Word from our boys in Westport is they caught a couple schoolies last week, so the season is officially upon us. Any and all reports are welcome, so please send them to us at [email protected] and I’ll post them. Personally, I’ll be getting my first line wet in the next week or so, but have lost the few years in our annual competition to see who the last person to catch a bass is but I’m hoping that will change this year. My best bet may be fishing off the shore in the North End in Boston again, so I need to get some of my gear up here soon.
I’m also gearing up for tuna season. I recently purchased a sweet new Saragosa 14000 w/ 65# braid and a 7’ Van Staal rod. Mike at Goose Hummock hooked me up with the set up and even gave me credit for the gift certificate I lost last summer. Unbelievable customer service from the best fishing store in the area, and he gave me some great tips on how to use the new set up for both jigging and casting for tuna. Back when I got married I actually tried to register at Goose Hummock (no joke) but couldn’t make it work. I spread the word though and got some good gear from there and a couple gift certificates. She had her 3 stores picked out, I got my one. Mike, I honestly think there is a marketing angle there for wedding registries – no one else I know in the business does it, and I bet guys would be all over it.
I also talked to Mike about his website – www.goose.com – that is a pretty slick web address to have. Mike told me he bought it years ago, and has had many people try to buy it from him including a few unsavory types of websites – but he wanted to protect his customers from showing up some day to buy a new reel and finding someone like Captain Stabbin and his mates in their glory.
Mike also gave us a few good leads on a new boat. As we’ve mentioned, team Burke is without a boat still. It’s time to turn up the heat, so any all leads for 25-30 ft rig are welcome – just send them to [email protected]. We’ve had to bite the bullet on a few of our initial preferences (inboard diesels) and are now open to all options other than center consoles (need to keep the family protected now that we have a bunch of rugrats in the mix).
Lastly, had our first unsolicited entry in the tourney this past week – someone emailed in and asked for a registration form. I googled the name and the guy showed up on the cover of a fishing magazine so another ringer could be in the mix. I love it.