Close Call from Hurricane Sandy-I Told You So

Before you say it, I know. I know I should not have done it.

It was 2pm Monday as Hurricane Sandy was heading for the East Coast. We had 25knot winds, light rain and not much going on until much later on.
So, I decided to run to the store for some essentials, cake, milk and juice! On the way I thought I would run over to Freeport and see the fishing station located on the bay. Yesterday the owner was tying down the bait and ice house.Located on one of the lowest lying streets on the south shore I wanted to see if the high tides had moved this and to see the flooded streets.

I was not disappointed. Many streets were knee deep in water and quite a spectacle seeing so much even hours after high tide.
I had taken my 96" Blazer "tank" feeling that this would be indestructible in face of the elements.
Splash I went as waves careened from the sides of the car as I plowed through shallow water. Other cars were doing the same and there was a bit of camaraderie among us I'm sure as we braved the elements. Splish, splash, another and another puddle was successfully navigated. I could see to the end of the street and was about to run another flooded area when all of a sudden there was an engine sputter. Pressing the gas, no motion. Another sputter, steering locks up and the car stops. I tried to start it. Whrr, whrr. Nothing.
I look and see the canal looming 90 feet away. The same canal which pushed feet of water all over the Nautical Mile. The same canal that would eat up my car if it was there in another 5 hours.
So, needless to say I was in a pickle. More like a big dill pickle. My mood soured as I contemplated calling my wife but decided against it. Why bring her into this.
.
I tried the engine again. Then again. Nothing.
 Time to call USAA roadside assistance.
The agents were nice but I was impatient with them as they went through every type of proof of identity. All I wanted was a tow.
My mind started to wander and think of the loss I might have. Or the car sitting there as the waters curled around the tires, then door then envelope the entire car.
So, I waited for the agent to get back and decided to try one more time.
Turned the key, varoom! It started. I could not believe my bad luck then good luck.
I was so excited that the car started.
But I still had lots of reverse ground to cover and lots of water to push out of the way.
Holding my breath and stepping on the gas I sped through the flooded streets and just hoped the car would not quit right in the middle of a big one.
Thank Neptune my vehicle succeeded in getting through the watery impasse.
I made it to dry ground and sighed.

I had heard about flooded streets hazards a hundred times but figured as long as the car could go through I would be safe.
Wrong. Apparently lots can go wrong and something did.

However I was spared a miserable rescue wait and possible loss of car due to the oncoming tidal surge

What can I say but thanks, and I know you told me so!


 Youtube link: http://youtu.be/gaEK02bK8FU

Halloween Hurricane Sandy- Hey, No Fishing?

Just two days ago many of us were targeting an end of week trip 100 miles out to the offshore Long Island Canyons. At this time of year not many boats are willing to deal with fickle weather or ever-changing forecasts. But we go back and froth from forecast to gathering up potential mates for the long ride to find the tuna and swordfish. Bear in mind we are not commercial boats with fancy gear but rather recreational anglers typically in boats up to 42 feet. Most are not heated, no cushy couches nor comfortable place to sit when the seas build. The seasonal change is in full gear and normally we are lucky to get a full day's weather window to head out, fish and get back. As I mentioned, as of Tuesday many of us were busy working and making plans when we get home from work for a possible trip tomorrow.
So you can imagine the surprise when I watched the local weatherman get all excited and concerned when he made the 11pm weather forecast last night. Hurricane, triple storm;  shades of the Perfect Storm reverberated across the web, on fishing forums and texts.
Hurricane Sandy has passed Cuba and heading God knows what exact direction. Computer models as of this afternoon are all over the place. But as of this early evening the consensus is that it will be powerful and strike between N. Carolina and Eastern Long Island. Great, 60 miles from where we live! As we speak anglers and boaters are chatting up a storm on various forums discussing whether to take boats out, wait it out, buy generators or whatever way to deal with the coming storm. In fact, just now my wife mentioned mandatory evacuation for us since we are near a canal. It is only Thursday and we don't expect the storm until Tuesday! This is how hysteria is  beginning similar to the growth of the storm. More and more chatter, concern, debate and early worry about a weather front thousands of miles away. Our plans for an end of week trip have been abruptly interrupted by the fear of an upcoming storm. Attention will be turned from talk of bigeye, yellowfin and mahi to generators, flashlights and batteries. Oh well, welcome Halloween. This one may indeed be very scary.

At this time, Cape May looks like it is right in the path of Hurricane Sandy. But this can change in hours.
Some current observations from NDBC:
-Buoy 41047-East of path, NE Bahamas 13'ft waves/25-30knots/9 sec period/76 degree water
-Buoy 41002- So. Hatteras-In path-8 ft/20-27 knots/9 sec period/76 degree water
-Buoy 41048-W. Bermuda-4ft/15-17 knots/8 sec/76 degrees

See 96 hour forecast below from OPC, NOAA.

Whatever you do, stay informed and safe. See you on the other side.

Retirement?

Retirement? What a word used for fishing! Well, that word came up as we trudged through the 6^th hour of futile trolling yesterday at the Hudson.

Flash back to 730am yesterday when we pulled into the party. Up to 50 boats were working the area, many hitting the troll after an overnighter. We dropped in our 12 line spread and within 45 minutes we had our first nice fat albie. Remember Fat Albie? Anyway that got us juiced up for an anticipated good day. We worked the 100sq area in building 3-5 seas with nice cresting waves. Made a spectacular display of nature as the sun rose and warmed the cockpit. We worked in, around, away and back into the fleet which was spread out over a few miles. So none of that cursing and radio BS about crossing and cutting lines. Nice, wide and gentlemanly. Looking good- for a while at least.

As we passed one boat hooked up we waved encouragement feeling we were next in line. Then we see another boat 200 yards away hooked up. Not so happy. Then a while later a third hookup. Now getting depressed.

So what about retirement? Bossman was in a bad state. He talked retirement like a disgruntled employee-neglected, overwrought and ready to throw in the towel for the 2012 season after such a poor showing. He took it personally, a message from God or personal failure to make the fish strike. One stinking albie to show for 7 hours of trolling as we watched in envy as others fought fish. Got to be honest. Not a good feeling. So, as we trolled some more and watched the bars skim the water and the ballys duck and surface thinking any minute we would get a triple banger. We were sinking from a Rocky Mountain Bigeye High from 2 weeks ago after bagging 3 beautiful bigeyes to almost getting washed out today.On top of that we had a great new guy on board who was getting over his dad's recent death. So we wanted this to be special for him.

The sun had taken a turn to the West and time was running out. We planned to crank it up at 2:30 and head home. Now minutes counted and we all were wishing for a Hail Mary. Splash! Dive! Pop as the far rigger snapped off and FISH ON! In the 9^th we hit a home run. The crew quickly cleared lines as John put on the fighting belt which his son was enviously eyeing. Fish fought hard for 10 minutes, came to the top then was quickly dispatched by my gaff. The greatest sigh of relief washed over the cockpit as the 65lb class YF hit the deck. We all hi-fived, grinned and got ready for the trip home. So, it was not the repeat bigeye conquest, not a whack-em trip, but we all recovered from the depths of retirement talk to now beginning to strategize about the nice water coming form the East and next week’s trip. Hey that’s fishin for you!