[AMR]

I don't mean to call people liars...but. I have been fishing for stripers every year for the last 10 years. I have caught probably about 20 to 30 fish on average per year. That comes out to somewhere between 200 and 300 fish. In all that time I've had 5 fish over 20 pounds and none over 30. Most have been in the 8 to 12 pound range these are the 27 to 33 inch variety. Now I realize that I don't often utilize two of the most proven methods for big bass--trolling wire line with shads or spoons and liveling adult bunker. But I troll stretches and catch fish, I use clams and catch fish, and I chunk bunker and catch fish. What's my point? Are people overestimating the size of the fish they are catching? Have I just been unlucky? Should I call my 18 pound bass 24? For example here is a report from another website. I am not calling this guy a liar but its reports like this that make me shake my head.

Angler Name : mark crescenzo
E-Mail : [email protected]
Boat Name:
Date Fished: 6/21/05
Location: near manasquan inlet
Fishing Method: live lining/chunking
Specie: Striped Bass
Size: up to 36 pounds
Bait or Lure: live bunker & heads
Water Depth: 22'
Water Temp.: 63
Information : Did an after work thing after hearing about a good bite in manasquan. Wind had kicked up and was southeast but the bunker were there. Dropped a live one and we had a fish on in less than 3 min. Action stayed steady til dark, chunks and heads worked as well. Total catch 7 fish, six over thirty pounds and a few dropped. It was a good two hours of fishing. All fish were aggressive and waffled the baits hard.

This guy beat my personal best 6 times in one afternoon and talks about it in a matter of fact way. What do you guys think?

 

[fatboy]

He is also fishing during the run of larger fish. Does not sound to far fetched. Could be his personal best day. Look at some of the better catches on this board in the spring in Del. Bay several fish over 30 by those who specialize in that type of fishing are not uncommon.

 

[Gilly21]

AMR,

I am not trying to break your stones but, I have cought 9 bass over 20 lbs in the last 3 weeks from the beach. I am not exagerating at all. I know what I cought and had people see me catch them or have picks of them. My point is the fish are there and maybe you just need to modify your tacktics to target the bigger fish. I don't know how much you fish but 20 - 30 fish a year I would assume you only fish 10 times a year. At least you are catching. The guys who consistantly catch big bass put many many hours in to find the fish. Maybe you are not lucky enough to spend the extream amount of time to get he big ones. You will get your someday. Keep trying...

 

[Uncle Connie]

Someone finally did it! After sitting idle for three years I have to respond. I would have thought the posting by Mark C was a little over estimated as well if it hadn't been for the huge bite of big fish off Northern NJ last year. My friend and I spent two days June 9 and 10 following the big bass up and down the beach and catching one 30 + pounder after another on live Bunker ( had the bogga grip on board to verify). I also caught my personel best on that very first day a 43 pounder that I have been waiting on for thirty years. Most amazing 2 days of fishing.

 

[hipkvw]

AMR, I dont fish for big fish very much as far as chunking the bay or livelining. I have been fishing for stripers for around 5 years. I fish mostly backwater and surf and have caught a handful over 20 pounds and a few over 30 with my biggest on the ocean with a pencil popper. They arnt lying....they are just targeting LARGE bass. I know guys that CONSISTANTLY target and catch fish over 30 pounds and they all use scales. Depends where and how you are fishing. I know a few old timers that have been fishing 30 years and havnt caught a striper over 20 pounds. Knowledge is key. People boast about fishing 20 years but they dont tell you the first 18 were with a hotdog and bobber

 

[pgoins]

I've been catching 20+ lb fish for the last 2 weeks on Hotdogs and Bobbers.

Seriously, AMR there's been a patch of big fish from Manasquan to the highlands for the last few weeks. Fish up to 49 lbs that I have seen. I've been lucky enough to find the bunker and cast net more than enough for the last 2 weeks. That's been the ticket. Up until last night, I have not seen a fish under 20 lbs. Granted I'm not catching 30 fish a trip. We averaged about 7 over 4 hours of fishing. I've been using my boga's to weigh each fish and I test them every week. If anything my readings have been low when they are off. Last night we couldn't find the big boys so we made a move and put out some clams. We got all the 22" to 31" we could handle. Maybe it was time for the big boys to move on. But I'm not done yet! I'll find them!!!

Here's a pick from Tuesday night's trip. A pair at 33 lbs each.

 

[Dr. Bass]

Dated photos, dated photos, dated photos

 

[Re-Bait]

I'd give you a report too, but you wouldn't believe it!

[ 06-26-2005, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: Re-Bait ]

 

[AMR]

I guess I asked for it. Look I know guys catch big fish. It just seems odd to me that with the hundreds of bass that I have caught over the years I wouldn't have caught a 30 pounder even by accident, considering the regularity that they seem to be caught with around here. I guess a 30 pounder is just a normal fish. I bet some of you guys don't even get excited when you reel one in, "Oh no, not another 30 pounder!"

 

[Go Gordon]

AMR, i never really targeted stripers per se, but made it a priority yesterday. Using bunker heads, and the off-season acquisition of four Okuma Epixor EB50 reels (bait runners), I anchored up outside the inlet and chummed.

I ended up nailing (aside from some sandsharks) a 35" and 40" striper. I don't know how much a 40" striper weighs, but I know its over 20 pounds. Anyhow, the fight was awesome, as these guys really peeled some line, and using 15 lb test made for quite a battle.

As far as being excited? I was on cloud nine and will be back next weekend to try to replicate. There's nothing like the feel of a big fish peeling line.

 

[bailboy2]

I can't vouch for this week, but 3 weeks ago we had over 10 fish, 1 at 40 lbs, 1 over 35 lbs, and about 4 over 30 lbs. Guess it's all a matter of luck. And we use strickly bunker heads. And I weigh every one so it's accurate

 

[Re-Bait]

Originally posted by AMR:
I guess I asked for it. Look I know guys catch big fish. It just seems odd to me that with the hundreds of bass that I have caught over the years I wouldn't have caught a 30 pounder even by accident, considering the regularity that they seem to be caught with around here. I guess a 30 pounder is just a normal fish. I bet some of you guys don't even get excited when you reel one in, "Oh no, not another 30 pounder!"

So do you want to learn how to catch fish over 20 pounds? If so tell us when where and how you go fishing and we might be able to help you. Location and technigue are the keys......

 

[pgoins]

Originally posted by Dr. Bass:
Dated photos, dated photos, dated photos

Not sure what the hell that means but, if it means that much to you. 6/21/05 approx 8:15 pm.

 

[dusky]

AMR,

Think about what you are posting here. You are accusing people of posting false information, because you have not had the same success catching large Bass. That really makes no sense. The solution to your problem may be to try some different area's. Better yet different area's, with different technique's could easily solve your problem. The human male ego is a fragile thing, and yours is obviously frustrated. Look at websites for what they are, that being information sources. It is extreamly easy to determine who is full of it, and who is not. Just do not pay attention to those who are full of it.

Try to listen, and gain information. Making accusations will gain you enemy's, compliments will gain you friends. Being guily of accusations myself, I feel confident in where and who I make them too. You are making a general accusation to all of us, and its not appreciated.

Personally on my boat we do not kill Bass (unless its for a good reason). Dr. Bass wants a picture, sorry we don't bother with that either, nothing to prove to anyone. Fishing for fun with occational tournament competition is our game.

The purpose of this board is for all of us along the Coast of NJ to inform each other of Bass bites. On my boat we find information here extreamly valuable. My giving information on a good bite here in North Jersey may deem a trip North to the guys in Cape May, and vise verse. We absorbe the information, its source, digest and test it constantly. Bending and molding the information to try to formulate a successful fishing strategy for ourselves. I suggest you try using the information the same way.

 

[pgoins]

Well said Phil.

 

[AMR]

Phil, I think you are missing my point entirely. Of course I realize that people catch big bass all the time. My basic question is whether or not people are overestimating the size of the bass they caught in SOME of their reports. I suspect that a resonable answer to the question would go something like this, "YES, intentionally or otherwise, they probably do. I bet a lot of those 30 pounders were actually 28." Anyway I use this board alot and have gained tons of information from it. I am not in the accusation game and did not mean to insult anyone. As far as bunker heads, I use them all the time...still waiting for my 30 pounder.

 

[pgoins]

AMR,
It's ok to ask the question. But you posted the guys report. Ofcourse some guys overestimate. You know the old saying, "I caught a fish THISSS BIG".

Just because some us have been catching some nice fish recently. That doesn't mean we catch them that size all the time. It's all about timimg and location. Like I said in earlier post. We had them for a few weeks in one spot and then it was over. We made a move and a bait change and it all 20" to 30" fish. But the big girls are still out there. Found them yesterday

 

[dusky]

No Sweat AMR, its all good !

Ever hear this ?

"If you were a police officer listening to two different accounts of the same accident, it would make you wonder about the validity of history !"

 

[hemp3]

i feel your pain. sometimes.
i personnaly love the pictures of a 34" bass and captions that put them at 34lbs.
last night i caught a 42" bass from the beach and it had a girth of 24". almost all the bass i have caught this year on the beach have been under 30". one other at 36". that being said, i too get frustrated when i see all those big fish in the reports but last night made me very happy. i too release almost every fish i catch simply because i do not care to eat them. if a fish is not going to make it then i keep it and give it to someone who loves fish. unfortunately for the fish last night, it was very beat up from the tug of war on 12lb test and in addition it was gut hooked. my fault for not using a circle. the fish will be eaten.
including the fish that phil let me keep for a friend, the tally this year is something in the order of 3 stripers eaten and at least 30 relesed.

 

[hemp3]

the leader was 30lb flouro just in case you were wondering how a gut hooked fish that size didnt break off with 12lb mono.