The fishing in LBI has been some of the best action we have had in years.  Labor day weekend was a very successful end to the "summer season".  I had a great charter with Paul Garfinkel and his friend Jay.  The two experienced fishermen wanted a relaxing day on the water, so we set out to one of my favorite "hot spots" for some bottom fishing.  Unfortunately, they didn't have much time to relax.  From the moment we put the lines down we had continuous action for six hours.  Bottom fishing doesn't usually work this way.  There are periods of action followed by periods of down time, based on the tide and currents.  We ended the day catching over forty fluke and 10 keepers up to 5lbs.  On the way in, I spotted a bunker pod which appeared to have some sort of predator underneath by the way the bunker we acting.  I grabbed a spinning outfit I always keep ready for such circumstances and casted into the school of frenzied bunker.  We were immediately hooked up and the battle was on.  I have caught many sharks this way and assumed we had another shark on the line by the way the fish was fighting.  The fish began spooling the small spinning outfit so I handed the rod to Jay who took the rod up to the bow and I began chasing after the fish with the boat.  This went on for 40 minutes until we got the fish to the top of the water.  I was prepared to cut the line because I thought we had a shark.  I did not have a gaff on the boat.  To our surprise, a large cobia appeared on the top of the water.  I grabbed the net and somehow scooped the fish out of the water and into the boat.  We were thrilled to have such a trophy fish in the boat to cap off such a great day of fishing.  The cobia weighed in at 38lbs and was the first cobia I have ever heard of caught off LBI.  Cobia is a delicious tasting fish and I was happy to share fresh fillets with my friends and neighbors.