The Navigator Club final fishing report of 2009

As stated in my previous blog report, now that the Navigator Club - Boston's premier boat club - is closed for the season I decided to go out fishing with my friend Nick for one last trip of the season on Wednesday, October 21. We started out the day at 6:00 am at the ramp in Gloucester. Headed out to the same spot where we caught bait for the bachelor party....and almost 2 hours later we finally had 8-9 baits in the livewell. With the baits, we steamed 13 miles offshore to Northwest corner of Stellwagen and deployed them. It was lifeless out there....no whales, no birds, nada. I know we missed the early morning bait, due to the 2 hour delay caused by getting the uncooperative bait.

As we continue to fish and hope for the best, we hear reports from friends that they are landing fish on livebait down on the southwest corner (off Provincetown) so we decide to pack up and head there (maybe another 15 miles south...probably more?). On the way down, we make a stop or two and deploy the baits and Nick starts jigging a hammered finish diamond like jig on light tackle while the baits are swimming around. Nick gets hit and the line pops in about 45 seconds.

We decide to move around a bit, but the dogfish are relentless, so we meet up with a friend about 2-3 miles off the beach in P-town where the water drops off to about 200 feet. Nick and I are jigging again, but now with 50lb class gear, and he gets a hit and immediately we know it is a tuna.

I clear the lines and he settles in for the fight. About 20 minutes later, the fish comes to the surface and I harpoon her on the second attempt....clean shot right through the gill plate and into the head. I tail rope her and bleed her out, and haul her on board. She is just over 55 inches long and approximately 140-150 lbs.

It is now 3:15pm and we decide that we went to get some cod before calling it a day even though the spot is over an hour away - 23 miles east of Gloucester in no mans land. So, I steer his small boat toward the waypoint while Nick guts and cleans the tuna. We arrive there around 4:45 pm and start jigging. About 15 minutes in we have one cusk and one cod on board. Then, Nick lands a 20 lb cod and I get another keeper or two. It is now 5:15ish, the sun is low on the horizon and the winds are picking up. So we decide to call it a day and I turn the 20 footer west and start making the 23 mile run back to Gloucester Harbor while Nick cleans the fish. The ride was pretty uneventful arrive and after picking our way through some lobster pots, we arrive back at the ramp at 6:35 in complete darkness.

After 12 hours on the water, we were both exhausted but happy to end the fishing season on a great note. I have posted some pictures of the fish for your enjoyment.

Regards,

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club, Inc.

40 Warren Street

Charlestown, MA 02129

http://www.thenavigatorclub.com/

617-880-2525

"Boston's premier boating club"

One last trip...didn't I say that last week?

I am headed out for one last trip tomorrow....aboard my buddies boat. The goal is to target any remaining tuna in the morning and then head east with the tide swing and try and jig up some cod and haddock.

Stopped by Fishing Fanatics in Everett today to pick up some last minute gear. Pete Santini was very helpful. The old world italian music playing in the background is quite nostalgic too. If he had a plate of ziti and homemade meatballs on the counter I would have thought I was at my grandmothers house in 1978.

This will be the last trip, I promise but will gladly post pictures afterward.

One last thing....since we sold out of memberships in 2009, we are now taking names for memberships for the 2010 season. If you are interested in becoming a member of the club for the 2010 season, now is the time to get on the list. Any questions....call the office at 617-880-2525.

Regards,

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club
40 Warren Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
www.thenavigatorclub.com
617-880-2525

Gloucester tuna trip

A few weeks back, a bunch of the guys went out on a tuna fishing trip aboard the Karen Lynn out of Gloucester. In attendance were Jodi "Did I ever tell you this story" Wilkinson, Nick " Pass me another jig" Fondulis, Dick "I look good in a harness" Mantz, Doug "Gail, I don't recall inviting you to dinner" Mantz, Ed "Mr. Senior Nantucket" Mancini, Chris 'I took too much dramamine" Mancini, and Ed " I think I am going to fall over" Mancini.

The seas started out calm but by 2:00 pm...they were 4 to 6 feet and building. The fishing was a slow for the first 6 hours and we must have looked like a bunch of sad sacks. However, lady luck shined upon us....and within the last 10 minutes of the charter, we had a school bluefin tuna hit a live mackeral.

Here are some pics. Enjoy.

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club, Inc.

40 Warren Street

Charlestown, MA 02129

617-880-2525

http://www.thenavigatorclub.com

New fuel flow meter installed, pulling the boats

Took advantage of the good weather the other day, and decided to pull the boats. Once I pulled them out of the water I washed them down thoroughly and hauled them to the winter storage yard.

On the way to the storage yard, I dropped off the Whaler at Voyager Marine Electronics and had the new Lowrance fuel flow meter installed. Jon Schimoler is a great guy to work and his crew did a neat, professional job. Now all of the club boats have Lowrance fuel flow meters installed and we will better able to track fuel consumption.

Will be winterizing and wrapping them this coming week. Will post some of the progress pictures..

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club, Inc.
40 Warren Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-880-2525
http://www.thenavigatorclub.com

Prospective member appointment

I just received a call from another prosective member who is interested in our boat club membership. I set an appointment with him to view the boats and tour the marina this afternoon. I believe he is a referral from some of our existing members and is anxious to see our boats before we haul them for the winter.

I must say that referrals are our best source for new boat club members. I think in the past six months alone, we've had seven new boating club members via referrals.

Regards,

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club, Inc.
40 Warren Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
www.thenavigatorclub.com
617-880-2525

Dinner in the North End and a night on the Grady

After a delicious meal of homemade cannelloni (almost as good as my grandmothers) in the North End, we spent the night aboard the Grady White at the marina. The crisp fall air, and first rate accomodations at Constitution Marina made for a pleasurable evening.

Looking forward to doing it again.


Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club
40 Warren Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-880-2525
http://www.thenavigatorclub.com

Enjoying the sunny, fall days.

In a little bit, I will be heading down to The Navigator Club as we have some boat club members heading out at 2:00 pm. At this time of year, it is important to take advantage of good weather like we are having today.

Last Thursday, I ran a 2007 36' Chris Craft Corsair from Boston to Padanaram. It was a choppy and cold, but still quite enjoyable, especially in that boat. The owner is a client of ours who relies on us to move the boat to various ports of call throughout the season. Yet, another growing facet of our business.

This Saturday, the boys and I will be heading on an offshore tuna charter aboard the Karen Lynn out of Gloucester. The Karen Lynn in a 43' Lowell Brothers downeast that has the latest equipment and technology. I will make sure to take pictures of any tuna, cod and haddock we catch.

Enjoy the day,

Capt. Ed Mancini
The Navigator Club
40 Warren Street
Charlestown, MA 02129
http://www.thenavigatorclub.com/