Tuesday, September 24th

Location: Sandy Hook
Tide: High 11:57am
Water Temp:  64.3 Degrees
Wind: NW 9 kts
Moon Phase: 76% waning

Pregame Show
Here we are, the final day of the 2013 Fluke Season, and what a season it has been! There have been some superb days, and there have been a few days that we would like to forget, but each day out on the water, whether it is good or bad, is a great one. (No, I am not trying to soften the blow just in case today is one of those bad days.) Today we set our sights on finishing off the season in style. There have been a few reports of a fish in different areas, making the whole map an option. With that being said, we also don’t want to pass anything up. Our first stop will be off Sandy Hook. We will give it a good look and see if anything bites.

Today also marks the last day to win the September Flukemaster Pool. Walter Petka, who also won last September’s pool, is in the lead with a 7 lb 8 oz fluke. There have been big fish caught, so anything can happen.

On a side note, tomorrow begins our fall schedule, bottom fishing for porgies on Wednesday’s, Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 7:30am to 4:00pm. I will still continue to do the live updates during the porgy and sea bass season, although I do not know what form they will be in. Obviously it will not be drift by drift. It may include pictures and a brief update now and then, or perhaps I’ll start incorporating videos as well. We will see how it goes.

September Flukemaster Classic Update
Walter Petka is in the lead with a 7 lb 8oz fluke. The pot is currently at $500.00.

Fall Schedule Update
There will be life after fluke this year! Beginning on Wednesday, September 25th we will be fishing for porgies. On the 27th sea bass opens, and you will be able to throw them into the mix as well. Our schedule starting on the 25th will be as followed:

Wednesday’s, Saturday’s & Sunday’s
7:30am – 4:00pm
Fare: $65

FINAL FLUKE REPORT OF THE SEASON

FLUKEWATCH “SEPTEMBER EDITION”

Here we are, the last day to win the big money, and be put on the pedestal with the likes of George Doll, Steve Kerry, George Cullen, Anthony Rullo and many more. The 2013 September Flukemaster Pool comes to an end today. Who will be the winner? Will it be the man who has held the lead since the 3rd of the month, Walter Petka? Or will a new name be penned in at the end of the day? These are questions that will be answered right here today! Let’s get in on the action that is about to unfold.

Opening Bell – 8:23am
We made our first drift through a large hole to our north. Read good bait life, but that was about all that was in it. Not one bite.

8:59am
Made our way to Sandy Hook and currently are fishing off the beach. . BOOM! Tom Tozzi just put a 6 lb 1 oz fish in the boat. NICE!!! What a way to start the day. First keeper. BEAUTY!

9:37am
It has been very slow thus far, but we did see a little shot of fish a moment ago. Three keepers all at once.

10:30am
We are losing the current and the fishing has slowed considerably. There are some grumbles going around about why we haven’t blasted off and changed locations just yet. Patients my friends. We have a tide change coming up.

10:41am
Steve Kerry, who is the only man to win a Flukemaster Pool on the final day, is currently jigging up in the bow. He is an angler to keep an eye on.

11:15am
NICE!! We just had a moment! 5 keepers all at once. We are on the tide change and a little bit of magic has happened. Let’s hope it continues.

11:46am
With more than half of the trip expired, Walter Petka is sitting pretty on top of the big board. Can a miracle happen? Possibly, but Walter is on cruise control with a comfortable lead.

11:59am
We just pulled up the lines and are running back to the shore line. We have been starting our drifts about a hundred yards off the beach, and when we drop them in, boom, two and three fish on each time. We will see if it continues!

12:31pm
Time is running out on the season, and opportunities to take the big money away from Walter Petka are passing by like the current.

12:42pm
George Doll refuses to be skunked on the final day of the season! A nice 19″ fish was just put in the net, and is now calling the kill bucket home.

12:51pm
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to witness the greatest happening in outdoor sports: The final hour of the September Flukemaster Tournament!

1:10pm
In 21 years of being on this boat I thought I’d seen it all. But it looks like Frank Zinzi has actually hooked on a whole sea robin.

1:17pm
BOOM BOOM POW!!! . . Do you believe in unlikelihoods? Wayne Smith just shocked the fishing world and took Walter Petka off the leaderboard in the Flukermaster Classic Pool with an 8 pound fluke! WOW!!!!!  I have seen many things happen on this boat, but never in all my years here have I witnessed something as improbable, as impossible, as what we’ve just witnessed! Man o Man!!!!

Postgame Show
What a day it was aboard the Captain John. We did not get to see the offshore locations that I mentioned yesterday because simply they did not produce. A couple of boats from the fleet made their way straight for the target area, and ended up coming back inshore because of the lack of fish. With the negative reports being received, we decided to pull up the reins and try our luck just outside of Sandy Hook. While the fishing was below average at best, we did catch more keepers than we have over the last few trips combined including a couple of beasts, which leads me to the top story of the day, and quite possibly the year, Wayne Smith and his dramatic Flukemaster Classic Pool winning 8 pound fluke. Wayne is a loyal, dedicated angler who works hard at trying to put fish in his cooler, and on this final day, Tuesday, September 24th, it all paid off. And I mean in a big way. Not only did Wayne beat his personal best in weight, but he also stole the monthly pool away from Walter Petka with only a couple of hours remaining in the trip. It was an amazing turn of events that is sure to be talked about for years to come, with his name being forever etched in the history books with some of the greatest fluke fisherman to ever drop their lines in our ocean. Congratulations Wayne! You’re the man! Mr. September 2013!

In closing I would like to thank every single person who fished with us during the 2013 Fluke Season. I can not begin to tell you enough how much we appreciate your business. Without you I wouldn’t be writing this today or any other day for that matter. I truly love this job and having the opportunity to meet and converse with so many different people is even more special to me. There have been numerous friendships made over the years, and even though we will continue to fish throughout the fall, I know that we will not see some of them until next spring. To everyone who has dropped their line in for the last time with us this year, I once again say thank you, and have a great and healthy winter.

 

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Check back tomorrow for more live updates