Riptide Report: Albies off ACK
Good things happen when you least expect them!
Terry shows off one of many ACK albies taken on the Maria jig this week. Photo courtesy Riptide Charters
The other morning I was heading home around 7:30 when I got a call from my good friend Ken Panacek of Ken Catch Charters on Nantucket. We chat quite a bit during fishing season, so this wasn’t unusual. The call went something like this:
KEN: Hey man just wanted to make sure you got the word.
ME: What word?
KEN: The epic albie bite we have going on.
ME: Not a clue!
Given the larval baits the albies were feeding on, it's amazing that they hit a jig. Photo courtesy Riptide Charters
Ken filled me in on the where and how he and his crew had been slaying big albies in Nantucket Sound. They had even been hammering big number of big albies from the beach.
With nothing on my plate for the day except sleep, I decided a little recon trip was in order. I called everyone I could think of to see if they wanted to go, but the short notice and midweek time frame ruled out most of my regular fishing buddies. After numerous calls I was finally able to muster a friend and a few of his buddies to join me.
Riptide docked in ACK harbor as the skipper and his crew grab some grub. Photo courtesy Riptide Charters
At a leisurely 9:30 we splashed in Falmouth and the big Contender was soon hammering toward the spot that Ken had told me about. I wasn’t very familiar with the area, so I called Ken back, and with my Navionics chart in front of me he walked me right into the bite.
Within minutes of arriving at the spot we began to see fish, but they were acting very un-albie-ish.They were not exhibiting the typical hit-and-run, laser-fast albie feed. Rather, these fish were rolling and slurping on top, fining and generally acting very relaxed. Given this behavior I expected super picky fish. Boy was I wrong!
Another albie sports a jig. Photo courtesy Riptide Charters
These albies were aggressive, but 100 times easier to set up on and cast to. In minutes we had several hits and 2 fish to the boat. The only thing slowing us down was the wind and the light Maria jigs we needed to match the hatch. Although moving slower than normal, they were, after all, albies.
In the few hours that followed we had 15-18 hits, 8-10 hookups and 5-6 fish to the boat. Each time I was able to get the boat within casting range we hooked up. The tiny Maria jigs had them eating great, but the tiny little hooks were not the best at keeping the speedsters hooked up. Many fish were lost at the end of the first run.
Vermiculation. Photo courtesy Riptide Charters
Ken had told me when the bite would start and also when it would end, and he was accurate to within 15 minutes. When the action died we ran into Nantucket Harbor for a little waterfront snack and a cold drink.
Eventually all good things come to an end, and once we were stuffed full of good food we pulled the lines and raced back to Falmouth.
Overall it was a perfect and unexpected day, and I owe all the thanks to my buddy Capt. Ken Panacek of Ken Catch Charters. I’ve always said, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know—and what they are willing to tell you.”
Thanks Ken. I owe you one!
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About the Author
Terry Nugent has been fishing the lakes, ponds and coastal waters from New England to Florida for over 30 years. In 1998 that experience was put to good use and Riptide Charters was born. As a professional guide, Terry is also the captain of the Navionics Tournament Team. With major Striped Bass tournament top 10 finishes to his name and several top 3 finishes in ASA and FLW events. Capt. Terry has proven successful with inshore species and offshore pelagics from the islands to the canyons. He has guided his sports to a Massachusetts Governors’ Cup and back to back 2006/2007 IGFA World Records for Thresher and Blue Shark.
