Possible second reoping of the Tuna General Category October through November Fishery:
With Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category fishery reopening for two Days, October 15-16 thoughts were that the 50mt subquota would be filled quickly in that small timeframe. Well NMFS didnt take into account the weather and the gale that blew during that two day window. NMFS is currently undecided about reopening October fishing, and that the decision to reopen will not be made for another week as of Friday 10/19. Current conditions are weighing on the potential decision to reopen or not as we continue to get hammered by strong winds. We will post updates as NMFS makes them available.
Intel
The majority of the boats that got out to fish teh reopen last week hooked up and brought fish to the market. Middle bay, Stellwagen SWC did most of the damage with mostd fish in teh 90" 400lb category. Word has been very quit on the rec front due to the weather conditions. Some of the charter captains off chatham are targeting small weather windows and scoring school to medium sized bluefin in the 60-100lb range in tight off crab ledge. There is rumors that these school fish have made there way into the bay but not alot of evidence to support outisde of sightings.
Inshore Intel
The inshore scene has remained steady if you can get out there. Plenty of school size stripers around feeding on peanut bunker as they have for the past few weeks. The fish are small and the occasionaly keeper is starting to become scarce. Blitzes are taking place daily from the north shore down to the canal you just got to go searching for them.
Western buzzards bay has been hot for keeper taug with a large number of shorts mixed in. Green crabs are the trick.
Offshore Intel
For those not wanting to put their boats away for the winter Haddock season opens up again on Stellawgen starting November 1st.
Weather Forecast
..SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
Synopsis: ANZ200-231415- 908 PM EDT Mon Oct 22 2018 .Synopsis for Massachusetts and Rhode Island coastal waters... A ridge of high pres will build south of the waters tonight. Weak low pres will then track across New England Tue, dragging a cold front across the waters Wed. High pres will build E from the Great Lakes Thu into Sat.
Rest Of Tonight
W winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas around 5 ft.
Mon
W winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Mon Night
SW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas around 3 ft.
Tue
S winds 10 to 15 kt. Gusts up to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon.
Tue Night
W winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas around 3 ft, building to 6 ft after midnight. A chance of showers in the evening.
Wed
NW winds 10 to 15 kt, increasing to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Wed Night
NW winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. Seas around 6 ft.
Thu
NW winds 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. Seas around 6 ft.
Thu Night
NW winds 20 to 25 kt, diminishing to 15 to 20 kt after midnight. Gusts up to 30 kt. Seas 6 to 7 ft.
Fri
NW winds 15 to 20 kt, diminishing to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 kt. Seas 4 to 5 ft.
Fri Night
NW winds 5 to 10 kt, becoming NE 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. seas are reported as significant wave height, which is the average of the highest third of the waves. Individual wave heights may be more than twice the significant wave height.