Sorry for the delay in the report, was out fishing all weekend so just getting back home and to the reports.
My weekend started with a short day on Friday to head out aboard the Sykk Physh again with Captain Joe, Doug, Tom E, and Tom's good friend Larry.
With the insane bite we just missed on Tuesday when the West winds blew, Joe and I discussed getting back out there for them at the next West wind opportunity.
Well that opportunity was Friday, and we were spot on with the time to go!
We all met up in Shark River to drop the boat in and head on out the inlet.
There were a few reports indicating bunker both South and North, but as we made our way out of the inlet, we had reports from guys just coming in with bass that it was on fire just North of the inlet.
So off we went, but with one catch...we didn't have any bait yet! Unlike Atlantic Highlands where bunker are pretty plentiful, they never seem to come into Shark River to allow for netting bait ahead of time. But given the proximity of the fish being South, we opted to head our of SR anyway and roll the dice on either netting or snagging bunker once we got out to the ocean.
As soon as we broke the inlet, we saw the fleet North...and as we approached, we saw the bunker and bass exploding on them. It was pure insanity...just an unreal amount of boat and boat traffic with bunker rushing to the surface and getting destroyed by bass for mere seconds before umpteen boats went full throttle right into the bunker and bass melee! A few boats were tossing plugs and hooking up right away with others trying to snag and drop bunker...and there were some BIG fish in the school!
We started off plugging, and I think Tom E was pitching when he had a V formation of giant bass coming right for his plug. Joey instructed him to slow down the retrieve when the lead bass smashed the lure and took off...Tom set the hook as the fish was just off the boat and turned the fish to see the trebles on the outside of the fishes jaw...a few moments and a few surges later, the bass spit the plug. Then the chaos continued, as we tried to locate the bunker along with 100 other boats...running and gunning, trying to get a net on some isolated pod to fill the livewell. Time and time again, we'd spot bunks, rush to them to try to snag and get one good net on them...but not before 20 other boats came running over as well and sent them right down. We just couldn't get the bait.
At this point, Joe was on the horn with Andrea's Toy informing them of the sick bite up North. As Andrea's Toy arrived, they rewarded us with some of their excess bunker they were able to net on an isolated pod down South! That was a lifesaver and what teamwork's all about...I know Joe works with a lot of captains on sharing intel and resources...and that networking paid off for both the Sykk Physh and Andrea's Toy as they were beating on big bass for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.
Craziest moment of the evening was when we spotted a pod of bunker absolutely getting DESTROYED...most insane thing I've ever seen out there striper fishing. It was literally like a 100 yard circle of explosions, with dozens of bass blowing out of the water at the same time over and over with a there was a thresher sighting in the mix! Ironically, Doug let me fish with his infamous Fenwick...I dropped down in seriously in like 10 seconds had a runoff...friggin rod. Anyway, I set the hook on a giant and seconds later came up with cut braid! There weren't any blues in the mix...so perhaps that was the thresher?
We picked at fish in the 20-35lb range for the next couple hours with Doug...once again...topping it off with a personal best 42lber! Drifting live or dead bunks...didn't matter...we had great action...well at least until the storm blew in! It's crazy how we've run into storms both times Doug and I were out with Joey together...both times some unpredicted front blew in hard and took us out of the game. Fortunately this time we were able to beat on the bass a little longer and land some really nice fish!
Alright enough of the story...let's get to some pics!
Here's Doug as we're slipping in...
And crazy Tom!
His buddy Larry!
And our fearless captain with burger in mouth...hey he didn't eat all day! Haha
A pod of bunks...with birds workin em!
A little while later...I hook up and land this guy...
Same one? Can't remember...
The next one...self pic cuz the action was fast and furious! Getting bigger!
Then Tom hooked up with this nice striper!
Part of the crowd...
Little while later Larry is on and going for a ride!
Get em Larry!
Nice shot coming into the net!
And in the net...
Larry with his fish...pretty sure it weighed out in the mid 30s somewhere!
Released her for another day...
And here's the next one I landed and we released...
Then Doug hooks up and says..."This is a big fish!"
Here we go again! :)
GET PUMPED!!!
Big girl in the net!
Doug with his 42lber! Skies are getting a little darker up above!
Then the storm really rolled in, but not before I caught and landed my biggest to date...finally breaking the 30lb mark with this 32lber!
King Kong has finally got off my back!
Well the rain and lightning rolled in, as we headed for the inlet. It poured pretty good, so no more pics after the above...didn't want to get the camera wet.
We finished up with 15 or so up to 42 lbs and kept two in the 20-25lb range and one in the 25-30lb range.
Was a great time out there with Joe once again, and always nice when the bass cooperate even if the weather doesn't!
Hope to get out again soon and try to break that 40lb mark!
