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| "Viewer Tarsha caught a 10.5 inch Porgy" |
What a weekend! Some New Yorkers had a relaxing peaceful day cruising and fishing on The Angler Fleet boat departed from the Port Washington port in the western Long Island sound waters.
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| Passengers were provided fishing equipment, bait, and crew expertise on "how to basics of fishing" |
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| Bait station |
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| Clams as bait |
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| My bait is on the hook |
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| What a nice sight |
The atmosphere was so peaceful when we sailed off. There were about 28 passengers and 3-4 crew members on board the boat. The weather was nice - sunny and not breezy. All we had was the relaxing sound of the water waves. I can see why some people enjoy fishing and riding on a boat. It's a great escape of serenity. I had the privilege of being invited to attend this fishing tour with viewer Tarsha and her family.
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| Viewer Tarsha |
There was no music played on the boat. All you heard was the chatter of conversations of other passengers, birds, and waves. Everyone was given a minor crash course of how to reel your rod and the crew helped you put your clam baits on the hook.
So, who caught the first fish?
It took a while before anyone caught a fish on his/her rod. I told Tarsha my rod felt a bit heavy. I did not realize that weight sensation was a fish on my hook. A little too late in reeling my rod line in because by the time I checked my hook - the fish took off with my BAIT! I was invaded by the FISH SNATCHERS!
Moments later...
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| The young kid in the background caught the first Porgy Sea Bream |
What is a Porgy?
A Porgy is a shallow water fish from the Sparidae family found throughout temperature waters especially Atlantic Ocean. Porgy is a popular recreational fish in the United States.
The Porgy is a keeper because it made the fish regulations of 10 inches or more. If the porgy was less than 10 inches it had to be put back in the water. The crew members had to check every fish that was caught to measure the size and type of sea creature.
Why?
Law regulations.
When catching certain types of fish you must know the Marine Recreational Fisheries Regulations click to get in the know http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7894.html
After the crew members' inspections, your fish is put in this for the time being...
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| Porgy placed in bucket of water |
After the Porgy was caught, then we started seeing his cousins popping up on other passengers' hooks...
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| Someone caught a Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) |
Then another hook...
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| Viewer Tarsha's hook caught Oyster Toadfish Opsanus tau |
What is an Oyster Toadfish?
An oyster toadfish is native to the western Atlantic in shallow waters. Also known as, ugly toad, bar dog, and oyster cracker. Oyster toadfish has a weird shape, scaleless skin covered with thick mucous, large head, and large mouth. It likes to hang around sandy, rocky, and muddy bottoms on oyster reefs.
According to one of the crew members...
An oyster toadfish bite is painful. The going rate in markets are $14.99 lb.
Unfortunately, all oyster toadfish had to be put back in the ocean. The oyster toadfish are regulated.
Oyster toadfish are not keepers.
As the excitement of catching something died down, so did the fish location spot went stale. There were no yells of "I think I got something!" So, the boat sailed off to another location...
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| Sailed off to a 2nd location |
One of the crew members' had to bring out his artillery, "THE CHOMP"
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| Big bait in a cage - Clam bellies etc. |
He placed "The Chomp" on my side of fishing rod station and lowered it into the ocean. He jiggled and shook "The Chomp." This is known as THE ALARM FOR CHOW TIME.
No one on the side of The Chomp caught any fish. The fishes probably knew it was a trap.
Moments later...
Someone behind me yelled "I GOT SOMETHING!"
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| A Sea Robin fish appeared Gurnard |
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| Look at that mouth! |
What is a Sea Robin fish?
A Sea Robin fish is a bottom dwelling fish from the family Triglidae found in warm temperature waters. Sea Robin fish are scaly, bony heads, and two dorsal fins.
The Sea Robin fish had to be put back in the ocean.
Unfortunately it is not a keeper. Law regulations.
Then the location went stale. We sailed off to another location and anchored the boat...
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| Look closely you can see the Light House 3rd location |
One of the crew members put The Chomp back in the water on our side again. "Chow Time."
I still didn't get any hits yet. A man and his friend whose fishing station was next to mine had caught three porgies but two of them had to be put back into the ocean due to measurements were under 10. Finally, the third porgy was a little over 10.
Viewer Tarsha decided to switch fishing stations with me so she can be close to The Chomp.
Sure enough she got a hit. A porgy got on her hook.
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| Viewer Tarsha finally got a keeper! |
A woman passenger on the other end of the boat caught the most porgies - five!
Crew members provided their services to scale, fillet, and clean your fish for you - anyway you would like. The crew were polite and extremely helpful. Excellent service was provided and they had patience.
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| Ready to be cooked for dinner |
So, Tarsha how will you prepare your fresh porgy?
"I'm going to fry it."
Going on this fishing tour changed my perception of fishing. I always thought fishing was so boring and not interesting. Now I can truly say fishing is a great experience in which everyone should at least try out this recreational activity. I enjoyed myself. Fishing puts your mind in tune with nature.
Thumbs Up for a stress reliever!
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