It might be time to pull the boat

[Danny]

Well another slow night on the Mac, still had fun though and enjoyed the company. We'll get 'em next year Coalman. But it got me thinking about pulling the boat. The kids are back in school, my 4 1/2 year old son started soccer, my rugby season started (3 games this fall for the over 35 team), I'd like to get out chasing the tuna once or twice and It's time to start prepping for the Oct. 11th NY northern zone muzzle loader season and getting the beagle out of the kennel to start getting her in shape for chasing hare.

Oh-well, it's been a great summer.

a few memories from my boat this summer
My personal best ever, 41 pounds


Nephews 38 pounder


other nephews 22 pounder


my son and nephews pulling traps


Nathan's first keeper





Casey's first keeper




Tessa didn't get a keeper this year, and she needed a little help with the schoolies. Maybe next summer.

[Danny]

I ran out of room, here are a few more.

My brother, he lives in NY, I don't see him much.


My little sister and her friend


My mother and brother


Plenty of good friends, here is Coalman with a 32 pounder



And a good year for the bugs. I ended up with 24 keepers fishing 6 traps.

[Merrillizer™]

Always hate to see these Titles for posts! It means the end of the season is near and Ol Man Winter will soon be kicking our ass. But it looks like you had a great 08. Much better than mine! lol. I been so distracted, but with excellent threads and pics like this I can live vicariously through you guys Top Shelf Thread!!!

[Riverjim]

Great 08. That picture of your nephew cradeling that cow in his arms will go down as an alltime favorite..His smile reminds me of the pic of last years 53#

Nice shots all around.

[oddfish]

Looks like a great season and awsome pict. Two hands of thumbs up!, But I strongly suggest not quitting yet. Last year the footballs were in until mid Oct. and in close.

I'm Going out kicking and screaming in a snow storm, Of course I like cod too, so the shich over is not so painfull.

Oddfish

[crockadial]

Is that a 16ft. Starcraft Camp boat! I've got the exact same boat! It took a while to find it,they have ton of room.I was wondering how well does it handle with the 40 tiller on it,I imagine it fly's! I have a 25 tiller on mine and it goes pretty good.Was considering getting a 40 but wasn't sure if it was worth it. How far out have you been. I wouldn't mind taking mine out to the Isle of shoals for some bottom fishing but I'm kinda nervous about it!

Happy fishing!

John {aka crockadial}

[oddfish]

Originally Posted by crockadial

Is that a 16ft. Starcraft Camp boat! I've got the exact same boat! It took a while to find it,they have ton of room.I was wondering how well does it handle with the 40 tiller on it,I imagine it fly's! I have a 25 tiller on mine and it goes pretty good.Was considering getting a 40 but wasn't sure if it was worth it. How far out have you been. I wouldn't mind taking mine out to the Isle of shoals for some bottom fishing but I'm kinda nervous about it!

Happy fishing!

John {aka crockadial}

Pic your days carefully a ten mile ride in 3' chop can be very daunting in a 16' boat. There is good bottom fishing in much closer than that. Straight out of hampton there are many a good spots, from in nearshore to 6 miles out. If you go out of portsmouth there is a similar set up it's called the fingers. Starts about a mile out to about 4 miles. If you want more detail send me a PM and I'll point you in the right direction.

Oddfish---------------

[Danny]

Thanks guys for the nice comments about the pics.

John, it is a 16 camp. This was my second summer with it and I love that boat. Tons of room, sturdy, great for the kids. I like the tiller drive too. Saves space and works well for quick adjustments when surfing in some of the swells in the mouth of the mac.

In the bgeinning of the summer I was getting 30-33 mph on the gps. I've dinged the prop a few times and got a little muck growing on the bottom and I'm gettin 27-30 mph on the gps as top end now.

My boat before this one was a starcraft 14 fter with a 25 and that moved pretty good, but I'm not sure I'd feel real comfortable in the 16 with a 25 hp in the current and swells we get in the mac.

Last fall I took it to chase tuna a couple times. I was real choosy about my days. Once I headed out of the mac and went down around Halibut point and out to about 4 miles off thatchers. On another trip I trailered it down to Marshfield and headed out 20 miles to the NWC, then 20 miles south west to fishermans ledge in CC bay and then 20 miles back to the ramp It was a long day and the water was FAC. I burned a total of 7 gallons of gas. We saw tuna on both trips, but didn't hook up.

The problem with going out that far is it doesn't take much to kick up enough chop to make it an uncomfortable ride. With such a light bow I find it doesn't do great going into the wind.

[chunkin]

Awesome post! Great fish. Looks like you had one hell of a year.. Personal best, getting out there with the kids, and having your brother get on em'!

[Danny]

Finally got around to pulling the boat yesterday. I took out at the water street ramp. In the short run across the flats to the ramp I saw no less than 7 seals.

After closing up the house for the winter I stopped by Surfland on the way off the island and dropped of the half dozen eels that where still alive in my airated bucket and Kay tells me about a couple of "real nice sized fish" that where taken a couple nights before. I guess there are still some big ones around, but not for me. Oh-well, time to start thinking about hunting!