Hookups and Heros - Fall on the Cape Update

I feel like I'm always busy nowadays (not sure if that's good or bad), but October and November are definitely the busiest months for me.  That being said, I wanted to post an update for our fall fishing season.  

I have to be honest; it hasn't been the easiest fall season for me.  I think we had a lot of Albies leaving New England late due to warm temps up there, so we didn't have the numbers that we expected early on.  On top of that, I think the wacky fall weather kept the bait and fish constantly changing their minds about where they wanted to be and how they wanted to act.  It has kept all of us guides on our toes.  That being said, I have worked my butt off to make sure all of my anglers had a fantastic, memorable time on their trips.  You may look at these photos and think "what is he talking about, looks like it's been epic".  It's because I've been working extra hard to make it that way.  And please don't think I'm complaining.  I know it can't be epic every day (although I know a few guides that advertise that illusion), and I am thankful for all the fish we have been able to catch.

And if the weather wasn't right for the Albies, and they didn't want to cooperate, we just went and found some fish that would.  Yes, it's Albie season, but being opportunistic and open minded pays off big time. 

​Consider this my mid-season report, and I'll follow up with one more when the season is winding down.  The fishing is finally starting to really get good, so there's another report with a bunch of pics coming soon.  Until then, enjoy these 101 images of some of the fish we have caught the last few weeks.  

Big sticks for big fish.

Wreck fishing for Jacks on fly is pretty fun.

Unfortunately, sometimes you have to pay the tax man.  We got Cuda'd over a wreck.

Amberjack's little cousin the Almaco Jack.

Target Species.

Ate the "wrong" anchovy.

I feel like I'm always staring into the sun no matter which direction I point.

I swear we get just as excited watching our buddies catch them too.

This is a little technique I call, "quickly yanking the line off your reel to relieve pressure on your rod so that Albie doesn't snap your rod in half across the gunnel".  

I love these fish!  I'm already getting sad thinking about them leaving.

Uh...not an Albie.

"You ain't nothing but a Hound Fish..."

This guy looks miserable.  He must not be having a good time at all!

Kevin got to put the first fish ever on the Hatch custom Jolly Roger Iconic.

"Get on outta heeere!"

Nice specimen of aquatic torpedo.

Business end.

Send it!

Silver and gold.

Families that fish together, catch Albies together!  Or something like that.

Look at that innocent face... he ain't never killed a baitfish.

Still one of the coolest designs on a fish ever.

This was one of those days where we had to work extra hard for them, but it paid off in overtime.

Worth the wait.

Finally!  Now we can all go home with smiles plastered on our face.

Hi Albie, nice to meet you!

We have tagged a bunch of Albies this season for the "Albie Project".  Happy to be helping to further the science on False Albacore population health, migration, growth, spawning and population genetics.  To learn more about the Albie Project visit ​The Albie Project – American Saltwater Guides Association

Spinning for the win on some big deep-water bruisers.

That's a handful..

Jack parts...

Set, set, set!

Blue Runner.

Putting up a fight!

I want to say a humongous thank you to everyone who has fished with me this year so far!  You keep me in business.  And beyond just the awesome anglers I have, thank you to all of my supporters whether you are family, friends or one of the companies that makes the gear we use and abuse. 
You all rock and I love and appreciate you more than you know!