The ultimate Block Island trip for the troops auction - Page 2 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

joebaggs99 · 04-19-2012, 03:35 PM

Who ever wins this will have a trip of a lifetime. Block is it's own beast. I hope you get some white water....it makes for an insane day bite. Those guys love the night I like the day the top water bite can be great... Needles in yellow and sandeel. I might try and do a recon mission that weekend.

patabate · 04-20-2012, 06:34 AM

I'll throw in 4 rigged eels for the trip, they can come in handy out there.

DZ · 04-20-2012, 08:03 AM

This may not appeal to all bidders BUT - if you like largemouth bass fishing - and the porkchop has some really nice fish - I'll take you to some sweetwater bass locations. On this schedule the winning bidder may never sleep.

DZ

zerolimit · 04-20-2012, 10:42 PM

Sounds sick, I'm in!! $850

Big Water · 04-21-2012, 08:08 AM

Block holds a lot of fish and they tend to be bigger than on the mainland. A night like this is always possible:

Two friends and I decided to head out for a commando night on Block Island on Friday, October 9, 2009. (A “commando run” is where you get onto an island or predetermined area at the end of the day then fish all night and leave in the morning). We heard there was some weather coming in which made it all the better. I worked all day, packed my truck and headed south from where I live. After a 3-hour drive with traffic, I walked on the last ferry at Point Judith at 7 p.m., after meeting up with my two friends Ted Archibald and Tom White. Being a holiday weekend there were lots of kids and dogs but not many fishermen. When a couple people asked us if we were going for the whole weekend we said, "No, just for the night." To a person, they looked at us funny.
Once on the island we arrived at our destination and got into our wetsuits. It was dark, so we decided to take a few casts close by before making our trek to our special spot. There was not much wind and it seemed pretty calm, not what we had in mind weather-wise, we favor wind and waves. The night started off inauspiciously. No wind and flat calm, these conditions did not do a lot for our confidence. On Tom's second cast he broke off a plug that I had just given him to try out. (Make note of this it will be important later.) It was a “Slim” medium diver, in purple pearl. He could see it floating out in the water and asked me if he should swim out and get it. There did not seem to be any fish around so I said, "Go for it!" On his second attempt he got the plug.

At that point Ted came up to us and said he had some hits and caught one small bass. I had heard there were lots of small fish around so I was not surprised. You hate to leave fish but we were looking for something bigger. I had also read a report that had said there were a lot of porgies (scup) along the side of the island that I wanted to fish. So off we went.

We arrived at our spot and spotted the rocks we always fished from. Ted was the first to make the swim out to his rock, he later told me that while swimming, his lure, a giant pikie, came off his rod (still attached to his line) and floated 4 feet away from him and a fish hit it! The fish took 2 more swipes at it. He had to hold his rod up and keep the plug out of the water until he got to his rock.
By this time, Tom and I were swimming out to our rock (I have fished this rock since the mid-1980's so, like homesteading, I have a claim to it). I yelled to Ted asking if he had found his rock yet. If he is on his rock it would be easier for me to find my rock because mine was underwater. He yelled back that he found fish! I said, "How big?" and he yelled back, "20." I said, "Inches?" He said, "no pounds.” Needless to say we swam a little faster.
Tom and I climbed onto my rock, a good-sized rock that is easily capable of holding both of us. We got situated, looked at each other and then each made a cast. We both made two turns on the handle of ours reel and we were into fish. We looked at each other with big smiles…that was the beginning of a night of fishing that most surfcasters only dream about.

For the next 2-1/2 hours I did not bring my Pikie back in without a fish attached. At one point, Tom brought his Pike back in after he lost a screamer and two hooks on his 4/0 VMC treble had been straightened. He asked, "What do I do?" I said "Bend them back and keep fishing!" He ended up catching more than 50 fish on that “Slim” medium diver that he swam out and retrieved earlier.
My first 6 fish were 26, 26, 28, 33, 28, and 36, and we're talking pounds here! And we are only talking six casts! All the fish were weighed on the 60-pound Boga that I drag around with me. We had multiple hookups and at one point Tom had a 31-pounder and I had a 28-pounder to the rock at the same time. It was like a Chinese fire drill weighing each fish, taking a picture, unhooking them and getting them back in the water. After awhile we got pretty good at it.
My wife had asked me to bring home a fish for dinner. She doesn't like to eat anything over 30 inches because she finds the meat to be more tender. Oh boy was I was in trouble!!

I will pause here to say that this was not "stupid fishing." The fish would not take a Jointed Eel, and when the other guys used a needlefish they only caught smaller fish and did not get as many hits. The vast majority of the fish came on my new “Slim” pikes (8-inches long and weighing 3 ounces), but the bigger fish came on my traditional Giant pikes (8-inch and 4 ounces) and Troller pikes (10-inches and 7-1/2 ounces).
I have been fishing for a long time and I have had many good nights in that time span. There have been nights where we got into a pick of big fish or solid hits of smaller fish but never in my life have I see the numbers of big fish that we saw on that October night. The school stayed with us through the entire tide until daybreak and they were keyed in on big baits—it was amazing!

As a rule you don't walk away from big fish, but we did. We actually swam away exhausted. On my way in, I swam over to Ted and asked him how he was doing. He said he had lost all his big pikes and was using a needlefish and not getting as many hits. I cut off the Giant Pike that I had on my rod and threw it to him and then finished swimming to shore. When I looked back I saw that Ted had followed me in, and he came up carrying a big fish. He got it on his first cast with the Giant pike and it turned out to be 34 ½ pounds.

There was a young guy fishing to the side of us that night, we invited him over. He had waded out as far as he could and cast with a needlefish for half an hour without a hit. He was in waders and I said "Too bad you don't have a wetsuit." He said he did have one up in his car so I suggested he get it, so he did. We were lying in the rocks resting and we watched him swim out to one of the rocks right in front of us. We jokingly claimed that he kept us awake with his light going on and off constantly, a sign that he was catching fish, and then his camera started flashing, a sign of big fish! So it turned out this kid, Eric caught five fish over 30 pounds while we rested.

We went back out for the last two hours before light and we took a few more fish up to 30 pounds. The tide dropped out, it got light and the fish finally moved off. Between the four of us we had 11 fish over 30 pounds and numerous fish in the high 20’s. We packed up and left, back in our regular clothes, with the exception of our long surf rods, we looked like regular tourist. We were soon on the 8:15 a.m. ferry back to Point Judith, smiling all the way home. It truly was a night to remember.

GattaFish · 04-21-2012, 09:06 AM

Gary.. every time I read that I remember it like yesterday,,, I am still amazed you were able to put it on paper and keep all my swearing out of it... I know there was lots of choice words when I broke that plug off and when I got my plug back with 2 straightened trebles.... Never the less something special....

I can only hope I could provide that type of night to the winner.... Never the less This will be an AWESOME trip,,,,,,

Peter Lajoie · 04-21-2012, 04:52 PM

Just recieved a donation from George at Left Hook lures for the winner. A pilgrim and a eely. Very nice plugs, that will catch out there. Thanks George!

GattaFish · 04-21-2012, 05:23 PM

And if the winner isn't tired enough we can always have Gary give his famous Squid lessons....

Picture edited to protect the innocent....

Big Water · 04-22-2012, 06:39 AM

That's funny, I wonder who else is in that pic. I use to use the squid for bait now that I make plugs I eat them. Guys are always stealing my stash for fluke bait now.

Big Water · 04-22-2012, 06:42 AM

Back in "85" I had read so much about Block that I decided to spend 4 days on the Island unseen, sleeping in my truck. I stopped in at Cove Edge Tackle on the way to the ferry. I told the shop owner Henry Hetu where I was headed and he asked me to give him a ride to the ferry. When we got off the boat Henry took me for a tour of the Island, all the top spots. He then took me back to the cottage he and a bunch of guys from Rhody were renting. Capt. Don, Tom Behan, Frank, Bill, they were all there. I will never forget Capt. Don (who I later found out was a chef) was cooking fresh tuna steaks. They invited me in and I ate and fished with them for the 4 days I was there. The first night we fished Ballards Beach. Tom had taken a 58 1/2 and 56 1/2 years prior so it was a special place for him. I was fishing next to Tom and Capt. Don. We were all throwing black needlefish. All of a sudden Tom gets a hit in close and breaks off immediately. It sounded like a gun going off. He yells "Dam, Big fish!" Next thing I know Capt. Don's drag is screaming. It seems like this fish would run forever. I am next in line and up on my toes waiting for my turn. It never came, Dons fish was an even 40 pounds. The next night they all wanted to go to Black Rock. After the night before I wanted to go back to Ballards. Henry said he would go with me. The other guys said they would try Black Rock for a while and then if there was nothing they would come back to Ballards. They never came back!
They said when they got down the bluffs it was still light and they could see all these big bass tails sticking out of the water. They were grubbing for sand eels.They threw everything at them, but it didn't turn on until it got dark, then all hell broke loose. There was one big rock out in front of them and the bigger fish kept taking them around it and breaking them off. Frank landed the biggest fish at 38 pounds. A storm blew in the next couple of days and I only ended up catching one small schoolie that trip, but I was hooked. I took their offer to come back, and I fished with those guys at Block for the next ten year until we all took a break from the Island and fished the mainland. Most of those guys are gone now, and I feel very fortunate to have fished with them! Gary

MassBass · 04-22-2012, 03:00 PM

Those are great memories Gary. I still cringe at the thought of missing that great night you three experienced and although I've yet to have a night like that, I enjoy every minute I'm on that island. Block is truly a special place, but to experience it with good fishermen and be put on hot spots right off the bat, jeez. All I can say is good luck bidders.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

piemma · 04-22-2012, 03:13 PM

Ballards Beach, Sept 1990 2 AM and I'm throwing a BI green needle. I hooked up and never stopped the fish. 11' white lami, Penn 704z loaded with 20# (that was the norm then) Ande. Not a screaming run, just a bulldozer that swam away.

Larry Tremblay (coaches Hockey for Moses Brown now) was 20' away and both of us just stood there for a couple of minutes and stared straight out to sea toward the main land. The Block is a special place.
I went the 2nd week of Nov last year. All alone for 3 days. Met one other fisherman. A very special place.

ChuckD · 04-23-2012, 04:25 PM

with any luck i will get to add some memories to my fishing experiences. $ 875.00

JohnR · 04-26-2012, 06:10 AM

Bump for wonderful love!

I'll throw in a couple plugs too

Big Water · 04-26-2012, 06:25 AM

When I went to Block for the first time in the early 80's I was fortunate to hook up with a bunch of guys that had been fishing the Island for ten years with the locals. They showed me all the spots, sometimes you thought you were driving down somebody's driveway and all of a sudden you were at the water. Spots you would never find on your own. Plus years of scouting myself. I have been chased right down to the water by homeowners and chased out of driveways. Only shot at once

! Years later I was talking to a guy that had been fishing the Island for 6 yrs. We were comparing notes and he didn't know half the places I had been to. That is just me, the other two guest guides have been fishing the Island longer than me. You also have Tom, Pete and their crew, nobody fishes harder than they do. Tom spent so much time on the Island last year they made him a local! That is just some of the experience that you will be privy to if you win this trip! Gary

fishbones · 04-26-2012, 11:33 AM

I wish I could afford to bid higher, but I have a cruise to Alaska booked a couple weeks after this and the money would just be too tight. Whoever wins this is getting a once in a lifetime fishing experience.

JohnR · 04-26-2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishbones

Whoever wins this is getting a once in a lifetime fishing experience.

Edited for prominence, ya know

GregW · 04-26-2012, 12:08 PM

After reading these posts and stories I realize two things.

1) We have the absolute best community. I am always shocked at the incredible reception we have to help others out, and the people participating this are providing quite the experience. I can not thank everyone enough.

2) I need to make it to Block this year!

GregW · 04-26-2012, 12:26 PM

I've had a few questions about this , so I will answer this here and I have also updated the original post.
The bidding will end on April 30th at 6PM.

GattaFish · 04-26-2012, 01:41 PM

I like the time that way no one has to stay up until midnight.

I hope guys don't wait until the last minute for the bid.

GattaFish · 04-26-2012, 01:51 PM

Sorry for the Delay announcing this... Friday night June 15th. Dinner will be served by Guest Cook Frank Capone. He is great cook so prepare to put on the feed bag.

He is also a hell of a fisherman and last time he was on the island took a 40.... Maybe he will chime in and give us the menu.

fcap60 · 04-26-2012, 06:09 PM

Tom:

Thanks for the kind works and I look forward to helping out with this worthy cause. In regards to the menu, I'm considering

1. Ritz crackers and cheese whiz; or
2. Italian food and lots of espresso with sambuca afterwards.

I even think DZ survived one of my meals on Block a few years ago (and we didn't need to rush him to the hospital either).

All kidding aside, I'll make something good to eat, and plenty of it, for all

spence · 04-26-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fcap60

I even think DZ survived one of my meals on Block a few years ago (and we didn't need to rush him to the hospital either).

Several years ago on BI we had DZ over for some food and I brought out a nicely braised beef stew over polenta with 4 different types of cheese to melt on top. Good times and I'm still surprised nobody killed me in my sleep on that trip

-spence

Piscator · 04-26-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

braised beef stew over polenta with 4 different types of cheese to melt on top. -spence

fishbones · 04-26-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

Several years ago on BI we had DZ over for some food and I brought out a nicely braised beef stew over polenta with 4 different types of cheese to melt on top. Good times and I'm still surprised nobody killed me in my sleep on that trip

-spence

That's the 7th gayest thing you've ever posted on this site.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

DZ · 04-27-2012, 06:37 AM

A Capone meal - yummy. Just don't give me kitchen clean-up duty afterwards

DZ

RIROCKHOUND · 04-27-2012, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

Several years ago on BI we had DZ over for some food and I brought out a nicely braised beef stew over polenta with 4 different types of cheese to melt on top. Good times and I'm still surprised nobody killed me in my sleep on that trip

-spence

We thought about it, and had to talk the one we can't mention here out of it...