the warmer temps coming. Bigger fish won't be far behind...like I always say...PATIENCE.....sailing daily 7:30AM.....The new web sight is up www.captainronsfishermen.com
04/09/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Better fishing today in the AM on the outgoing. Small fish, althou several would have been keepers last year. Chased the Herring to catch the bass...just couldn't get them to stay around the boat in the chum with all the live stuff around. Warmer weather this week should get the temp up to where it needs to be. Only hear of a few keepers being caught just yet...Capt. Ron
04/02/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not much of a bite today either. Thought with some more of the incoming, things would have been better. Read fish and some bait, just couldn't get them to co-operate. Fished down the beach, in the back, on the knoll....Last year things started to happen around the 8th of the Month. Then we found fish in several area's. Sailing daily....Capt. Ron
04/01/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Only a few fish for the first trip of the year. Caught them on the first drop in the morning at the last of the incoming. Thought it would be much better when the tide started to ebb....so much for thinking! Didn't catch another one through the whole out going. All smaller fish, no keepers! A few more weeks....Capt. Ron
03/27/06
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Saturday April 1st is the start of our season. Some small to medium size Bass
have been caught in the back bay, so it's time to dust off the tackle. Will be
fishing shallow water with clams to begin with. I would imagine fishing will be
a little slow for a week or so, but you never know! With the lack of cold water
runnoff this year, it just may pop early. Weather looks good, so if your itching
to get out...will be sailing 7:30am daily........Thanks, Capt. Ron
12/17/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Well, the crap hit the fan today!! All those days with the Ice and wind, a few customers, catching Bass like there was no tomorrow finaly came to an end....Started out at Ambrose, only had a few small fish and 3 keepers (just barely). The day went downhill from there. Fished in between the channels, on the edge, in the deep, back on the other edge, off the Highlands, down the Rocks, inshore and off, finally waved the Flag! Sunday (tomorrow) will be our last trip. Can't complain about this season, all in all it was a very good year. Some very nice Fluke, the Bluefishing was excellant, Stripers in the Spring and one hell of a few weeks here in the fall. We even had the Weakfish! Thanks too all for fishing with me. Have a great Holiday and a Happy New Year...Will see you April 1st, clammin those Bass again. Will keep you posted on the new websight as soon as it is up.........Capt. Ron
12/14/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
10 brave souls showed up today, so we took them fishing! Boat looked like an Igloo by the time we stopped to fish. Ice all over the place.....Tiny fish started the day off, but plenty of them, excellant action. Once we got the hard ebb, the slots and medium size fish started to bite. Action all day from Ambrose Chanel out to the Giant Whistler Buoy...Had one drift that lasted close too 2 miles, with non-stop action! Thursday and Friday look terrible, we won't even shape up. Fortunatly the weekend looks to be back in the 40's..Our last trip most likely will be Sunday..............last chance till the spring! Capt. Ron
12/13/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing today in the freezing cold! Made ice on the way out and actually froze the line on a few rods...The first few casts or fish on, snaped the jigs off like they weren't even tied....Started out with slot fish and plenty of them, on the edge of the chanel. Bird Life for a mile with nothing but bass under them...eventually worked into the middle of the chanel and found the bigger fish 15 to 18 pounders! This was the first decent shot of fish in the deep of the chanenl this year. Worked out to the East following the bird life, had fish on every drift. Eventually worked back to the chanels (I probably would have ended up off Long Island) had we keep going. Found the fish again, only this time they were the tiny ones like we had been catching down the beach. Didn't matter, it was the end of the day so we had some fun for an hour and came home....Never thought fishing would be this good this time of year. Just too bad more guys couldn't enjoy it. Will see what happens after the weekend, Sunday may be the last trip...really depends on the weather and the calls that come in...after all, I love to make the few guys happy who have been coming down, but I still have to pay the bills!! Capt. Ron
12/10/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant fishing again today! Can't Beleave we are still fishing between the channels, catching them on jigs. Last year this time, the few fish we did have were all on eels. Haven't floated one yet! Loads of little fish for the action, and we still get our fill of slots, a few in between fish and an occasional 34 or so....Gonna hang in as long as we can.....dress warm! Capt. Ron
12/08/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Finally made it out after 4 days of lousy weather. Fishing was the best it could be!! Stayed between the channels all day, Tons of tiny fish, which is great for the future and plenty of slots. Not a whole lot of big fish, only 1 that went 35 inches and a handfull of 28+, but you wouldn't beleave the life all day. Still haven't used an eel. Fish were feeding on Herring which makes it crazy fishing. We do alot of moving around to stay with them, but who cares! For this time of year, who would have ever thought fishing would be like this. 20 years ago it was Whiting, now it's bass....Great day weather wise, all the guys who called and said they were coming that didn't show up missed the one of the best days of the year. Saturday looks good with 10 to 15 out of the west. Tomorrows weather should clear out in time for us to have a decent weekend.....not much time left!!!!!!! Capt. Ron
12/06/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Looks like Thursday will be the next decent day to sail. Fish were up again today for hours. It kills me to sit in the truck and watch! What ever happened to all the die hard fishermen? Years ago when we used to whiting fish, a day like yesterday would have had 30 guys waiting to go out..I guess the late start to the fall run is the answer, or hunting season is here. Either way, without customers we will most likely tie up after next week. The ice will be here before you know it and I can't afford to keep the boat in Atlantic Highlands. Weather gets too nasty in the winter, and I get tiered of Babysitting!!! Hopefully see you Thursday...Capt. Ron
12/05/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Sorry to say we didn't get out today. The 8 or so phone calls last night never showed up! Too bad, I took a ride down the beach and had miles of birds working just offshore......Looks like today was the last of the good ones (weather wise) for a few days. With the thousands of tiny fish around, the future looks great for Striper fishing!! I'll sail as long as the fish are biteing and the customers come down.......Capt. Ron
12/04/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Snow on Dec 4th!! Just when the fish are biteing the best...Tried to sail today, only had 5 guys show up, weather really never straightened so we didn't miss much....Yesterdays fishing found good action right off the bat on the jigs. Plenty of bird life, unfortunatly for me after the first drift I went back up top too move the boat, took a header and broke my right thumb! The hand that controls the controls!! Had to tough it out thou, the fish were biteing. Went further down the beach for what I can only say was probably some of the most frustrating fishing I have ever seen! Had fish and birds all around the boat, inshore than back offshore, only would catch one or two a drift, some drifts none. Tried everything you could imagine, they just didn't want the lures. Worked shallow, than deeper water looking for some bigger fish. Didn't find the big ones, mostly slots and some of the smallest fish I've seen all year. Ended up the day off the bridge with a good last 1/2 hour of fishing. Still a good day for those who came out. Sailing as long as we can...weather permitting. Capt. Ron
12/02/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yes, we were out today!!! 30 knot winds and the fish were active. Started in between the channels on some bird life, a nice spread of fish but with the incoming into that wind, just too nasty to stay. Headed down the beach and found some life off the Highlands. Finally got everyone in tune on how to fish in the wind and started catching. 2 fish over 40 inches 21 and 24 pounds! A few 34's and all the slots and meduims we could catch..Some big blues down there today. The guys who showed up were a little sceptical at first, but once the bite turned on they were more than happy,(so was I). Put the whole day in which was also a plus. Still haven't had to use the eels. Maybe if we are lucky, we'll get another 2 weeks of this fantastic fishing....if the weather holds up......Capt. Ron
12/01/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Todays fishing was very good. After 2 days off, didn't know what to expect. Had life right off the bat in the channels. Had 2 fish over 34 on the first drift, largest 38 inches for the pool. Loads of small fish (shorts) and plenty of slots. When the bird life died, started fishing the snags and rough bottom. Picked away all day. Little swell in the AM, but that started to go away as the tide changed and the wind crapped out. All and all I'd say for the 1st of December, today was a Home Run!! Capt. Ron
11/28/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out in the channels this morning...plenty of life and action on the jigs..unfortunatly, we had to leave. The hard outgoing into the light SE wind made one hell of a roll. Very uncomfortable to fish in that, plus someone could get hurt. Lucky for us they did want to cooperate down the beach. Fished mostly on readings catching slots and shorts. We did see a few nice size fish today, 33 and 32 inch. A few big blues still around, nothing like the past weeks thou on them. Weather might be tough tommorow and possibly Wends. After that, hopefully back to normal.........Capt. Ron
11/27/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellent fishing today again! Had one drift were 3 of us went from customer to customer with the net...in 28 years of fishing, I have never seen Bass fishing like that! Mostly slot fish again with a few 28's mixed in. Had fish in 3 areas. Rocco and Tom had the pleasure of splitting the pool....only cause they shared a cooler and couldn't remember who caught the fish by the end of the day.....Absolutly no current today, good thing cause I don't think we would have wanted it any better. Capt.Ron
11/26/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice fishing today, huge difference from the miserable day yesterday....Had life most of the morning, slots and some in between fish. Got through slack tide, found some fish in a whole new area. Henry had the hot had today, catching and releasing 12 fish. Young Ryan Silverstein did it to his dad again, catching 4 fish to dad's 1.....3 weeks in a row Stu!!Largest for the pool 12.5 pounds. caught a few on eels but the better action was with the jigs. Good weather for the next few days, better take advantage, cause it won't last long............Capt. Ron
11/21/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing on Monday for Bass....didn't find much in the way of life off the Highlands or in our bay, headed south of the bridge...worked mostly readings, a few times the birds would show up, but they would scatter fast. Picked away on the slots and medium size fish. Did have a very nice 42 inch 24 pound fish to win the pool. Not as many blues today. We will hopefully be able to sail Thanksgiving day, just have to keep an eye on the weather.....should be eeling any time now...then the end will be here! New E mail address 1captainron@comcast.net thanks, Capt. Ron
11/20/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today for Stripers....Had some of the boys from Team Fishermen out, finally had a Sunday that we didn't get our butts kicked! Started out off the Hook chasing birds...very tough to catch fish, as they were in Rain fish...moved off shore, same thing...headed a few miles down the beach to much better life and better fishing! Loads of Blues and several drifts on the Bass where we caught 8 to 12 fish at a shot...all jig fishing......Mostly slots and in between fish...no very large ones, but who cares! The action more than made up for it!! Fall fishing at it's finest........Capt. Ron
11/19/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
George, Don't panic!! I'm back, had a problem switching over to high speed internet...no more living in the dark! Anyway, Fishing was the best it could be on Friday, the first frost on Thursday evening started things moving...Loads of life every where we looked. A few bigger fish also..largest of the day 44 inches 25 pounds..Saturday AM was good fishing also, the boat traffic was like a summer day, and did more harm than good. Too many guys racing around kept putting the fish down. Once we lost the current it turned into all Bluefish. Some big babies still made it fun..........my new E mail address is 1captainron@comcast.net Thanks, Capt. Ron
11/13/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The heading of this report should be "Bluefish" cause there is no lack of them! Could have sunk the boat with 'em this weekend if we wanted to...unfortunately, we wanted Stripers....The bass were hard to come by Loads of bird and bait life from Sandy hook, between the channels, the Tin can out to the Rockaways down the beach to Sea Bright and Long Branch, we certainly covered the turf. Had a handfull of Bass on Saturday and only a couple on Sunday..The South wind sure didn't help our cause either. Sunday morning had life right off the start, followed it down to Sea Bright, fish moved very fast and were tough to stay with...Soon as the South wind came up, it was like everything dissapeared! Headed back up North...all the way to Staten Island, found some life, but again mostly Blues and they were very finiky...the small boats running them down didn't help us either. Waited for the change of tide, thought maybe they would bite better,,,so much for that thought! Threw up the white flag at 2:00pm and surrendered! Most likely Monday they will bite thier butts off, like the past 3 weeks. Sounds like a NW wind, so far that's been good too us...let you know tommorrow.........Capt. Ron
11/10/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just a reminder, it's that time of year again...break out the medium to heavier rods!! Wind, Current, Heavy jigs and deeper water at times, make your light spring tackle just about useless. There is nothing like watching a light spining pole practically bend in half with a 6 oz. jig! (and you wonder why you can't set the hook). 15, 17 pound test line snaps at the knot when you do try to come back on a fish....at $4 a shot for a jig, this get expensive. Drifting in the channels at 3 knots is no picinic either...last week, we had a day with the wind and tide together, we were doing 3.5 knots!! just about impossible, even with 12 ounces of lead. Most days from here to the end of the month are going to be windy, that's fall fishing, so please be preparred........1 more thing, if the weather man says it's going to be 60-65 degrees, leave the shorts home, the water temp is going into the 50's!!!!!! Capt. Ron
11/09/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thank God the bay was alive today! Very nasty in the Ocean, would not have been fishable. Found fish again at the point. Worked up and down the reach, jigging Bass and Blues. Many slots, Shorts and a few 28 to 33 inchers. Naturally, I could have used half of this action yesterday with the nice gang we had...but that's why we call it fishing! Almost didn't make it out with the lousy weather report, sailed with 8 customers. I'm sure they were happy we did! So was I......... Capt. Ron
11/08/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another Ocean tour today! Started the morning like yesterday at the Point of the hook. Had a few slot fish. Saw a nice patch of birds working on the knoll, thought it was the mother load, naturally when we got there, everything dissapeared! Headed for the next bunch of life off the hook......looked real good...till we got there........some blues and a few small bass. Made the run down the beach to Sea Bright, again, bird life and a handfull of Blues and small Bass. Worked all the way to the inshore can in Sea Bright, was temted to run off where we caught them yesterday, even started to go that way and turned around, just had a bad feeling. Good thing, cause the boats that went there found a dessert! Back in between the channels for the next stroke...back into the bay where we caught a few more bass, 2 nice ones and some blues......If this keeps up, I'll be an alcoholic!! 2 Scotches today............Capt. Ron
11/07/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the first shot of Bass in the bay today..Wind went into the West,( for a change).....had fish 1st thing in the AM, at the point of the hook...Got two nice shots at them before conditions made it too tough to fish there. Headed down the beach. Loads of bird life, but the suckers didn't co-operate . Worked down to the Rocks, not much action. Found some life 3 miles off the beach of Long Branch in 65 to 70 Ft. of water, Hamered the blues and had a few bass with them. Came back up to the North late in the afternoon to try the clamming, that didn't work out, had one fish on and lost it, 2 other bites........time to go home!! Capt. Ron
11/06/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The morning started out foggy, that took away any hope of finding bird life........went clamming, found some fish right away.....started the cartwheels too early! It died as fast as it started. Made a few more drifts in the area, then left. Looked in between the channels, nothing...down the beach...scatterd bird life, by the time we got too it, 10 boats already went through it...A few blues and 1 or 2 bass for the rest of the day...Yes, of course the south wind did come up to finish off the afternoon. Last Sunday was the same deal, boat load of customers, lousy bite....Monday, naturally was excellant. Hope it works out that way tommorrow...........Capt Ron
11/05/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished a new area today...with the great weather report, knew there was NO-WAY we could fish the same spots as during the week. Man, was I right! A few hundered boats all looking for the same thing. Took a little ride and found the Bass, most of them slots but we did have fish up to 33 3/4 inches...caught most of them on clams and a few on jigs. Had a few shots at the blues also. Finished the day back in between the channels, but with a 2.5 knot drift...you get the picture. All and all, perfect weather, caught some fish, nobody puked!!! Capt. Ron
11/01/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Excellant morning bite today! Made a quick drift in between the channels on some bird life and caught 5 fish. The life was moving way too fast, like yesterday, so we headed down the beach. Made a quick stop off the Highlands, caught some blues. Couldn't resist the life further south, so we took off! Good thing we did, had a few drifts were we had 8 to 12 keepers on each stop. Clams, Jigs, both worked well. Had the Blues also for those who wanted them. Only problem was the South wind that came up against the outgoing tide. Started to get a little rolley and we lost the drift. By the time it got too nasty it was time to come home..read loads of bait all the way up the beach, peanut bunker and rain fish mostly. Largest fish of the day....34 inches, 15 pounds.......I'll be at the Weakfish meeting tommorow, but the boat will be in good hands with Capt. Frankie...........Capt. Ron
10/30/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
As I right this, I am half way through my first Scotch, that should tell you how the day went! Started out with loads of birds working around the Rip, Turned out to be all Blues, and with the boat traffic there, didn't make sence to try a second drift...went for the next patch of bird life down the beach, lots of action on the Blues again, probably could have sunk the boat if that's what we were after. We did catch a couple of slots mixed in thou.......Anchored up and clammed, another horror show...the wind blew 30 and with an outgoing tide...impossible......Still had plenty of bird life around the channels, tried drifting again but at 3.5 knots you can imagine what that was like. Too bad because there were plenty of Bass tight to the bottom, just couldn't stay with them long enough to catch'em....Headed down the beach for the next stroke, jigged a few fish, nothing to brag about.....Headed back up to the North for slack tide and the change...we did catch a few Bass where we read them in the morning, then that fell apart...at 1:40pm saw some birds working on the NY side of the channel...gave it the last ditch effort, caught some huge Blues and 1 Striper. So you can see why today will be a 3 Scotch day!!! Capt. Ron
10/29/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Well, it didn't blow 30 today! Started out clamming in the AM, had a nice little pick going until I decided to really get things going.....went down the beach after the jig fish, had a few reports that it was just like the past few days...well, naturally I broke the golden rule of "Never leave fish to look for fish" it did come back to bite me in the A##. Made it down the beach just in time for the birds to disappear, with the fish! Had a few shots at the blues and a few bass, nothing like the past two days....Sucked it up and headed back to the North....Anchored back up clamming, caught two fish and that was it...Back in between the channels with a terrible swell coming in from the east, read loads of fish, just didn't catch what we read. A few nice fish today from 28 to 35 inches, and a nice catch of slots..... Tommorrow if they bite, I ain't movin!!!!!! Capt. Ron
10/28/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good jig fishing today, mostly slot fish and all the blues you could handle. We did manage several fish that were over 28 inches with a pool fish of 34 1/2....Had action between the channels to start, then ended up down the beach. Plenty of bird life today, unlike yesterday where it was all on readings....A little breezy for tommorrow, but with NW wind and outgoing tide, it certainly won't be rough. Fall fishing is here! Don't miss it.........Capt. Ron
10/27/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out down the beach where we left off Monday...not too much life, had a few fish on the jigs. Ended up between the channels with a nice pick on each drift...current was way too fast, had to use the 67'S to hold bottom. Caught a few on a storm set-up with an 8 ounce sinker just dragging the bottom (dead stick). Mostly slots, largest of the day was a 32 inch and a 28 1/2 inch fish. Some Blues mixed in with them. Weather looks good right through the weekend. Capt. Ron
10/26/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Things should get back to normal by Thursday, I'm sure after todays NW wind the Ocean will lay down. Fishing has been excellant when we have sailed, mostly jig fishing down the beach, although the clams have been working also. Looks like a good week ahead, finally!! Capt. Ron
10/24/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing down the beach today. Stayed till just after 12:00, then had to head for calmer waters. NE started to blow a little early and it was getting way too nasty. Had more than enough fish thou. 3 Bass over 40 inches, the largest 44inches, 24 pounds! Plenty of slots and Bluefish also. All kinds of bait around right now, today we saw Peanut bunker, Rain fish and Sand Eels. Weather is going to kill the next two days again, just can't get a break. I only hope that it doesn't chase the fish outta here early this year..........Capt. Ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Started out the day with 30+knot wind, what a treat!! Started clamming, conditions were terrible and never had a bite. Once the Sun came up, so did the fish. Jigged all day catching more Bass than Blues. Mostly slots, we did have a few nicer fish and everyone went home with fish. Monday looks OK, then Tuesday, crappy again. After that, who knows just yet....plenty of bait and life up and down the beach......Capt. Ron
10/21/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had our first trip of the fall today. Started out clamming, read lots of life, plenty of bait, caught one fish!! Current was good, can't imagine why they just didn't feed....Didn't waste too much time with that, had bird life off the beach so we went to the jigs....several pods of fish inshore and offshore, kept trying different ones looking for the Bass, found a few fish, a couple of slots and 2, 34 inchers. Nice action thou and it was a nice day....Saturday sounds like some East wind, but with the incoming tide most of the morning, we should be OK, rain, not until the afternoon Sunday is OK also, west wind won't bother us down the beach and there certainly is no swell. Common guys, the Hurricane hasn't even reached Florida yet!!!! Capt. Ron
10/19/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
We are starting this Friday, the 21st for Stripers. Our new sailing time is 7:00am till 2:30pm. We will be the first boat out looking for the morning bite! Most likely we will start clamming, last year for the first two weeks that was the ticket. Once the weather starts to cool, I'm sure things will come to life with the jigging. Looking forward to some fun fishing............Capt. Ron
10/18/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Thank you Frank Pallone! 28 years ago I met Mr. Pallone at Monmouth College in Long Branch. Guess what we were there for........A Weakfish meeting!! Here we are after all this time fighting again for the same thing. I am certain Mr. Pallone honestly cares about what is going on. We have always been able to count on him in times of trouble. Like I said in past posts, I don't care if a man is Democrat, Republican, or Independant, if he works hard for the people and is true about it, hell, he has my vote! Mr. Pallones reply in the ASPP was right on the money, straight to the point with no BS. If you haven't read it, check out the Pallone comes to the defense of recreational fishermen.............
I did speak to a rep from Sen. Corzines campange, so far NOTHING. I know everyone is very busy, but how can I vote for someone if I don't know where he stands.......common Mr. Corzine, time is running out. The same goes for Doug Forrester...................Capt. Ron
10/17/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
We will be tied up this week for general maintenance and painting. After the weather we've had the past 8 days, I figure it's best to start fresh this Saturday the 22nd. By then the water should clear up and hopefully the Stripers will be ready.
The $500 worth of worms that didn't make it last week put the end to the Weakfishing for me. Please note that our fall schedule will be a NEW SAILING TIME of 7:00AM. I like to get an early start. 100% of our customers agreed that they would like to shove off early, hell, you guys are here before me any- way!!! Looking foward to the fall run, it's always been my favorite time of year. When you see birds working for miles, fish rolling and breaking all over, your heart has to pound! I think I get more charged up than the customers. Blues, Bass, Albacore, you never know what's gonna be on the end of your line....We fish several ways in the fall. Normally the start, is clamming, then we go too eels and jigs. Naturally that can change any time, so be prepared! I recommend Ava 27's and 47's for the current when we fish the channels and Crocodiles, Crippled herring, Storms, even plugs when we fish the beach. See you soon! Capt. Ron
10/14/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
First let me say, I did not say Sen. Corzine is Pro fishermen! I said, I heard that he would be against 1 Weakfish and a whole bunch of other crap we face....I have been on the phone with his staff trying to find out his stance on the subject. I most certainly will not endorse or encourage anyone to support a person who does not support us...As I have said in the past...I HATE POLITICS!! Yet, that's what will put me out of business. The meeting in Toms River was a packed house last night! Despite the terrrible weather for driving, many people, Party, Charter, Commercial and Recreational guys showed up to voice thier discussed at the Marine Fishiery council....Amazing, for once, everyone was on the same page............STATUS QUO!!!!! Again, know one from Marine Fishiery, NOAA or any other group that needs data feels the need to contact us...We have fish report logs, we are willing to do whatever it takes, measuring, weighting recording any info they need..........do they ask?? Hell no, it's easier to say there are no fish and close us down...Then, of course it gets back to money...that's right folks, follow the money...........SALT WATER LICENCE......Once they have that, There will be plenty of Scientist and Biologist around to help put us out of business...The Special suit people will all have no show $100,000 a year jobs and nothing will change..With the exception, there won't be any Party or Charter boats to fish on and you still won't be able to take anything home!! I am all for healthy fish stocks, but when we come off a season like we just had, plenty of Fluke, more Weaks than we've had in 3 years, loads of Porgies, Stripers, Blues...how the hell can you look at us with a straight face and say there are no fish? This is about survival of the human species now.....I am becoming an endangered species....who the hell wants to save me? Capt. Ron
10/09/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today...too bad more customers weren't down to enjoy it. The weather was actually cool, with no rain. Everyone aboard had thier limit along with some nice size blues....pool fish 6 pounds. Will keep with the Weaks until the end!! Capt. Ron
10/07/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fishing bounced right back on Friday. After a few slow drifts in the AM, we found a couple nice piles of Weakfish and Blues closer to Sandy Hook. Several guys did manage their limits, plus a few keeper Fluke. Haven't seen Porgies in the bay in a week now, there are some between the channels, but from the reports I hear, most of them have to go back!! I am curious to see what this weekend weather does to the fishing, if the Weaks take off and the Bass turn on, or will we still get another week or two out of Weakfishing. That's probably wishfull thinking! All the anticipation of Striper fishing could come back too bite us in the butt.....there is no crystal ball too tell us if it will happen or not, just have to wait and see...Capt. Ron
10/06/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Much tougher day today! Lost alot of the readings near the channel, the fish were not stack either. Had to find small areas here and there to pick at them.....No current again today, this is 4 days in a row since the new moon! Waiting to see what the coming cold front will do, either bunch them up again, or send them on thier way! The Bluefish in the bay acted very strange also, they came up right at the change of tide, a few differen't patches, then they dissapeared....Will see what happens tommorrow, one bad day out of 3 weeks is a pretty good track record, hell if I was a baseball player, I'd be making MILLIONS!!!! Capt. Ron
10/04/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Again, the first morning drifts were tough. Caught a few fish in the channel. The current has been non-excistant the past few days with the new moon, so we had to wait it out. Told the customers to have PATIENCE! When things get right they will bite...Sure enough, worked our way to the west and when they got ready, all hell broke loose. Stayed over 1 hour on the drift of the year! Non-stop action all around the boat. A few little customers aboard today, thier faces said it all! Everyone aboard had thier limit and then some. Amazing when the conditions get right, the fish seem to come out of nowhere. The Readings in the channel were top to bottom....Some of the guys who have been reading my reports for the past 2 months decided to give it a try.......now they know what I'm Talking about!!!!!! Capt. Ron
10/03/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Perfect weekend, both AM and afternoon trips. Despite the hundreds of boats (more Sunday than Saturday), the Weakfish did cooperate. Both mornings started out with a slow pick, we did have the end of the tide and slack to get through, by the afternoon, we were in full catching mode! Many limits again with a few 3 to 5 pound fish.....Yes, the fish experts are right again...there are no Weakfish. We have had very good fishing for 3 solid weeks, EVERYDAY!! Maybe when the weather turns cold and the fish leave, they can say "See, we are right." Anyway, Bluefishing in the afternoon with Capt. Frankie is as good as it gets. Had a few of the regulars do a double yesterday, I'm sure they are paying for it today! Non-Stop action with larger fish.. Rocco Farrina topped off the night with a beautifull 34 1/2 inch Striper. Frankie said there were two more boated also. The Fall fishing is some of the best in the country, if you have never been out on a cool, crisp fall day catching Bass and Blues, you are certainly missing out on some of the most exciting fishing we have....For me it's a whole new season that only lasts a short time. Try to take advantage, you won't be dissapointed!! Capt. Ron
10/01/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Despite a thousand boats out yesterday and today, the fishing was very good again on the weakfish. Morning started out with a slow pick on each drift (not what we have been used too)! Tough to fish in the channels with so many boats. Blasted off to the west where we had fish last week and no traffic, Yes, they were there! Had a good 1 1/2 hours of fishing to end out the day. A very nice 6 pound fish for the pool and many limits....Bluefishing in the Afternoon with Capt. Frankie has been excellant, most fish are 6 to 8 pounds but you do see a 12 to 14 pounder once in a while. If you haven't fished with Capt. Frank yet, you are in for a treat. We go back 28 years to when I first got my licence. Frank is an old school guy, nothing makes him or me happier than seeing people have a good time. I know my boat and business are in good hands with Capt. Frank at the helm.
Good action on the Sea Bass when we can fish the hard bottom in the afternoons....Not a whole bunch of Bonito around this year, too bad, they are a great light tackle challange and excellant to eat. We do sail everyday so come on down! Capt. Ron
09/30/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Perfect day today!! Weather and fish both co-operated. The first 3 drifts found only a slow pick, but the readings were still there, new it was only a matter of time or change of current for those babies to turn on. By 11:00am, it was excellant fishing. Fish started to stack up from the edge of the channel into the deep. Some nicer ones today also, 3 to 4 pounds with a 6 pound pool winner.....getting ready to pull my hair out for the weekend thou, weather is supposed to be perfect, I imagine everyone and thier brother will be out, and so will the Coast Guard to remind us not to fish in the channels!! If the Stripers come through in the next few weeks, this will be the best fall fishing in a long time, take advantage of it cause it dosen't happen often!!!! Capt. Ron
09/29/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Take your pick this weekend, weather looks great for both the AM and Afternoon trips. Weakfishing has been excellant, Bluefishing has been excellant. Nice to have a choice this time of year. Starting to see loads of Mullet around the harbor and in the bay, the readings on the Peanut Bunker and Rain fish are incredable........The fall run, I hope, turns out too be a good one. You never know, everytime we think one thing, something else happens. Just have to wait and see.....come on down, the weather won't last forever, especially if the weatherman has his way!! Capt. Ron
09/28/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing today...a steady pick on most of the drops. It sure feels good to say people are catching thier limits!! Especially after all the throw back fluke. Tommorrow looks like it might be a bummer with the wind and a lousy forcast, the rest of the week looks great!! If you like the weakfishing, don't wait till it's too late...I have been saying it's good for 2 weeks now...when they finally stop and you decide to come, I don't want to hear "Where's the Fish"!!! Then you'll just have to wait for the Bass.........Capt. Ron
09/26/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Picked all day today on the Weaks. Bounced around here and there, caught fish just about every drop. Not the super fast fishing of the past week (terrible conditions) but more than good enough...Good thing, with 8 customers what the hell would we do for the rest of the day if we limited out too fast? Had some blues and a few Fluke also....The early reports on the Stripers in the paper are just that...everyone is calling thinking it's time...not yet, don't worry I'll let you know...Sounds like a cold front coming the next few days, I'm sure it's gonna stir things up. Once the Weaks leave, hopefully the Stripers will fall into place. That would be too perfect for me! Just have to wait and see....yes, I am just as anxcious as everyone, but I won't do it till it's time............. Capt. Ron
09/24/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good fishing again. The morning started out a little nasty, heavy duty wind and a swell from the East...all the way to the back bay...fished way to the west were it was much calmer. Caught them all day, when the wind did die out, the fishing got better!! Many limits, especially with the kids. This fishing is perfect for the little ones, we stay in the bay and the fish basically hook themselves...Don't wait too long, next year we may only be allowed 1 Weakfish!! Why is it everytime we start to catch something we haven't had in a while, they tell us there aren't any and we have to save what's left?? These idiots should come and watch my fish finder..when you have readings top to bottom for 2 to 3 buoys, I'd say "there ain't no shortage!! How about forget "save the whales" let's save the Captains!! Capt. Ron
09/21/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day of fishing! I have no idea where these fish came from, but thank God there here!! Had a shot of some 3 to 4 pounders, nice compared to the 15 and 16 inch fish that have been the norm...Still catching nice size Fluke also. Didn't have as many today, not much of a drift with the wind against the tide, but there still here. Fishing every day except Sunday morning.......Capt. Ron
09/20/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
You name it, today we just about caught it all! Weatherman again gave us a good kick in the A##! Severe Storms, blowing down trees, heavy rain!! What a bunch of blow hards. They even have the nerve to run a commercial on TV about the 2 million dollar weather satellite from channel 2 against the asshole Sam Champion chanel 7 news, in the ring...can you beleave it?? Put me in the ring with those morons, I'll show you what pissed is, when I have to sail with 6 people and the day turns out beautifull.....enough of that, just had to vent! Had keeper Fluke and Porgies on the flats, Blues, Weakfish and a very nice Spanish mackerel in the channel...still loads of bait and plenty of readings up and down the Reach . THE WEATHER looks perfect for the next few days....don't be affraid....Capt. Ron
09/19/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The day started out a little slow, had no current at all, thought by 10 am and the change of tide we would have a drift, no such luck! Made it way back in the bay and found a pile of Weaks that wanted to cooperate. A good 2 hours of fishing to end the day on a positve note...Had the largest of the Season so far, a 4 1/2 pounder that won the pool........Sailing Daily, don't wait too long!! Capt.Ron
09/18/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good Weakfishing again today. Picked all day along the channel. Had a few nice Fluke mixed in with them also. Not many Porgies around, I think all the boat traffic may have spooked them...........sailing daily, come on down while they are here!! Capt. Ron
09/17/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Jeff Merrill and Conaco Phillips group out today Bluefishing...despite the call for heavy surf and rough seas (a bunch of Bull ###) as usuall, the fish bit there tails off...Had Stripers finning off the bow, managed to get one on and close to the net before it broke off...Saw a couple Mahi jumping next to the boat also, couldn't catch them, too spooky..also had a 3 1/2 pound Fluke (can't get away from them)!
Weather looks great for the next few days, the Weakfishing has been fantastic, not very big fish but the action and limits keep us going....The fare is $45, we give you 1/2 dozen worms with the ticket, after that we have them aboard for $2 a half dozen, that's still less than what they cost us...if you would rather use artificials, they work fine also. If you like to jig, the 007's or a bucktail, finess all work good as well.........Capt. Ron
09/15/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Didn't sail today and it looks like tommorrow is a washout also. Hopefully this weather won't screw things up!! I'm sure we will see some effects thou as the runoff will be terrible with all the rain! Will know better after the weekend. We are chartered for this Saturday AM trip......Capt. Ron
09/14/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another very good day with the Weaks. Just hope the upcoming weather doesn't chase them the hell outta here!! Just when I get in the grove too. Didn't see any Porgies today on the edge of the channel and only a few small blues mixed in. Finished the day out Fluking on the Flats...plenty of shorts, just a couple of keepers. I guess it's safe to say, the end has arrived for Fluking in this area...Like my last reports have said, there is a ton of bait everywhere we go, so I am anticipating a good fall run of Bass and Blues, I just hope it starts before the 3rd week of October! Chartered this Saturday in the AM. thanks.............Capt. ron
09/13/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
We finally made the change........Today was the first trip strickly for Weakfish and Porgies..Very good fishing most of the day..small group out and everyone had more than enough fish..not very big fish like years ago, but hey, they say we can takem, I'm taking them....We include 1/2 a dozen worms with the fare, if you need additional they are $2 for half a dozen. It just covers the cost....I would suggest getting the Berkley worms, I used them today, they are the closest thing to real, and they do work!!! Caught Porgies, Bluefish, Weakfish and small Sea Bass on them.....If you can find them. Seems like evertime a product works, it mysteriously becomes hard to find. When you do, naturally the price has gone up!!! We are not sailing this Thursday, Weather is going to be crappy and we are Chartered for Saturday morning........Capt. ron
09/10/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
After a week of Swells and not many Fluke, today bounced back with a very nice pick all day.....most fish naturally were shorts, but we did manage a mess of keepers...Fished closer to home, haven't found much in the Ocean the past week. Maybe that will bounce back when the heave lays down....Right now it looks like it may be around for a while with a new Hurricane down the coast.......Capt. ron
09/05/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very Nasty morning, NE wind and a hell of a Sea...Made it offshore thou...not the bite of the past two days, but we did manage a few nice fish.. Ron Solin, Bogota, NJ got two very good fish...the first was a 4 pounder, I told him he had waited a long time for that one....3 minutes later, he lands an 8 1/2 pounder!! Oh happy day! A few nice Sea Bass and a handfull more of Fluke....Considering the conditions, I'm surprized we caught anything. Capt. Ron
09/04/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Found some very nice fish again today....more keepers than shorts for the first time in a month! Several fish over 3 pounds with a 5 3/4 pool fish....Tom Krako and Rocco Ferrina combined for 11 keepers....High hook had 6...two nice days of fishing. Blue fising ended up very good again yesterday, at 17. Started out with a pick, but things picked up as the night went on.....Capt. Ron
09/03/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Went searching new turf the past two days, yesterday started out with 9 out of the first twelve fish, keepers, and very nice fish...thought once the current started to run and we had a drift, I would be in........2 1/2 hours latter we were still barely moving at .2 knots!! I don't have to tell you how the rest of the day went..Today started out pretty breezy with the NW wind...didn't have great conditions but went offshore anyway..especially after the way the local fishing has been...Rolled around for a while picking a few fish...The current eased off, the wind died out and we had the drift of the day........8 fish all 4 pounds plus...The big one was caught by Paulino Forte, Jersey City at 7 1/2 pounds....Had some nice Sea Bass and a few more keepers to end a beautiful day....Not great, but after the past week, I'm doing Cart Wheels!!! Capt. Ron
08/30/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, the day started out with a good shot of Stripers! Tony Cavallero, Hillside, N.J. had a beautifull 25 pound fish (on a loaned Jig) ! Had several other fish, then they disappeared..The Fluking was not that great, still have a hell of a roll in the Ocean and tommorrow isn't going to be any better...caught mostly shorts in several area's...pool fish was a nice 4 pounder, just not enough of them.
Bless the Marine fisheries for saving the Flounder!! With the tons of fish we have been catching over the past few years, there's hardly any left for the commercial men, how come they never complain that we take too many??? Think about it...They know we don't make a pimple on a ducks ass!!! That's why. 10 flounder...most days it's a miracle to catch any of any size. They could have said you could keep 25.......it doesn't matter, it's just numbers.....Once again, save the fish so they get scooped up when they hit the Ocean.....I don't know who's the bigger fools in this picture, the Marine fisheries, or us as a whole for letting them get away with it!! Land of the Free My ASS! Capt. Ron
08/29/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
A.J. Rotondella, Middletown N.J. has de-throwned Mitch Jevic as the big Fluke King aboard the Fishermen (Sorry Mitch). A.J. Fished all day with plain Peanut Bunker waiting for that one huge bite..It came late in the afternoon, just as the tide started to flood..The fish was weighed at Atlantic Highlands bait and tackle and topped the scale at 13 pounds!! A great fish for a young guy...The day started out with us catching 11 keeper Stripers. Found some fish near the channel rolling on top, so we gave it a shot. Had a nice 30 minutes of fun before we went back to Fluking...What a great break! Bluefishing last night left much too be desired, fish never turned on for us, only ended up with a handfull of Blues, nothing like the night before. Capt. Ron
08/28/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good bluefishing yesterday afternoon..One drop, caught em' and came home...didn't think we would make it offshore, had a strong South to Southeast wind when we came in and the tide was going to ebb, conditions would be horrible....surprisingly we did make it offshore, and ended up fine......Doesn't matter how many, fishing was good for everyone aboard.........Fluking is still Fluking! Way too many shorts with some keepers mixed in. the ocean has been nasty the past 2 days with the SE and the roll...Tom Krakow, Atlantic Highlands did manage a nice 5 pound fish to win his 5th pool of the year...............Capt. ron
08/25/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had to leave the Channels this morning.......Hard N to NE wind and a fast tide made it too tough to fish....Went East to some hard bottom and the reef...Caught a few keepers, Shorts and some Sea Bass....The afternoon was 100% better, wind eased off, tide eased off and the fish bit there tails off! Naturally more shorts than keepers, but we did manage a few nice fish...Cherlyn Wigert had the big one one the last drift of the day...4 1/2 pounds.....Seems that Slack and change of tide has been the day saver the past 3 days..........Capt. Ron
08/23/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Here's my broken record report......Lots of shorts, some keepers with a tie for the pool with 2, 3 1/2 pound fish..good action, but too see these fish float away dead at 16 inches is Bull****.......Sorry, can't go on that tyraid again........Beautiful day thou, perfect Weather, decent drift, just not a whole lot of big fish....Patience hopefully will pay off on this one. I'm sure there are still some nice fish to come out of the back bays once the weather starts getting cooler. Bill fitzpatrick wanted his crew to know that he caught 25 fish today,(unfortunatly, he didn't keep any!!!) 0-25.......Capt. Ron
08/21/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
I have to say, today was the worst day of the season. Boat load of customers, tangles, horrible drifting conditions, you name it, I had it! Not too many fish, Big or Small around either....Looked offshore to kill my curiosity....that killed it quick.....Moon tides, current, I could rant all afternoon, but you get the picture........please don't ask If I think it's going to get better, I'm too numb to look at the crystal ball right now...maybe tommorrow!!!!!!! Capt. Ron
08/20/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again another Fluke tournament, and guys who don't want to move out of the channel!! I am totally amazed with all the press coverage and stories on the Internet, that these Idiots are taking that chance. Yes, the CG was out in force also, because of it...thanks guys! Not only do you screw up my day, but your going to screw up the future fishing for everyone....unfortunatly for us, this is the only place we have been able to get some action. Not much in the past week, but we take what little we can get to survive..had a few nice fish today...3 to 3 1/2 pounds and a bunch of shorts..The bite we did have seemed much better on the outgoing tide.. Didn't read a lot of bait today coming across the knoll, the past week that place had been loaded....What's really scary is, years ago, by Labor day. that was the end of Fluking. The fish would move out starting now and be gone by September...We've gotten spoiled the past few years with the fish hanging around till almost October. I guess we take what we can get, hopefully there are still some nice fish in the back bays that have to come out....we'll what and see..Capt. Ron
08/19/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, conditions today left more to be desired. Started in the channels with the last of the incoming. Picked away, a few keepers and lots of shorts. Didn't last long, once the ebb hit with the SE wind, it started to get a little to nasty to fish..moved up the channel, almost to the Verranzano. Picked there for awhile till it got too rolley there. By then the day was almost over, made a last ditch effort on a little wreck..didn't catch a fish there....3 whistels time to go!!! Capt. Ron
08/17/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Not much of a report today. Started out in the Channel, already had the ebb, with the west wind the drift was pretty fast...we put the lead on and hung in there..Picked away most of the day, more shorts than keepers and no real big fish to talk about....Tried the shallow areas to get out of the current, but the life there is null and void! Moved further up the channel to wait for the change of tide, and there was the Coast Guard tied up to a buoy, waiting to bust someone....well it wasn't gonna be me!! Finished up around Chappel hill, caught mostly shorts there holding the edge.High hook today had 7.....but that was definatly not the norm........Chartered this Saturday AM only. Capt. Ron
08/16/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had a handfull of Fishermen today, the weather report must have put fear into all those who have been coming regularly....God forbid we get caught in the Rip tides!! Rain?? I think I did see or feel 12 sprinkels around 1 PM, then again, it could have been a Seagull!! Anyway, plenty of action again, just not a whole bunch of keepers. The fish we did keep were both fat and good size. Pool fish was 5 pounds caught by Lew Ciavatti. Lew states he caught 49 fish with throwbacks, but I think he gets a little carried away! Still had a roll from the East, but it is definatly fishable. High Hooks of 6 and 5.....Capt. Ron
08/15/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good Bluefishing in the afternoon yesterday....ended up with a group of guys from the MiJoe, that couldn't make it out...good thing cause there weren't too many additional customers around. Much better fishing than the night before...todays Charter with Gary Perrino and Columbia bank was good. The guys battled some pretty lousy conditions most of the day, but managed to catch some nice fish. Had a few betterr ones for the pool, but the biggest of the day went to Garret Vermaas, Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. On the last drift of the day Garret landed a very fat 7.7 pounder....Second place was 5 1/2 pounds...Great bunch of guys out having a good time! Capt. Ron
08/14/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
I guess it's easy to tell when fishing is in the crapper....nobody wants to do a report! Hey, we take the good with the bad, so let me start with the afternoon trip yesterday.........had a bad feeling that after the way the Fluke have been reacting to this weather and the heave, the Blues were sure to follow. Last night was the case. A boat load of customers, a nasty ocean and not many fish..Tried a couple drops,. caught a few but they never really turned on....It kills me when it's nasty, especially on a Saturday afternoon. We don't have alot of Fishermen on the boat, and for many of them, it's their first time out...Trust me, you will never forget your first puke...you wish you could die...I don't think some of these people will ever fish again! They couldn't care if we had 20 on at a time...Todays Fluking started out with basically the same conditions as yesterday, but the pick was better. Had the heave and the current, but he drift was OK. Hit some of the snags, caught some shorts and keepers...Started to turn on just before slack and BAM! had a man get Heat Stroke! Had to take him into the Coast Guard Station, by the time we got back out, the tide changed, so did the wind, and the bite was over.....just my luck!! Capt. Ron
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fluke Limits:
Limits are fine, as long as they have a realistic plan and stick to it.....We have sucked wind for the past 14 years, going up a 1/2 inch year after year. Yes, we survived and stocks have been rebuilding...when do I get the reward for my conservation!! After a 18 inch rule is put in place? Come on, all we want is a fair share of the pie..I go out every day and have to worry that someone will sneak short fish, yes our crew measures just about every fish, but there are days when fishing is fast and someone always tries to slip one by. Our crew will not fillet them...I cannot afford to loose our fillet permit, yet just last weekend 8 out of 10 launch boats that were check in Atlantic Highlands had short fish!! One guy even left his boat there and tried to walk his bucket to his truck..BUSTED! So, I follow the law and get screwed while everyone else takes a chance....most do get away with it..I would say there are more fish going to waste today with gut hooks than any year prior...many of these fish are 16 inch beauties.....Explain to me how this helps anything....Why not have a slot size....4 keepers at 16 inch and 4 at 17 if they have to increase the size. At least 90% of customers and private boaters will have a meal, that's all we want! At that, we will survive, and the keeping of short fish will just about dissapear....guarenteed. Commercial fishermen have been taking 14 inch fish, you can buy them in Foodtown....is this helping the stocks?? And don't give me that crap that all the fish they throw back make it! Smartin up....It's back to the old case of them against us, and it shouldn't be...those guys have every right to make a living too, they have for 150 years...just give us a fair shake.....Biologist, Scientist, Politicians, Number counters, what a bunch of CRAP!! Have some balls and join the fight instead of talking about it.......DO it! Capt. Ron
08/12/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Hot, Hot, Hot, And I don't mean the fishing! The past two days have been brutal, caught fish on slack in the AM, had some nice ones 3 to 6 1/2 pounds. Once the tide ran,( it didn't run hard) the fish got lazy, as did the customers. To uncomfortable to enjoy the fishing, althou I give them credit, they did hang in there....Plenty of bait around, if we ever get a cold front through here, the fish should get active again.....Still have 6 to 8 weeks of good fishing, then a lull, and hopefully we will be ready for a good fall run, can't wait! 3 more Charters left, Satuday, Monday and next Saturday.....Afternoon fishing is now only Saturday and Sunday...Fridays have been a disaster this year, so I'm throwing in the towel on that one too.....Capt. Ron
08/11/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had Jimmy Learn and the Local 164 Retirees out with us yesterday, great bunch of guys! The fish co-operated also. Had a steady pick on the shorts all day with some keepers mixed in..Hit a new snag and found our pool fish with a few contenders. Conditions weren't the best, but we made the best of it! Good fishing again today, same story, weed through the little ones to get the nicer ones. Hot as hell with no wind, blew 3 to come home and here comes a nice breeze out of the South! Go figure.....Chartered tommorrow morning, Saturday and Monday mornings, then we are Free!! Capt. Ron
08/08/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Plenty of action through the incoming today, mostly shorts 16-16 1/4 inch fish (What a Joke!!) These babies are nice and fat, would make a perfect meal, but no, we catch too many...now the morons want to cut us back some more!! A proposed 32% reduction, which probably means 18 inch fish...can you imagine!! I'm to Freak'in old to go back to College, what do we do now.....maybe I'll cash in on some of that free welfare money that's going around....maybe I'll become a commercial fishermen, then I can keep 14 inch fish and not have to worry. Where the hell am I gonna get 18 inchers! There is basically no more Sheepshead Bay.Captree, which was probably the premier port up until a few years ago, with beautifull boats and great businesses is non-excistant....any port on the NY side is dead....we are next...we can fight till we're blue in the face, but it's going to happen.....Should all of us get together and just take the fish we need to survive and say screw it?? That's what's going to have to happen. Once they start locking all of us up on a daily bases, maybe some politician will realize that we just want to survive.......55 years of Family business going down the tubes is not how I want to be remembered!! Capt. Ron
08/07/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing today...lot's of action with the shorts on the incoming, on the change the bigger fish started to bite..Ended up with a nice catch and a 6 1/2 pound pool fish...Bluefishing last night was very good again.....This week we are busy with a few Charters.....Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Monday the 15th. All morning trips.......Capt. Ron
08/06/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Plenty of action with lousy conditions all day...More shorts than keepers unfortunatly...basically the same story as the past week. We do manage a few nicer fish each day. High hooks today had 6 keepers, no limits. A 4 pound pool fish that was caught on the last drift.....Capt. Ron
From: Capt. Ron/Fishermen
Date: 8/6/2005
Report:
Sorry this isn't a fishing report...it finally had to happen. With all the boat traffic in the channels and lack of respect for the shipping, Coast Guard is now chasing and issuing tickets, boats can also be confiscated if caught more than once....It's beyond me how anyone can sit in front of a ship, like they have to get out of the way!! I have seen several instances the past two weeks that totally amazed me...No fish in the world is worth dying over! There would never had been a problem if guys moved to the edge of the channel when traffic approached...Now we all have to suffer!! Have fun catching only shorts in the flats, guys....A course in Seaman ship would have done those responsible well....Maybe if you had to feed your family and make a living doing this, it would be different.......The worst part is, there's people on here telling you exactly where to go, to help you out with your catch and you still don't respect the rules. Yes, I fish the channels, but you sure as hell don't see me playing tag with right off way vessels, and I certainly would not jeopardize the saftey of my passengers....Anyway, I'm sure with the Fluke tornaments, none of this is going to matter.....gotta get the big one's!!! I just hope you can afford $5,000 fine, I know I can't.......Capt. Ron
08/05/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Missed my reports yesterday, came home to a Lightning Storm that caused power to be out for 5 1/2 hours, by the time it was back, I was in bed! Anyway, had a great group of guys out today from CJM on our charter Left very late so we really missed the last of the Incoming which was very good yesterday....had a bit of a breeze, still managed to drift. Picked away all day on the shorts and had a few nicer fish mixed in to keep the guys interested. Largest of the day 6 1/2 pounds that took the $200 pool. Bluefishing remains excellant! It's a shame this year customers just don't want to come down for them. Had 4 people tonight, on a Friday afternoon...don't know if it's the weather, the economy, the gas prices or are people tired of Blues after all these years?? Any responce is greatly appreciated......If the guy who was asking about Cow nose Rays is reading this, no you are not seeing things...those suckers are here by the thousands! Saw 2 large pods off of Sandy Hook. Had one on 2 days ago that totally wipped out the side of the boats rigs....you do not want to mess with them. They supposedly have a poisonus tail and can do some damage if you play with them...just let them be, they will go away sooner or later.......Capt. Ron
08/03/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Starting to wonder where the big fish went, then Bam! Mitch Jevic, Hillsboro, NJ wacks an 11 1/4 pounder today. He also had a 6 1/4 in the cooler along with a few more keepers and plenty of shorts....unfortunatly that was not the scenario for the day. Had a great drift, and caught fish on every one, just not big enough. Way too many shorts the past 3 days. The heave is gone, drift was good, boats fished several areas all with the same results.....I guess if we were all that good to figure it out, we'd be rich! Nice day out thou....Capt. Ron
08/02/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Once again, lousy conditions today..thought we would get at least an hour in the channels, but the west wind with the outgoing, only let us make 2 drifts....that pretty much killed the goose that layed the golden egg! Headed down the beach, caught plenty of fish, just not enough keepers.....waited till the end of the day and finished up back at the channels Caught a few fish on the last two drifts, just not enough to make me or any one else happy....haven't seen the bigger fish in 3 days now. I'm sure the roll that we had yesterday and today isn't helping. Todays pool winner was caught on the last drift and weighed 3 1/2 pounds....Had a few guys on that were out Thursday, when the bite was great....today they saw the other side!!!!! Capt. Ron
Up coming Charter Dates, all morning trips: Friday 8/5, Wednesday 8/10, Friday 8/12, Saturday 8/13, Monday 8/15.
08/01/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tougher day today. Had a horrible roll from the East, don't know where it came from, last night was beautifull...slow pick on the fish with more shortsthan keepers. The big ones didn't turn on. Fished the channels, the snags and around a few wrecks, not much happining. Too top it all off, the wind came South for a very nice wind against the tide condition, slow slide, a few fish, glad to get home!! Capt. Ron
Chartered this Friday AM only..
07/31/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Just enough Easterly wind against the tide to Pss me off today!! Had a bit of a drift in the AM, picked some fish in the channels, not what it has been by no means...hit a bunch of snags, same thing, a few here, few there. Didn't get a decent drift till 1:15. Started to pick better, but 45 minutes with a gang of people isn't going to bail you out...really can't complain thou, fishing has been excellant this season. Pool fish 6 pounds, a few nicer fish also mixed in..We did have a lot more shorts today.......Rocco Farina had 6 nice keepers for high hook, Tom Krakow and a couple other customers had 4.....naturally some had 0, none! Capt. Ron
07/30/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Tougher fishing today. Naturally, with a Fluke tornament and the Coast Guard keeping us out of the channel, for the Ships. Things had to work against us. Did manage to pick fish through the outgoing, just not what we were used to..took way too long to get the incoming, and that didn't help.....Ended up finishing the day SH channel....the only place we could find some current........Sorry, can't tell you where, that cost $42 to find out!!!! Bluefishing again, was excellant last night. Most fish are 8 to 15 pounds with the pool fish going 18 pounds.....Sailing Friday. Saturday and Sunday Afternoons 3:30 till 9:00pm......Capt. Ron
07/29/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Had the ISP corp. out with us today Fluking. Nice drift in the Am, picked away most of the day. The change of tide wasn't so hot today, but by then they had enough......Bluefishing was excellant again last night.....Afternoon Schedule is now Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons 3:30 till 9:00pm...Just not enough people interested this year for the weekday fishing.....It is impossible to run daily with 9-10 customers (When we are lucky!!) So it will just be weekends for the Blues.......Capt. Ron
07/28/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Best day of the year so far with the Fluke! Fish bit from the first drift to the last. Most people on board had thier limit...even thou I hate to talk numbers, today is the exception..Very nice size fish, with more keepers than shorts...Seems like a cold shot of water on the bottom got the fish going. Don Nickles and son Billy both had thier limit, and a total of 22 keepers when his second son added in his catch. Tony C, Louie, Frankie, Jim and tony also added to the numbers...Jim had the big one at 6 pounds.
Sorry guys, but I'm not going to throw buoy numbers out there, especially with the weekend coming, we have been fishing the channels. Plenty of fish so there is no need to crowd anyone.....Thanks.......Capt. Ron
07/27/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Fished the channels all day today.The AM we caught the change of tide, pretty good bite for a while, slowed up a bit when the current ran in...Tried a new area where Mike Wanic of Gillette, NJ caught his 10 3/4 pound fish! Had a few 4 pounders, the rest were nice keeping size fish....Bluefishing last night was very good again....went to one drop and that's where we stayed. Too bad more people aren't enjoying this great fishing. Chartered Friday AM....Capt. Ron
07/26/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very good drifting conditions today. Stayed in the channel all day catching fish..had to move way too many times thou, to keep away from the ship traffic...Fish are getting fat, even the shorts are beauties.....Sandy Rottelli, PA had the big one at 6 3/4 pounds..A couple of limits also....Blue fishing remains hot. unfortunatly not many people are enjoying it this year.....Chartered the next 3 Friday mornings....Capt. Ron
07/25/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Horrible conditions today, hard SW wind with the incoming made it just about imposible to fish the channels..Caught some fish right off the bat, then had to leave. Went down the beach, that last 2 drifts...what a stroke!!! Put the weights back on and finished up in the channels, a slider for a while, but we did pick away. Had a nice 4 pound fish win the pool...The current on the down side of this moon has been horrible, hopefully that will change in a day or so......Chartered the next 3 Friday mornings....Capt. Ron
07/24/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing again today! Fished the channels. Picked away every drift. With a boat load of customers, thought it would be tougher than it was..A few limits, several guys with 6 nice fish and plenty of action...Pool fish was caught by Kirk Banis, Allentown,PA 8 pounds on the money...2nd place was 6 3/4. We did have a few 5's and 4 pounders....For the guys who listened and brought the heavier tackle, they were rewarded! Not as many shorts in the deep as compared to the shallow water fishing.....Bluefishing is excellant! No problem putting a catch together there. Fish range from 5 to 15 pounds....We are CHARTERED for the next three Friday mornings...we will sail in the afternoons on those days 3:30 till 9:00 for Blues..Thanks, Capt. Ron
07/23/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice fluking again today. Had to do battle with the current and conditions, but the day ended up very good. A couple of limits, but that is not the norm. Several customers had 6 keepers down to 1 or 2..pool fish was 4 1/2 pounds.....Bluefishing in the afternoon is excellant with Capt. Terry. Had fish flying within 10 minutes of anchoring...Fish are from 5 to 15 pounds..........Please, bring your heavier rods for fluking, fishing in the channels sometimes takes 10 to 12 oz of lead...if you want to catch fish, then that's what we have to do, so be prepared!! Capt. Ron
07/22/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Last nights blufishing was very good again.. within 10 minutes the whole side of the boat was in! Fish up to 12 pounds. Finally some customers starting to show up to take advantage of the action.....Had the ISP corp. out with us today for some Fluke fishing....The kids had a blast with the action and will enjoy eating thier catch even more. Largest of the day, 4 1/2 pounds....fishing remains good.....Capt. Ron
07/21/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another wonderfull day on the water! Started out in our usual spot, had the last of the incoming and caught mostly shorts, an odd keeper Told the customers to relax, the change of tide will bring some bigger fish.....got the outgoing and here they come! Very nice fishing with more keepers than shorts...I love fishing in the channels, you just have to make sure you bring a rod that can handle 10 to 12 oz. of lead....Hey, if you want to catch fish, that's what we have to do...I could take you any where and catch throwbacks all day, but for the nicer fish, I love the channels!! So Be prepared. Another youngster won the pool today, 5 1/2 pounds...This has to be the best fluking I have seen in years,,as long as the conditions are right.........Bluefishing in the afternoon is excellant, Capt. Terrry said last night took 15 to 20 minutes to get them going...what a shame, I can remember sometimes waiting an hour or more to catch the first fish...20 minutes? Come on Capt., you ain't a miracle worker, when they bite your a Hero, when they don't, your a Bum! Finally some great weather, come on down!!!!!!! Capt. Ron
07/20/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Todays fishing was good again! Started out in our channel, catching the change of tide. Had three very nice drifts before it got too fast..Hit the beach for a couple of drifts, not enough keepers. Headed for Ambrose and found some beauties there! Several guys ended up with 6 nice keepers, including Mitch Jevic, who would have had 8, but the big ones got away!!! Very nice area of fish this year, plenty of action when conditions are right....Bluefishing is very good in the afternoons with medium to larger fish coming in.....We are Chartered this Friday in the AM......Capt. Ron
07/19/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Morning bite was good with the start of the outgoing tide...First fish of the day was a 7 pounder caught byTony Debacco, Peapack, NJ..Tony ended up with 6 nice fish....had to leave the channel when the current ran at 2.5 knots!! Couldn't hold bottom....made a few drops in shallow water waiting for the current to ease off.....finished up Ambrose Channel for a few more nicer fish....We are Chartered this Friday AM trip....Capt. Ron
07/18/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Another one of those Hot, foggy days. Spent the day dodging ships, but fishing was good....They didn't bite as well in the AM as yesterday, so we looked else where. Found some nicer fish and stayed with them....Rocco Farrina, after a short honeymoon, got his limit today and won the pool with a 5 pound fish....definately need glasses after this week!! Weather should break by Wendsday....Capt. Ron We are Chartered for the Next two Friday mornings......
07/17/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good weekend fishing with the Fluke and Blues...Today started out WET! Fog, rain...doesn't get any better than this. The whole week of fog has the eyes bugging out of my head...Fluking was good again today thou, despite the weather. Managed a decent drift in the channel to start the day. When conditions went bad, we moved to a new area. Found some nicer fish there, but lost the conditions....Picked away the rest of the day when we got the incoming.....Bluefishing last night was excellant again.....17 in the fog is no picknic...Weather looks like it will clear up by Wendsday...finally........Congradulations to Rocco Farrina and Carolyn who tied the knot on Saturday...good catch Carolyn!! Capt. ron
07/15/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing again today, when conditions got right. Had the last of the outgoing tide, still managed to drift. Picked at the shorts with a few keepers mixed in. The incoming came, fishing got better....some very nice 3 to 4 pound fish. Pool fish 5 pounds...several guys had 7 and 6 fish each..my Dad, had his 8 again!! It is very humbling to fish next to the OLD MAN!! Tony C. would have had 8 but happened to mention he was on number 7....bad thing to do, with 45 minutes left to the trip, I knew he was dead, all shorts for the rest of the day!! 8 is a Magic number. Capt. Ron
07/14/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Very nice fishing all day today.....several fish over 3 pounds, pool fish 5 1/2..Lots of action with shorts to keep it busy....conditions have been great the past few days, the wind has actually been WITH the tide!! Bluefishing in the afternoon is excellant, when we get out. Not a whole lot of people Bluefishing this year???? Capt. Ron
07/13/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Good fishing today despite the downpoor at 12:30...had a nice drift all day with the incoming tide and SE breeze....two, 5 pounders tied for the pool. Had some 3's and 4's mixed in. Lot's of action with the shorts also....same old story!!! Capt. Ron
07/12/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The AM started out on slack tide, power drifted the edge of the channel to keep a nice pick going....only problem today was when the current started to run in, the wind went SE and we flew!!! Had to leave the channels and find better conditions...ended up catching fish on the knoll the rest of the day.....good action, a few guys had 6 fish each, everyone had something to keep......no limits....5 pound pool fish today.....Capt.Ron
07/11/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Made the best of the lousy conditions in the AM today...had wind against the tide, tough finding a drift. Fished the deep parts of the channels, pick, pick, pick. When things got right, fishing got good...lots of action again, shorts keepers and a few very nice fish...Power drifting is a pain in the butt, but we do what we gotta do!! Lot's of fish around this year, several area's to fish which helps us out when conditions are bad...Bluefishing has been excellant in the afternoon! Too bad the Weatherman is keeping the customers home. Summers around here there is always a chance for a thunderstorm, whats the big deal, they come and go in 20 minutes and it's back to normal weather. If you enjoy bluefishing, now is the time.....Capt. Ron
07/09/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
The morning started out a little slow, had wind against the tide. Tried fishing in the Channel, current was too strong so we fished the shallows for a while. Picked some fish, nothing great. The outgoing was the ticket today, started to drift right and the fish got hungry...ended up OK at the end of the day. No monsters, but a 4 pound pool fish....no limits either.....Capt. Ron
07/08/05
Captain Ron Santee reports:
Yes, I was out today!! Seems every time I have a Charter it blows a Gail!! Had the Pikitini fishing club with Ed Colantoni out with us today. Very limited to were we could fish, tried the Reach first thing, figured with the Incoming tide and East wind, that would be the place..perfect drift up the Channel...Fat chance! We rolled our crueller off!! Got the hell outta there f