ASMFC Amendment 7: Public Coment
Quick write-up in regards to the ongoing consideration of the ASMFC to allow the transfer of commercial quotas from state to state. Basically, if a state does not fill its commercial quota, the remaining quota could be filled by a different state. This raises several concerns as different size classes are found throughout different states during different times of the year. Therefore, if passed, this could result in an increase in commercial fishing mortality.
Public comment is due tonight by 11:59 PM. All you have to do is send in a quick email stating that you support Option A for Striped Bass Draft Addendum 1.
Below is a template that you can simply copy and paste into your email, as well as, the email to which you should send your comment.
To whom it may concern,
I, _____, am a resident of _____. I am emailing you in regards to the public comment for Striped Bass Addendum I due tonight, Jan 13, 2023, at 11:59 PM. I support Option A (no commercial quota transfers).
Respectfully,
_____
comments@asmfc.org
When will we learn?
As I sit here writing this, I am perplexed. Perplexed that the ASMFC concludes that striped bass are not overfished. Perplexed at the continued party boat fishing that is allowed, where vessels with 30 passengers, limit out 3 times a day. Perplexed at the continued selfishness and disrespect anglers have when handling our seven striped friends.
I encourage you to continue to speak up, educate yourself, and involve yourself with conservation-minded individuals who are looking to protect this valuable species. Why is it, that something we love to pursue and brings us so much joy, we treat with such little respect? Because we need the perfect picture to gain fame on social media or we need to keep our limit in order to gloat to family and friends?
After all, this is the egocentric, humanistic instincts kicking in. We are at the top of the food chain and we keep what we want, when we want in order to provide for ourselves, right? Truth is, with that continued mindset, we soon will no longer be able to target striped bass as the population is on the brink of never making a comeback.
Remember the young-of-year class that was just reported…3.62. The average should be around 15.
Let that sink in…
Meanwhile, the state of Massachusetts continues to allow the commercial harvest of striped bass. Remember what I said earlier….egocentric, humanistic instincts….only in it for the monetary value. Theodore Roosevelt would be ashamed.
I fear it is too late, however, I will remain optimistic. This past season was my best yet, both in size and numbers, which gives some sign of hope for the future. Until then, keep up the work by doing all you can to protect this species.
I encourage you to:
· Use single hooks/inline singles
· Crush your treble hooks if you must continue to use them
· Avoid the Boga grip and only use it while the fish is in the water (do not suspend the fish vertically)
By holding the fish vertically and avoiding the boga grip, we can minimize damage to the fish.
· Beef up on your gear in order to limit fight time/exhaustion to the fish
· Keep the fish in the water for as long as possible (avoid exposure to the air)
Single hooks and crushed barbs made for a quick and easy release on this late October bass
· Avoid the fleet (fish new areas/locations that are less pressured, give those fish a break elsewhere and find some new fish to chase after)…MAKE REPORTS, DON’T CHASE THEM.
I also encourage you to reach out to your town’s conservation department in the Spring to assist with river herring monitoring. Many towns are looking for volunteers to count herring, which play a vital role within our marine fisheries.
Visit these informative links below to get involved and continue improving your catch-and-release practices.
https://www.menhadendefenders.org/
https://surfcasting7stripes.com/blogs/news/striped-bass-catch-and-release-tactics
https://www.onthewater.com/striper-fishermen-crush-it-this-season
https://www.stripersforever.org/
We still have a solid 3 weeks of fishing left before the season is “over”. Get out while you can. It ain’t over yet.
Tight lines
End of season mayhem
It’s not often that a complete stranger invites you to fish on their boat in the middle of the ocean and you return in one piece. Let me explain…
Just under a year ago, Captain Mike Faulkingham of @fishportlandME reached out to me in regards to the conservation efforts I was making through my Instagram. Mike was intrigued by the messages I was trying to spread in regard to striped bass conservation measures. It seemed as though we shared similar values and most definitely a passion for striped bass fishing. Mike had asked if I would be interested in starring as a guest on his podcast “Hooked in New England” which he runs alongside Luis Tirado of @diamond_pass_outfitters. With limited to no experience in the podcast game, I didn’t hesitate and was all for it! Unfortunately, work schedules and life got a little busy and we never made it happen. But…
Fast forward to just a week ago, I reached back out to Mike to see if the offer still stood! It did, and Mike inquired about the striped bass fishing around my area lately. I let him know it was on fire and he asked what my plans were for Friday.
No plans…
The next text I received was “See you Friday”.
Let’s get this straight. A guy I had never met before was about to drag his boat 2.5 hours south in late October to maybe have the chance of landing some late-season stripers.
Needless to say, my girlfriend was mortified and my mother was concerned. This sounded like the opening scene of a horror movie.
As Thursday night rolled around, I set the alarm for 5 am Friday morning. The gear was packed; a variety of topwater plugs, soft plastics, and some larger presentations, alongside an abundance o flies.
A restless night of sleep followed as the anticipation was on the rise. The ringtone sounded and I hopped out of bed like a kid on Christmas morning. As I stepped out the door, it was a brisk 37 degrees and the truck was covered in a thin layer of frost. What the hell was I thinking?
After a quick stop for coffee and breakfast sandwiches, I rolled into the boat ramp. Mike was patiently waiting alongside his hype man (ironically named Mike as well). Great….if I wasn’t going to get kidnapped at sea by one guy, now there are two.
Conversations quickly began and it was as if we had fished together in the past. Sharing stories with one another, it was easy to tell we all shared a passion for striped bass fishing. We were eager to see what the morning had in store.
We steamed out to our first stop of the morning. Flat calm seas, birds flying overhead, and a light SW wind. Conditions just seemed perfect for late October and I felt we were going to be in for a treat.
Two hours later, I was wondering where the treat was. With one hookup and a couple of swipes on topwater plugs, it was a lackluster start. I asked Mike and Mike if they were up for making a quick blast north to fish a couple of different channels and rips. Mike gunned down the throttle and it wasn’t long before his hype man spotted birds. And you guessed it, below the birds, were bass and peanuts going absolutely ballistic! Ah, the pressure was off!
Capt. Mike Faulkingham on the board!
Time to put these guys on some fish after they drove nearly 200 miles! First casts into the mayhem, we were tripled up on fly and light tackle. The action continued for a solid 2 hours, chasing fish in as little as 2ft of water. It was exhilarating watching these fish chase the fly in such shallow water.
One of many fish that fell for the “Bunker Fly”
They were moving fast, and eating everything we threw at them. Classic fall run behavior.
Hype man Mike with a beautiful late October fish that fell for the fly!
Most of the fish were in the 16-24 inch range and fell for a variety of clousers, deceivers, and soft plastic presentations. Single hooks and crushed barbs made for quick releases. Around 1030 in the morning, the bass spread out, moved to deeper water, and had had enough. Off they went, southward, continuing their migration to the Chesapeake where they will spend the winter months.
For being October 21st, it was a lovely morning on the bay.
Some of the last fish of the 2022 season?
We steamed back into port, in preparation for the podcast. It was a blast to have the opportunity to speak with Mike and Luis about Striped Survival, striped bass conservation, and just all things fishing. Stay tuned for the podcast episode on Spotify by following “Hooked in New England”. Also be sure to give Cap. Mike a follow at “fishportlandme” and Luis at “diamond_pass_outfitters”. These guys are standup dudes and definitely at the forefront of striped bass conservation.
The future of our fishery…
Do everything you can to get involved this winter and work to improve your catch-and-release tactics! There has never been a more important time to take action. Continue to treat these fish with care. If we can all do our part, it will be a big difference in the future of this fishery.
Lots to come for this offseason and some big announcements for the 2023 season!
Tight Lines
Striped Survival
Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time.
The Full Moon in May
Striped bass addicts in need of motivation to hit the surf, will be pleased to hear that slots have entered the equation, and I’m not talking about my recent trip to Encore Casino. Fish in the 28-34 inch range have now become a reality across Massachusetts.
For the past week, anglers have been awaiting the arrival of the May Full Moon, with hopes that it would be the factor to draw in that first wave of larger fish into our local waters. Warm weather continued to usher into Southern New England and it seemed like everyday fishermen were reporting an increase in the size and numbers of striped bass.
I had checked my logs from a couple of years ago and noticed that this same moon cycle has produced some incredible action in the surf, on the exact same day(s) that I had planned to venture out this week. I can’t stress how important it is to log all your outings.
These fish migrate and feed depending on a number of variables (wind, tide, moon cycle, barometric pressure, and so forth). By keeping an up-to-date log, you will be able to uncover patterns these fish follow, fine-tuning where they will be on certain days of the year. You’ll quickly notice that the same school of fish with show up in the same location, year after year.
Your odds of catching will dramatically increase…
We rolled into the surf around 4 am. With a light W wind at our back, the weather forecast was calling for a stiff NW breeze by mid-morning. I knew we would only have about a 3-hour window before the wind shifted, shutting down the bite.
Within 20 minutes of our trip, we were finding signs of life. A few bumps reassured us that the fish were nearby. Terns, ospreys, and cormorants cruised the horizon in search of an easy meal. The table was set…
As the sun began to crest the horizon, things instantly lit up. Though the fish weren’t showing on the surface, they were here! The key was to make sure you were keeping contact with the bottom throughout the duration of the retrieve. Small ¾ oz Al Gags were the ticket, it seemed the fish just couldn’t resist. We doubled up on 6 separate occasions and at one point, doubled up 4 casts in a row.
One of many schoolies landed during an early sunrise session
The majority of the fish were in that 20-26 inch range, all covered in sea lice as they continued their migration north. Thankfully we were able to intercept them for a few hours before they continued on their way. Seeing that a couple of these fish were approaching close to slot size, we had a feeling that there had to be some larger fish mixed in with the school.
A few casts later, I connected with a fish that felt heavier than the rest. She hugged the bottom and then abruptly rose to the surface, giving a couple of head shakes before she took off scorching my drag. I went to make a small adjustment to my drag when all of the sudden she shook the hook….
Overcome with defeat, I sent another cast out. It was only seconds before it was engulfed on the drop. A minute or so later, I beached a healthy 30-inch slot fish! The first of the season. As the bite died down by 8 am, we made the call to try one more location.
Preparing a nice slot fish for release
A small backwater, protected from the breeze it was a go-to spot to find ourselves some more fish. As we pulled into the parking lot, we instantly eyed out terns and fish involved in a feeding frenzy on the surface. We sprinted down the beach and on our first casts we were doubled up. After about a half dozen fish each, Joe connected with a fish that once again seemed larger than the rest. She taped out at 30 inches, our second slot fish of the day. It was great to see these fish feeding so aggressively, especially since it would 12 o’clock in the afternoon. A short time later, we called it a day, with a successful trip behind us.
The variety of size classes this spring has been an encouraging sign!
We are seeing some incredible fishing so far this year, especially with how early in the season it is. A variety of size classes continue to filter in and remember to continue to treat these fish with care.
Below are a few helpful tips to make your catch and release efforts easier…
-Crush your barbs
-Fish inline single hooks
-Avoid using a Boga grip
-Keep the fish in the water as much as possible
-Go heavy with your gear to limit stress on the fish
Best of luck on your upcoming outings, and continue Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time!
First fish of 2022
Striped bass aficionados have officially reached the point where they can put cabin fever on the back burner. Fresh fish have hit the Cape and a number of anglers have reported success on both fly and light tackle. On my maiden voyage for the season, I was lucky to stumble across some of the first fish to hit the Cape. Being that it was only April 22nd, I had low expectations. However…
After casting for what seemed an eternity, I finally felt the thump I had been waiting all winter for. FISH ON! Though it didn’t put up much of a fight, that first one of the season always feels great. Until larger fish arrive within the coming weeks, the key right now is to find shallow, moving water. These areas, such as estuaries or back bays, will be holding the most fish as the warm water attracts an abundance of baitfish early in the season.
The first of many for the 2022 season
Small soft plastics (weighted or weightless) will be great in seeking out these early season migrants. Some of my go-to lures are an Al Gags, Zoom Super Fluke, and Sluggo. On warmer days, it could even be worth it to start working small top water plugs.
If you have been waiting for an excuse to get out off the couch and catch some fish, it’s no longer wishful thinking. Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather we have ahead and good luck chasing down your first fish of the 2022 season. Things are only going to heat up!
Tight Lines
“Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers”.
-Herbert Hoover
Fall Run Fever
Well, folks, we have officially reached that time of year! As the days become shorter and the nights become cooler, the striped bass fisherman is reminded that the end is near. Although we have a solid month still left, we are left with that dreaded question in the back of our mind, “Is this the last fish of the season”.
I know it’s painful to think about, but September is still probably my favorite month of the year to chase striped bass from the surf. With the water temperatures cooling off, large striped bass will cruise the shoreline, looking to feast on the juvenile peanut bunker and herring fry that are flushing from our local tributaries.
The summer patterns will end and you are more likely to stumble across larger schools of fish that will feed more aggressively in preparation for their journey south. AND they will be more likely to be very close to shore.
This hefty 20lber couldn’t resist a Sebile Magic Swimmer.
The combination of cooler conditions and an influx of bait can set things off one night and leave one wondering where all the fish went on the next night. The fish are on the move and they are moving FAST.
I think this is one reason why I enjoy fishing so hard during the month of September….I just don’t want to wake up and find out I slept through an epic bite because I know those fish have since moved on.
Here one tide, gone the next….
An hour into the dropping tide, slot fish invaded and were wiling to feast!
Lately, I have been finding great success with fishing the beaches under the cover of darkness. We have been finding large schools of slot-sized and over-slot fish on most nights for the past week or so. Contrary to the entire season when fish have been extremely selective with their feeding patterns, these fish seem to be willing to eat just about anything. We have been having great success with needlefish, swimming plugs like an SP Minnow or Yozuri Mag darter, Seibel Magic Swimmers, and topwater spooks.
Solo missions result in subpar photos.
Remember, these fish are about to make a long journey south in order to spend the winter months around the Carolinas. It’s time for them to fuel up and pack on the pounds.
Though daytime blitzes are a common occurrence this time of year, I find that these blitzes are composed of mainly smaller (schoolie) sized fish in the 18-24 inch range. To increase your odds, head out under the cover of darkness, and don’t be afraid to go large with your presentation.
Tight Lines!!!!
A Journey in the Surf Part 1: What’s in the bag?
The saying often goes, “Less is more”. However, that’s not quite the case when it comes to being prepared for a night of surfcasting. I have seen it far to many times. One guy on the beach is catching fish after fish and you just can’t buy a bite. The angler tells you what he is throwing and you drop your head in frustration, as you don’t have that lure in your plug bag.
Although my rotation consists of the same 4 or 5 plugs (the only thing that will vary is color), I always pack a couple of Plano boxes in my backpack with some extras. I most likely won’t throw any of these, however, if the fish just don’t seem interested in the usual presentations, you have two choices:
Switch your lure
Move location
Generally speaking, 9/10 times I am going to choose to switch my choice of lure instead of moving locations. Once you develop confidence in your spots; learning how the fish feed at different stages of the tide, the effects of the moon cycle, and so forth, you will know that fish are there. It is just a matter of figuring out what they are willing to feed on at any given night.
MATCH THE HATCH!!!
We are fortunate enough here in the northeast where we see a plethora of forage species that striped bass feed upon. From herring in the early spring, mackerel/bunker through the summer, and juvenile peanuts in the fall, the abundance of forage species lets us target striped bass 7+ months out of the year.
Now, back to the plug bag talk….
My main plug bag consists of the following lures: darters, needlefish (sinking and floating), swimming plugs like a Bomber of SP Minnow, and 12-inch pre-rigged Sluggos. This variety of lures will imitate just about any forage species that striped bass are known to feed on. The aforementioned lures will provide the proper profile and action to draw strikes from hungry fish. Each lure will provide a different action/profile and must be fished in the proper conditions in order to be most effective.
Darters: I prefer to fish darters in calm conditions with a steady current. Often times I will search for rips as striped bass will set up in these areas waiting to ambush prey. Calm conditions allow the darter to “dig in” and have a “zig-zag” motion throughout the retrieve. Throw these in rough surf, and the darter will not have the proper action as it just gets tossed around in the wash. As far as a retrieve, I prefer to cast up current, reeling in fast until I come in contact with the lure. This allows the darter to dig in just below the surface. I will then back off and stick with a slow retrieve speed. You should be able to feel your rod tip bouncing as the darter swims back and forth. Let it work its way down current and into the rip ensuring that you finish out your retrieve! Simple and effective….
Needlefish: These are some of the most basic yet effective lures on the market. Though it takes a lot of patience to fish them, needlefish draw strikes from large bass ambushing prey in the wash. They fish best in a heavy swell with lots of white water. The key is to cast just past the white water and work the needle through it. Baitfish are disoriented in this white water which attracting hungry stripers looking for an easy meal. Thus, this is the strike zone!!!
A slow retrieve will work best with an occasional twitch of the rod tip. I have also done well working a needlefish like a topwater plug. If you are getting hits but struggling with hooking up, tie a teaser about 12 inches above the needlefish. This will imitate a larger baitfish chasing a smaller baitfish. Striped bass go crazy over this setup and you will find they often will go after the teaser. This setup also works well when small bait is present such as juvenile peanut bunker.
As mentioned above, needlefish come in a variety of lengths and weights. Match the size of your needlefish to the baitfish present. As far as weight, I like a sinking needlefish when fishing the edge of a channel or dop and will opt for a floating needlefish when fishing shallow boulder fields.
Swimming plugs: These lures are probably the most simplistic of them all. A basic cast and retrieve will work and you can experiment with retrieve speeds as you go. These lures basically do the work for you and can be fished in just about every condition. The slim profile combined with the tight swimming action mimics many smaller baitfish species. The erratic swimming action will put fish on the feed! My top choices are a Bomber, Sp Minnow, JoeBaggs or Yozuri Mag Darter.
Sluggos: The eel-like imitations are some of the most underutilized lures to use in the surf. Their life-like action combined with the large profile draws strikes from the biggest fish in the school. I have done well fishing with these in the open surf along the sand and while wading/wetsuiting through boulder fields. Oftentimes, it is one of the first lures out of my bag because of how effective it is. It helps me find out if an area is holding fish and when nothing else is working, this lure just can’t be beaten! Vary retrieve speeds and add a twitch every so often in order to cause reaction strikes from any fish nearby.
A 48-inch striped bass that fell for an eel skin Sluggo in late July.
Over time you will develop confidence in certain plugs that you throw in the surf. Once you learn how to effectively fish these specific lures, there will be little reason to throw anything else. Of course, there will be exceptions to this, as sometimes the fish just will not be interested. Due to this, I will always have 5 or 6 extra lures with me. These will consist of metal lip swimmers, 3/4 jigs (al gags), live/rigged eels, and a couple of topwater plugs. Yes, I have caught several fish on topwater lures in the middle of the night, especially under a full moon.
They each have their own purpose and again, vary in size and action. Talk to every surfcaster and I can almost guarantee that we all have differences in our plug bag. What works for one guy, just might not work for someone else. I know a lot of guys who hate fishing darters but love fishing needlefish. And they have a ton of success with them. It all comes down to what each of us is confident in.
I encourage you to try fishing some of the lures mentioned above and if you have any recommendations of what to try out or what works best for you, send me a DM via my Instagram @stripedsurvival.
A Journey in the Surf: 5 Part Series
Over the next month or so, I will be posting one blog per week in regards to surfcasting for striped bass. These blogs will discuss a variety of topics which will range anywhere from lure choice, color choice, moon phase, tide stages, structure, gear, and so forth.
My hope is that these blog posts will help you learn a thing or two about surfcasting for striped bass and maybe add new tactics to your game that you have yet to consider.
If there is anything specific you would like to learn more about or a topic of discussion you would enjoy reading about, please feel free to send me a message via my Instagram @stripedsurvival.
Stay tuned and tight lines!!
Crushed It
Attention striped bass anglers! As stocks continue to deplete, it is becoming obvious that more conservation efforts are need in order to protect this valuable marine resource. This season, I ask you to use #crushedit on your social media platforms when posting your striped bass pictures. The idea behind this is to promote the benefits of crushing your barbs. Whether targeting 20-inch or 20-pound striped bass, crushing the barbs on your hooks has some fantastic benefits.
By crushing your barbs, you will greatly decrease the damage to the jaw of the fish, enabling it to feed to the best of its ability. Furthermore, crushed barbs will dramatically decrease the chance of the fish have extensive damage to the gill plate and internally if it were to be gut hooked. All of these benefits will help in increasing the survival rate of striped bass upon release. As an added bonus, crushed barbs will also minimize damage to the angler if they were to become hooked. I think far too many of us have some stories about a treble hook becoming embedded in our hand during an all-out blitz. Trust me, it’s not fun.
If you could please spread the message this season by using #crushedit on your social media platforms it would be greatly appreciated! Let’s work together to protect this fish as they struggle to avoid another collapse. Through continued community outreach and individual efforts, we can work to conserve this species, seven stripes at a time.
Tight Lines
@stripedsurvival (Instagram)
Ameican Eels: The most mysterious fish in the sea
Dark green with a light-colored underbody, these snake-like fishes flood the rocky habitat throughout Town Brook and the other brackish estuaries found in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is one of the most fascinating creatures found in the Atlantic Ocean. The eels’ unique features allow them to thrive in both a saltwater and freshwater environment, classifying them as a catadromous species.
This means that they are born in the ocean, mature in freshwater and years later will return to the ocean to spawn. There is little known in regards to the mysteries behind the American Eel and its life cycle, however, through newly developed research and continued conservation efforts, we can gain a better understanding of this species.
American eels flourish in brackish waters with rocky habitat and cover. They are known to prey on a variety of food sources including fish and insects. Eels average a length of one to two feet, however, have been known to grow as large as four feet. The American Eel has a complex life cycle and is highly sought after in several stages of its life due to its high market value, food source value, and popularity among fishermen to use as bait for striped bass.
A surfcaster knows best that there nothing compares to throwing eel in order to target trophy striped bass!
The Sargasso Sea is located in the middle of the Atlantic between the West Indies and the Ozarks. This mysterious location is approximately 1,000 miles wide and 3,000 miles long, reaching depths upward of 23,000 ft. Thousands of American Eels flood this area each year to spawn. When the young hatch, they are directed by ocean currents, drifting aimlessly, until they make landfall into freshwater tributaries worldwide (classifying them as either European or American Eels, depending on which way they are directed by the currents). The young eels, referred to as glass eels or elvers, are highly targeted for their value.
A map showing the location of the Sargasso Sea in relation to the East Coast.
These small, translucent fish can be worth upwards of $2,500 on the black market, resulting in an increase in illegal fishing along the East Coast. Currently, Maine and South Carolina are the only two states in the country that have a legal fishery for these specimens.
In 2014, two Cape Cod residents were arrested for poaching elvers and trying to sell them in the state of Maine. The two men were in possession of 20 pounds, at the time, valued between 8,000 and 12,000 dollars. The industry in the State of Maine is competitive and leads to chaos between fishermen and buyers within the industry, The season lasts for two months, and individuals, on average, profit well over six figures.
The elver fishery is non-existent in Massachusetts, however, poaching still occurs across the coastline. The easy access to their habitat and difficulty to enforce this fishery, allows poachers (the name given to those that illegally fish) to cash in on this valuable species. The Town of Plymouth DMEA is just one organization that has taken steps to conserve this vital species within our marine and freshwater ecosystems. In 2019, an eel ramp in Town Brook located near the Plimoth Grist Mill was installed. Obstructed fish passage because of a dam, prohibits the elvers to make it up the 1.6-mile stream to Billington Sea where they can thrive in a more optimal freshwater environment.
Although the eel ramp is on a steep incline, elvers and glass eels make the climb up, where they are then deposited into the eel ramp box. After counting the number of eels present in the box, they will be transported further up the stream.
The eel ramp will allow for local game wardens to transport the eels upstream. This ramp will be monitored by the department, which will conduct counts to gain an understanding of population estimates within Plymouth. This newly developed research will provide insight into the abundance, habitat, and location of this species within the Town of Plymouth. Feel free to stop by America’s hometown in the Spring to check out the incredible conservation efforts happening!
Approximately 1,000 elvers that were retrieved from the eel ramp on Town Brook.
Acknowledgments
American eel. 9.26.11.2.pdf. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.fws.gov/northeast/newsroom/pdf/Americaneel9.26.11.2.pdf
Big changes in Sargasso Sea’s seaweed populations. Retrieved January 30, 2019, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140923131448.htm
Two Mass. Men Arrested for Alleged Elver Poaching | Boston.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019, fromhttps://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2014/04/18/two-mass-men-arrested-for-alleged-elver-poaching
““It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment. If we have the largest boulder in the county, then it should not belong to an individual, nor be made into door-steps” (Henry David Thoreau).”
Fishing Cape Cod Sandbars for Trophy Striped Bass
Cape Cod offers anglers endless opportunities to pursue striped pretty much year-round. From boulder fields, backwater estuaries, tidal flats, and sandbars, there are a variety of options as to where to target striped bass. One of my favorite types of fishing, in order to pursue trophy striped bass, is to focus on one of the many sandbars located along the Cape Cod beaches.
These sandbars provide great structure with varying depths and swift currents throughout the tidal changes. These conditions often draw in a plethora of baitfish, which in turn will entice large striped bass to cruise the shallows. There is nothing that compares to hearing the sound of a large striped bass blow up on the surface in the middle of the night, catching a glimpse of its shadow cast by the full moon overhead.
The image above shows the various sandbars and flats found throughout the outer cape beaches. These shallow water locations provide excellent habitat and prey abundance which attract trophy striped bass under the darkness of the night.
While fishing these locations, I like to focus my attention on the last 3 hours of the outgoing and the first 2 hours of the incoming. This allows me to fish a period where these sandbars will be exposed and I can target striped bass in shallow water. Furthermore, the lower tidal stage will result in striped bass being found in a more specific location. Almost as though they are trapped in these shallow water “pockets” that are created near the sandbars.
I almost always prefer fishing with a buddy or wearing my wetsuit. These sandbars can have extremely strong currents and dropoffs that appear in the blink of an eye. I have heard too many horror stories of guys getting swept in while wearing waders, some of which have been fatal situations. Always be cautious when venturing out to these locations, and I highly suggest scouting them out in the daylight before heading out in the dark.
I first started fishing sandbars around 2015, when I was introduced to a spot on the Cape. This location had a large sand bar that was exposed at low tide. A sharp drop off to around 12 ft deep was present just 10 yards off the shore. A narrow channel resulted in a current seam halfway into the outgoing. A perfect situation to draw in big bass to feed in the middle of the night.
My first two casts at this location resulted in a 46 and a 43 inch fish on the same rigged eel. Needless to say, I was now a believer in all the talk about how well sandbars can produce at night for trophy striped bass. Ever since this excursion, I have experienced throwing a variety of presentations in this environment including; needlefish, darters, 12-inch pre-rigged sluggos, and live eels. Over the years, I have found that I have my best success with colors such as white, chartreuse, and eel skin. These presentations have resulted in numerous 30 plus pound striped bass from the Cape beaches over the years.
A neat part about this type of fishing is how far you are able to wade offshore in some of these locations. At times, I found myself being 50+ yards offshore in only waist-deep water. The best part about it is that often times these fish are swimming right by your feet!
Fishing the rips that set up along the sandbars throughout the Cape can result in fish like this. This healthy 25-pound bass fell for a chartreuse darter on the dropping tide in just 6ft of water.
In 2015, my father was lucky enough to land a 52 inch, 50.24-pound behemoth on an eel skin Sluggo out on one of Cape Cod’s Sandbars. The fish was fooled in just 8 feet of water. I will never forget the sound of the eruption on the surface followed by the singing of the drag. The massive fish fought like hell for close to 10 minutes. When she finally reached shore, a quick picture was taken and she was properly revived. I will never forget the feeling of holding that bass in the water reviving her, as she clamped down on my thumb and kicked her tail, sending saltwater spray into my face. This trophy bass was heading back to her home to continue her journey along the East Coast.
A 50,24 lb monster caught by my father in 2015 while we were fishing one of the Cape sand bars
In general, there are 3 methods I utilize when fishing in these locations
Needlefish
Darter
Live/dead eels or pre-rigged Sluggo
I like fishing a needlefish when I have the wind in my face and there is a lot of white water present. The needlefish works great in moderate current, drifting along with the sweep. A small twitch of the rod tip every 5 seconds or so will add some great action to these lures. These lures also fish well in rough water and I find that if you time the swells and work into the white water, big fish can’t resist.
A teaser tied approximately 18 inches above the needlefish is a great addition when bass are finicky and feeding on smaller bait!
I like fishing darters when I have calmer conditions present. The darter is unable to “dig in” in rougher conditions and this totally hinders the actions. Calmer conditions allow for the darter to work just below the surface. Once again, look for some current so the darter will work into the strike zone. A fast retrieve for the first two seconds will ensure this lure gets the action it needs in order to entice a bite. Once its subsurface, back off on the retrieve and slow it down. You should be able to feel it in the rod tip.
One of my go-to methods for fishing these areas throughout the season is using live eels. When fishing live eels, I will keep them in a bucket with some ice. This calms the eels and makes it a bit easier to handle them. You will find that eels are extremely quick and covered in slime, making it impossible to handle them with bare hands. One technique that works great is tossing them in the sand real quick, covering them in a layer of sand. The sand coats the slime and allows anglers to grab the eel without a piece of burlap or a rag.
A 46-inch bass caught in 2016 that fell for a rigged eel
I prefer to hook the eel through the lower jaw and out the nostril. Remember, striped bass will almost always hit from the head, so this is where you will want your hook exposed. I prefer a size 6/0 inline circle hook, the main reason being that I fish giant eels, generally 15 to 20 inches. A 5/0 circle hook will also work just fine! Have your circle hook connected to 40lb fluorocarbon with an 80lb barrel swivel connecting the fluoro to the braid. The best knot to be using here is a palomor knot, the strongest in the game!
The best part about fishing live eels is that they pretty much do all the work. I like to cast out at an 11 or 1 o’clock angle (depending on the direction of the current) and use a slow retrieve. You should be able to feel the eel swimming, in an attempt to get close to the bottom. Continue with the slow retrieve until you feel 2 to 3 sharp taps. This indicates a striped bass that just engulfed your eel. The moment you feel these sharp taps, drop your rod top-down, point your od toward the horizon. We call this “bow to the cow”. As soon as the slack goes tight, lift the rod up, set the hook, and enjoy the ride! I hear a lot of guys say it’s not necessary to set the hook while using circle hooks, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Furthermore, if the fish swallowed the hook, by setting the hook, you will bring the hook back up into the jaw ensuring the hook set in the corner of the jaw.
Fishing sandbars is one of my favorite and most productive ways of hunting down trophy striped bass throughout the season. These unique areas provide; structure, current, and attract bait. This is a recipe for success in the striped bass world. Scout your spots out ahead of time and bring a buddy if fishing at night. Make sure to have a variety of presentations but do not be afraid to throw large presentations! Big profile baits = big bass….
Tight Lines
-Striped Survival-
“Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time”
Striped Bass Catch and Release Tactics
Far too often, I watch fishermen as they reel in their striped bass, let it flop around in the sand, drag it back up on shore because they forgot their pliers to remove the hooks or their phone to take a picture. Without hesitating, minutes have passed before he or she, grips the bass by the gill plate walks to the water’s edge and gives it toss, watching it splash down in the surf, dazed and confused.
While these fish may seem resilient and it may have seemed to swim off strong, there are a lot of aspects in which fishermen can improve handling of striped bass in order to ensure a healthy release. Below, you will find key strategies that I utilize in order to promote the healthiest release possible. If you learn one thing or already utilize these tactics, help spread the word to other fishermen you know who may need in improvements in their catch and releases practices. In doing so, we can work together as a fishing community to help these striped bass recover once and for all!
Number 1: Go heavy with your gear!
Far too often I get criticized for using gear that many consider overkill or too heavy-duty for striped bass fishing. My TFO 10’6” paired with my VS200 loaded up with 50 pound power pro connected to an 80lb barrel swivel, 40lb fluorocarbon and a 125lb TA Clip, is used for one specific reason! Every time I hit the surf, I want to be prepared to battle a 50lber, and this is the gear needed for that. More importantly, though, heavy duty gear ensures this; the quickest fight possible limiting stress on striped bass. Ask yourself, how many times you have seen these guys with their ultralight setups hooked up to a medium-sized bass, and by the time they get that 20+ lber in, the thing is so gassed and goes belly up. Even if it is revived, that thing was just put through so much stress ad exhaustion, it will probably croak a few minutes after being released.
All for the fun of the fight?
Sure, the fight is fun. But, isn’t it just as fun being able to say that you quickly fought this fish and watched it swim off strong without hesitation? If you are currently using primarily light tackle, switch things up, and don’t be afraid to go a little heavier. I promise, the reward of watching that fish swim off strong rather than being worried about having to revive it, will be a great feeling for all!
A healthy 39 incher that fell for a 12-inch eel skin Sluggo. My 10’6” inch TFO paired with the VS200 ensured a quick fight and a healthy release!
Number 2: Keep the fish out of the water for less than 10 seconds
This goes back to the story I told in the beginning. The guy who keeps the fish on the sand or in the rocks for minutes on end while he stumbles for his tape measure, pliers or phone. Yeah, 3 minutes later when you release that thing, it will probably float belly up and drift out of reach. A donation to the food bank for the seals and great whites. Striped bass are meant to be in the ocean just like we are meant to breathe air. Imagine yourself submerged in a pool. 30 seconds goes by, you’re feeling alright, a minute comes up and now you start to struggle. The difference, you are able to pop right up to the surface. That striped bass, however, is pleading to get back in the water as you struggle to find your gear.
My advice, I like to keep the fish in the water at all times. I carry my pliers, a knife, and Boga grips on my surf belt and a tape measure in my wader’s pocket. This allows me to not have to wade back up on shore for something that I may have forgotten. Furthermore, if carrying my phone or with someone who carries their phone, I will have it set to a timer of 10 seconds. This ensures that when a picture is ready to be taken, the striped bass can quickly come out of the water and then put right back in. Better yet, take a picture with the striped bass still in the water!
By limiting their time out of the water, we can decrease stress, damage to their eyes, and gill plate. Another tactic I utilize is that before just releasing them, I will hold them in the water moving them in a figure-eight motion, allowing for water to circulate through their gill. By doing so, I am able to feel when the fish is truly ready to “kick-off” and go on its way. This strategy will once again increase the survival rate upon release.
This early season schoolie was quickly unhooked, kept in the water, and swam off strong. The future of our fishery!
Number 3: Avoid using the Boga grip and holding the fish vertical
The infamous Boga grip, a surfcaster’s best friend. Remember the days of trying to gain control of that striped bass in order to get the hooks out of its mouth as it viciously thrashed around? Maybe you were one of the unlucky ones who ended up with a treble embedded in your hand. The Boga grip now allows fishermen to gain control of their catch, however, it has a lot of downfalls to it.
The use of a Boga grip can often lead to the dislocation of the jaw and shifting of the organs. While held vertical, the weight of the fish is putting immense pressure on the jaw, which it is not meant to handle. Although the fish may seem fine, its feeding ability will be affected due to the damage done to the jaw. This will drastically increase mortality rates. Moreover, as the fish was held vertical, the organs have now shifted, moving out of place. Organs aren’t supposed to work like that, shifting up and down, left and right. This could lead to digestive issues within the fish, once again increasing its risk of mortality. I will be the first to admit, I still use my boga grip. However, I make small adjustments that help increase survivability upon release.
For example, hold the fish horizontal if it is attached to the Boga. This will ensure the organs do not shift and will also place minimal pressure on the jaw. Also, by keeping the fish in the water, there is little pressure actually being applied by the Boga, however, it still allows for control making it easy to remove hooks. Furthermore, most fishermen use a Boga grip for one thing, to get a weight on their trophy catch. I challenge you to no longer worry about the weight of your fish and instead opt for a conservative approach, obtaining a quick length and girth measurement. The weight might not come as accurate, but more often than not it is within a few pounds, give or take.
Notice how the fish is supported under the stomach and gripped by the jaw, minimizing the pressure of the Boga grip
Number 4….Use single hooks!
How many times have you had a striped bass engulf your lure and inhale a treble hook halfway down its throat? Or maybe that treble got lodged into the gill plate and the fish is now pissing blood faster than Usain Bolt in the 200m sprint. I like using single hooks for several reasons. First, it makes it much easier for unhooking the fish, which not only saves me time but also ensures the fish is quickly released back into the water. Secondly, by using single hooks there is a lot less damage done to the jaw. Think of it, only one piercing through the jaw instead of three?
This healthy slot fish fell for an SP Minnow rigged with single hooks, allow for quick removal of the hooks and minimal damage to the jaw.
Take your pick.
Many times before I have heard people say that if a striped bass has inhaled your treble hook, to just cut it off and it will rust away. Sure this is true, but what happens when that fish inhales a mackerel before that treble is fully rusted and now its throat is lodged with not only a hook but a 12-inch appetizer. By using single hooks, we can ensure an easier release, less damage to the jaw, and minimize time out of the water.
The four tactics listed above are just of few that you can implement or improve on, in order to promote the catch and release of striped bass. Already use one of these tactics? Add in one or two more to decrease the mortality rate upon release by that much more. ASMFC states that 90 percent of striped bass mortality is because of us recreational guys. Whether you agree or disagree with this, let’s start adding these tactics to our game in order to promote catch and release within the striped bass industry!
I urge you to spread the message along to like-minded anglers and those new to the sport. I will be the very first to admit, that I was not always following these tactics to the best of my ability. I am guilty of having kept fish out of the water, released ones that most likely didn’t make it, and have kept my fair share of trophy fish for the dinner plate. However, I have realized what my actions have done and I have spent the past few years doing everything in my power to save these fish, seven stripes at a time.
Surfcasting tactics based on the moon phase
Before the striped bass season begins, most surfcasting junkies have already printed out a moon phase calendar and highlighted the days with the most potential based on the moon cycle. As the moon phases change, so will the gravitational pull, creating stronger or weaker currents and lower or higher tides. With this, the surf caster will need to change tactics to match the conditions, targeting different locations that will have the best chance of holding fish.
A new moon and cloud cover result in some of the darkest conditions for a surfcaster, sometimes resulting in the largest fish of the season
Moon phase is an extremely important aspect in considering when to target striped bass from the surf, what presentation to throw, and where to target them. Below you will find a rundown of how I like to fish during each phase of the moon cycle; new, first quarter, full, last quarter.
Full Moon: Stronger current and extreme tide cycles (extremely high tides and low tides)
New Moon: Only thing changing here will be the colors I will be throwing. With darker conditions, I will focus on throwing blurple, black, black/red combos.
I find the full and new moon result in striped bass being found in very specific locations. With stronger tides, striped bass will hunker down in “holes” which allow for a break in the current. This often results in an easy meal. Furthermore, with brighter conditions overhead, I will opt for colors that coincide with this.
For example White, Chartreuse, and Yellow
A 25 lb striper that fell for a Chartreuse Darter during an early-season full moon
I generally like to target boulder fields at the flood tide as there is going to be a lot of structure submerged, allowing striped bass to move in close to shore. Secondly, I like to fish sandbars on the dropping tide as I find striped bass will become “pinned” in shallow water guzzles/flats.
My go-to lures are going to be Darters and needles
I find these presentations work best in stronger current in the surf and allow me to focus on these specific spots that striped bass will be found. For example, I am fishing a sandbar with a current running left to right. A rip is set up at 1 o'clock and I notice that’s where the fish are stacked. I will cast at about 11/12 o’clock and work the lure as it drifts to 1 o'clock.
I am able to remain in the strike zone throughout a majority of my retrieve and throw presentations which will entice a reaction strike (vibrant colors).
Whatever the light is overhead, you want to try to match those conditions!
First Quarter/Last Quarter: Weaker current and variation in tide cycles.
I find fish to be actively foraging for food during these times. They are cruising up and down the beach looking for pockets of bait, and using less energy since the current is not a strong as it tends to be during the full/new moon.
My go-to lures are going to be a 12-inch pre-rigged Sluggo in eel skin or black, needlefish, and mag darters.
These are my presentations which I am able to cover a lot of ground with, helping me find the schools of fish pretty quickly. I will tend to not take more than 5 to 10 casts with one lure before I find myself switching to a different presentation. Once you find that school of fish, you’re dialed in and should be in a solid bite for some time.
A 41 lb monster that fell for a 12-inch pre-rigged Sluggo during the middle of July during the last quarter
I tend to catch my largest fish during the full/new moon, however, I find more fish to be present during the first/last quarter. As I said before, schools of bass are more apt to be roaming around since they are not fighting the strong currents. Remember, if the current is strong, bait is getting “sucked away” very quickly, hence why the fish will hunker down. During these weaker tides, baitfish and therefore their predators are all moving out and about, often resulting in high numbers of fish.
Remember, generally speaking, I am not talking about the canal here. I am talking about the boulder fields and sandy beaches the litter the Massachusetts Coast and how I find fish during the various moon phases each month.
Moon phases are just one of several variables to consider when planning your fishing excursions and trying to get the odds in your favor. You also have to consider the wind, water temp, surf conditions, and bait present to name a few. Stay tuned for more blog posts as I will dive deeper into these aspects and how everything eventually ties together.
Tight Lines
Striped Survival “Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time”
Weekly Wrap Up
Another week in the books for the striped survival crew and needless to say, it continues to be a grind. We continue to find a lot of fish cruising the beaches of Cape Cod when most of the world is sleeping. A majority of fish are in the 20 to 26 inch range, however, there are enough 20 pound fish around to keep things interesting.
A healthy fall run bass weighing in at 24 pounds.
On Tuesday night, I headed out on a solo mission for the last 2 hours of the outgoing and the first 2 hours of the incoming. I was fortunate enough to connect with a beautiful 38 inch, 24 pound fish within the first 10 minutes of the trip. The fish fell for a North Bar Tackle Chartreuse Darter (are you surprised?). If you have been following my posts, you know that this plug has been putting on an absolute clinic for the past 2+ weeks. Often times, I find that it is even out producing live eels.
Make sure to have some sort of current in front of you when fishing this lure. If the current is running left to right, cast out at 11 o’clock and reel your slack in. Reel quickly for 1 to 2 seconds, allowing the darter to dig below the surface. Now, back off to a slow retrieve and remain in contact with the lure. Just get ready to set the hook!
It is a pretty simple tactic but extremely effective!
Tuesday night wrapped up with around a dozen fish ranging from schoolies to slot fish and one “over sized” fish. All fish were properly revived and safely released. When landing striped bass in the surf , here are a few things you can do in order to ensure a safe and quick release:
Crush your barbs- No, you will not lose more fish!! Just stay tight to the fish throughout the fight and you will be perfectly fine. By crushing the barbs, it will minimize damage to the jaw and make it extremely easy to remove the hook. Furthermore, if a fish swallows the hook, you will have a much easier time removing the hook and a less likely chance of causing severe damage to the gills. With an abundance of smaller fish around, it is important we make every effort to care for the future of our fishery!
Avoid the boga grip- This is something I have really been trying to work on this year. Research shows that using a boga grip can cause damage to the jaw. Furthermore, if held vertically, the organs shift, causing severe permanent damage to the fish. This affects its ability to forage, digest, etc. Your best bet is to land the fish directly on to the sand, (or better yet, keep them in the water) remove the hook and hold in a vertical position upon release. If you do need the boga grip, continue to hold the fish vertically, minimizing the pressure the boga grip is placing on the jaw. This will ensure the fish is properly supported, minimizing overall damage to both the jaw and inner organs.
Set a timer on your camera phone- Too many times, I witness fishermen fumbling around to pull their phone our for a picture. By the time they find their phone, set the camera up and take a picture, the fish has been out of the water for minutes. I like to keep my phone concealed in my waterproof wader pocket or my surf top pocket. Moreover, I will have the timer set to 5 seconds. This allows me to quickly pull out my phone, take a quick picture and return the fish to the water as quickly as possible. Think of it this way, next time you keep a fish out of the water for 2 minutes, try to hold your breath for that entire time! I bet it won’t be too comfortable…
Take the time to revive the fish- Even the smaller fish will need time to be revived. Avoid pulling the fish forward and backward in the water while reviving. Pulling the fish backwards can cause damage to the gill plate and suffocate the fish. Instead, move the fish in a figure eight or forward motion only. This will ensure water is running through the mouth and out the gills in a natural motion allowing the fish to “breathe”.
These are just a few of the steps you can take in order to ensure a greater future for our striped bass fishery! I urge you to continue to inform others on proper catch and release techniques and to educate those unaware of these techniques. We are all at different skill abilities and I myself am learning something new every trip. Take the time to explain these vital steps instead of bashing someone who may not know any better.
The week wrapped up, after we pulled a 6 hour journey in the surf, Friday night. Before the northeast winds picked up, fish were on the feed tight to shore. The largest of the night was a 30 inch slot fish that was quickly returned to continue her journey south for the fall. A handful of smaller fish kept us busy the remainder of the night until the northeast winds and weeds forced us out. Darters and SP minnows were the top producing lures.
A 30 inch slot fish couldn’t resist the chartreuse darter, even with an overly bloated belly.
Thank you for reading this weeks blog and I hope you found the following information useful! Good luck out there and remember to continue practicing catch and release! The fishing is only going to improve as we head into the prime months of the fall run.
Tight Lines,
Striped Survival - Conserving the Species, Seven Stripes at a Time
Big bass in the August surf
If I said I didn’t think I was going to catch a 50 pounder this weekend in the surf, I would be lying! August means one thing, big bass are lurking in the surf and all it takes is one cast to make or break your entire season. Fronts roll through, the humidity drops and the water temperatures begin to fall. As I have said before, my favorite time of year is the last week of July and the first two weeks of August. Get after it while the gettin’ is good!
We pulled an all nighter last weekend and found several small fish stacked along the shoreline. Most fish were in the 20 to 26 inch range and one beauty shook the hook just 10 feet from shore. Mag darters and sluggos did the trick during the night and as the sun began to rise we got into a nice top water bite.
The water temps have been extremely warm the past month or so, hovering upwards of 70-73 degrees. This is absolutely brutal on the surf caster, as most fish will be hanging offshore in cooler water temperatures. These bathtub like conditions are just not ideal for bigger fish to be hanging close to shore for a prolonged period of time. When the bigger fish come through (if at all) it is short lived and often times they just are not willing to bite. If you are looking to find the bigger fish, fishing at night in the cooler conditions will be your best bet.
The keys for us this season have been finding shallow boulder fields with currents or deep water channels off the sandy beaches. These areas will provide the coolest water temps (at night) allowing for you to have a shot at some large striped bass in the surf.
Last night, I ventured out to one my favorite spots which has produced the most action for me this season in regards to larger fish. With the Tropical Storm moving through, water temperatures dropped upwards of 10 degrees. If you are a surf caster, you should be feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. This cooler water means one thing, big bass are going to be lurking close to shore in search of an easy meal!
Thursday night, that was exactly the case. I found a good school of slot fish that were feeding heavily but not always committing. It was a little frustrating at first, but I grinded it out and got rewarded with a nice 25 pound class fish, that came on….you guessed it, the 12 inch pre rigged sluggo!
A quality fish that fell for a 12 inch pre rigged sluggo!
The plan for the next two nights is to head back out in search of some trophy sized August fish. The tides are ideal to go out and mess around in some structure.
I will be tossing the wet suit on and slinging some rigged eels, sluggos, darters and maybe a needle. My prediction? The bass are going to cooperate these next couple of nights and there will be a really good bite on some larger fish! Optimistic? Maybe so….but you can’t catch em’ from the couch.
If you get into some bigger fish, remember to handle them with care. I know I have been saying this a lot lately, but these next 7 years are only going to worsen before it gets better AND that’s if we each do our part.
I have been doing my absolute best this season to handle these fish as quickly as possible ensuring a safe release. Try to fish with single hooks, limit the amount of time the fish is out of the water, limit the picture taking to a few throughout the night, and take the time to properly revive them before letting them go.
It’s going to get real good these next couple of weeks!
Tight Lines.
Follow us on Instagram @stripedsurvival and tag us in your posts if you get that trophy in the surf this weekend.
It’s not just a mission, it’s a movement #stripedsurvival
The hot bite continues!
The past week has resulted in the hot bite continuing in the surf! We fished multiple locations and found fish of a variety sizes, with my largest of the season coming in at 48 inches and 41 pounds. Sure enough, she engulfed the old reliable 12 inch pre rigged sluggo and put up one hell of a fight. My VS200 was a beast during the fight and ensured for a quick battle, ensuring little stress on the fish. My picture was featured in the weekly OnTheWater report for the Cape and there were quite a few people with negative comments on how the fish should not be held out of the water, should not have had a boga grip on it’s jaw, etc. Although there was backlash, there was also a lot of support. I take the good and bad comments in stride, but just want to take the time to reflect on what I did right during the landing of this trophy, and also touch on what I could have done better.
48 inch, 41lb behemoth caught on a 12 inch eel skin sluggo
First and foremost, I fish with extremely heavy gear, starting with my VS200, 50lb PowerPro braid, 40lb flouro leader, 100lb barrel swivel, and a 125lb TA clip. All of these aspects of my gear, are to ensure that even with the largest fish, I am able to get them landed in a timely manner in order to relieve stress and tiring them out.
Secondly, I caught the fish on 12 inch pre rigged sluggo with single hooks. This ensures minimal damage to the jaw compared to treble hooks. Allowing the fish to properly feed throughout the season. Furthermore, the fish was unhooked in the water and a boga grip was applied. However, the fish was held vertical ensuring that the boga grip was not applying pressure damaging the gills or shifting the organs if it was held vertical.
Next, the fish was out of the water for a quick 4 seconds, minimizing its exposure to the air which could cause damage to the gills, eyes, etc. The fish was held in a horizontal positions with one hand holding its jaw and the other supporting her stomach.
Continuing on, the fish was returned to the water and properly revived until she was completely ready to swim off. She swam away feisty and ready to roll! There was no better feeling than watching this absolute behemoth swim away to continue her journey along the coast.
I will note, I will do my best to completely avoid using the bogo grip in the future, however, I do find it necessary at times, as it prevents the fish from thrashing and allows it to be unhooked quickly. I feel we can always do better in our efforts to handle these fish and I find myself taking note of this after every trip. We must remember that these fish are on the brinks of a collapse, and it is our individual efforts which can ensure this fish strives for years to come. I urge you to do your part and speak up when you feel others are not. At this point, constructive criticism is a good thing and take it as it is!
Another beauty safely caught and released!
Well, sorry for the rant, but back to the fishing!
We had big fish in the surf for quite some time, however, our most recent trip produced nothing but shorts. Fast action, just quantity over quality. The last 2 hours of the outgoing and the first 2 hours of the incoming continue to provide the best action. I will note, we were finding that the fish were feeding in a brief (25 to 45 minute) window during the early portion of the season. This seems to have changed as of late, with the action lasting pretty much for 3+ solid hours.
It seems we’ve downsized….
The top producing lures the past week or so have been a white SuperStrike needle rigged with a red gill teaser, a North Bar Tackle chartreuse darter, Yozuri mag darters, and of course 12 inch pre rigged sluggos.
Get out there and fish hard these next two weeks! I find my best fishing to be the last week of July and the first two weeks of August for big fish in the surf. Stay posted and as always follow along with my journey in the surf by following me on Instagram @stripedsurvival
CATCH, PHOTO, RELEASE
The mother load of big bass
The countless miles walking the shoreline this season, the bite that happened yesterday, fish no bigger than 30 inches, and sleepless nights followed by an 8 hour shift. This basically describes the surfcasting season for us anglers on the south shore. A lot of work put in and little reward received in terms of those bigger fish.
The boat crew found the big fish for a short amount of time in Buzzards Bay and it seems as though the only consistent big bass bite has now been in Bean Town. The canal for most, has been very slowed compared to what the guys and girls have been used to in the past.
The past couple of weeks, my Instagram feed had been littered with fish to 50 pounds, and quite frankly I was suffering from some major fish depression. Fortunately, things can change in a matter of days, and that is exactly what happened for the Striped Survival crew a couple of nights ago.
After fishing the previous day in the wet suit during “Tropical Storm Fay”, I was a little exhausted. Having walked a few miles and messing around in 3 to 4 ft surf with a 20 mph wind in my face, I decided this night I would take the evening to relax and maybe catch a few fish. With just my rod, plug bag, backpack and muck boots, it was time to chase after some seven striped specimens.
I headed out to fish the dropping tide on a secluded stretch of shoreline that has limited access and difficult terrain. Littered with bubble grass and slippery boulders, it is not for the faint of heart. Although it has been void of bigger fish this season, I had a feeling that this hard south wind we were experiencing, might just be the key to bringing some big fish in tight to shore.
I arrived down on my location around 6 pm and right away catch glimpse of a fish in the 20 pound class cruising the shallows. I then noticed a second, third and fourth…..
Hundreds of striped bass littered the boulder field in just 3 to 4 feet of water. What was going to be a leisurely walk along the beach, turned into an all out feeding frenzy for the next 3 hours. I started out with a top water lure that I had made over the winter and instantly hooked up on a quality fish. She headed east toward P Town and my drag was screaming. One fish after another wreak havoc on my 2.5 ounce green mack pencil popper and I landed some quality fish in the 30 to 40 inch range until sunset. Once the lights turned off, things got even better!
I switched over to a 12 inch eel skin sluggo and these fish could not resist. Fish aggressively attacking from every angle and putting my VS 200 to the absolute test. A couple of hours later around 930, I was exhausted, soaked and cut up, from not being prepared for things to break wide open.
“One last cast, unless I hook up”…
Needless to say, I was fishing for another hour, until on my “last cast”, I hooked up to a nice 38 inch fish, watched her swim away strong and headed back to my Jeep, calling it a night. Only a few pictures were taken tonight, as I was trying to get these fish back in the water as quickly as possible. With the new regulations in place, us anglers have no business keeping a 35+ inch fish out of the water for more than 10 seconds, just to get a picture for the gram. Be smart, be responsible, and lets all do our part to protect this species, seven stripes at a time.
The key tonight was the exact opposite of how we have been fishing for the entire season. A slow presentation was a must to get fish to be intrigued at our offering, however, the fish tonight were interested in a very fast retrieved with aggressive twitches of the rod. Give this technique a shot and let me know if it changes your success because it definitely made a difference for us.
The night ended with over 40 fish being landed ranging in size from 30 to 45 inches. All fish were safely and properly released!
To end on a positive note:
This is why I do it! Because when everything comes together and clicks, you'll be rewarded for your time. If you have had a difficult season thus far, whether from the surf or the boat, I urge you to keep at it and keep searching for those lunkers. Things can literally change overnight and it just takes one cast to make your season worth it.
Tight Lines and remember to practice catch and release!
Moons out, Goons out
Well, we headed out over the weekend in search of some bigger fish. Did decent on Thursday night with fish up to the 28 inch mark. Metal lip swimmers were the top producers. Convinced my dad to join me for the 11 o’clock low tide the next night and it was well worth the adventure. We had consistent action on darters in both white and chartreuse with fish just shy of the 20 pound class. Once again, the bite was on for about 45 minutes and then died out completely.
Headed out again the next night, and you guessed it….those fish were long gone. Either not putting on the feedbag or continuing northward in search of cooler waters. We threw everything at them from eels, darters, needle fish, metal lips, and so fourth. No luck….
A couple of days to rest up and we we will be back at it. The full moon is quickly approaching
Tight Lines
Night Shift Crew
Well, where to begin? The past two weeks, we have finally seen those bigger fish push in from the south. The 20 to 40 pound class of fish sitting in the Buzz, finally entered the West End of the Canal and guys had a field day jigging the bottom. If you enjoy being 5 feet apart with someone while catching fish, then have at it. Just make sure you get there EARLY.
I for one, will always choose to head elsewhere and catch fish with no one in sight. It’s just how I prefer to fish nowadays.
I opted to avoid the crowds, as usual, and continue the hunt for some bigger fish in the surf. Pogy schools have invaded CC Bay and boat fishermen have also been having a field day with sot fish and fish to large to keep. Nothing against the boat crew, but when you have fish finders, side scan, and structure scan, it makes it pretty easy to locate the fish and hone in on the bite.
The thing I like about the surf game, is the pursuit and the challenge. I don’t have a device in my pocket that beeps when I’m out on a rock and a fish passes by. Or a map showing me the bottom structure 30 yards to my left and right.
Instead, I explore new territories (boulder fields, sandbars, etc.) and quickly learn the sweep that forms during the ebb and flow, the structure in front of me, the depth (by counting how long it takes for my 1 oz buck tail to hit the bottom), the wind direction and how it affects the bite and so fourth. This is the part of the fishing game that keeps me grinding it out in the surf while others chase the fish and chase the reports.
I am a big fan of making your own reports….
So anyway, back on track….
The surf game this year has definitely been a little unusual, as it seems a majority of the larger fish are passing too far off shore and when they are in tight, they are feeding in a very short time frame. One 15 minute window can be on fire, and then the fish shut off the feed bag.
So far, we have found fish up the mid 30 inch range and the top producers continue to be darters, needles, and eels. A slow retrieve is working best, and I can not stress this enough! One crank of the reel should be taking around 4 to 5 seconds (yes, you should almost be falling asleep). However, always remember to maintain contact with the lure. So, if the conditions call for a bit of a quicker retrieve, then yes, that is what you should be doing. No contact with the lure = little chance of fooling a fish. Presentation is EVERYTHING.
As far as color goes, continue to match your colors with the moonlight overhead. For example, if there is bright moon light overhead, try starting with white or chartreuse. If the moon light is non existent, go with blurple or black.
I’ll be back in the surf tonight, looking to land that first 40 incher for the season. Stay posted and check out the gram for updates. As always, reach out with any questions.
Pictures have been lacking lately, as I am trying to get these fish right back into the water!!
Tight Lines
Creepin’ while ya sleepin’
Well, I set out the other night with one thing in mind! Fish the outgoing tide well into the night in search of bigger fish, finally finding those slot-sized lunkers lurking along our coastline. As we all know by now, schoolies have ruled our waters since late April. We have all been patient reminding ourselves “any day now”, until those bigger fish arrive. Big fish are indeed here, just they are very difficult to fool at the moment and feeding during small windows of opportunity. The good push of larger fish still seem to be stacked up in the Buzz. I arrived at my spot around 8 o’clock with low tide scheduled for 930ish. There was a light SW wind and a nice sweep from left to right. I thought this was going to be the night! First and second casts I had blowups on my top water mack plug that I had turned in the off season. Good start, right? Well within the next half hour, I picked up a few small fish to 27 inches on a yozuri mag darter. The lights turned off, and I was hoping for some bigger fish to move in tight to the shoreline, looking for easy meal. Well, to my surprise, this was not the case. I picked up some more 27 inch fish on a white needle fish/teaser combo. before calling it a night.
Moral of the story here, the big fish CONTINUE to elude me in the surf. Just a matter of time before things turn on full throttle. For now, enjoy the fierce bite with schoolies and hopefully you are able to find some bigger fish. I’ll be back at it in the coming days, stay posted! Tight Lines