First Fluking Trip of 2006

Well despite bad reports from Saturday and the predicted cold water temps we gave it a shot anyway. We saw surface temps from 62.6 all the way down to 54.3. The winds were not bad except for making it on the chilly side. It was nice when moving to a new spot to be able to go into the heated pilothouse to warm up. Especially for those who didn't look at the weather forecast and wore shorts. The upper part of the bay from Mantoloking Bridge and the Manasquan River was flat. I heard further south it was slightly choppy and reports from others in the marina were that the ocean wasn't that bad...2-3 foot chop, a little sloppy but fishable. We had committed to fluking and did not bring the wire line outfits so fluking it was. We tried the upper part of the bay where we did have a few hits (very subtle though…could have had the fluke sluggish from water temps), the Manasquan River around Treasure Island, Clarks, the old channel by Clarks, Crab Creek, and the doggie beach. It was tough with the wind against the tide in most locations as well as the schmeg and grass being pretty thick in most places. We did catch a few green crabs, blue claws and a clam. So I guess you could say we had a crustacean slam! It was a great day on the water nonetheless with my friend Ron, his wife and my mom.