CAPT DAVE’s Newsletter: Week of July 23rd

Hello from the crew of the CAPT. DAVE,

We now have a new member of the CAPT DAVE fishing team - Glen Adkins, a retired ball player and a real asset to the team, he loves to fish and is always ready with a joke or a story or two. With fluke fishing still on the slow side we had to think outside the box to produce good catches for our guests. Any groups that want to catch large blues, now is the time to book as we do not know how long this body of big choppers will stay. This week the results were surprising with sea bass to 4-pounds, some large fluke, an 80-pound-class black drum, and some red hot blue fishing - so read on.

July 23rd: It was a stormy and rainy day for the William Lenzetti charter. High winds and heavy rains prevented this party form fishing outside the Sandy Hook Bay. Sorry to say as hard as they tried, the fish gods would not give this group a break. The bright side was that this charter said it sure was better than a day at the office! A hearty group and all good fisherman, we hope the weatherman will give them a break on their next trip.

July 25th: The D&J construction party from NY came out for the day. A stop in the bay did not produce fish, so the Capt Dave moved to the outside and tried the Sandy Hook channel. The fluke fishing was still slow compounded by a poor drift. After a 5 hour drive to get to the CAPT DAVE, this group wanted some fish to take home, so we took a 45-minute ride further offshore to a patch of rough bottom, and the sea bass were hungry. This party ended up with a solid catch of large sea bass up to 4-pounds, and as they were all gentlemen, they’re welcome back any time.

July 25th PM: The Herbert J Sims party from Iselin took a turn to try for some fluke. This charter did it up right with subs from Slater’s deli, and they were ready for a good time on the CAPT DAVE. A ride to the Chapel Hill channel produced a pick of fluke, then a move to the TC buoy produced another pick of fish. The pool winner of this charter was Matt O’Grady from Robbinsville with a 2.5lb fluke. Nice going Matt! We’re looking forward to our next outing with your group.

July 26th: The Irvington Fire Dept., headed by Andy Zwiako, came aboard the CAPT DAVE. Heavy fog was in store for this trip as we headed offshore. We made a stop at the Sandy Hook channel until the fog lifted, and they were able to pull some nice fluke fishing the sides of the channel. When the fog lifted, the CAPT DAVE went further offshore to a patch of rough bottom, and this group topped-off their day of fishing with some nice sized sea bass. The pool winner of this charter was Scott McDonald from Oxford with a 3.5-pound fluke. Nice fish Scott! You have bragging rites in the fire house ‘till next outing, and you’re welcome back any time.

July 27th: The One Source Co.’s Tony Watermen met me on the dock a few days before and was impressed, so he decided to give the CAPT DAVE’s crew a try. Tony and George really know how to treat their people with food from Slater’s and goodies from Dunkin’ Donuts. Even though the fluking was slow, we made several stops around the NY Bight area, and this group was able to pick some nice fish. The pool winner of this outing was Tony Waterman with a 3.5-pound fish. Tony, thank you for the opportunity to fish with your party and we hope you will return!

July 27th PM: The Tim Sullivan party was aboard, and with fluking on the slow side, we decided to try our luck bluefishing with this gang. A one hour ride to the fishing grounds was well worth it. This group hammered the fish, and as soon as the first line hit the water, there was a fish on. The crew had a hard time keeping lines in the water because of the red-hot fishing, and within an hour or so they were practicing catch and release. There was no clear pool winner on this charter because so many fish were boated, but nevertheless, every one was a winner. Nice job gang – you’re all good fishermen.

July 28th: The Fairlawn A/C Club, repeat customers on the CAPT DAVE, are strictly fluke fishermen. This gang fished the Sandy Hook channel, the dredge holes, drifted the beach and the rip, and finished the day at the TC buoy. They managed a pick of fluke to the 3-pound range. T.J. Juchrewich from Pompton Lake took largest fish honors, and Don DeCara went home with high-hook honors. A group of serious fluke fishermen, we always have a good time a with this gang, and they are a pleasure to fish with.

July 28th PM: The Roger’s trip, was booked by Linda Peltz and Barbara Rodgers, Bergen County, to celebrate a family birthday. Capt Kevin Shalcross took this party to drift the beach with some surprising results. Not only did they pick some nice fluke, they hooked and boated a black drum in the 80-pound range. Jim Phillips was the skillful angler of this fish. Nice going Jim - a once in a life time catch. Congratulations! The winner of the fluke pool was Eddie A. Rogers with a 20-inch flattie. A nice family, we hope to see you again.

July 29th: A group of longshoremen, headed by Scott Ryan, come once a year to fish on the CAPT DAVE, and with fluke fishing on the slow side, they wanted some action. A return to the bluefish area that was productive a few days before rewarded these guys with non-stop fishing. Again, there were so many fish that the crew of the CAPT DAVE had a hard time keeping up with these anglers. Nice job, you guys really showed those blues who’s the boss! With a thunderstorm quickly approaching, and the box full of blues in the 10-pound range, they were able to cut the day a bit short and return to the dock early with a great catch. Nice going guys, you did a good job beating up on those big fish!

Thanks again for your generous gratuities, we’re always happy to be out on the water with you, and we’re looking forward to seeing you all this season!

Best wishes,
Brett Chamberlain
First Mate and Fishing Guide
CAPT DAVE
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
(862) 485-1358

Be sure to stop-by our website at http://www.CAPTDAVE.net