Big Bass - where are they?
 

Not seeing too many reports of big bass being caught.

I'm not much for bass so is it::
A- too early

2 - too late

C - all the big bass were caught and killed last couple of years and we're not going to see them again for a while :rolleyes:

D - some other reason.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

D - big bass are still off shore

C - can't help the fact that countless cows have been picked apart over the last couple yrs

B - we are on a normal spring run so accordingly to my logs - should happen any day now.

A - we are not late

So if I were to answer... l would say all of the above....:D

I hope Im right.. if not.. then were truly ... rhythms with t.......rucked........

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Heard there was a #50 just weighed in at Pride B&T in Red Bank.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Anything over 28 inches is Big too me!! :D

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

I was honestly thinking the same thing over the weekend. Normally these spring live lining trips produce some big fish this time of year. Based on the reports recently, the fish being caught live lining aren't nearly as big as last year.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

You have understand last year at this time it was already mid 80's. Water temps were already probably 70's or mid 70's. Right now, in Sandy Hook the water temp is 62 degrees. I think, honestly has to do with this crazy weather pattern. Hopefully, with the predicted "Heat Wave" we're expecting, will warm up the waters. We will start seeing more of the bigger stripers roll in.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Raritan Bay Bass anglers had I believe the best april in 6 or 7 years. But it's been a cool Spring. Wait and see what happens when the water temp. goes up a couple of degrees. With the amount of bait out there right now I would say it's only a matter of days and you will be seeing plenty of big fish.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

I think the biggies are here. Landed a 45# and a 38 LB off of long branch on Sunday. Got em both on 10 inch poppers. It was awesome. My 13 year old got the biggie and my wife the 38.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Folks out livelining are routinely getting fish in the 20-30lb range. Those are decent fish but once june rolls around the 40s & 50s will eat. Right now the biggest fish are nabbed pulling bunker spoons, which is par for the course, then they come in on the bunker. Last year june 20 was out and had a 48, 52, &55 lb fish caught on one trip. Just be patient.:D

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

the air temps went from 80 on thursday to 50 on Friday then 3 days of gale winds made the water temps drop rapidly, I had strong catches before this pattern on large fish, stay tuned its going to get electric very soon

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Pete - There are a lot of sharpies that don't post on any site and are especially quiet when they are releasing the big girls. That said, we have had an excellent spring trolling our custom home-made spoons. Just last Thursday we had 3 over 30 pounds and another 5 over 25 in Raritan Bay with practically no other boats around trolling in the slop before the big blow.

There are big fish spread out from Manasquan to Debs Inlet, Long Island. Just not as packed in on the bunker schools as years past that makes for easy fishing that everyone reports on. Putting the time in on weekdays this year has made all the difference in the world.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

A friend up state around new windsor is still catching big fish in the hudson river.
A lot of fish are still up river and have not yet returned from the spawning grounds.
A few high 80/90 days by this weeks end should turn things back around.
2 more weeks and it should be an out front bunker busting bonanza.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Hopefully just one more week b/c that's when my charter is! :D

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

the ocean is a dynamic and complicated eco system.. sometimes its hard to explain everything that happens or doesnt happen with an A, B, or C. :D

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Sooner Or Later The 80s Will Return

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Normal run for sure.Still catching bass that are pre-spawn.The ocean run will start with warmer water.The post spawn Hudson bass are coming out of the river.It is going to be a good June run and should last into early July.As far as big fish we are landing some in the mid thirties.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

I also think its the weather. When we get warm steady weather live lining should take off.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Who Cares The Smaller Ones Are Better Eating

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

I'm with you BD ! Do you remember not so long ago when a 28" fish was a Monster ? I miss those 24" slot fish . Gill , gut , and scale them . Cook them whole on the grill with some wet Hickory chips on the coals or stuff and bake them for a Holiday Feast . Head on is a better presentation . Big fish don't taste as good and are too hard to cook whole .

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

When I First Started Working For Whitey Morenz It Was 10fish 18 Inches,now Thats Great Eating

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Agreed - the best way to eat any fish. No waste and better consistency.

I cook whole fluke on the grill as well.

Miss the slot fish.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Apparently they went to Nova Scotia ... If ya believe the pic, looks like a hybrid to me...

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Brings back some of the best memories of my life . When I was small my Dad was stationed on Hunters Point in San Francisco Bay(early 60's) He would catch 12-20" Stripers plugging the Navy Dump with Lucky 13's . I couldn't cast well enough but tried anyway. We ate what we caught and it was SOOO Good !

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

The post was about big bass not when we were kids!

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

So its been a couple days... and the fishing is starting to improve

Fish are still offshore.... but some coming in - which is nice

Water temp is up 6 degrees which is helping

Almost entirely off the moon - I give it 4 -5 days

According to logs, it starting to happen and by hearing some reports - its happening.

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Hijacked ! Those were Big Bass When we were kids ! How's this ? The Big Bass are under the Bunker letting the smaller Bass and Bluefish do most of the work .

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

They're here :)

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

LMAO!!!! :D ;)

Re: Big Bass - where are they?
 

Look what I found.....
along with his 20 brothers and sisters....
all returned safely!