Rock Harbor Fishing Report
By: Capt. Hap Farrell
20 July 2007
Special Olympics Comes to Rock Harbor
This last Monday we sponsored Special Olympics at Rock Harbor. We've done this for the past 24 years in a row. All the charter boats in Rock Harbor, from Welfleet Harbor, the Jacks Mate, and Sesuit Harbor, the Prime Rate and the Annie B, volunteer their services for this half day trip. It is the one day we all look forward to. It reminds us why we do this. The looks on the faces of these special anglers as they boat their fish is, simply put, priceless.
Before I get into what happened at this years Special Olympics let me go into what has happened during the rest of the time. The stripers are still occupying the north edge of Billingsgate Shoals. They are stretched over the whole length of the shoals which is almost 5 miles. Stay anywhere between 18 to 24 feet of water, jig from the southwest to the northeast or the reverse, and you should eventually run across a number schools of stripers from schoolies to fish over 40 inches. Provincetown, the Race, Wood End, and Long Point also hold larger numbers of stripers. The only thing is they don't always eat. As far as the bluefish are concerned the Path and along the Welfleet/Truro shore is loaded with bluefish. The Eastham shore and up by Sunken Meadow is the same way.
Last Saturday I had a local young lady along with her farther out on a half day trip. Meaghan Fitzpatrick, from Brewster and a student at Bridgewater State College, came out to try her luck at landing a nice striper. Kevin, her father had been out before but this was Meaghans first time. It wasn't long before she hooked up on a hard fighting fish. With a little coaching and her skill she landed a very nice 18 pound, 37 inch striper while jigging on top of Billingsgate shoals. She's hooked now herself. First chance she gets she'll be out at it again.
This was the 24th consecutive Special Olympics held at Rock Harbor. This is a pretty big deal for this reason, next year is the 25th year and plans are already underway. A date has not been set but all other plans are in the works. All the bigwigs from the Mass. Special Olympics Committee will be at the harborfor it. This should be quite a show.
Speaking of shows, this seasons Special Olympics was, in all ways. perfect. The weather was good, the fish bit very well, and everyone had a really good time. How can you describe to someone the look on a persons face when they land a fish with relative ease when it's thought they could hardly hold the rod? When you see the sense of accomplishment these special anglers have when the mate hold a fish next to them that is nearly one third their height. Those who came down to the harbor and watched these crews getting off their respective boats saw it. Those who came to the awards ceremony afterwards saw it. Those of us who were on the boats saw it and it will be permanently etched in our brains.
Here are some of the winners: Justin Carlis on the Luau, Leona Scbie aboard the Seaduction, Richard White fishing on the Hobo, and Lili Bass on the Osprey. These anglers won various awards for the fish they landed. In actuality all the participants won. They won the admiration and respect of the Captains and Mates who were honored to fish with them. We must also recognize some of the those who get this day of athletes off the ground. Coaches and volunteers: Roxanne Hayes, Susanne Brosnan, Michelle De Silva, Dick & Jan Bowers, and the Special Olympics Southern Divisional Director Jay O'Brian. A special thanks goes out to these folks.
If you'd like to try and land your own bass or bluefish give me a call at: 508-255-6211 or 508-240-8267.
