Winter Sucks!

Well it was a slow week at work so I started working on my rods and reels. Since I am very meticulous they are very clean...always! I already gave them a good cleaning when they came off the boat. I serviced all the reels...yes all 18 of them! I went through my rigs, not much to do there...only a few need to be retied or replaced. Waiting for my line order to come so I can spool up most of the reels. All in all not much left to do for spring and it is several months away still. Maybe we will get some nice schools of herring in close for some action from the jetties on light tackle.

85 Days Till Winter Flounder!!!

Well we pulled the boat and winterized the motor, head and fresh water systems. The Volvo dealer came and winterized the outdrive. I spent half of a very cold day building a frame for covering the boat. This year I am just going to trow a tarp over it. Maybe next year I will shrink wrap it or get a heavy winter canvas for the task. At least the frame is built and should provide enough angle to eliminate snow build as well as enough room to work on it without removing the cover.



Hopefully winter will be mild, I have several tasks I would like to accomplish over the next month. Unfortunately I won't be able to much in the spring due to us finalizing a house purchase and with moving and repairs/improvements to the house I will have to concentrate on that in the spring. At least winter flounder season was pushed back....I should be done with the house by opening day!

All the gear has been removed, cleaned and stored. My office now looks like a tackle shop with all my rods stripped, cleaned and ready for winter maintenance. Santa was very kind this year brining a pair of wire line outfits for trolling bunker spoons and umbrella rigs.

Nothing but Shorts

Fished from Manasquan Inlet to several miles North of Monmouth Beach. We were greeted by about a four foot swell coming out of the south. Despite the southern swell we decided to head North and fight it on the way back. This was due in part to several head boats heading North as well as no good reports coming over the radio from the South. The swells were moving quite fast which allowed us to head North at 25 knots with ease and a somewhat smooth ride. We found tons for short stripers from about 10" to 22". It was business as usuall, find the working birds find the stripers under them. Although there were a few sports we marked fish and no birds but that was rare. There were large schools of herring everywhere but no larger stripers on them. Some of the herring were actually larger than some of the stripers we caught. The ride back against the swell was not too bad, we were able to maintain about 20 knots. We poked around the Inlet a little and the winds started kicking up and putting a nice chop on top of the swell, as well as reducing the swell period. Since the fish were not exactly jumping in the boat we decided to head in while the weather was still good. By the time we got to the dock the wind was howling and we were glad we headed in when we did.

It seems that by the reports coming out of Hatteras and Oregon Inlet that the larger cows are south for the winter. But to the contrary I have heard a few reports out of Long Island that there are still bass in the 30 pound range being taken off the South Shore. Since the boat is being pulled next week it will become a beach and jetty affair for me until Winter Flounder season and the launch of the boat in early spring.

Snotty Conditions but Success!

Despite the snow, wind, rain, and small craft advisory we headed out and braved the elements! Had a fellow member from Barnegat Fishing Hole (www.bhweb.com) and my regular fishing buddy Ron out today. We were all set to run South towards Seaside with a stop in Bay Head where Ron had fished on Saturday but it was a little snotty and would be very difficult if not impossible to troll. We spotted the Queen Mary and the Prowler jugging near the bell buoy with a couple of smaller boats around them as well. When we got a little closer we were greeted with large groups of birds working the area. We started jigging and immediately hooked up. We had about 15 bass in less than two hours. The largest going 26.5" at 6.75lbs. We fished not far outside the Manasquan Inlet in about 50' of water. Followed the birds back and forth and bite stayed steady until the tide went slack. It was a little snotty out but a good day despite the conditions.