WE HAVE A WINNAH, Free Blackfish thread

[CaptDom]

Way to get the ball rolling! Should make it easier for others now that the first lamb was sacrificed

[Possum]

Originally Posted by CaptDom

Maybe we could get this thread visible to any new visitors to the site somehow?

It's at the top of the homepage now, as an Announcement (now that I have fixed the Thread link...).

[ChuckA]

Can I reregister under a new name and be part of the contest?

I'll probably get one of these

[Philly Doug]

Chuck, your new user name can be "Golum". Here is your new avatar

[Bite Radius]

Hi: I'm new here. Sounds like a good prize you're offering. I'm not going to win it, 'cause I sure ain't driving up to RI from VA to go fishing.

I finally bought my first boat ever (if you don't count the 22' sailboat) late this year, a SeaPro 238WA. I've broken that bad boy in by striper fishing all in the lower Chesapeake and rivers. This coming year I'm going to venture out further for some tuna, wahoo and whatever else. There's a few spots here in Virginia that are about half way out to the Norfolk Canyon (Cigar, Fingers, HotDog) where there are yellowfin.

What's my big fishing experience? I've caught a few 20 lb kings as a kid, caught some big-ass king salmon in Alaska, and have been spearfishing off of some shipwrecks about few dozen times (I LOVE spadefish). In the past few years I've been going out on charters from Hatteras and Oregon Inlet. I've done this about a dozen times and we have ALWAYS been lucky. All kinds of tuna, some wahoo, mahi mahi, etc.

My first time deepsea fishing was off Hatteras. I was with a group of 5 guys. Two of them (and later a third) got sick and rolled around in the cabin puking, while the rest of us fished. We caught EIGHTEEN giant bluefin in one morning. At one point, me and the one other non-seasick guy were so tired of reeling we put the mate in the chair and let him catch one or two. They even let me gaff a few yellowfin. It was great. We came back by something like 2pm with one giant bluefin, one blackfin, and more than a dozen yellowfin.

This year, I plan to go out in my own boat with my brother and dad (they fish alot, but never for tuna) and catch at least one or two. I am here on your website mainly for tips/pointers on how to suceed at this. I'm planning my trips in my own mind down to the smallest details, so my bro and dad don't have to think about anything but fishing. Technically, I've got most things figured out. My biggest concern now is WHEN and exactly WHERE to go to catch the fish. I guess there is no definite answer for these questions. I'm wondering if some of the fishing forecasting websites (like Roffer's) are worth subscribing to.

My boat is nearly fully equipped (I still need outriggers) and I'm pumped up. Any advice for a newbie tunafisherman would be greatly appreciated, especially some "crystal ball" advice on when and exactly where to go (eg, coordinates at the Cigar, hot dog, and Fingers locations).

[scurtis]

Capt Dom,

Great idea. My name is Stephen Curtis and I live in Plymouth, MA. I fish mostly out of Plymouth for Striper, Fluke, Blues, really whatever is biting but make it down to the canal, and cape beaches occassionally. I have a 16' Starcraft Camp (w/ a 25 hp Mercury that I've posted a request for help with repairing but got NO responses). Great little boat for bay fishing. Anyway, I have posted a few times (I think less than 10) but with little response. I know alot of you obviously either fish together or know one another from this site and talk frequently but if you want more participation from us "lurkers" it would be nice to get some responses on our posts too. This past summer I posted a request for info on bait casting reels and got alot of help and went with a Abu from MIke @ M&D's (Great Reel Mike) I started out fresh water as a kid then moved to salt about 12 years ago as you all know the salt is just more exciting. I still trout fish all around in the winter. I have never been blackfishing but would love to give it a try. I hear they're tasty critters! My biggest fish is a 40lb tarpon caught from No Name Key Bridge in the "Keys" about 10 years ago. I have also caught a 32lb striper from my sweet spot (see pic below) last season. Thats my biggest striper. No tuna, no sharks!!! I am basically a chunk fisherman and love the anticipation of a screaming reel. Cant wait for the migration to start. Only 3 more months to go. My earliest keeper was just a 30" on April 4, 2003. The seem to come in early where I fish during the run. Well, check out my fish below. Thanks Capt Dom and I really hope to meet you for a trip out.

Steve Curtis

[CaptDom]

Nice to meet a semi lurker, and learn a bit about you. Your 40#Tarpon from a bridge...had to be a brawl!

[cowcatcher1]

Hi Capt Rom,
I am one of the lurkers you refered to in your contest. My name is Mark and I live in Wakefield RI. I first found this site while doing research for my website, www.southcountyfishing.com I started this site in August 07 as a way to show people what our local waters have to offer. I have found this site great place to find information about all types of fishing. I am a Striper Nut. I love to fish and I love to share what I know with others. I Fish off my 18ft 1969 restored Gardy White, I bought it three years and replaced the floor, transum and engine. It is still a great work in progress, but in the mean time I can still fish her for all shes worth. I am not at my home computer, so I can't upload any pictures at this time, But I will get back to you with those. I start my season in Potters Pond ( just aronud that coner from Snug Harbor Marina) getting into the pond is not for everyone because of the low bridge you must go under. The good thing about this spot is there is only one way for the fish to come in and out. The schoolies are great in there. I fish them with a 6 inch pink slug (very slow and stright) the fish can't stand it. In the past years I have fished this pond from boats, canoes, Kayaks and jets skies. If you have nevered fish this spot you don't know what you are missing. The pond is hard to navigate if you have never been there so go slow. there are a lot of spots for some great fly fishing as well with lots of flats anywhere form 1 to 3 feet in depth. The good thing is that almost every rock you could find is marked or above the surface. After the weater really breaks and the fishing heats up in deeper water I head out to the Block. In the past I would hit the South East corner in around the Strairs casting into the surf, then moving out on some rock piles in around 70ft. Last year I caught most of my fish on the north rip. I have a couple of goto spot that never let me down. I have to do most of my fishing at night (two young kids) I don't like miss that time with, so until I can get them on the boat I will stay out late. I have taken up fluke fishing as well, I only have a couple years of that under my belt (once again the reason I love this site, great info) I did get off shore this year for Blue fin and Albies, Lots of fun, can be a little pricey though. My biggest fish is a Bass 39#, I have yet to break 40# but I keep trying. I hope you found this not too long winded but it's nice of you to get us talking. So in the future you see I'm online Lurking drop a note and say hi. I will ask questions from time to time. If you would like me to but you charter business on my site, I have a page for local charter captains. Let me know, and drop me a not on my site. Thanks again for being interested in your fellow anglers.
cowcather1 (Mark)

[CaptDom]

Hi Mark,

Great post, and nice to see a fellow RI fish nut on NBS. This state is one of the best all around fisheries in my opinion, both inshore and offshore. I admittedly do not do much striper fishing anymore, except in the spring and late fall. I too do a few North Rip excursions, typically in June when that fog tests my navigating skills....The waters off Newport hold some amazing fluke, especially in the deep areas off jamestown and Sakkonnet. I will check out your site, and definitely would love a listing to help promote my boat, and my love of fishing. I will PM you once I have some time to see the site.

Looking forward to a few pictures added once you have a moment.

[markp860]

Nice offer guys!!!

Good luck to the new member!!