Back in 1978, when I was 16 years old and a sophomore in high school, I decided to record the fish I caught in a logbook. I figured it would be smart to take note of my landings, for better or worse, for future reference.
The logbook has become a fish diary that I’ve relied on and enjoyed reading in the past few years as I age. It’s been most interesting to see how much the fishing scene has changed over the past 50 years or so.
My notes are contained in a three-ring binder that I had back in high school for social studies class. The paper has faded to a deep yellow color. My earlier penmanship looks rather childish today, but it brings back many smiles and memories.
I like to peruse the logbook when I have the time, which I have a lot of these days. Flipping through the pages is like a stroll through history and it always takes me back to days gone by that I would have forgotten long ago. I’m so glad I started writing my notes way back then when I had a full head of hair.
The other night, I took out the book and smiled at one of my notations while watching ice hockey in the basement. One of the entries caught my eye.
Back on Nov. 29 in 1992, I landed 10 blackfish aboard the Marlin IV out of Montauk, which was helmed by Capt. Jake Nessel. I’ve known him for nearly 50 years. Nessel is a fine captain, great friend, and one of the best fishermen I’ve ever met. A lefty, he’s a great golfer too. That day, he put me and my fellow anglers on the fish.
We were fishing the outer grounds of Cartwright, a rocky outcrop of bottom that’s located about six or so miles south of the Montauk Lighthouse, when Nessel anchored us up. It was a cloudy and chilly day, but that did not dissuade the blackfish and codfish from taking the bait. The bite was furious for most of the day.
My catch included five blackfish that weighed over 10 pounds each, the largest just a shade under 14 pounds, my largest ever. It was an epic trip I will never forget. I didn’t need my notes to remind me of it; it felt like it happened just yesterday.
I won the pool that day. My winnings totaled $27, which I promptly gave to the mate as I departed the boat.
I haven’t caught a blackfish over nine pounds since then.
While I did not land a codfish, fishing to my left that day was Fred (Motor) Shay Jr. of Montauk, who landed a hefty 20-pound cod. Shay is a colorful character, and remains perhaps the finest fisherman I’ve ever seen. He knew codfish and had a knack like no other for catching them.
Shay holds the New York State record for the largest codfish landed -- 85 pounds -- back in 1984, a scant few miles east of the Montauk Lighthouse. I doubt this record will ever be broken. I saw the fish, and it was enormous. In cod we trust.
On the local fishing scene this month, blackfish have been chomping down on green and white crabs in the deeper waters off Montauk and Block Island. When the winds are down, the catches are quite bountiful.
“Lots of big blackfish and big catches the past few trips,” said Capt. Rob Aaronson of the charter boat Oh Brother! that sets sail out of Montauk. “Blackfishing is on fire.”
Bill Bennett of Sag Harbor took advantage of a rare day of benign weather last week to seek out blackfish and seabass on the Viking Five Star out of Montauk. He returned most happy.
“The fishing was good,” he said. “Lots of seabass too. We did three drops. The first was in deep water, where we caught a good amount of cod that were undersized. We then moved to shallower water and the fishing off of the southeast lighthouse of Block Island was good. All aboard had at least two keeper blackfish and several had their four-fish limit. The fish were up to six pounds.”
“The wind has been nonstop this fall since the beginning of October,” said Capt. Timothy O’Rourke of Montauk Fly Fishing Charters. “Any small window, I’ve been hitting the blackfish and seabass spots. The other day was a nice one finally, with fish up to nine pounds for my neighbor. I’m looking to end the season on a high note.”
“It’s been squid-sanity,” exclaimed Capt. Anthony D’Arrigo of the open boat Ebb Tide IV. He reports that his nighttime patrons have caught upward of 170 pieces. “And the squid are the size of a can of Pringles potato chips. “The guys that got it down have just absolutely smoked them. And the those that didn’t still went home with 20 to 30 pounds of squid.” That’s a lot of squid no matter the skills of the angler.
Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for 2026. May your catch always be most bountiful.
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Fishing tips, observations, and photographs can be sent to [email protected].