Took my 11 year-old out for tog out of Old Saybrook Sunday. Gorgeous day, but the better spots had tides that were absolutely SCREAMING, even with 16 ounces my crab was in Portugal before the sinker hit bottom. And unfortunately the spots we could hit, were loaded with shorts.

But he boated a bunch of fish, he never got frustrated with how skilled they are at stealing bait and avoiding the hook. Brought home enough for supper, he caught a striper on a crab, and on the way in, we saw what was probably the best sunset I've ever seen. Nice guide, captain Brian, of Reel Cast charters.

I'd like to do one more blackfish charter, and one trip to Block for cod and sea bass, but it's not looking good, getting busy at work. If this was a wrap to 2021 fishing, it was a glorious wrap.

My season started with a cub scout ice fishing trip in January, and fished a ton until tog in November. I think I did 16 charter trips, I usually do 4-6. Life is just too short. Did some trips for the first time - haddock off Gloucester, sharks in Stellwagon, schoolie stripers in a CT river in April, perch and smallies in Candlewood Lake, all lots of fun. Did some repeat trips - sea bass in Buzzards Bay in the spring, nighttime stripers at Block with Cohen, my 14 year-old landed 11 fish, 7 over 40 pounds, in a single trip. Did our annual 6-pack trip out of Pt Judith on the C-Devil, I think this was the 15th year I've done that trip with friends from UCONN, no possible better way to stay in touch over the years. I wish I could do this entire itinerary every year. We are so beyond blessed to have all this in our backyard. We all have much to be thankful for, for sure.