![\"\"](\"http:\/\/fishtales.abatemarco.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/fishtales.abatemarco.com\/2010\/11\/PunyKeeperNov92010.jpg\" "\\"PunyKeeperNov92010\\"")
<\/a>Puny Keeper: This 28-incher was one of a dozen fish<\/p><\/div>\n
But today was different.\u00a0 I steered wide of a couple of gaggles of avid local surfcasters–including Sam the Hook–who were bunched up at East Hampton\u2019s Main Beach, Wiborg Beach and near Indian Wells. Instead, I motored east of their slow picks on small fish and waded into the water near Atlantic Ave. beach, \u00a0the scene of Big Brother Frank\u2019s pre-Halloween Sunday keeper.<\/a> Right choice. \u00a0I had a fish on my first cast and\u00a0banged a whole bunch over the next hour\u00a0with a bump on nearly every throw. I\u00a0landed a cool dozen–two puny 28-inch keepers, one borderline, a double header and a bunch of schoolies from 22 to 26 inches. My ugly black-and-tan teaser fly was deadly, scoring two thirds of my catch, including the three biggest.\u00a0The rest hit a slow moving AVA-27 diamond jig with a red tube. A stiff NNW\u00a0wind at my back helped me cast like a champion, but the fish weren\u2019t that far; in a trough, just beyond the inner sandbar.\u00a0It was all touchie feelie on a sl-o-o-o-w retrieve.<\/p>\n Ocean Muggers: I started out fishing alone...but not for long<\/p><\/div>\n I had this steady pick of \u00a0fish all to myself for about 30 minuter before the East Hampton surfcasting Cavalry showed up. \u00a0At one point I walked to my truck to change lures and when I turned around, my spot was newly occupied. That’s when I knew it was time to leave. \u00a0In any case, the bite died out with the tide, so it was perfect timing for a lunch break and fish cleaning. Filets first. Then I cooked down the carcass for fish stock and the fixings for striped bass brandade,\u00a0a variation of a traditional Provencale dish typically prepared from salted cod. \u00a0I think I really got it right this time. I didn’t even use the food processor. My Parisian buddy Angus, who is an expert with the cod recipe, would be proud.<\/p>\n The problem with a stellar morning like this, however, is the danger of believing that surf fishing is that easy.\u00a0 Easy, perhaps, when you find the fish. \u00a0But there’s no guarantee from one tide to the next. In the afternoon, everything looked right: moving water, birds working, lots of beach to navigate and anglers everywhere. Only problem: the bite was off. A few small fish were picked right in front of TI Drive but none for me. \u00a0Slammin’ Sam, beyond doubt one of the most proficient surfcasters in East Hampton, nailed a pair of schoolies. \u00a0But not too many other anglers did. Here is Harvey Bennett’s end-of-day Mobile Tackle Shop report<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>