Finally - Sandy Hook Channel Doormat!

[Sailfish Rick]

Took my Dad out fishing on my Sailfish 236 center console on Saturday 7/21. Started out working the reach channel for several shorts. Made a move over to the Sandy Hook Channel inside the hook at the # 1 can. I was using a chrome 3 ounce ball jig tipped with smelt in 66 foot of water. Current was slow so I was able to hold with the light jig and light 12lb line. The fish took hold and I could only move it off the bottom a few feet. We were fishing in a tight packed fleet of boats. Started drifting toward the Sea Horse and the Captain actually waived back down to me to keep fighting the fish and motioned that he would move out of my way. Thanks Captain! After he passed off by the corner of my stern by about 10 feet I was getting close to drifting into the 1 can. I put the boat in reverse to avoid the can and actually backed down on this fish that I had been just dragging for a few minutes. At this point I was able to gain some line and we netted my first doormat! Looked like a halibut! She measured 29 inches and weighed 11.75 pounds at The Tackle Box. The big ones are here!:D Will post pics as soon as I can figure out how to resize.

[BJ1]

She measured 29 inches and weighed 11.75 pounds at The Tackle Box.
Nice! Can't wait to see the pics.

[Sailfish Rick]

Pics attached.

[Skmag357]

wow!!!! that is a sweet fish!! congrats...thats what I am looking for :)

[DEEP POCKETS]

Great report and wow beautiful fish, congrats...

[akozols]

OMG, that's huge! Good job.

[Gr8ful Fish]

Nice Fish Sailfish Rick!:cool:

That's one I'm sure yu'll remember for a while!:cool:

You are absolutely right .. the bigguns are here; they have been around for the past 3-4 weeks. ;)

- Gr8ful

[Sailfish Rick]

Thanks guys. Hope to see you out there and look forward to your reports. Anyone else fish the Raritan Bay area often? I know Gr8Ful does as I've been reading his detailed reports of hammering the flatties for awhile. Now that I've posted my first real report hopefully I'll provide updates after every trip. Next one should be Friday in the same area of the bay.

[DJ COAST]

NICE FISH MAN!!!!

[TheGeneral]

wow!!!! that is a sweet fish!! congrats...thats what I am looking for :) You & Me both Steve:eek: :D , congrats on a fine catch Sailfish Rick. Haig

[The Irish Jig]

Wow, Great fish!! wtg sail

[fishonmike]

Great Fish

[The real Clamman]

Congrats nice Mat !

[smellinfishy]

Way to go
Great Fish:eek:

[finaddict5]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)

[SS]

Very Nice ! :D