With the north west breeze the ocean was perfect as inshore was protected and the direction allowed for longs drifts from 40ft to 65-70ft. Non-stop action all day with 20-25 fluke ranging from 17-20 inches, one was even 20.25” just shy of the 20.5" min size limit. We fished for 3 hours on 3 drifts and then ran in tight enough to the beach to be out of the way of fellow drifters and then dropped hook for a BBQ lunch.
Back out for the last 2 drifts. 8yr old Grace has the rod in hand, thankfully 2 hands as I always preach, and 6 yr old Elle is by her side. Erika’s relaxing on the engine box, one eye shut enjoying the perfect weather. I have both hands busy with a skate that swallowed my rig. Suddenly Grace’s rod slams down onto the gunnel, tip bent down and the two of them start yelling in stereo. Grace is holding on playing tug-of-war. I just said “hold on don’t reel it, just hold it! two hands! Don’t let go!” Erika jumped up and helped and luckily the tip started bouncing so we knew it was a good fluke. Turned out to be 25” , 5lb 2oz. Much more exciting when the little one gets to hook the fish as opposed to handing the rod over.
All in all, the fluking in Moriches has been good, plenty of fish, especially in the 19 inch range and usually a few keepers for the day.
