Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Coimbra Bluefin July 2013
So far it has been a very slow tuna season off of Long Island.
No eddys to bring YF in and the bluefin have stayed way south out of range.
Until now...
The Boss III had enough of sitting at the dock and as soon as it was possible made it to the Coimbra area Saturday. Expectations were both high and low-high because of all the fish caught over the past week and low because the hot runs always peter out, and especially on the weekends!
Boss Ed had visualized the spread for days with each bar and bally strategically located. Always good to have a plan A, and B while fishing.
The hour run from Shinnecock was a welcome change to the 4 hr runs to the deep Hudson, and the fishing has been great for at least 2 weeks as you all have heard.
We dropped lines 2 miles short of the wreck area and withing 30 mins had a screaming run off- the kind we all do now and then. This fish was slowly dumping a 70VS by the time all our lines were cleared. I jumped on the fish, got a belt on and locked in to the chocks. This fish was a NICE one I could not stop the run, was afraid to increase the drag too much so let it tire out. 10 mins later I had to drop into low gear just to gain a bit on her.
Slowly reeling her in while keeping her nice and tight, I thought I had her close to the boat. Could not see color but the angle looked good do as I continued to steadily put on
pressure. I shouted to the captain to go into neutral and kept her tight.The whole crew was mesmerized by the strength of the fish and fantasized about the behemoth to soon be brought aboard. We were all amazed at our luck at getting a big fish so early.A few minutes later I thought the fish had decided to turn towards the boat since the pressure had let up. Like a swordfish, I reeled as quickly as I could. To my surprise I realized that more than half the reel line was still out there. I reeled faster and faster hoping to beat the fish to the boat. However, to no avail. You know the rest. Got the bar to the boat and half way between the hook bait and first squid was a cut in the line! Damn, we had heard from others similar stories but this one did not enter our minds. So, we all dropped our heads in frustration. Our shot at a monster was over for the morning.
Long story short we trolled all day in 69 degree water and watched boats here and there fighting fish. Based on our three friends out there and others, it seemed we were all consigned one decent bluefin for our 8 hour trolling efforts.We were lucky to get one 9lb mahi and a 52" BF we figured was a good 74 lbs.
I give kudos to Boss Ed, Capt Stan, Nick, Greg for the great team effort in running the boat and lines and nice gaff shot by Matt.
It is always good to fish on the Boss, and thanks for the hospitality.
JOIN OUR GOOGLE + circle. Go to Saltwater Angling and post your own comments etc.
No eddys to bring YF in and the bluefin have stayed way south out of range.
Until now...
The Boss III had enough of sitting at the dock and as soon as it was possible made it to the Coimbra area Saturday. Expectations were both high and low-high because of all the fish caught over the past week and low because the hot runs always peter out, and especially on the weekends!
Boss Ed had visualized the spread for days with each bar and bally strategically located. Always good to have a plan A, and B while fishing.
The hour run from Shinnecock was a welcome change to the 4 hr runs to the deep Hudson, and the fishing has been great for at least 2 weeks as you all have heard.
We dropped lines 2 miles short of the wreck area and withing 30 mins had a screaming run off- the kind we all do now and then. This fish was slowly dumping a 70VS by the time all our lines were cleared. I jumped on the fish, got a belt on and locked in to the chocks. This fish was a NICE one I could not stop the run, was afraid to increase the drag too much so let it tire out. 10 mins later I had to drop into low gear just to gain a bit on her.
Slowly reeling her in while keeping her nice and tight, I thought I had her close to the boat. Could not see color but the angle looked good do as I continued to steadily put on
pressure. I shouted to the captain to go into neutral and kept her tight.The whole crew was mesmerized by the strength of the fish and fantasized about the behemoth to soon be brought aboard. We were all amazed at our luck at getting a big fish so early.A few minutes later I thought the fish had decided to turn towards the boat since the pressure had let up. Like a swordfish, I reeled as quickly as I could. To my surprise I realized that more than half the reel line was still out there. I reeled faster and faster hoping to beat the fish to the boat. However, to no avail. You know the rest. Got the bar to the boat and half way between the hook bait and first squid was a cut in the line! Damn, we had heard from others similar stories but this one did not enter our minds. So, we all dropped our heads in frustration. Our shot at a monster was over for the morning.
Long story short we trolled all day in 69 degree water and watched boats here and there fighting fish. Based on our three friends out there and others, it seemed we were all consigned one decent bluefin for our 8 hour trolling efforts.We were lucky to get one 9lb mahi and a 52" BF we figured was a good 74 lbs.
I give kudos to Boss Ed, Capt Stan, Nick, Greg for the great team effort in running the boat and lines and nice gaff shot by Matt.
It is always good to fish on the Boss, and thanks for the hospitality.
JOIN OUR GOOGLE + circle. Go to Saltwater Angling and post your own comments etc. Friday, April 12, 2013
Pledge Against Violence
I am posting for my dad who is 90 and wishing to join with other in the effort to end violence.
The Pledge Against Violence:
I pledge that I will not do anything physically harmful to any one around me.
i pledge I will not commit any hurtful or violent act for any possible reason.
Some ideas to hurt others may feel great and exciting and compelling, but they are not right.
It cannot be right to get revenge on blameless children and adults in violent action. I must have the strength and courage to resist these urges.
I pledge I will not act on them, instead i will talk with a person that i respect to share these feelings and to get advice.
I am a psychiatrist, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, no longer in private practice. I turned ninety on January 6th of this year.
I had been watching TV as were so many others, riveted to the news of the Newtown massacre and the ensuing discussions regarding the problem of violence in America particularly on a mass scale such as in Newtown.
Much attention turned towards the use of guns in these episodes of violence, rightfully so. As a psychiatrist I thought about what could be done to help prevent these violence-prone individuals from acting out their fantasy's, regardless of their psychopathology or their choice of weapons.
I conceived the "pledge against violence"(C.R.12/12) as a simple, potentially effective method, among others, to decrease the tendency to become violent.
I can envision "The pledge" being adopted by schools to be recited daily by classes of older children so that they would become inculcated, over time, with non-violence.
I wanted to send it to you and others for your consideration and other possible applications.
Thank you,
Dr. Alvin Yapalater
The Pledge Against Violence:
I pledge that I will not do anything physically harmful to any one around me.
i pledge I will not commit any hurtful or violent act for any possible reason.
Some ideas to hurt others may feel great and exciting and compelling, but they are not right.
It cannot be right to get revenge on blameless children and adults in violent action. I must have the strength and courage to resist these urges.
I pledge I will not act on them, instead i will talk with a person that i respect to share these feelings and to get advice.
I am a psychiatrist, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, no longer in private practice. I turned ninety on January 6th of this year.
I had been watching TV as were so many others, riveted to the news of the Newtown massacre and the ensuing discussions regarding the problem of violence in America particularly on a mass scale such as in Newtown.
Much attention turned towards the use of guns in these episodes of violence, rightfully so. As a psychiatrist I thought about what could be done to help prevent these violence-prone individuals from acting out their fantasy's, regardless of their psychopathology or their choice of weapons.
I conceived the "pledge against violence"(C.R.12/12) as a simple, potentially effective method, among others, to decrease the tendency to become violent.
I can envision "The pledge" being adopted by schools to be recited daily by classes of older children so that they would become inculcated, over time, with non-violence.
I wanted to send it to you and others for your consideration and other possible applications.
Thank you,
Dr. Alvin Yapalater
Friday, March 22, 2013
Offshore Buoy 44008 Loose and On the Move-Portugal?
Here we go again. Another of the NOAA/NDBC weather buoys, 44008, has broken loose from its location SE of Nantucket and is drifting towards Europe. It joins (2) other buoys, both the original 44066/TexasTower 4 and its replacement, each which broke loose 18 months ago and are drifting Eastward as well.Now we have (3) bright yellow buoys working their way towards Europe. The first two are non functional at this time but the 44008 is transmitting its data payload regularly.While not particularly useful where it is currently located about 600 miles from its original mooring, seeing its data is interesting in terms of ocean observations and conditions. It is cool to envision what seas it may be crossing and what ships, fish and other long lost ship debris they may pass.
You can see the small "x" on the left image which indicates the original position of 44008, and the "x" on the right of both images indicating today's, March 22, position. The image on the left is from the Maracoos site and shows the underwater typography and the other image is from Rutgers Cool Room showing the dark band of the Gulf Stream as well as patchy colorful areas of warmer 66 degree water.
Right now is is drifting along the 39th latitude parallel which is the northernmost edge of the Gulf Stream. Not surprising is the fact that both other buoys worked their way along this same edge since the currents are perpetually similar. Under the water where 44008 is now drifting near the line of seamounts that dot the area in the deep off the continental shelf. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Seamount_chain) ( Bear, Kelvin and Manning mounts).
This area is a major underwater crossroads for the warm waters of the Gulf and the cold waters of the Antarctic which clash here and produce the vibrant south west moving eddies that hold our bait and pelagic game fish we all love to hunt throughout the season.
If the buoys that broke loose back in 2009-10 and the current 44008 continue their general direction, they all would be found eventually along some stretch of beach along Portugal's coast. Would be fascinating, no doubt, to be beach combing one day and find of of these large buoys resting on the sand nearby. Does this find count as salvage? Does finders keepers? We'll have to wait and see what Maritime law comes into play if and when they are found.
But the real downside to this new buoy break-off is the lack of important data that it sends to the National Weather Service and to mariners who ply the offshore waters. These buoys, along with several others that are moored between 20 and 100 miles offshore are the backbone of our weather forecasts and hourly sea conditions reports we find online.
The National Data Buoy Center is responsible for the servicing of these buoys. According to the NDBC maintenance schedule this buoy is intended to be recovered from its drift. But if past experience is any indication, a newly build one will be deployed sometime within a year from now. You may follow the current schedule here http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ops.shtml .
In the meanwhile, if any of you intend to visit Europe by oceanliner this year or plan to be in the Azores or Portugal, keep an eye out and let me know if you are the first to sight one of these important buoys.
Right now is is drifting along the 39th latitude parallel which is the northernmost edge of the Gulf Stream. Not surprising is the fact that both other buoys worked their way along this same edge since the currents are perpetually similar. Under the water where 44008 is now drifting near the line of seamounts that dot the area in the deep off the continental shelf. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Seamount_chain) ( Bear, Kelvin and Manning mounts).
This area is a major underwater crossroads for the warm waters of the Gulf and the cold waters of the Antarctic which clash here and produce the vibrant south west moving eddies that hold our bait and pelagic game fish we all love to hunt throughout the season.
If the buoys that broke loose back in 2009-10 and the current 44008 continue their general direction, they all would be found eventually along some stretch of beach along Portugal's coast. Would be fascinating, no doubt, to be beach combing one day and find of of these large buoys resting on the sand nearby. Does this find count as salvage? Does finders keepers? We'll have to wait and see what Maritime law comes into play if and when they are found.
But the real downside to this new buoy break-off is the lack of important data that it sends to the National Weather Service and to mariners who ply the offshore waters. These buoys, along with several others that are moored between 20 and 100 miles offshore are the backbone of our weather forecasts and hourly sea conditions reports we find online.
The National Data Buoy Center is responsible for the servicing of these buoys. According to the NDBC maintenance schedule this buoy is intended to be recovered from its drift. But if past experience is any indication, a newly build one will be deployed sometime within a year from now. You may follow the current schedule here http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ops.shtml .
In the meanwhile, if any of you intend to visit Europe by oceanliner this year or plan to be in the Azores or Portugal, keep an eye out and let me know if you are the first to sight one of these important buoys.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
44066/TexasTower4 NDBC Buoy Back in Action
This re-deployment was no small effort given the state of economy and ever cutting back on resources. We got in right before sequestration cuts will begin to affect so many of our services. So, once again, let's give a thumbs up to the NDBC in particular.
It is so nice once again, to be able to visualize what is happening out there even if we can't gt there or want to at this time.
Here is a copy of some of the observations of an hour or so ago, 7:50 am Feb 27 in the midst of an unusually windy day both on land (30-40knots) and sea.
Nothing like a fixed instrument to make you feel good again.
Here is data from this am from 44066.
Not a good day to be tile fishing!
Station 44066 - Texas Tower #4 - 75 NM East of Long Beach, NJ Image indicating link to RSS feed of recent meteorological observations for station 44066
39.584 N 72.600 W (39°35'1" N 72°35'59" W)
Sea temp depth: 0.6 m below site elevation
Water depth: 82.3 m
Regional HF Radar Surface Current Observations
Conditions at 44066 as of
(7:50 am EST)
1250 GMT on 02/27/2013:
Unit of Measure: Time Zone:
Wind Direction (WDIR): SE 130
Wind Speed (WSPD): 19.4 kts
Wind Gust (GST): 25.3 kts
Wave Height (WVHT): 17.4 ft
Air Temperature (ATMP): 54.3 °F
FOR MORE NDBC BUOYS INFORMATION GOTO
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44066
FOR MORE OCEAN OBSERVING INFORMATION BY REGION GOTO
www.ioos.gov
TO READ REGULAR BLOG AND PERSONAL BIGMAHI OBSERVATIONS FOLLOW ME
@bigmahi on Twitter
Monday, January 21, 2013
Let Freedom and Civility Ring
Today is a day for Civil Rights. Not in the strict sense of
the words of racial equality but more of freedom of speech,
and being civil with each other.
We have been in a constant sea change of social ways and interactions
since the beginning of our Country. Yes, we are a divided country politically
with harsh words and sometimes unnecessary cruelness, but today is a day
deserving of civility. Today we celebrate another Presidential Inauguration. Something
as a country we have the deepest roots and appreciation of our beginning and
our future.
We witness the great traditions of welcoming a new presidential
term. Watching TV we can see tens of thousands of Americans lined up all along
the motorcade route waiting to catch a glimpse of the first Afro-American President
who won the electorate over not just once but twice.
This speaks to the innate civility and belief in optimism
that Americans are bound together on a day like this. It shows that despite our
differences on a daily basis, we come together for a day of celebration of our values
in freedom, free speech and fairness.
We have passed the torch of change again. Marin Luther King
and others spoke of having a dream. On a day such as today, we all are dreaming
of a better life. The President will speak to our reality and of our dream for
the coming four years.
Let us all offer the President, leaders, our neighbors,
family and friends our warmest form of support on this day.
Let Freedom and civility ring loud and clear.
Monday, January 14, 2013
52nd Anniversary of Collapse of Texas Tower 4 and death of 28 Men
Today is the 52nd
Anniversary of the collapse of Texas Tower 4 (TT4) and the death of 28 seamen
on January 15, 1961, 75 miles offshore of NYNJ. TT4 was the closest of (3)
offshore Defense Early Warning System (DEWS) structures located along the
Mid-Atlantic coast.
It was crippled from the start with
a bad third leg which was repaired a few times but ultimately failed during a
horrible Nor’easter on January 15, 1961. This unique structure was initially
deployed to watch the skies for a surprise Russian invasion and to offer the
mainland an early warning of potential invasion.
Located in
180 feet of water and standing just 90 feet high above the sea surface, waves
and winds buffeted the tower during that storm. Helicopters and emergency
vessels were called in but to no avail. The weather was too extreme to
undertake an emergency rescue. 28 men were aboard the doomed tower and radioed
SOS calls repeatedly. After several transmissions one short burst of a call for
help the radio ashore went silent and they were never heard from again. The
tower collapsed and is now a mound of rubble.
In 2009, the National
Data Buoy Center (NDBC) which is part of NOAA placed a 24/7 in water weather
buoy named 44066/Texas
Tower 4 in recognition of
these men. In 2011 President Obama officially recognized their service to this
country.
At time of this
writing the 44066/TT4 buoy has been ripped from its mooring two times by severe
weather that regularly occurs in this location during the winter months. The
third replacement is tentatively scheduled for deployment in February of this
year.
It is the first
offshore buoy at the Hudson
Canyon dedicated to the
safety and well being of all
LI, NJ, RI, CT and
Mass Mid-Atlantic offshore mariners. The approximate location is 39.35N 072.36W
or about 75 miles from NY Harbor. This buoy transmits sea wave height, wind
speed and direction as well as water temperature which are important climate
data to all mariners.
This deployment is
the success of collaboration between government and stakeholders.
The U.S. integrated ocean observing system (IOOS), in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean
Observing Regional Association (MACOORA/Maracoos), the National
Weather Service (NWS), and the National Data Buoy
Center (NDBC) are proud to be partners in announcing this re-positioned
and important continental shelf buoy placement.
This buoy honors
these men who served their country in the early moments of Homeland Security”.
Additional interest
information:
-http://youtu.be/hzUQwy7bhjo Weather Buoy Dedication aboard USCG Cutter Elm
-http://texastower.com/
-http://www.radomes.org/museum/documents/TexasTower.html
-http://www.cgi2you.com/members/message/texastowerassoc/45.shtml
-http://museumofnjmh.org/texastowerpresentation.html
(NJ)
-http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-jersey/1433047-texas-tower-4-a.html
(NJ)
-http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f9/pres-obama-officially-recognizes-fallen-men-texas-tower-4-a-1210018.html
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