[tautog]

Went out Tuesday with a light crowd including Blackfish Doug and Captain Dennis on his first trip of the spring. Tried for stripers at the dock but no love. First spot stunk. Then we started a pick of sea bass with a few ling mixed on. Half keepers/Half shorts and most keepers were 13 1/2"-15." I was doing pretty well on the sea bass and getting quite a few tog including some would be keepers. Doug was having a bit of tougher time because he had a case of the bounces. The water is still cold and they seemed to like a still bait.

After a while I was up to 18 keepers, even releasing a 12 3/4" because I wanted bigger. Thought my limit was a guarantee but the sea bass dried up. Then Dennis went out a bit deeper and found the ling pot o gold. Drop and reel for an hour and half, average 1 1/2lbs with some nice 3lb class fish in the mix. Everyone I spoke to had 15 ling or better here. Doug and I had 58 ling combined here.

I wound up with 19 keeper sea bass, mostly over 14" up to 3lbs, approximately half of 58 ling, a nice sea raven and 3 throwback keeper tog to 3 3/4lbs. Doug had 7 keeper sea bass, a nice sea raven and approximately half of 58 ling. Pool winner was a 4 1/2lb sea bass and that gentleman had 11 keeper sea bass and 26 ling. Middletown Mike had 7 keeper sea bass and 24 ling. Doug will have some pics tonight.