Humbling Nantucket Shoals experience

[Ry609]

Went in guns blazing, brought the kitchen sink thinking I'd be bringing home my PB and mounting it in my basement. WRONG! Ripping tides required 20 oz to hold bottom had my rod and reel screaming at me all day, and no matter what I dropped down I struggled. Had 2 keeps the entire day and dropped another BIG fish halfway up. All the mates said it was an off day for the boat, and for a first timer up there learning the ropes, that didn't help me any. Buddy of mine nearly limited out on fish to 7 lbs on a rental rod with simple fish finder rig, single hook at the end with bucktail skirt and 4-inch gulp mullets. Lesson learned, sometimes simple is best.

Although I didn't catch them, I saw some of the biggest fluke and sea bass I've ever seen so that gave me enough proof that it's worth another trip up to brave the seas (and I-95 traffic) and give it another go!

[MVP]

Been fishing up there for 20 years and the Nantucket thing for the past 5
Truly a special fishery. When it comes to fluking anywhere it is all about conditions and being prepared. Have had days were I am fishing a 2 oz bucktail and then a 20 oz sinker in the same day. Having the right setups to fish the different conditions is key. Having all your rigs pre tied and ready to go also is key. You may have a good bite all day or maybe just for 1 hour. If you are not in the water fishing during this time you may miss that shot of that one fish or fishes that will make your trip. Be happy to answer any of your questions if you want some advise.

Alex
201-741-1823

[Richieclip]

Good post . Many should know you don’t just go up there and get a 10+...was up there a few weeks ago and broke off a couple big fish before I switched to heavier leader . It was def a learning curve but I will be prepared when I go back in August

[Ry609]

Good post . Many should know you don’t just go up there and get a 10+...was up there a few weeks ago and broke off a couple big fish before I switched to heavier leader . It was def a learning curve but I will be prepared when I go back in August

For sure, definitely went there foolishly thinking just that. I will be better prepared the next time! As soon as I switched to the 6 oz bucktail when the tide slowed down, that's when I got the keepers and dropped the big one which made sense since that's how I'm used to fluking. Next year I'm going up with some different gear more ready to handle that kind of lead. Good luck to you on your trip back up too!

[Richieclip]

Thanks Ry, hopefully get to share some good pics . Humbling was the perfect way to describe it . I was prepared with rods for all situations including bouncing 30oz of lead by the end of the day. Just wasn’t planning on using 50lb flouro. Nor was I expecting them to be inhaling enormous baits right up to the dropper loop. In the morning when the current was weakest I started with 6 & 8oz jigs and was absolutely crushing the fish and had 3k before anyone else using bait had a fish . It was short lived though. Went from 16oz sinkers to 3o by the days end . It took a while to get used to fishing with that and next thing you know the current just became too much . Had too many keepers to count keeping 5 fish between 5-7lbs