Hello fish fans,

 I just want to take a moment and give you guys an update and fishing report. This past week we had some awesome action with 5 solid days of fishing. We had one trip where we went 4 for 7 and even had a triple! A triple on an outboard boat! Doesn’t get much better than that. I just installed new 19ft LD Marine outriggers and let me tell you they are strong. They have made a huge difference this year already. I can keep my rigs separated and I do not tangle anywhere near as much as I used to. If you are serious about trolling for bluefin then outriggers are a key. The new Okuma Makaira’s are working out beautifully. After catching double digits in tuna on them, I am very impressed with the reels and specifically the drags. They are very smooth and pull consistently all through the fight. We have had some battles, up to an hour and these reels are awesome. My customers all comment on the ergonomically handle and the comfort that it brings. I am very pleased so far. If anyone is looking to buy some new reels I will have a pair of MK50WII’s mounted on rods and I will let you try them out for a weekend. They will be mounted on some of my older standup rods. All I ask is that you keep them tied off and accept the responsibility for them. This will be a great opportunity to let you try them out and compare them to the other big names out there on the water. I am very pleased to offer this service to my customers and I am proud of the fact that Okuma has stepped up to the challenge of making a big game reel that has all the features that I need as a professional charter boat captain and still priced extremely competitive. The reels have huge drags, slightly bigger line capacities, ergonomic handle, 5 year warranty, and they all come with a nice neoprene reel cover, which we have been using when we run too and from the grounds with the rods up in the hardtop. The reel covers really help to keep the saltwater out of the reels. I hope to have the demo reels loaded today and available starting tonight.

 The fishing out east has slowed down just a little and the fish are no longer tight off the beach like they have been. If you are going this weekend I would fish out more towards crab ledge and the BC buoy. The fish may move back into the beach but right now they have moved off and the bass have moved in. The bank is on and off but mostly it seems to be an early bite. Both bait and the troll are producing and there are plenty of fish around. As I told a customer the other day, the season is here and if the weather is good and you got the time, then go fishing. If you chase the “Bite” instead of chasing the fish then you will never be there when the “Bite” happens. As Nike says, “Just do it!” Go fishing! Plenty of bass around both in the Bay and on the backside. The beaches have been up and down but the boats have been catching them good.

 As far as the regulations go, they are what they are. We will be releasing a lot of fish this year. Guys, remember, most of you have not seen fish in the 70-72 inch mark before, and they look huge in the water. The odds are that you will be seeing fish under the 73 inch mark and not over the 73 inch mark. That is the average size of the majority of the fish in that year class right now. My biggest so far is 72inches, measured. Do not make the mistake of gaffing or harpooning these fish unless you are 100% that they are way over the 73” mark or under the 59” mark. I have been telling my customers that we will be releasing the fish unless they are way over the mark. These fish will shrink and there is nothing in this world worst then landing the biggest fish of your life and getting back to the dock to have an EPO or NMFS agent measure your fish and be in possession of a fish under 73 inches. It’s not worth it. If it’s close, let them go. I have had three fish so far this year that were under the 59 inch mark so you will get a shot at dinner if you but some time in. I will be running the Tuna Fever until July 19^th and I do have some openings so if you want to go and fish the outboard boat with me and experience the Chatham area call and get a date. I am still open for the Shark Tournament so if anyone wants in please give me a call. I will be fishing it one way or the other so even if you’re the only one in your group that wants to go give me a call. Off to the Red Sox game tonight with Tammy and Corey and I’ll be in the shop on Saturday and out tuna fishing Sunday\Monday. Good Luck. “It’s All About the Bite!”  Capt. Eric