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!

Hi All:
The good people at Stevens Institute are active members of IOOS and also Maracoos ( www.maracoos.org) , both ocean observing entities here in the US and participate in conferences around the world.
Stevens is located on the Jersey side of the Hudson with a beautiful urban campus and commanding view of the river and Manhattan.
It is no surprise that they have a strong Marine Sciences department and provide valuable observing data for the NY Bight, Long Island Sound and other important area waterways. (http://hudson.dl.stevens-tech.edu/maritimeforecast/)
They are seeking NOAA and public support, especially from anglers, in their effort to do research on how climate may impact our fisheries.
Below is a letter that I composed that I have sent to them.
Please take a minute to review and send them one as well. Feel free to use my template and edit and add your personal POV.
I just received this and they would appreciate a response by Monday Oct 1.

To: Nikitas Georgas
email: ngeorgas@stevens.edu

 

Nikitas:

Thank you for your efforts and plan to evaluate the impact of climate as a factor in the stress facing the fishing industry.

It would be very helpful if you could measure, in some way, the impact of "global warming" or climate change on the fish stocks in our area, notable the Long Island Sound and NY Bight.

We need to have better data to determine if "overfishing" as many proclaim, is a main factor or if Nature is more the culprit affecting the fishing stocks, migrations and bait dispersal.

 

Our  traditional fish stocks appear to be moving out of the area towards the Gulf of Maine, and the Long Island Sound lobsters molting during unseasonable times, and absence of traditionally located pelagic bait are impacted by undetermined conditions.

But data is too sparse to make a specific scientifically supported recommendation.

By using your  NYHOPS 3D model, I hope you would be able to, for example, calculate the actual volumes of good temperature habitat 
during the past 40 and next 100 years, connect it to known climate cycles, and see what we can do to address future situations that are out of the hands of fishermen to control.

  Thank you for your efforts and keeping an open scientific mind as to how various overarching natural conditions may be important in the way our fisheries exist and grow in the future for all to enjoy and prosper.

I, for one, would like to be involved in stakeholder meetings to help  provide input.

Yours truly,

 

 

 

 

Big Eye Quest at Hudson Canyon

Headed out to the Hudson on Laura G yesterday in search of bigfoot, I mean big eye.  Everyone on the boat (and elsewhere) was chomping at the bit to get out and bring home one even two of these recently appearing tuna.

In almost every offshore conversation we have been talking “epic” sick” “awesome” when describing last weeks big eye bite. So, needless to say everyone who had a boat from 26’ and up was planning a trip out.

Dreams of big eye fillets were in everyone’s heads.

We did not get out to our beginning spot, the East Elbow, until dark. We got on a drift East to West over the Canyon. We heard two guys on the radio saying they had barely dropped their lines when swordfish hit. That was encouraging news. So down our 6 lines went. Within 40 mins we had our first nice yellow fin (YF.) About 55lbs. We worked the area for a couple more hours then decided to head to Mecca, the 100Sq. We saw about a dozen boats there and we headed a bit south and deeper where we began the second drift of the night. Soon after another YF was brought on deck, this time about 70lbs which were the average size for the trip. Another hour passes by when one of the crew blindly jigged up another. Not bad. Steady pick one an hour. Regretfully we dropped two very feisty and larger fish. Damn. But soon had a huge run off and all our thought went to big eye! 15 minutes later a 9 foot hammerhead is thrashing by the boat. Oh well, nice and good-bye.

Lines back in, and nothing for a couple of hours. Not marking much of anything. But we made use of it by netting squid. Larry did a great job getting better with each swing. Live squid and whole herring were our offerings to the fish gods and tuna.

About 230am another very big run off. At first the big eye came to mind then we decided t was a nice sword. Got the biggest guy strapped in for the fight. Line was peeling off as we were backing down on the fish. Excitement was growing as he gained line back turn by turn. Then the fish dove, then flew up to the surface. Still Jimmy held tight. We had to strip off his shirt he was so hot from the fight. More and more he got the line in. Breathlessly we saw color. Then this massive shape. On, a huge manta! What a bummer.

We had him to the boat and I was about to take a photo when the line busted at the tuna door. Again, nice and good-bye. So now we are lines in and waiting for another strike but none came. The radio had been pretty quiet with scattered reports of a few YF taken from the Bombs to Sq. One green stick reported 10 fish, and another a few YF. But not raging reports and things were fairly quiet.

We hit the troll about 6am. Absolutely flat seas, amazing red/magenta sunrise. Water was not typical blue, but a grayish blue about 74.3 degrees. We had experienced a big temp break from 73.5 to 69.5 around the Virginia area. (Sharks anyone?)

On the troll there were more porpoises in a large area than I have seen all summer. Many small ones as well. They looked like bunker schools out there. So many pods of porpoise hanging out. We thought they were mating or whatever. Many of the 20 or so boats working that area ( with more pulling in every 10 mins). We were trolling right through and along these schools but for the most part nothing. One guy stopped and jigged right in the middle and was rewarded with a nice YF.

A friend who had been in last week’s melee said to look out for whales. And they were there separate from the porpoises by a mile or so. Pods of what appeared to be Pilot whales were all over. We passed a bunch that were just lying motionless in the water together like a log jam. Strange sight. But then you and I know that is one reason we love being out there. Seeing nature at its best. So, we trolled around one of the whale pods and WHAM, triple knock-down. One off immediately but a few exciting minutes later we had 2 more nice YF in the boat. Hey, things kept getting better! We worked that area for a while longer talking to buddies on the radio, sharing info and listening for intel. As in the night there were picking from Tip all the way to Sq. I later talked with a buddy that had not been successful at the Hudson who headed for Toms. Unfortunately I heard they were the only boat there and trolled for 6 hours without a touch! Ouch.

Between whale pods I was marking good down about 110-150 feet. I was convinced these were nice larger fish. Unfortunately we were not able to bring them up. So, I hope that guys later in the afternoon saw some action on these fish. I am convinced they would come up later but were would be heading home by then.

We were working the whales when another buddy called and said he was on his third big eye. Did we want it? Hell yes. He was working totally alone away from the fleet in deeper water. We got there 15 minutes later to see him fighting the fish. We thought to ourselves that maybe we could catch one while waiting for him to finish the fight. We kept our distance trolling and circling back. 45 minutes later we see the guys poised with harpoon and gaff off his stern. End game. Fish on board.

We motored over and arranged for a line to be tossed over, strung through his mouth and gill. Then they struggled to get one of the 150 lb tuna slid into the water where we had the other end bringing it back to the boat. We watched carefully for Mr Mako to be sure he did not steal from our gift. No problem. Got the fish on board. Fintastic!

Took shots of my buddy and his crew as they barely help up their 200lb + big eye.

Man, those smiles were as wide as Beyonce’s butt.

So, we iced her up, waved goodbye to our fiends and trolled a bit more before heading home. Nothing more for us and very little radio chatter rest of the morning.

So tally for us was 5/8 on very nice yellow fin tuna and we did get  our big eye. Haha.

Great job to the Boss III. Not one, not two but three! Great example of camaraderie and sharing in this game which sometimes has become too competitive and single minded by some. But this was “ Nice”, as he says.

PS- Want to thank LG for great food and great crew as always. Fun, savvy guys to spend a day with. Thanks.

Personal 911 Remembrance

Short remembrance-Sitting in front of my computer when there was a noise outside our office on 29 St off First Avenue in NYC Sept 11th:
The noise became louder and I went outside to see what was happening. People were starting to come out of neighboring apartment buildings and saying something about bombs and airplanes. I ran back inside and the office staff was listening to the radio that was describing the second plane hitting the WTC. Like the day of the Kennedy assassination, we were all disbelieving what was happening. Unlike that day I was much older and the consequences appeared much more ominous.
We did not have a TV in the office so all the destruction and confusion happening only a couple of miles away downtown could not be seen but mostly heard.
I can’t exactly remember if is was later that day or the next day that thousands of people were frantically gathered by Bellevue Hospital (the city’s largest public hospital) looking for missing family or friends. This facility was literally 500 feet from our office so we had an immediate emotional relationship to the events quickly unfolding.
Almost immediately hundreds then thousands of missing persons flyers were posted on any available wall, pole or bust stop surrounding the hospital in hopes of others recognized and reuniting dazed or wounded WTC workers with loved ones.
It was surreal seeing this outpouring of distraught people desperately seeking their friends, siblings, parents or co-workers. Unfortunately the City Morgue, which was just down the street, was also gearing up for the worst. We here we were caught in the center of the storm watching thousands of worried sick people waiting for days outside of the Hospital as ambulances and emergency vehicles screamed up First Avenue with remains of unfortunate WTC workers.
The immediate discovery of the attack, visual impact of flyers typed or scrawled with old or new photos of the missing that were taped or hammered onto whatever remaining blank space, emergency vehicle sirens screaming up and down the streets, vacant looks on faces of all nations, and the sight of large tents being assembled to hold bodies and parts behind the morgue today remain in my mind as we reach yet another sad anniversary of destruction.
During the first or second day I literally bumped into one of my former Kodak reps. I asked what he was doing here but really knew the answer. He told me he was missing his wife of only a few months. Did I see her as he showed me his flyer. I said no. What else could I say? Trying my best to be optimistic I suggested that he head inside the Hospital and look for the list of casualties being posted. Silently he turned and walked away in a daze. I heard that she was never found.
My heart goes out to all the people that unexpectedly had their loved brother and sisters brutally taken from their lives. May they have come to terms with this savage expression of religion by a few deranged individuals and found peace and renewed happiness.
Peace be with them.

Tuna Roll Recipe

Tuna Roll

(One of many ways to do it)

-As a lover of food and a bit out there I do not really measure. I am not a trained chef. I do by eye so bear with me and feel free to add your own personal twist. Each time it comes out a bit differently since I improvise with ingredients.

Makes 3 long rolls that you will need to cut up to the length you like. Cut at an angle for

better presentation. Makes about 20 pieces.

Need:

-Bamboo roller-Many supermarkets have in specialty food section. (Sushi Chef makes the one I know)

-Tuna-1 large steak or about ½ lb ( yellowfin, bluefin or bigeye preferred. Albacore ok as well.) Cut pieces into 1 ½”x 1”.

-Pint of white rice from Chinese restaurant unless you make yours sticky!

-Couple of scallion long leaves

-Pickled ginger (the pink stuff you get in the restaurant).

-Surprise ingredient-bunch of crispy fried Chinese noodles (in cello bag from restaurant)

-Creamy green wasabi sauce

-Soy sauce

-Sesame seeds-white or black (black is more dramatic)

-Sesame oil (optional)

Ok, now we have all the ingredients. Prep the ingredients:

-Take the scallions and ginger and dice up into very small pieces. Crush up the Chinese fried noodles. Add them all together in a small bowl. Add  1/1/2-2  tablespoons of green wasabi sauce, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and mix all together with your hand. Feels good to get fingers doused in this stuff. Remember to lick you fingers to adjust ingredients to taste. Put aside.

-Lets do the seaweed wrapper next. Take your bamboo roller. I would dampen it so the wrapper does not stick to it. Put it on wax paper or cutting board. Take a sheet of seaweed and lay out. Take the rice bit by bit and spread it out all over the wrapper like cream cheese on a bagel. (I’m from Long Island!) Not too thick and not too much since it will be too thick when wrapping. I would do one sheet at a time filling it and roll just to save space.

-Next add the tuna mix:

Take the tuna chunks and lay them across the sheet of seaweed/rice overlapping them a bit. Begin about 1 ½ inch from edge of the end of the bamboo roller where the rolling will begin. Then take and lay a thin layer of the extras ingredients on top of the tuna. Pat down with your hand so bond with each other. Set each roll aside for cutting afterward.

Now the fun part-rolling.

-I really can’t explain adequately here how to do this. But if you have rolled anything you can figure it our. But for starters, begin by a partial roll and bring the edge of the seaweed closest to the edge of the bamboo roller. Tuck the tuna mix into the beginning part. Continue to roll keeping a tight and firm pressure as you roll the mat along.

When done you should moisten the end edge of seaweed and press against the roll to keep it together. You can also roll it again after taking it from the bamboo roller to keep tight. You will find that the ends may squish out so just push back into the roll.

Cut:

-Make sure your knife is sharp or otherwise you will tear the wrapper as you cut it. Estimate how thick you like it. Me, I like about 1 ½ inch thick. Whatever you  prefer. Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds on the exposed ends of each piece.

Dipping sauce:

-Take 2 tablespoons of wasabi sauce, 8 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon or better yet, freshly squeezed lime juice. Mix together. Dip rolls and enjoy.

Note:

-Wish I took a video of this. Was a lot of fun and took a little practice to roll it all in the bamboo roller. (Remember Bamboo rolling papers. Similar, LOL)

-Spring rolls use similar ingredients. Just leave out rice, seaweed but need to buy Spring roil pre-cut sheets at local Asian market if you have one. Dollop a couple of large spoonfuls onto the sheet, and make a mini-burrito like shape. Brown quickly by turning

the rolls in a lightly oiled pan. Less is more since tuna cooks very quickly under a minute)

-If buying tuna, you don’t need the Toro or best loins since this will be mixed with other ingredients. They may even give you a better price is you take smaller steaks. If you find some muscle in these pieces simple cut out.

-Remember this is fun. If you want to add other ingredients, experiment and enjoy your creativity.

Enjoy

Jeff, bigmahi

PS-If you want to see where we fish go to my Facebook page and see the page header artwork. You will see a distinctive line which is the continental shelf. The finger to the left is where many Mid-Atlantic anglers go for tuna, swordfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo and summer pelagics.