Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

WOW What a great trip we had on the NJFISHING.COM Gambler Offshore Sea Bass trip today.

It was great to meet some new great fisherman like Dan, Jay and all the others. It was a pleasure and I hope to fish with you all again. Also good to see you Steve.

Thank you Howie for putting the trip together.

Looks like everyone wound up with their limit. we had some Porgies and Sea Bass as well. Our crew(Jon, Howie, Bill, Chad, Jack and myself had our limit before 9:00 am and fished for Porgies and threw some in the box for those who needed a few more to reach the limit.

The weather was great as well. A little cold but not bad for Feb. Tom was on the money with the Galley and made my day with the pork roll, egg and cheese after boxing 15 jumbos! Thanks Tom.

Thanks again to the Gambler. Good to see Bobby, Mike, Tom and the boys again.

Great fishing and seeing you all. Some Pictures.....

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

glad you guys had a great time! In hindsight I wish I would have joined you!

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Leif,

Awesome trip! Good to see the fish were still in the mood after the storm this week. Pretty amazing how stacked the off shore wrecks are with jumbo sea bass. Good to see. Thought it would be a little cold out there today but after reeling up a few fish from 200 foot depths you warm up pretty quickly. Anybody jigging them today. Any cod or pollack hit the deck and were there still bluefish out there? From the third picture it looks like the answer regarding bluefish at least is yes. I would think the water is getting a bit cold for their liking but then again when you see reports of weakfish, bonita, bluefish etc. you just never know!?

Way to go guys. Gambler runs a great operation!

Dakota

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

I caught most of mine on a hammered diamond jig.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Did the sea gull hit a jig or take bait? Hope you vented it before the release! I've heard many people say that sea bass will not hit jigs on wrecks but will do so on open bottom. I assume that most of these offshore trips are fishing wrecks and if so there seems to be a lot of sea bass taken on jigs. For all the jig experts out there, was wondering what your opinions are. I've heard this from a few very knowledgeable jig guys but was curious what everyone's opinions were.

Dakota

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Nice work guys! Sounds like it was a great trip!!

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Great trip with a great group of people. Lots of laughs and of course non-stop ball bustin'.

Thanks to Howie for putting this together.

As far as I know the Sea Gull came aboard of his own free will.

Bill

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Glad to see you had a great trip,

And those sea bass are gonna make some "super" eats today!

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

It was nice fishing with a great group of guys. Thanks to the Gambler crew. Awesome trip!

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ps0facdab5.jpg

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

very nice going buddy...

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

was jigging most of the day. seemed the only time the bass didn't want the jig was first thing in the morning. as the sun got higher in the sky, jigging really too off. i don't know where we were fishing , be it wreck or open bottom. but the bass were there.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Found: a pair of neoprene sports gloves.

Let me know if your missing them and I'll ups them to your house.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

great report

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

How's the finger Howie?

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Howie,

Thanks for the bag of ice you gave me, it is almost gone; can you UPS me another?

Bill

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Yes sir, what a day!:eek: More jumbos than you can shake a jig at.:D I might have to say that was one of the best trips I've had in awhile as far as quality sea bass. I did not get the # of porgies as some, but then I was fishing with big 6/0 hooks so the dozen I did land were all hubcap sized. Super Bowl Buffalo Sea Bass bites are on the menu for tonight along with porgy fish stix.
One of the finest, friendliest operations on the water. Not to mention The most comfortable boat. Tom at the grill was on his game, especially those pork roll and egg sandwiches. Man what a meal.:eek: The mates were great as well. They filleted fish from about 1 when we left until we got in at 5. Super Trip. I wish the Gambler would stay in the water for the remainder of the sea bass season because I would be the first to sign up again if they did.
Nice to meet some new guys who I've talked to on the forum but never met face to face including Leif, Jay, Billfish, Ahab to name a few. Great group of like minded guys, and some awesome fishermen as well.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Oh come on now. . .there has to be a story that goes with that seagull picture

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Leif- Sea Bass will close soon, what are you going to do if mackeral don't show up....Sea Gull charters ????

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Leif, I just had that gull. I prepared it just like you said with the Cajun spices and Pinole nuts. Fantastic! I garnished it just like you explained with the beak and feet. Now I'm working on that handbag suggestion for my wife. How long so I need to let the skin and feathers cure for after urinating on it?

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Jon,
Glad you enoyed the gull. They can be a tasty treat if prepared correctly. That gull was a nice size and the cajun spice and pinole nut rub does the trick on those old birds.

The leather you get from them is like a cross between ostrich and lizard skin.
Just let the skin soak in the urine for 2 days. The left over meat will scrap off easily. Just wash it off in a mild soap and let dry on a board,

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

That looks more like one from J. Murray's cookbook...The big question is, did he taste like chicken or fish?

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

JD, please save me a wing if the boys don't eat them

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

This was better than any gull I had....

Sea Bass encrusted with salt with tyme and lemon...Tasty. Even Judy liked it.
I'll post the recipe later.

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Leifer!!!!

Looks excellent!

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Howie,

If they're black Glacier gloves with the wrist straps pulled off they're mine. Let me know and I'll send you my address.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Oh My God, just finished dinner.

Prepared a nice big, whole biscuit, using Frugalfisherman's recipe from the board. Preceded it with a nice fresh salad and served it with some yellow rice and hot sauce. Washed it down with a pitcher of white sangria. Jeezus, i feel like I died and went to heaven.

Now if my wife would just turn into 3 of my good friends I'd be golden :D

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Leif

My buddy Andrew from site told me about the Kosher Salt encrusted fish recipe earlier this year. I have done it with blackfish and it was unbelievable. You loose so mych meat when you fillet so this is the way to go if you want to maximize your yield as there is a ton of meat in the rib cage and head that is normally lost when fish is fillet. The salt locks in all the juices. Crack salt off after baked and then just peel of the skin. All you are left with is delicious juicy meet that is not salty. Great pictures.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

MVP,
Yes! The fish is great this way. Thanks. I mixed the salt with egg whites. Is that the way you did it? Some just use water and the salt. Some may think that preparing it this way causes the fish to be very salty but that is not the case...A very old and great way to cook a whole fish.

Leif

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Made it exactly like you did.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Wish I kept more fish whole..Guess I'll have to get out soon for more.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Great trip and even better catching - thanks to my boyz for the updates Johnny and Steve-O - One day I will make one of these trips - yes very jealous

Cathum - Up - stay warm finally getting cold out there

I am finally out next week

Be Well - Be Safe and Catchum-Up

GDubs-:cool:

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

I was thinking the same thing, getting out again that is. I have reserved a spot on the Big J for Sat Feb 23. Let's put the gang together again Leify boy, what do ya say?:D

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

What a great trip! It was good meeting you guys! Always a blast! Caught a ton of fish too!!

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Thank you Capt Bob and crew, that was an EPIC trip. Had my limit
by 9:00 am in the morning. Waiting for some pictures to be posted.
It was great fishing with all the hardcore cold weather fisherman.
Anyone have a Sea Bass Chowder recipe ?

Scott........:)

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Sea Bass Chowder

For the stock

Cover ingredients below with salted water (1-2 tablespoons of sea salt) IN 6-8 qt stock pot
Should make about 3-4qts of stock.

2 3-6lb Sea Bass racks

1 bag of soup greens (food town veg section)parsnips,celery carrot,dill parsely ect

1 Medium Yellow Onion

Cover with salted water boil(simmer) for 2 1/2 hours
when done strain off over cheese cloth in another pot.
Discard remains.

You can also use clam broth or chicken broth if you don't want to bother with the stock.

MAKE THE CHOWDER

6 strips of bacon (cut in 1/2 in peices)
3 lbs Sea Bass fillets cut in 1 in chunks
1 cup of white wine (any)
1 cup of heavy cream (MIX THE SOUR CREAM WITH THE CREAM)
1 pint of sour cream (this is the trick)
6 youkon gold potatoes 1/2 in chunks)
1 lg yellow onion (Diced not too small)
6 stalks of celery (1/2in peices)

In a large sauce pan or 8qt stock pot cook the bacon when crispy remove from pan put on paper towels. set aside.

Leave 2-3 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan or pot.

Cook the onions till translucent don't brown too much. (5minutes)

When onions are done add the cream wine sour cream potatoes and celery and fish stock.

Bring to a boil and simmer (15-20 minutes)

Add Sea Bass chunks..Bring to a boil and shut off. You are done.

Serve with Bacon on top and chopped parsely. Salt Pepper. ENJOY!!

Also you can throw in a small bag of frozen corn if you like and sometimes I use carrots


Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Probably headed to RI for cod that weekend....

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Thank you....Cod God.....:D :D :D

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

Now we need some cod!

Leif

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

That would be awesome! Maybe with this snow, it brought some up here by us.

Re: Njf Gambler Njfishing Sea Bass 2/2
 

A Big snow run off brought'em down here two years ago....
why not now.....may have to jump on a Cod Charter soon
let me know Jay.....:D :D