Big Stripers

Fished this afternoon with Doug. We started in the bay and couldn't find any bass to eat our lures. Then we headed out in the ocean to try trolling at sunset. Good idea. We had two keeper stripers and missed a third. The largest was 37" and 17 pounds. The second fish was 36" and 16 pounds. Pro Tip: Persistence pays off. Stripers are famous for only biting at certain times. There was a bite this morning at first light and then it shut off. Since we didn't cash in early, I wanted to be in the same area at sunset. It paid off. The change of light was the key and the fish chewed at sunset.

Ocean Stripers

Fished this morning with Ed, Jeff, and Bob in the ocean. We trolled the ocean and came up short. The striper bite has been sporadic, but when it's on there have been some nice fish caught on the troll. Pro Tip: In windy conditions trolling down sea or up sea usually presents trolled lures the best. Throttle down when headed down sea and slightly throttle up when heading into the waves. This helps to maintain the optimum speed for the lures.

Joe Hughes

Back Bay Stripers

Fished today with Pete and Jeff on the bay. The ocean forecast wasn't that great so we decided to stay on the bay. It was a good idea. We caught ten stripers in the bay. Nine on jigs and one on a spot. All shorts but lots of fun. We also saw two bald eagles. That seems to be getting more and more common. Pro Tip: When fishing a jig, use only the rod to manipulate the jig. The reel is there just to pick up the slack. This allows better contact with your lure and a more appealing motion for the fish. And yes, I did use both boats today.

Albies

Fished with Kevin and Zack today in the ocean. We started out trolling for stripers but we were hoping for albies once the ocean settled down a bit. The ocean did calm down and we did find the albies. We had a bunch of shots and ended up catching and releasing six on lures. It was a blast chasing them down and sight casting for them. Pro Tip: Use more than one source for your weather information. Comparing multiple sources gives you a better idea of what will really happen. Check your sources often and keep track of their accuracy. Experience will tell you which ones to trust. The Weather Channel got it right today when others got it wrong. Their hourly wind forecast has proven very accurate. Using that information delayed our leave time today and that gave us the conditions we needed to be successful.

CBS News

I was interviewed on the news about striper fishing today. Here is the link and the associated video.

Here is the link
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/11/06/728363/

Joe Hughes

Sea Isle Albies!

Fished today with Doug and Mike in the ocean. We headed out in search of albies and found them. They were schooled up on the surface for great run and gun action. Think you have to go to Montauk to catch albies? Think again. We had 22 albies on lures while sight casting to them here in Sea Isle. We also pulled the hook on a few more. It was very good. We even had a few double headers and a triple mixed in. We took a break and had drop and reel sea bass fishing. All we wanted. Then we went back to albie fishing. Pro Tip: Be prepared. Having rods rigged and ready for fast moving opportunistic fish like albies can mean the difference between catching and not catching. Trying to rig in a blitz can rattle anyone's nerves.

Bald Eagle

This picture was taken this morning behind Sea Isle. I saw him flying around on Saturday, but was unable to get a good shot. This picture was taken from a cell phone through a telescope. Photo courtesy of Dustin Laricks. Pro Tip: When taking pictures of fish in the water with a cell phone, position the camera lens so that you are shooting through your sunglass lens. Now you are shooting through a polarized lens and your picture will be much clearer. It works great.