This past weekend I fished Cuttyhunk with other members of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association.  I have been a proud member of this great club for many years. This was the first time I fished Cuttyhunk with them.  We stayed at Pete’s Place Rentals, which has great private accommodations. Overall, this was an amazing trip!

The island was surrounded by bait. Several of the CSA members spotted hickory shad, sand eels, and some squid. I fished several of my custom-tied teasers on my smart teaser system. The teaser that drew in the most fish was my sand eel fly teaser.

I went “random” for my roommate, who turned out to never have fished Cuttyhunk before. On my first trip to Cuttyhunk, no one helped me. I stumbled along the rocky shoreline and learned how to fish Cuttyhunk by myself. I was happy to “guide” a fellow surfcaster on Cuttyhunk. He not only landed his first fish on his first trip to the toughest place to fish on Cuttyhunk, the South West Point, he also caught more fish than me!

The CSA has been running trips to Cuttyhunk in the spring and fall for many moons. If you are not a member of the CSA, I would recommend joining. If you would like to fish in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Cuttyhunk, then join the CSA and go on one of their club-organized trips. This was my first CSA Cuttyhunk trip, but it will not be my last!

This morning I had the opportunity to go fishing with my custom Gloucester Light Dory. I arrived at the launch ramp at 5:05 AM. No one was there. When I tried to unload my boat, I noticed that the axle of the boat dolly that I built was bent into a peculiar position. My boat dolly must have shifted when my utility trailer went over a massive hole in the dirt road leading to the boat ramp. So I did what every Azorean-American operating on one cup of coffee before sunrise would do: I pulled and pushed with all my weight until the wheel would rotate semi-radially and went fishing!

Having limited time, I targeted productive spots with proven frogs. After 90 minutes of fishing, I had several blow ups, but no hook ups. I decided to change my point of view. I pulled and rested my oars on the transom seat. I stood up and used a SUP paddle to reach my next stop. I put down the SUP paddle and made a long cast towards the bank at an angle only possible from a standing position. Without warning, wham! A nice chunky bass with shoulders inhaled my frog.

Having found a pattern, I paddled to my next spot. I fan casted the entire area. Without warning, wham! A chain pickerel full of vinegar devoured my frog with a vengeance! This fish pulled and fought like three bass!! I almost lost the fish at the boat while trying to negotiate a safe landing. Thankfully I had my Frabill Bear Claw Net deployed, which caught the fish at mid-dive.

My third catch was an unexpected by-catch. Thankfully I did not see the polluter! I am donating this by-catch to a non-profit organization in my town that recycles cans to raise cash for music instruments in schools.

After years of casting from a sitting position on my kayak, casting while standing up on my custom Gloucester Light Dory not only gave me a completely different point of view, but also doubled my casting spectrum from 180 degrees to 360 degrees, without having to reposition the boat. Fish beware!!!

I started planning this year’s trip to Cuttyhunk last October. The members of my crew backed out one by one because of life commitments. I formed a second crew, which also fell apart. I joined a crew who were fishing Cuttyhunk during the first week of June. Without warning, life happened and I could not physically get on and off the island between my new commitments. On my fourth attempt, I finally got onto Cuttyhunk the last week of June, thanks to John Paul from the Cuttyhunk Water Taxi and Lexi Lynch at Pete’s Place Rentals.

On my first night, I trekked for 40 minutes to “Death Rock” in my one piece wetsuit. I fished from pre to post sunset. Hight tide was right at sunset. The conditions were prime: white water, wind induced current, birds diving into the water and surfacing with bait in their beaks. Wicked fishy conditions! I looked to my right, not a soul in sight. I looked to my left, not a soul in sight. I looked into the horizon, no boat to be seen. I fan casted the entire area and fished the whole water column. No fish.

The next morning, I fished from pre to post sunrise from the “Three Amigos” rocks. I looked to my right, not a soul in sight. I looked to my left, not a soul in sight. I looked into the horizon, no boat to be seen. I fan casted the entire area and fished the whole water column. No fish.

On the second night, I fished “Liberty” rock from pre to post sunset while the rain fell with a force that dented my wetsuit. I looked to my right, not a soul in sight. I looked to my left…OMG..there was a human fishing! I looked into the horizon, no boat to be seen. I had a 120 degree arc of clear and moderately deep water that felt fishy. I fan casted the entire area and fished the whole water column. The lonely angler stopped behind me on his retreat and called out from shore in a foreign accent: “Any fish mate”? I replied: “No fish mate” and made another series of casts. I was committed to my my rock. After getting several hits on six of my plugs, but no fish, I called it a night and headed back to Pete’s Place Rentals for a much needed hot shower and sleep. Walking up “Heart Attack” hill convinced me to get an eBike!

The next morning, I got to “Heartbreak” rock by 4:04 AM. I found a stretch of clean water from 10 O’clock to 2 O’clock. I looked to my right, not a soul in sight. I looked to my left, not a soul in sight. I looked into the horizon, no boat to be seen; but I saw a 20 lb class fish jump completely out of the water! This Olympic jump was followed by a surfacing large black head, a seal! I fan casted the entire area with top water plugs. No fish. I decided to shift to sub-surface plugs and clipped on my Linsider69 yellow darter. I casted to my far left with the intention of hitting Martha’s Vineyard. Without warning, my rod bent over with force. Fish on!!

After several drag-pulling runs, I got the fish to the edge of my rock. With the adrenaline racing through my veins at speeding-ticket speeds, I reached down and grabbed the fish by it’s bottom lip with my left hand like a vice grip while my right arm held my rod up to keep tension on the line and not lose the fish. After the wave broke over me, I stood up and pulled the fish out of the water. I quickly secured the fish with my Fish Grip, which was clipped to my Ultimate Surf Belt and butt slid off the rock. I made my way back to shore while keeping the fish in the water. I took a quick length measurement and collected some scale samples for the SADCT program using my tweezers and stored them in a snack size ZipLock bag. While holding the fish by it’s tale, I pulled it back and forth in the water. When she was ready to go, she kicked her tail and I let me go to grow.

If you believe that darters only work in inlets at night, and you promise never to fish them in the surf or during the day, I will share with you the location of Heartbreak Rock. 🙂

After testing several prototypes, I finalized my DIY Frog Trailer Hook this past May.  This month, I had the opportunity to field test my DIY Frog Trailer Hook in some froggy water.

I fan casted a large area in search of fish. I eventually hooked into a fish that put a serious bend in my rod. When it started towing my kayak, I imagined it to be a gator-sized pickerel. The fish swam into a wad of suspending weed. As I reeled, my kayak moved towards the fish. I used my Frabill Bear Claw Kayak Fishing Net as an extension of my left arm while I lifted the rod with my right arm to keep constant pressure on the fish. I pulled the fish and 3+ pounds of weed up into my kayak.

To my complete surprise, the fish was a largemouth bass! If the frog was not dressed with my DIY Frog Trailer Hook, then I would have lost the fish when it torpedoed itself into the wad of weed. If I did not have my Frabill Bear Claw Kayak Fishing Net, then I would have broken my rod trying to land the fish. Neither of these hypothetical results are good. Proper technique and proper gear are both required to land trophy fish consistently and safely.

Today I had the opportunity to fish the Annual Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Program Carp Trip. The fishing during the first two hours was slow, but the knowledge sharing and fishing stories from the Senior members to the Junior members were absorbed faster than a sponge can suck water. I mentioned to a mom (who’s young daughter hooked, but unfortunately lost the first fish of the day) that the next 30 to 45 minutes is the optimal tide window because the carp will be moving from the main river back into the smaller river. Fifteen minutes later, someone yelled: “ALARM!”. All heads turned to my rod pod. I ran over at Olympic speed and picked up my St. Croix Mojo Surf rod with my Zeebaas reel and shouted without restraint: “Fish on!” (crank….crank…crank) “OMG….it’s a HEAVY!!” (crank…crank..crank) “We got COLOR!!!” (crank…crank…crank) “Get the NET….NO…the BIG NET!!!!” The people walking their dogs must have thought that there was a five alarm fire on a river boat. Clay Patles, the Director of the Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Program, climbed down the rocky bank and netted my personal best carp. Thirty six minutes later, my hands were still shaking from the adrenalin rush.

With each trip, I refine my carp calculus. On this trip, I modified my sinker/bait feeder chum recipe: I used a mixture of course and fine Goya corn meal. Clearly, my “carp candy” recipe worked. However, I am still adjusting the proportions of water, oats, corn meal mixture, and ingredient “x”.

The Annual Plum Island Surfcasters Juniors Carp Fishing Trip is specifically designed to help new anglers learn how to land a drag-pulling fish on a rod and reel; an angling skill best learned at the water’s edge. This trip, like the program’s other trips, also provides an opportunity for members to unplug, socialize, and share stories about life and fishing while they wait for the carp to bite. I am not sure who has more fun, the Junior members or the Senior members!

I have been a Plum Island Surfcaster since 2005. Each year I renew my membership because I enjoy fishing with senior members who make me a better angler; because I like sharing my knowledge with other members; and because I feel part of a community where the only thing that really matters is your word and if you can (or want to learn how to) fish. If you have a daughter or son who would like to learn how to fish, then join the Plum Island Surfcasters.

Kastmasters are one of my favorite metals to fish because of their versatility and ability to catch multiple species.  I have been fishing them in open water for freshwater and saltwater species for years, with great success.  Recently, I have started jigging them through the ice.  As they penetrate the water column, they reflect visible light and thereby provide bursts of flash.  Having flash down low can make all the difference between catching and getting skunked.

During one trip, I was jigging a 1/4 oz Kastmaster in hole that was centered between two holes with tip-ups.  I have caught multiple species through the ice by jigging Kastmasters; but this was the first time that jigging a Kastmater through the ice out-fished live bait!

I keep my ice fishing rigs simple.  First, I replace the treble hook with a single hook.  Second, I I secure a segment of fluorocarbon line to my ice braid via Crazy Alberto Knot.  Third, I secure my 1/4 oz Kastmater [https://amzn.to/3g1V0s9] to my flurocarbon leader via double surgeons loop knot.

Kastmasters are intended to be casted and retrieved. But! Fish do not follow the rules.  Jig Kastmasters through the ice!

I fish Cuttyhunk island each year because the diverse fishing spots on this small island is unmatched. I missed 2020 because of the COVI19 global pandemic. Getting the Pfiser vaccine has given me the protection and freedom to fish with friends. This past weekend I had the opportunity to fish Cuttyhunk with the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association (MSBA). Being back on Cuttyhunk felt amazing!

On the first night, I found a new spot. While perched on my new rock, I made a bomb of a cast between chest-breaking waves. At nearly the end of my retrieve…BANG! Fish on!! At first, I literally could not move the fish. Eventually I managed to surface the fish….OMG….it was HUGE! The fish then started swimming against the lateral current and pulling line like there was no 40 lbs of drag on my ZeeBaas reel. As soon as the fish passed over a submerged rock with seaweed tentacles, my line went slack. A fellow MSBA member saw the fish!! I am still grieving over the loss of this mont’ah strip’ah that I lost on a Linesider69 dart’ah. I may need therapy.

With the adrenaline flowing through me at high speed, I continued casting every plug in my bag. Nothing! I then reached down and pulled out a High Hook B2 from my DIY Side Aram. On my fish cast, fish on! I reeled in this fish as fast as I dared while angling my rod to avoid that fish-releasing rock with seaweed tentacles. Hoisting the fish using my 80# Ande leader up onto my new rock, required Cirque du Soleil balance.

The MSBA have been coordinating and hosting fishing events since 1950. Their work is exemplary. For this trip, they rented the entire Cuttyhunk Fishing Club. We ate like kings and queens. We fished like we had no food in the fridge. We shared fishing and life stories while drinking Portuguese grape juice after our trips under the blanket of night.

The conversations were delicious! The fishing was fantastic!! The catching was challenging!!! I would not have it any other way!!!! I am stocking up on Linesider69 dart’ahs High Hook B2s in preparation for my Cuttyhunk 2022 trip. Striped bass at “Heartbreak Rock” beware!

I like to explore new water.  When exploring new bassy water, I tend to seek water accessible only via kayak or tiny boats because these waters tend to have less fishing pressure.  I recently explored an area that I have never fished before.

I paddled into the area and fished every stump, laydown, cut, and point.  I fan casted the entire open water.  No bites!  No bumps!!  No evidence of life!!!  After one hour, I paddled out into the main river and made my way towards an area that I have fished in years past with spinner baits and jigs.  I decided to explore this spot with a Senko.  Fish on!

I set out to discover new water and failed to find fish.  Instead, I re-discovered old water and found fish.  I am looking forward to re-discovering old spots with new presentations.

Today I had the opportunity to fish for American Shad on a specific stretch of the Merrimack River. On each shad trip, I adapt based on what I learned on my previous trip. On my last shad trip, I landed a monst’ah shad— which unhooked itself at my feet! I nearly lost the fish. On today’s trip, I tested a new method to safely capture, photograph, and release (C.P.R.) American shad.

I used my The Bear Claw fishing net to contain my catch. This method reduced oral and dermal damage to the fish. If you have a net and you are targeting American Shad from the river bank, bring it on your next trip.

Today I fished the Old Glory Outdoors Ice Fishing Tournament on Quaboag Pond.  This was the first time that I fished this body water.  This was also Old Glory Outdoors‘ first ice fishing tournament.

Social distancing on the ice was not an issue. Since the pond is relatively shallow with gradually sloping banks, the key to success was finding “deep” water.

I got my first flag within thirty minutes of setting up my Jack Traps tip-ups. Not a monst’ah fish. But! A fish is a fish. After unhooking and releasing this fish, the wind picked up and the bite died.

When I go ice fishing, I almost always see something new, unusual, or that defies explanation. This trip, was no no exception!

The relentless wind did not make me cold. My high-tech multi-layers kept me warm. The wind just made it uncomfortable to jig while monitoring my tip-ups via peripheral vision. When I fish Old Glory Outdoors‘ second annual ice fishing tournament next year, I will set up along a dropping contour with my new Eskimo QuickFish2 Pop-Up Portable Ice Fishing Shelter. Fish beware!