NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey - Stripers ... Catch-n-Release Magic Aboard "Shakedown" on 6-4-13 (lots of pics)

I saw the predicted wind shift to the West for Tuesday late afternoon/evening; I knew that it was going to be the perfect formula for nice seas and rolling bass. I invited my good friend, Craig, and his brother, Jeff, to join Johnny and I for an after-work hunt for big bass aboard my "Shakedown."

I ran us left out of SRI, and we immediately started hunting for bunker from the beach all the way out to 50' of water. I was pissed when we exited the inlet to find the wind was blowing in a now-typical 10-15 S/SE blow. Of course, the ocean was choppy which made spotting bunker that much more challenging. Even more maddeningly, the ones we found were spread out rather than clustered together when we found them. Luckily, I was able to collect about ten baits and Johnny added a couple more by snagging them.

With a dozen baits in the well, we made the run north to the Rocks. I figured we would simply replenish our bunkers if needed. There were a few boats in the area, but I really didn't see any bait or fish marks that looked promising. I decided to work back South looking for something better. Made a few drifts in areas where I have marks from previous trips, and finally I had a great run-off on a livelined bunker between Deal and Ocean Grove. I "set" the circle hook and immediately passed the rod to Craig for him to land the 1st bass of the night which was a fat 23-pounder. I quickly lip-gripped her into the boat for a couple of pics before we turned her loose. 1 for 1 WOW, this is gonna be great!

I then hooked another one shortly after that one that was a beast. This fish took the bunker and started streaking off my drag like it wasn't there. When I finally stopped the fish and turned it, she streaked for the horizon once more and snapped my 30# braided mainline. !@#$%^& !!! I was sick that I missed a fish that I knew was real monster. O well, 1 for 2 isn't too bad, right?

The good news is that just about the time we found a few fish, the wind shifted and laid down to make the waters much more readable and fishable. I put us on a couple of stellar drifts that had us smack dab in the middle of water that I knew would hold some fish. Eventually, I had a bass blow-up on a pencil popper, and it came tight. I fought the fish for about 30 seconds when I felt that sickening feeling of the plug being shook from the bass' mouth when it was rolling and slapping on the surface. S.O.A.B .. Now, I know 1 for 3 is definitely not good.

Rather than continue our drift toward the few boats that were setting up to our North, I chose to re-set our drift to the South away from the crowds. The decision to "stick and stay" once again showed that I chose the right piece of ocean real estate. We had a few bass come up lazily around the boat, and from that point on, we put on a bass catch-n-release clinic. We had non-stop run-offs and fish hooked for the bulk of the evening right into dark with fish on surface poppers as well as live, dead, and YES ... EVEN FROZEN DEAD week-old bunker. I am proud to report that every fish we caught on bait was caught using a 10/0 in-line non-offset circle hook & every one was hooked in the jaw or corner of the mouth ... CIRCLE HOOKS WORK & I'VE GOT THE PICS TO PROVE IT!

At the end of the night, we had caught & released over 20 big, beautiful bass highlighted by the 47-pounder that I caught on a popper. I honestly thought my big fish was going to let me break the coveted 50 mark yet again. But sadly, just like the my biggest one that I caught w/ Hammer4reel last year, this one was only 47 and some change. Close, but no cigar. Still a great fish, and I hope she grows up to be someone's 70-pounder some day.

It was another magical evening and night enjoying what can only be described as a truly WORLD CLASS STRIPED BASS FISHERY right here practically on my doorstep. I feel blessed to be able to participate in this fishery every Spring; I enjoy taking others out to show them how to enjoy it in a responsible, sustainable, and ethical manner. I am sure that Johnny, Craig, Jeff and I will remember this trip for a long time as we truly had a magical evening. Getting to hook, fight and release these magnificent fish is truly a rewarding and satisfying experience; knowing you are doing your part to do it in a way that tries to insure it can continue long after you are gone is a huge part of the enjoyment for me.

Enjoy the pics!

Craig w/ 1st Bass of the Day:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps4845f10a.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps8ef8e704.jpg

Johnny With A Few Good Ones on Livies & Poppers:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps35defa03.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps2749c47f.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps8656cd89.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...psac5ae491.jpg

My 47-Pounder Caught On a Popper:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps80e12542.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps591c76e1.jpg

Jeff With a Fatty:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...psa478bc40.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps50a2cbb5.jpg