8/2/04 Nantucket News from Capt. Lynne Heyer

First off, I have to thank those who have e-mailed me about the Slam Tournament. I hope all who have gotten back to me can sign up and join in the fun in September. We are still looking for more anglers. If you would like to join the Nantucket Slam Tournament, e-mail me at captlynne@comcast.net, and I will get the necessary paperwork to you. Now on to the fishing report.

I have been getting lots of good news the last couple of days from both ends of the island and the middle too. Casey McKee just stopped in to tell me that he caught a big bass in the Great Point Rip yesterday. It was longer than his arm. Knowing Casey, I would say that it was probably 36 inches. I also heard a rumor that someone caught a bonito up that way. No one has come in here to substantiate it, but I saw it on the forums on Reel-Time. The bones have been on the West Jetty also so that may have been where a local charter boat caught its bonito. The other happenings at Great Point have been off the beach. James Kilmartin went out to the Old Lighthouse spot a couple of days ago and landed four bass during the day. He said the bass were pushing the bait right onto the beach at his feet. Something he has only heard about, but not seen before. I have also heard that the point has been very good for blues.

The North Shore from Step Beach to Dionis has had some nice bass cruising the shore for the last two weeks, and people have been able to sight fish them when the sun is out. Crab patterns, Shrimpy-type patterns, and small Clousers have been the ticket.

The Eel Point and the Tuckernuck Flats have been fishy when you can see. The fog has been making it tough to sight fish.

The Bonito Bar has been pretty hot the last week. Capt. Shawn with Mark Dowley and his 6 year-old son cranked on the bones Saturday morning, landing 19. The Kilmartin clan went out on the Bonito Bar Sunday morning, and Peter landed five, James landed two and John landed one. Capt. Shawn had the Johnson family out on Friday, and daughter Liz landed a slam on the Bar.

The Cross Rip captains have had some great success on the water this past week with other folks getting slams and having great luck. Time to get out and catch some fish, don't wait too long. Soon the season will be done, and all we can do is remember the great fishing and read the reports from the past.

-- Capt. Lynne