This is a fish tale you can pass down to your grandchildren. If you were there, you were part of history. Yes, on August 21, 2017 the Annual New York State Bakers Fishing Trip and Total Eclipse of the Sun coincided for the first time ever. It is this combination of events that will forever live in our minds. It began as a usual morning, but that was soon to change, as we arrived at Sheepshead Bay just after dawn to board our boat, the Ocean Eagle V. On this balmy and sunny day, we were greeted by Captain and crew, along with some delicious baked items provided by our Association members.
The plan was to sail out into the Bay and catch some porgies or fluke , which was exactly what we began to do. Lines were cast out and a few got some quick hits from Sea Bass but were not able to pull anything edible in.
So we did the next best thing and attacked the Danish and coffee.
Within a few minutes the weather had a precipitous change. The temperature dropped, then suddenly shot up. Strong winds came off the shore and started to push the Ocean Eagle V further out in the bay. The Captain dropped anchor in an effort to stabilize the craft and hold us in place but to no avail. The waves pitched us up and tossed us around, and before we could go for a second cup of coffee, we found ourselves pulled out into the ocean battling huge waves.
It got so bad that some of us actually put down our coffee, stopped eating the Danish and held onto the railings so as not to be swept overboard. A small tornado appeared bringing fish to the surface.
This storm went on for quite a while, and all thought that surely this was the end. Suddenly as quickly as it came upon us, the winds subsided and the clouds were swept away leaving a bright blue sky and calm waters. As we stared up into the clear sky, darkness began to creep in.
It was then we remembered that today was also the solar eclipse. As soon as the moon started to pass in front of the sun,
strange fish of all shapes and sizes began to hit on the lines we still had
overboard. We frantically ran to our fishing poles and fought with the monsters we had hooked.
We were just just amazed with what we caught, and truthfully a little freaked out to boot.
Someone caught a fish that reminded him of his Grandfather, so he threw it back.
It took three girls to get this one on the boat.
And this most likely would have won the pool for biggest fish, but it was not one of the fish categories we agreed on before setting out.
