Another Flats Report - Big Fish 4-16-08 w/ pics

[Gr8ful Fish]

Fished with my buddy Johnny aboard his "Byte Me" on Wed. 4/16.

Wanted to start at Sandy Pt., but an APG patrol boat was stopping anyone from getting within about 2 hundred yards of the shoreline due to live artillery exercises. :(

Moved to the North and started throwing jigs, plugs and topwater lures to no avail.

Later in the day we switched over to fresh herring (that we picked up at Herb's) and enjoyed a slow pick throughout the day with the majority of our fish being whisker-faced ones with swollen bellies. :rolleyes:

Ended with only at least 15 channel cats to 9 lbs. However, we did manage to deck 3 stripers (2 buck bass for Johnny at ~25" & 20") and 1 giant cow for me.

Fortunately, the one cow I landed turned out to be an awesome fish. She taped out at over 45 inches long, and we estimated its weight at ~44 lbs. (my 30 lbs. boga was pinned like there was no spring in it.)

After a few quick photos, she was slipped back over the side and allowed to swim off with a powerful sweep of her broom tail.

Water temps ranged from 56 - 60 degrees and visibility was actually quite good down to about 3.5'.

AWESOME DAY!

- Gr8ful

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[RebelMusicNP]

if fish get color shy after being caught, that fish will never hit another lure of any color. nice catch.

[bass ackwards]

sick fish. congrats

[Even Steven]

Nice report, thanks for posting the pics!

[procastinator]

Nice fish, nice pics, nice cats, gawdawful shirt. :D

[stripersupe]

Nice report, good looking fish, looks like a good time was had.:D

[cc19]

Hell of a nice fish Jimmy!!!!!

[BILLY P.]

Now thats a fish. Great job dude. Way to stickem

[SeaIsleStriper]

Looks like an amazing day on the water either way...better than sitting at your desk! Nice work

[David599]

What is APG? Does that mean Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Just curious as we are relocating there from NJ and I wont have the Sandy Hook Bay anymore. Are there Stripers that far up in the bay (Aberdeen)?

[flats cat]

What is APG? Does that mean Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Just curious as we are relocating there from NJ and I wont have the Sandy Hook Bay anymore. Are there Stripers that far up in the bay (Aberdeen)?

Yes APG is Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The bigger stripers are here in the spring to spawn. There is a summer and fall fishery but the fish are usually much smaller. The majority of the summery fishing is done in the middle and lower bay by chumming or trolling. In the fall it gets good again when the weather is right. Hope this helps you a little.

[Shamrock Eddie]

We really need to bury that shirt at sea! Nice catch bro let's get Jethro and hook up soon I'll bring Grady Dave "aka" Smokie

[procastinator]

We really need to bury that shirt at sea! Nice catch bro let's get Jethro and hook up soon I'll bring Grady Dave "aka" Smokie


Can we take the white whale ? I hear she is moving nicely with the new 4 blade. I should have the boat down next weekend, we will see you then. Dave is ready, I am ready, my boat however is still up on stands for another couple of days. :)

Even if we loose that hippie flag at sea, he will just pull another one of the dozens he has in the closet. :D

[bullseye11f150]

And if the shirt wasn't enough, is that a Haagarteen bottle he's holden? Yuk!! Nice fish Dude, way to catchem up.:D

[Gr8ful Fish]

And if the shirt wasn't enough, is that a Haagarteen bottle he's holden? Yuk!! Nice fish Dude, way to catchem up.

No way on the Hoegarten (or however you spell that crap) ... the featured beverage in the photo is Pottsville, PA's finest, Yuengling Premium. ;) :cool:

As Pro said, I have more than a few of those hippie flag shirts; now that I see how well they are liked, I think I'll wear a tie dye on all my fishing trips this year. That way I'll be sure to have plenty of photos of fish framed in all the colors of the rainbow. :rolleyes:

By the end of the seaon, you guys are gonna see so many bright tie-dyed colors you're gonna think that you ate a sheet of micro dots! ;) :D

Hey Baha (ex-Shamrock) Eddie, I'm ready to start assaulting fish in the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bays. However, let's wait until Dave makes a couple more runs with his Grady before we head out ... that way he can be sure to clear out all the skates so we can concentrate on bass and blackbacks. :eek: :eek: :D

- Gr8ful

[Ele]

I have to agree with everyone, the shirt has to go. Glad Herb's Herring came through for you. Real nice fish.

Ele

[blink433]

Obviously you all are missing the importance of the shirt. If he runs out of bait or his favorite lure all he has to do is cut strips off the shirt !!! I think he has every color combo covered. Nice fish and thanks for the pictures.