We would like to send out a big shout out for a happy 50th anniversary to Captain Frank Blount the founder and owner of the Frances Fleet. 50 years ago as a young teenager, riding his bike along the docks, he was offered a job on the first Gail Frances. He bought the boat when he was 19 and as they say the rest is history. It’s been many years of growth from that one boat to a fleet of now five boats with several boats come and go . There has been so many wonderful experiences and a heck of a lot of fish have been caught with the Frances Fleet with Frank and many fine Captains at the helm. Over the years, the trips have ranged from the popular 1/2 day for fluke and seabass to full day , extended day, marathon and over night trips from 1-3 days . Cod, fluke , black seabass, tuna, swordfish, scup, pollack, hake , blackfish and more have come over the rails. The fleet has endured all kinds of weather and overwhelming at times fishery regulations and rules. Frank served on the NE Fisheries Management Council for an amazing 18 years fighting to protect the fish stocks and our rights to catch them. It’s been quite an amazing journey for the fleet led by Frank at the helm . Thank you and
Happy 50th Anniversary Capt Frank!
October 18th
No trips tomorrow
Today was a solid bang up trip by Captain Cole. We worked a pretty tight zone and were treated to a full boat limit of fine fish. We spread the anchors wide in the south wind and kept the boat dialed in. Some figured it out right away and other took all day. This upcoming weekend looks great and spots should go quick.
October 1th
We will be sailing tomorrow morning at 7am on the Gail Frances. The weather looks great and fishing has been solid. Plenty of room left with reservations booked online.
October 11th
Captain Cole reported a solid day on the grounds. We took the ride down to Coxes to check things out. The cod was on the slower side but the sea bass fishing was rock solid. Easy boat limit of fish with catch and release after that. Biggest fish on the day was 5 pound. Both jigs and baits worked well with bigger fish coming on jigs. Next trip will be Wednesday.
October 10th
Catching up on the reports from the last few days. We have been seeing good actions on all the trips from the past weekend. Some days have been better on the cod while others saw better scup/sea bass action. High hooks on cod were just 1 shy of a limit with a sea bass limit to boot. Both jigs and bait worked well with the bigger cod coming on the jigs .Plenty of room this upcoming week and starting Saturday we will have on boat for blackfish and one boat for cod and sea bass. Sailing tomorrow morning at 7am
September 17/18th
Captain Cole and Captain Rich reported a tough weekend on the cod grounds. Saturday days fishing was off from what we have seen this past week. Wasnt sure if it was just the fish hunkering down before the blow Sunday or we zigged when we should have zagged. We did manage some nice keeper cod, sea bass and scup for the dinner tables. Sunday was a very tough day with the conditions. We were on the anchor all day and by lunch time the wind really turned on. We did see more cod then Saturday but we were limited on what we could do. The beginning of the upcoming week does look much nicer and we will be sailing at 7am.
July 9th
Captain rich reported a improved day on the full day grounds. We were able to have a good drift all day and kept fish coming over the rails. Biggest fish on the day was just shy of 10 pounds. A nice sea bass limit to 5 pounds as well. Beginning of the week looks a little iffy but after that looks like good summer fluke weather.
June 25th
Few photos from Friday and Saturday.
Fishing was a little slower on Friday but we managed a nice 9 pounder for the pool. Saturday rebounded with some nicer fluke and a decent showing of sea bass.
Half day were decent fishing with the afternoon having more drift and seeing much more action.
June 18th
Captain Cole reported very good action on the morning half day trip. We were finally able to keep sea bass and many limits around the boat. There was lot of smaller fish to keep rods bent but some nice sea bass and fluke to go home with. The afternoon was slower with the windy conditions but still managed some nice keepers to have for dinner.
Captain Rich took the ride to the east and found good piles of sea bass to work on. Many in the 14-15 in range but some nice fish up to 5 pounds in the mix. IF we had a slower drift fishing would have been better. Many limits around and some fluke mixed in to 6 pounds.
5/24
The Gail Frances will be sailing tomorrow morning at 7am for fluke. The office will open around 6 am for check in and tackle sales.