seals wtf...

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

For years we would drift sandeels with egg sinkers over the bars at Bearses, Handkerchief and the other rips east and south of Monomoy. If you didn't catch a bass on the drift most often you would catch a fluke or another small flounder species known locally as Windowpane. Often a seal would come right up in the face of the rip with a flounder in his maw and many many many times they would rip the flounder or fluke you caught right off your hook as it came to or just under the surface.

Windowpane were so abundant while surfcasting Nauset and Monomoy as to be almost a nuiscence some nights. I don't know about Nauset as I don't fish there often enough anymore but in conversation with friends who frequent the place (KarlF any input here?) there just ain't anymore. Also there used to be a spring run of small Pollock along Monomoy and Nauset and you don't see them anymore.

But as I have written many times in my columm in OTW, a half mile off of Nauset with 300 feet of wire we could catch all the bass we wanted after tuna forays and the bait was there but no Mr. Piniped.

Look, I agree that the seals have an impact, especially locally the way you desecribe. But the flounder situation in particular is the same up and down the coast. Western LIS, outer banks, etc all saw the same trends where you could catch coolers full of flatfish and now they don't exist. All the environmental factors you stated also play a part. I am sure the fishing is going to be affected where the seals are, but I do not think the presence of seals can be identified as the main factor in the lack of flounder.

[Adamfishes]

Makes me really sad that I was born in 80. Atleast I have lived through techno music and hydroponic inventions. But seriously I love fishing so much is it ever going to be anywhere close to the way it was in the 70s? Is it possible?

[Adamfishes]

http://www.livescience.com/animalwor...ass_seals.html

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by Adamfishes

Makes me really sad that I was born in 80. Atleast I have lived through techno music and hydroponic inventions. But seriously I love fishing so much is it ever going to be anywhere close to the way it was in the 70s? Is it possible?

Alot of things may change but with all the 14 to 24 inch fish around in 10 yrs. it is going to be unflippinbelievable, the back beaches my still suck but everywhere else is going to be smoking

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by zimmy

but I do not think the presence of seals can be identified as the main factor in the lack of flounder.

I bet they are the reason in Pleasant Bay, I have zero doubt about it.

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I bet they are the reason in Pleasant Bay, I have zero doubt about it.

Mill Pond too.. I sat in a friends tin boat there several winters back, freezin, trying for winter flounder (which we used to get a bucketfull in short order on a Sunday afternoon).. and watched the sea rats chewing on them instead...

[ProfessorM]

I don't even waste my time going to Pleasant Bay in my tin boat anymore. According to my records in 97 I took 70 36" plus fish in my tin boat in a 2 month span from Minister's point to Strong Island. You would be hard pressed to get 7 now adays. Too long of a drive to get skunked now. Real shame as it was perfect small boat fishing and free parking at the numerous dirt ramps. P

[afterhours]

do expired seals sink?

[mountaincaster]

Lady, you kinda scare me .......and I like it. semper fi