Looking for Advice - 1st time poster

Get yourself a copy of Chapmans, it is the boating bible.
 
I also have a Garmin chartplotter and would recommend them. Easy to use, good flexibility in how you can setup the screen, good detail on the charts.

One thing to note that I don't believe has been mentioned. The water between Montauk point and Block Island has strong currents when the tide changes. Which direction the tidal current is moving can have a dramatic effect on sea conditions. For example if there is a large swell in the ocean coming from the south or a strong southerly wind, the Block Island Sound area will be much rougher if the tide is going out than it will be on an incoming tide. I've spent several days fishing that area and have seen it go from a comfortable roll to breaking waves in less than 2 hours because of the tide change. With a typical southerly summer wind it's best to plan that leg for an incoming tide (the tide change at Montauk Pt is within an hour of the change of current). I have seen it real rough on an incoming tide with a North wind also so you'll have to go by the forecast.

John
 
John that's interesting perspective based on some good local knowledge. I always thought the places with the high currents were the race and gut. I didn't think it was strong that far out! I have to fire up the software and look at that.
Edit:
That really is strong out there, it looks like it kicks up to almost 3 knots of tide from Montauk all the way across (line of sight) to Block.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Riverledge13

..................Time is on my side. I plan to make very short and relaxing trips from Catskill to Block Island. My initial thought is 4 hours on the water at a time. At the end of 4 hours I would like to be at my planned destination where I can take on fuel, get fresh water, pump out, eat, relax , etc.

On that 4 hour leg of my trip I will have (as best as I can) a backup marina or landing where I can duck into if weather is against me. These "backup" stops will be spaced about 1 hour apart if I can do that. The goal simply being to know I have someplace I can tie up to if need be............

Click to expand...

Joe
What is your cruise speed and fuel range?
 
Dan, yep, the current is still strong between Montauk and Block. Plus you have a lot of changes in bottom depth which combined with the currents leads to big rip lines with breaking waves during tide changes. I've trolled through there and gone backwards at idle not far from Montauk Pt, when I would normally be going a little over 4 knots. When you spend the day fishing running back and forth between Montauk and Block you really see how conditions change during the day with the tide.
 
John,

What lures are you pulling and what are your going for between Block and Montauk?

Jonathan
 
The original topic was seeking information about getting to Block Island.

If we want to talk about fishing in that area, it should be in a separate thread, probably on the LICC board.
 
Jonathan, I'll send you an email, we don't want to share fishing secrets anyway :D
 
Is this the first time we are trying to stay on topic here?????????

Maybe it's on topic, suppose he might want to catch a fresh fish dinner for himself????

Jonathan
 
My all means John please don't share the information here.

Riverledge13

You can't assume that the gps/chart plotter will have a depth finder as a standard feature, in fact just the opposite.
 
To expand on what Rommer said about the gps/plotter/depth finder combo, on my Garmin I had to buy the 'black box' sounder unit and transducer separately. Even though the unit will be able to operate as a depth finder, you may have to buy add-ons for it to function. You'll have to look at the specific units.
 
I bet he uses night crawlers and blood worms :D
 
Binoculars - yep X-mas present from wife cuz I knew I would need them.

Chapmans - yep, bought one about 5 years ago and still pick it up from time to time. I am just a horrible "reader" type as I can't seem to sit still that long without gettings antsy to "do" something.

Fuel capacity is about 60 gallons. I rarely go WOT and prefer to just bounce along peacefully. On longer stretches where I know there is not a lot of no wake zones I will open her up. I know I should use knots here but you will forgive me please if i tell you that I run between 25-35 mph "normally". I can go 45-50 if the conditions are right.

Still looking into a good gps/chart/fishfinder combo ( I made a separate post )

The localized info regarding tide and current and wave effects was also VERY much appreciated.

You guys are the BEST !

Joe
 
I love to fish. I do it more as a way to do things with my family so I can't say I am a hardcore fisherman. We fish when we can though and absolutely enjoy just passing the time together waiting for a jerk at the end of the line.
 
Bring your stuff to Block if you will be there a while!

By the way, make sure everything is secure before taking off. All of your 'stuff' had better not be laying around. Keep it collected and secured with bungee cords etc..
If you get some chop it's definitely going to bounce around.
 
Fishing off Block Island is outstanding. Fluke and Stripped Bass. Bring your Fluke rod, some squid strip and Spearing and fish just south of the inlet of the Great Salt Pond off the beach.

I hear fishing between Montauk and Block is good too.

I wonder where I heard that???

Jonathan
 
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