Category: REPORTS

Heather from the Black Hawk reports another week of good fishing. Blue fishing last Monday was nothing short of spectacular, as many as you wanted.  Bottom fishing during the week was hampered by strong winds, so we had to fish in some secondary spots.  Fishing was still steady, with jumbo porgies and seabass.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided not to cooperate with us this weekend, and we lost both Saturday and Sunday with the heavy westerly winds.  We’re looking forward to heading back out this week, especially with the reopening of seabass in federal waters.

We’d like to remind everyone that we will continue to fishing daily from Niantic through October.  After that, we will be sailing from Stonington- be sure to check our website for details, which will be posted soon.

Heather from the Black Hawk office reports that last Monday, Columbus Day, was again a diamond jigging bonanza on the bluefish, with some bass and a few jumbo sea bass. Tuesday and Wednesday were charters for bluefish; two church groups from upstate New York, and once again, we had beautiful weather and red hot fishing. Thursday, blackfish were targeted and it was a tough pick with a lot of short togs.

Capt. Matt, and two of our mates,  Ben and CJ, took a fishing holiday from working on deck and had a friendly bet on the biggest tog. Matt ended up with a pair and the biggest, retaining his title!

Friday and Saturday were devoted to bottom fishing for scup and sea bass. As always, some anglers do very well, while others seem to struggle. This coming Saturday, October 22nd, is the opening of sea bass in federal waters; a welcome relief.

As of this report, the bottom fishing is definitely still in shallower water; water temps have to fall and they’ll be some good fish movement and better fishing. (The seawater temperature in the gut was 65 degrees on the ebb.)

As a reminder, we will continue to fish every day though October, leaving from Niantic, before we head to Stonington in November.  Be sure to check our website for an updated schedule, as there are a few days we don’t have trips- but otherwise it’s 7am every day.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Another week of solid, consistent fishing reports Capt. Greg of the Black Hawk. Jumbo porgies, and I do mean jumbo, adult porgies, ones that wake up in the morning with an attitude and fight all the way from the ocean bottom to the coolers.  This is the kind of scup we’re catching at Block Island. Yep, we’re throwing a lot of 5 pound seabass back while fishing in closed federal waters, unfortunately, but most days we’re allotting some fishing time in state waters with easy boat limits of seabass there too. Throw in a bunch of nice cod and fat winter flounder to round it all out. On Friday and Saturday’s trips, the weather was again excellent, flat calm and beautiful, with good solid fishing.  Congrats to brothers Steven and Paul from East Lyme- both young anglers, one in middle school, one in elementary- who joined us on Friday.  They were self-sufficient the entire day, fishing with their dad, and for the second time this year, won the pool, this time with a 20 pound codfish.

We’re moving the Black Hawk to Stonginton soon, sailing out of Dodson’s Marina, for the remaining two and a half months of the 2016 season.  The great fishing we’re experiencing now is only going to get better and sailing from Stonington means a really short boat ride to the fishing grounds, just over an hour to the island.  What could be better?  Trips will be by reservation only, so get your groups ready. From now until December 31, Block Island is the place for the season’s best on cod, scup, and seabass.

The bluefish scene still remains excellent, diamond jigging for literally as many as you want.  A few nice keeper bass, along with a few seabass, are coming over the rails as well.  Sunday brought us some really miserable weather, stiff northerly winds and rain, a lot of rain!!  Those that were prepared with rain gear came through unscathed. Tough customers and red hot fishing.  As this report is written on Sunday, tomorrow, Monday, Columbus Day, looks like another wind-filled day.  You’ll have to wait for next week’s report to see details.

Heather from the office reminds everyone that our  schedule changes as of Columbus Day.  We’ll be heading out for blackfish on Thursday, October 13, and an open trip for bottom fishing on Friday, October 14.  No trip on Saturday, October 15 due to a private charter, but we’ll be heading out Sunday the 16th at 7am.  Stay tuned to our website and our facebook page for schedule updates and to find out when we’re heading to Stonington.

Capt. Greg from the Black Hawk reports that weather dealt us a tough week.  Tuesday and Thursday we missed completely, stiff E-NE winds kept us at the dock.  Monday was again diamond jigging, with all you wanted. Wednesday, despite high winds, we fished under the lee of the beach and Fisher’s Island and did quite well on both Jumbo seabass and porgies, a few cod, and even some nice flounder. Unfortunately, on the way home, we we hampered by a minor electrical problem caused by a faulty 50 cent – 15 amp fuse.  Special thank you goes out to Charlie from Mystic Stainless, Ted from Seawell Fish Market in Pawcatuck, John, a local lobsterman from Noank, Dennis from Gwenmore Marina in Mystic, and Brian from Dockside Electronics in Mystic.

Friday’s trip, although scheduled as a bass and blue charter, was switched over to a bottom fishing trip due once again to the E-NE gale.  Capt. Matt was at the helm and fished in comfort under the protection of Fisher’s Island.  Porgy fishing was very good, although the size is somewhat smaller then the jumbo hubcaps we’re usually used to catching at Block Island and Montauk.  Some seabass and a few stripers also climbed on the clams.  Saturday’s trip was a repeat of Friday’s.  It was a one drop stop once we anchored, with again plenty of action.  Sharpies had no problem catching their 45 fish limit. Again, with a mix of seabass and a few stripers. We’re all very fortunate in our area to have protected and calm areas to fish, under sometimes really adverse weather and sea conditions. Race Point, the west end of Fisher’s Island, Watch Hill and the beaches, not only offer sheltered waters in gusty North Easterly weather, but provide some really great fishing besides.

On Sunday’s trip, the wind finally let go and we were scheduled to diamond jig.  Weather was calm, a little damp and chilly, but the fishing was Red Hot!  All you wanted, once again,with a few stripers mixed in.  We don’t know how long it will last this year, but we will continue as long as it does.

Heather from the office reminds everyone that our schedule will remain the same through Columbus Day- Sundays and Mondays for blues and bass, Tuesday through Saturday bottom fishing- one trip each day at 7am.  The schedule will change slightly after Columbus Day, so be sure to check the website and Facebook page for details and updates.

Capt. Greg reports that extraordinary weather and just fantastic fishing sums up this past week. Tuesday and Wednesday full limits (45 a man) of jumbo scup and limits of sea bass besides. Thursday saw the closure of sea bass in Federal Waters, which put a little cramp on our program. Both Thursday and Friday we clobbered the scup, but unfortunately had to throw back countless numbers of jumbo sea bass. We went into state waters where the sea bass were biting heavy. Customers ended the trips with a sea bass bonanza, most easily getting their limits. Some nice cod to 20lbs and quite a few winter flounder rounded out these trips. Saturday we had to deal with stiff northeast winds. Captain Matt fished in state waters only, picking away all day on both scup and sea bass.

The bluefish scene remains hot; Diamond jigging again gives all you want. Good mix of stripers and a few jumbo sea bass. The weather might be cooling off, but the fishing is staying hot!!

We’re looking forward to some great fishing in the next three months for cod. With this much cod around, who knows, it might be another Baccala Bonanza like last year.

Heather from the office reminds everyone that we are still fishing every day leaving at 7am- although please take note that there is no trip this Friday, September 30.  As usual, stay tuned for updates on our website and Facebook page.

A special congrats to Capt Greg – he welcomed his fourth grandchild to the world on Friday.  Hunter Anthony, 8 lbs 15 oz makes 4 grandkids – all boys- for Captain Greg. Surely some will be working deck on the BlackHawk in the future!  Hunter and his family, Ryan, Cassie, and Jackson, are all doing well.  Congrats!

Heather from the Black Hawk reports that the diamond jigging has reached the fall peak- it just can’t get any better, period.  All the bluefish you could possibly want, you’ll wear yourself out fishing, with a good combo of jumbo seabass and striped bass mixed right in.  Thursday’s trip was indicative of what we’re saying.  The group fishing with us charters the boat 7-8 times a year.  On their trip last week, over 500 bluefish were caught in non-stop action until we switched over to seabassing.  Don’t fret, they get every fish filleted and utilize every one of them, icing ’em down properly in the coolers before heading back to upstate New York with their haul.

Bottom fishing remains consistent in the Montauk and Block Island areas.  Both limits of jumbo seabass and big scup continue to fill coolers and keep customers as happy as can be.  Even a few codfish are mixed in.

Our schedule continues to be one trip each day, leaving at 7:00 am.  Sundays and Mondays are for blues and bass, Tuesday through Saturday bottom fishing for porgies and seabass.  This schedule will continue right up through Columbus Day.  As always, you can check our website ( and our Facebook page for details and updates.

After a picture perfect summer, with just wonderful weather, it was tough to lose 4 full days to the tropical storm, but that’s what happened.  We were all concerned about how the fishing would be in Hermine’s aftermath, but things were back to normal starting on Thursday when we resumed.  Porgy and seabass fishing remains good- some days more of one than the other.  Saturday’s trip was excellent on the porgies, with the usual sharpies having no problem limiting out on the seabass.  Some bluefish, striped bass, and even a few codfish are coming over the rails as well.

Sunday was our first bluefishing trip since the storm.  We weren’t sure how it was going to be- the bluefishing was great before the storm, and we were hoping it would pick up where it left off.  We ended up being hampered by stiff southwesterly winds, which limited where we could go.  We started off fishing in Plum Gut, and stayed as long as we could.  We then headed over to Pigeon Rip.  The fish at Plum Gut were gigantic, the fish in Pigeon Rip were smaller- although there were more of ’em.  We will continue to bluefish on Sundays and Mondays.

Heather from the office reminds everyone of our schedule: Tuesday through Saturday we’re bottom fishing for the porgies and seabass, and Sundays and Mondays we’re diamond jigging for the blues and bass.  Take note there is no trip on Thursday, September 15 and Friday September 30.  Check our website for a full schedule.

In September, we’re collecting cleaning supplies for our Black Hawk and the Community Program, to be used by the MASH Shelter as they prepare housing for new families.  Our boxes of school supplies have been shipped down to Baton Rouge- thank you for your generous donations!  We hope to see everyone soon!

Heather from the Black Hawk office reports that the porgy and seabass fishing took a little turn this week for a few days-  maybe because of the impending storm, maybe because there were a couple of sharks seen around- but catches were a little off for a few days.  That all changed on Saturday, when it went right back to where it was.  Limits of seabass, limits of seabass, and even some 45 per person limits on the porgies for some of the regular customers.  Some good, solid fishing.

Bluefishing, on the other hand, has not slowed down at all and remained very, very good.  Diamond jigging has remained as good as it gets, with a good mix of seabass and some striped bass here and there too.

Unfortunately, we had to miss both Sunday and Monday due to the storm, but we’re looking forward to getting back out there as soon as we can.  As a reminder, we’re fishing 7 days a week at 7am.  Sundays and Mondays are for bass and blues, Tuesday through Saturday is bottom fishing.   As always, check our website for updates and details.

Heather from the Black Hawk reports another week of really solid fishing on the scup and nothing short of sensational catches on the seabass.  Customers are having no problem getting their limits with fish over 5 pounds consistently coming over the rails.  This past Friday’s trip started off a little slow, due to gusty southwest winds, forcing us to fish in the lee of Montauk for a few hours.  The weathermen hit it right, for once, and said it was going to drop out and it did mid-morning.  We left the “slow pick” grounds and went to the happy hunting grounds where we loaded up once again.  That being said, we went to the food bank again this week with a load of nearly 200 pounds of fish fillets.  We encourage our customers to take only what they need, and then release or donate the rest of it. Help us help others in our local community, though fillet donations and all of our other Black Hawk and the Community programs.

Capt. Greg and Capt. Matt keep switching trips between the bottom fishing and the bass and blues 4pm and weekend trips.  Although neither will admit it, I think there’s a little friendly rivalry between them!!  They’re always asking each other where they were, how it was, how many, how big, etc.  At times it’s comical, but I can’t question the results!

Our 4pm sailings all week have once again been excellent on the bass and blues, with a few jumbo sea bass.  Diamond jigging provides non-stop action, all you can ask for.  Quite a few short stripers, with always a few keepers mixed in.  The weekend’s 6am and 1pm trips provided beautiful weather, flat calm, and once again great fishing.

Don’t forget that September 1 starts the bonus porgy season, with the limit moving from 30 fish to 45 fish per person.  Our sailing schedule will be 7:00 am every day, with Sundays and Mondays being for bass and blues, and Tuesday through Saturday bottom fishing for the porgies and seabass.  We’ll be collecting school supplies for schools down in Baton Rouge for one more week, up until Labor Day, so bring some markers, notebooks, pencils, or any other supplies when you head out for your trip.  For the rest of September, we’ll be collecting cleaning supplies once again for MASH, as well as canned goods to drop off with our next donation of fish fillets.  As always, you can check our website for details, schedule updates and more.

Capt. Greg from the Black Hawk reports that bluefishing simply remains phenomenal. Drop that diamond jig anywhere near the bottom and you got ’em. Consistently all you could want, with some real nice sea bass and stripers mixed right in. A smorgasbord of fish, filling all the coolers and making for boatloads of happy customers. If you’re looking for a lot of action, now’s the time. We’re fishing on Thursday and Friday at 4pm by reservation, limited to 28 anglers- but only for a few more weeks, so book your spot now! Also, one more week of Saturday and Sunday open boat at 6am and 1pm, before our schedule changes on September 1. We’ve been sailing on private charters all summer long on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, charters with up to 60 people, leaving the dock at 4pm These are coming to an end over the next few weeks as summer draws to a close. We’ve already had some groups book their dates for next year!

Our midweek 7am seabass, porgy and fluke trips, fishing in the Montauk area again this week, remained excellent. Plenty of big fish, and most customers have no problem catching their limit and filling their coolers. We even had a few triggerfish and stripers to round out the mix. A lot of bait where we’ve been fishing, with sightings of porpoises, a few whales and even a thresher shark pup (75 pounds) chasing the bait around on top.

Heather from the office reminds everyone that our schedule remains the same for a bit longer- Saturdays and Sundays, 2 trips daily at 6am and 1pm, and Monday through Friday one trip at 7am. The schedule will change on September 1 with the opening of the bonus season for porgies (45 fish per person). Then we’ll be heading out every day at 7am- Sundays and Mondays will be for bass & blues, Tuesday through Saturday for porgies and seabass. Check our websitefor updates and more info. Our Black Hawk and the Community program continues to collect school supplies through August and the beginning of September. Heather has a friend down in Baton Rouge, and she’s been very involved in relief efforts after these devastating floods. She has told us that school supplies will be needed in the coming months- so our school supplies will be heading down south in mid September. Grab something the next time you’re shopping and bring it down the boat on your next trip. We hope to see you soon.

Capt. Greg from the Black Hawk reports that while the weather might be intolerably hot and sticky, the fishing is even hotter!

Another great week of bottom fishing with nice catches of jumbo seabass, monster porgies, and a good mix of fluke, striped bass, and even a few triggerfish rounding out customer’s coolers.  Both Capt. Matt and Capt. Greg are concentrating on the seabass first, then going to the porgy grounds to finish the day.

Bluefishing remained better than excellent all week with non-stop action diamond jigging.  Good mix of seabass and striped bass climbing on the jigs as well.  The tides have been running pretty slow this week so during the slack, when time allows, we’ve been breaking out the bottom rods and seaclams and clobbering the scup and seabass.  Customers seem to love the variety and are happy to go home with an additional bag of fillets.

Heather from the office reports that our schedule remains the same through August  31- fishing every day, leaving the dock at 7:00 am Monday through Friday and at 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  Please note there is no 7:00 am trip this Thursday, August 18.  We will also continue to  go out on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:00 pm for our After Work Special trips.   As part of the Black Hawk and the Community program,  in August , we’ll be collecting school supplies, so stock up when you’re shopping and bring them down to the boat.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Capt. Greg from the Black Hawk reports that easterly winds earlier in the week hampered us a little, keeping us from a few seabass laden hot spots, but overall bottom fishing is still excellent.  Limits of both porgies and seabass remain the norm, with some nice fluke besides.  A bonus are some keeper stripers that are climbing on the sea clams too.

Bluefishing remains ridiculous.  If you’re looking to wear yourself out, well, now’s the time….it just doesn’t get any better, period!!! Our customers are going home arm weary and very happy. A good mix of jumbo seabass are chewing on the diamond jigs, along with some striped bass.  A lot of shorts, but quite a few keepers too. With only a few weeks left before school starts, get the kids rounded up and come down for some hot family fishing fun.

Saturday night we did one of our sunset cruises, this time with the folks from the WARM Center in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Although thunderstorms were predicted, we made it through without any rain at all! It was a great night, everyone had a blast, and raised a lot of money to support WARM’s great programs!

Heather from the office reports that our schedule continues to be  fishing every day, leaving the dock at 7:00 am Monday through Friday and at 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  Please note there is no 7:00 am trip on Thursday, August 18.  We will also continue to  go out on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:00 pm for our After Work Special trips.   As part of the Black Hawk and the Community program,  in August , we’ll be collecting school supplies, so stock up when you’re shopping and bring them down to the boat.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

The Black Hawk reports another week of just spectacular bottom fishing with some of the nicest, sunniest summer weather too.  Fishing remains excellent, with some days just very, very good and others nothing short of out of this world!  Huge porgies, monster seabass- some so big you’re afraid to put your hand  near ’em!  A good combination of fluke mixed right in there with them.  Tuesday’s weekly group of Bruce, Richie and Murphy, just clobbered them, to put it simply, getting their limits of big fish.

Heather from the Black Hawk office reports another week of excellent fishing.  Monday’s Fourth of July holiday was a beautiful day with lots of porgies and a good number of seabass.  We’ve seen the seabass fishing continually improving over the course of the week.  Tuesday evening we had a special charter with a family birthday party.  The two birthday boys were celebrating their 7th and 70th birthdays, and had friends and family from across the country and even overseas join in the fun.  The kids caught lots of porgies and had a great time!  The rest of the week’s day trips continued to excellent porgy fishing, with good seabass and fluke mixed in too.   Saturday was the exception- and we don’t hold back any punches when it comes to telling you about the fishing. Good or bad, you’ll hear it from us. Although we’ve had some spectacular fishing 7 days a week for the last 6 weeks, Saturday was not one of those days. We were hampered by strong easterly winds and tough conditions and had to fish in secondary places to escape the rough conditions. We did catch some bluefish, we did catch some striped bass, and we did get some porgies and seabass but it was a struggle.   Sunday was better, with more action on the porgies and seabass.  It wasn’t how it’s been, after the wind kind of churned everything up a bit, but it wasn’t bad.  Sunday afternoon was calm and beautiful when the sun came out, and we had a good showing of porgies and seabass.

The After Work Specials on Thursday and Friday had lots of diamond jigging action with a lot of short bass, a few keepers, and monster bluefish.  These trips will continue to go out on Thursdays and Fridays by reservation for the rest of the summer.

Saturday evening had us out for the Sailfest fireworks display.  Although the weather seemed iffy, it was a beautiful night and we had a front row seat for the fireworks.  As usual, as part of our Black Hawk and the Community program, we collected diapers for our diaper drive.  Over 100 packages were collected. Thanks to everyone for their support!  We’re looking forward to our Christmas in July fireworks trip next weekend.

Our schedule continues to be  fishing every day, leaving the dock at 7:00 am Monday through Friday and at 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  The exceptions are Saturday, July 23rd, when we will not have a 6am trip.  On Tuesday, July 26 we will head out at 6am for a half-day trip so we can participate in the Channel 3 Kids Camp fishing tournament at 1:00 pm.  On Saturday, July 30, we also do not have a 6am trip.  We will continue to  go out on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:00 pm for our After Work Special trips.  As part of the Black Hawk and the Community program,  in July, we’ll be collecting small personal care items- soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

“It’s been one heck of a bite every day,” reports Captain Greg of the Black Hawk. In addition, quite a few sea bass, although we’re not targeting them yet until the opening June 27 in New York. When possible, we’ve been trying to split the day up with some really great fluke fishing. Fish to 8 pounds were caught during the week as a bonus.

Sharon S. came up all the way from Sanford, North Carolina, and, accompanied with a bunch of her NJ friends, limited out early. Although quite a distance from Niantic, she vowed to be back a few more times this season. Great job Sharon!

We’re looking forward to the opening of the NY sea bass season this week. We will be targeting all three species; porgies, sea bass and fluke in the days and weeks to come. If you’re looking for a lot of action and great eating fish to fill your freezers, now’s the time.

On the home front, not much in the way of blues in the Race area yet. Night trips on the bass have been okay, with good action and a lot of shorts. Friday’s 4 pm to 10 pm trip was the exception. Tough fishing; calm, bright, crowded and only a few fish….the worst we’ve had this season. Until it improves, all our day time trips will be centered around the Montauk area. As always, we’ll take you where the fish are!

Heather from the office wants to remind everyone that we are now fishing every day, leaving the dock at 7:00 am Monday through Friday and at 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  We are heading out on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:00 pm for our After Work Special trips.  As part of the Black Hawk and the Community program, we’d like to thank everyone who participated in our “Sock Month” for June.  In July, we’ll be collecting small personal care items- soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.  We also have our annual diaper drive and Christmas in July as part of our two fireworks cruises on July 9 and July 16.  We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Captain Greg from the Black Hawk reports another excellent week of porgy fishing.  Coolers were full and customers were happy; Friday was the only slow day. “I’ve been telling everyone that the fish are all spawned out and getting ready to depart the Gardner’s Island area. The end is now in sight. Friday was it, they were all but gone. All good things must come to an end.” Captain Matt shifted over to the Montauk area the very next day and found em’ piled up there. Saturday’s trip was great weather; flat, calm and all around good and steady fishing. Customer Henry D. from the Mt. Snow area of Vermont was there,  as he is every week, and as usual, he got his limit and then some,  throwing back a lot of scup.

Sunday had stiff westerly winds, but tucked up under the light, the water was calm and the porgies were biting even better than Saturday, Big Jumbo Scup.

We’ll be fishing the Montauk area on our all day trips from now on until fishing improves locally. Plenty of bluefish there too, so good diamond jigging with bass mixed in. We’ll be adding some bonus fluke fishing also on these trips when time allows.

On both Friday and Saturday night, we had bass trips with nice fish. Nothing like it was six or eight years ago, but much better than it’s been the last two years. Diamond jigging at dusk and bucktails when it got dark…both produced. Nothing huge, but action. More night bass trips scheduled for this week.  We’ll be heading out Monday and Tuesday night.  Then we’ll have our After Work Special trips on Thursday and Friday evenings.  The following week, we’ll head out for night bass trips on Tuesday the 21st and Wednesday the 22nd.  Reservations are required, so call the office to get your spot on board.

Heather from the office reports that our full schedule starts on Saturday, June 18.  We’ll have two trips on the weekends, leaving the dock at 6am and 1pm each Saturday & Sunday.  During the week, we’ll head out each day at 7am.  We’ll also continue to have our After Work Special trips on Thursday and Friday evenings.  We have a few private charter dates still available in July and August, so contact Heather to get your spot on board.  We are also now accepting reservations for our fireworks cruises.  Saturday, July 9 for the Sailfest fireworks and Saturday, July 16 for Celebrate East Lyme Day.  As usual, the East Lyme fireworks are part of our Black Hawk and the Community program and are free with a donation of a toy and a book, which will be distributed to local children.  Contact the office to get a spot on the boat.  As always, check our website and Facebook page for details and updates.