Posted on October 13th, 2026
I had the opportunity to head on the Morning Star with Captain Monty Hawkins and crew to shoot a new episode of Hooked on OC and it was a beautiful day on the water! Skies were sunny, temps were very nice, there was little wind to speak of and the company was outstanding. Admittedly, the fishing could have been a little better, but we still had some nice fish around the rail and I was able to put six keeper sea bass the cooler that will be released into Lake Crisco tomorrow night. Was an awesome trip! Thank you Captain Monty and crew
Sea Bassin with dreams of October Flounder & Seatrout fishing past.. 10/13/26
A completely calmed sea and crisp sunrise awaited us this am. Man it was pretty.
My friend Scott Lenox of Hooked on OC was aboard along with some regulars. My intent was to get some awesome cbass fishing on camera.
Shew..
Had one of the toughest days this year instead! Did get some fellows closing in on double digits (with Kelvin at 9!) but I really thought it would be a cake walk.
At least today’s blocks went well. Shelly, Adam & Andrew sent 16 blocks lashed into a reef unit down to the Hull/McKee Memorial Reef – a bullseye too – before we paddled a good bit further. (See Scott’s slowmo vid!)
Was a great many more reef blocks hit bottom today though. Lots more!
Capt Brandon, aboard his 90ft “Averie Branch,” sent 1,072 blocks to the seafloor at the Bass Grounds. I expect that will finish our grand Taj Matog/Ritz Carlton Tog Plaza build there.
PromisePromisePromise!
That’s going to become an incredibly toggy reef.
And, I’ve always found this so: where tog thrive on our reefs? So does everything else..
I struggled all day to get on good fish – tried over a dozen spots. It was not my best result. Howard, however, might argue differently. He took today’s sea bass pool.
Despite truly expert anglers’ best attempts, we never did see a keeper flounder. For me they’ve been MIA since that long NE wind.
Will also post separately about Capt Brandon’s deployment. Definitely a first for OCRF – Over 1,000 reef blocks in one run!!
Have tons of room tomorrow..
Cheers All!
Monty
