NOV. 24, 2012 - CAPTAIN GREG - OCEAN EAGLE V - ITS OFFICIAL - 21 LB 1 OZ - LARGEST BLACKFISH BROUGHT INTO SHEEPSHEAD BAY

[EC NEWELLMAN]

In over a century long history of party boats running out of Sheepshead Bay, there have been many trophy sized fish, caught on hook and line and brought in. Today, Captain Greg Nardiello, two decades long owner of the OCEAN EAGLE V, hooked and landed an officially weighted blackfish of 21.05 oz.

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I did not want to miss this, and upon getting down to the boat as the spring line was slipped onto the bit, the cheering along with the "oohs & aahh's" from those on board the boat and on the dock at Pier 5, gave a good indication that a big fish was caught.

Greg's brother Geoff, had pulled out of the fish box the big blackfish, and laid it out on a 124 quart Igloo court to get a approximate length.



A few of us went over to get a better look, and it seemed this fish came in at just over 32.5 inches long (83.5 centimeters = 32.874 inches).



The trophy tog was laid out one last time to give you an idea of how long this fish is on the big cooler before pictures were taken with his brothers.



Finally Captain Greg came down from the wheelhouse, and would you believe that he was ready to fix something on the boat, and was not to concerned about taking pictures?

C'mon Greg, its picture time!

In all the years together, the three brothers, Geoff, Greg and Glenn have caught and seen many very special fish. When it comes to blackfish, well, where can one begin, and now end, with this one fish:



After the pictures on the boat, both Tom the mate and I had to rush the big fish over to BERNIES TACKLE in Sheepshead Bay to get an official weight. Tom ran to get his keys in the cabin, and with water in a semi-big pail, the blackfish was placed inside and we rode over to the tackle shop.



Frank and the crew at Bernies literally jumped when we brought the fish in. A quick peak into the barrel by everyone who was in the store, made for the "I have to take a picture of that blackfish."

Their digital scale was brought out, along with a tub to place the fish in. Frank then zeroed in the digital scale and Tommy eased the slob into the tub.



Of course, unofficial betting was taking place on the weight, with one guy yelling out, "its 30 lbs.!"

"What", as we then told everyone to step back as we could get a closer look at the reading on the scale:



Frankie said it was the biggest fish he has ever heard caught on a boat out of Sheepshead Bay. We thought so too, especially knowing "just a little bit' about the history on big blackfish being caught by rod and reel fishermen over the decades in this area.

The big chalk board was then broken out, and a new date and weight was entered.



It was placed in front of BERNIES, and Tom, who will be 69 years young tomorrow, was given the honor of holding up the big fish for one last time.



The fish was slipped back into the barrel and we made our way back in Toms car to the boat. It was time to tell Captain Greg and the crew the official weight, along with the "back-stories" starting.

That was the fish I broke off on the Elizabeth bottom back in 1989, just larger now....

Greg was using Fin-Strike hooks tied onto black leader material...

Greg was fishing Jeffery "Bullet's" favorite drop!

Everyone that was still in the cabin, were in a good mood as I had a few minutes to ask Greg about how he caught this fish.

For those with inquiring minds, as you can see in the original thread, this blackfish was caught off in the Reef area, hooked on a 4/0 Ocean Eagle Brand Octopus hook on a rig tied up by his brother Geoff on his special leader material. The reel was a Newell 229, and the rod was a custom built BILLY 40 GUSA, that Greg was telling everyone he spoke to, that its action helped greatly in getting this mule off the bottom without busting it off.

Greg picked up a big white crab and stuck the two OE hooks into the crab as he has been doing for years, and tossed it out. While other fishermen were getting hung up, Greg said that he never lost a rig nor sinker on that drop. The bite came, and the battle was on, but it was not one in which an experienced fishermen would have thought....the big fish did not make those head dodging hard dives towards the bottom, and only dogged a few times coming up on till Geoff slipped the net under the fish.

The unusual thing here, is Captain Greg in telling me this story, was more concerned about apologizing and thanking all his customers who have come down to the boat during the past week and a half and put up with what he called, "lousy black fishing!" He emphasized that a second time when he was talking to a reporter from another fishing site, that he wanted everyone to know that the black fishing is finally starting to break out and its going to be that much better over the next few days as the water color is starting to clear up.

One other point of interest on this day as told to me by Big Al who was on board, is that the next biggest fish, the pool blackfish, weighted in at under 5 lbs! Go figure, but that is how one trophy size fish can make an "ok" day, one in which many of us will never forget.

In all the years that Captain Greg has been out on the fishing grounds and putting his customers onto some memorable fishing trips and some very special fish, I doubt there has been a more satisfying fish, for himself, then this one big fish....but don't let that fool you with Captain Greg...oh no. He will be out there tomorrow and for as long as he runs the boat, looking for even a bigger blackfish to be caught on board the OCEAN EAGLE.

That's the Greg I know....and you don't know how happy I am after all these years of him finally getting the big one that did not get away.

[marktore]

Congratulations to Capt. Greg! It couldnt have happened to a nicer guy who everyone knows puts the time in! Well deserved...

MT

[Togmaster]

Congrads what a fish. i recall 15lbs held the recod for many years down in the bay
Is that a state record or did soem one break that a few years back ?

[gevans]

Congtats to Capt Greg. A great captain and a reel nice guy to boot.

[EC NEWELLMAN]

Morning everyone......

Mike Togmaster brought up something here, which has been asked of me a few times both at the boat, on the phone, and through emails about this fish being a record size blackfish.

Now I am not sure, and there was a little dispute later at the boat about a big blackfish caught by a charter captain out of the Bay Park area having brought in a blackfish that was a pound or so larger last year.

Again, there was no verification from what we were told in the tackle shop yesterday. Upon checking the NYS DEC - New York State Marine Fishing Records, the Tautog caught by Captain Greg, does seem to indicate that this would be the new state record fish.....but, as mentioned above, we do know of one larger fish that was caught as I have indicated above.

I will say this right here, and it was something Randy Brown of the Island Current, "Brown Boy" said on FACEBOOK:

"Congratulation well deserved , You put your time in for many years, well done ."

Anyone knowing Greg will tell you that he not only lives going out and wreck fishing but also in taking people out fishing and trying to make each fishing trip as good as the last. I cannot tell you how many "stones" he has over turned during the last few decades, not only looking and hunting for new pieces of bottom, but in taking his craft to such a level where he just knows where to find a few fish when there is barely a bite in the area.

When I first got down to the boat and was standing up in the bow and Greg finally came down, he said something along the lines,

It's Geoff that usually catches all the big fish

Rightly so, with even Red saying that Geoff may be the finest rod and reel fishermen around. How many blackfish over 12lbs over the years he has caught in this area, one can only wonder.

It brings me back to the point Randy made about putting in your time. Many fishermen do....and many fishermen commit much of their lives to becoming that much better a fishermen and captain then their peers.

Maybe in this case it was the stars, sun and moon all aligning for Greg to not only hook this fish, but as Sergio - Mister X said, pulling the fish off the reef bottom without busting it off! That is what makes this an incredible personal fishing story here.

For Captain Greg, Geoff and Glenn, it has been a family business, where ever day they leave the dock, they live for the adventure of finding new spots and catching those special fish that they seem to find during the season. I know - I know, there are a few other captains and fishing operations like that in the area too.

But there is one thing I can leave you with, and those who have ever regularly run a bottom fishing party boat in this area for years where you not only have the heaviest vessel and fishing traffic, and have to figuratively speaking, put up with the mo-mo's and fight over and many times, try to protect productive pieces of bottom, understand what it means for the captain himself in catching this pretty close to the record size blackfish right here in the NY BIGHT.

[bluefish69]

Capt.

That is one HE!! of a fish for a nice guy. I hope you get the rocord.

[Capt. Rick]

MULE TRAIN !!!! Great looking fish !!!!

[ELIASV]

That is one epic fish the story told it all. I can't imagine all the gasps on the boat when that fish hit the deck.

I'd love to set the hook on a fish like that, must be incredible.

[Capt.Paul]

Thats One Great Fish Congratulations You Deserve it !!! THUMBS UP !!!

Captain Paul Peluso aka Pablo

[Hawkboat]

Congrats, That is a beast for sure. Once in a lifetime fish and couldn't happen to a better skipper!