NJ stripers 6/29/09
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- Seasoned Fisher
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NJ stripers 6/29/09
Every year during the months of May and June (tapering off in July as the water temperatures warm) large schools of bunker (properly known as menhaden, aka "pogies" to southern/Gulf fishermen) migrate along the NJ coast. These bunker are much larger (8-12 inches) than those found in the southeast/Gulf. Trailing these schools are large stripers, bluefish, and thresher sharks. While other baits commonly catch bass during this time of year and throughout the season, the largest fish of the year are frequently caught livelining bunker around the schools, as well as trolling large bunker spoons.
This spring has seen very good striper fishing among massive bunkers schools along the coast. I headed out at 2:30pm on 6/29/09 hoping to catch the evening striper bite. We quickly ran into large schools of bunker on the surface and proceeded to snag the baits with large treble hooks (the typical technique) and filled the live well in short order.
Since not ever bunker school holds bass, we set off in search of feeding fish. The next couple of hours were relatively uneventful. Then, at 6:30pm others on the boat began to pick bass between 26-35lbs. Shortly after, I had my first runoff and hooked and landed a 35lb striper (a personal best).
Stripers began to feed all around the boat and my next bait quickly disappeared in a large boil on the surface. I quickly landed a 30lb bass (no pics).
The sun was setting as I pitched out my next bait. Almost instantly a huge striper boiled on the surface. The striper then exploded on the surface, jumping fully out of the water and sending the bunker flying through the air. The bunker then hit the water and immediately made a beeline for the boat. The bait only made it about 3 feet before it was engulfed by the bass. After a tough fight, I landed a 50" 46lb striper (the fish was on the skinny side), my new personal best.
35lb and 46lb
My best day of striper fishing.
This spring has seen very good striper fishing among massive bunkers schools along the coast. I headed out at 2:30pm on 6/29/09 hoping to catch the evening striper bite. We quickly ran into large schools of bunker on the surface and proceeded to snag the baits with large treble hooks (the typical technique) and filled the live well in short order.
Since not ever bunker school holds bass, we set off in search of feeding fish. The next couple of hours were relatively uneventful. Then, at 6:30pm others on the boat began to pick bass between 26-35lbs. Shortly after, I had my first runoff and hooked and landed a 35lb striper (a personal best).
Stripers began to feed all around the boat and my next bait quickly disappeared in a large boil on the surface. I quickly landed a 30lb bass (no pics).
The sun was setting as I pitched out my next bait. Almost instantly a huge striper boiled on the surface. The striper then exploded on the surface, jumping fully out of the water and sending the bunker flying through the air. The bunker then hit the water and immediately made a beeline for the boat. The bait only made it about 3 feet before it was engulfed by the bass. After a tough fight, I landed a 50" 46lb striper (the fish was on the skinny side), my new personal best.
35lb and 46lb
My best day of striper fishing.
- PhishingPhanatic
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Awesome stripers Justin, congrats
- Boca Jetty Rat
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Great report and nice sized fish. I would've been drinking heavy after a day of fishing like that for sho.
- BRunner346
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
nice job justin. some nice fish there!
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- PhishingPhanatic
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
This is a freakin awesome picture btw.
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- Seasoned Fisher
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
I was using my Avet MXL with 20lb test and 30lb fluoro leader and a ocean master light tackle series rod.snapperkiller wrote:Very nice fish. What sized setups were you using?
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- Seasoned Fisher
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Thanks man!!!PhishingPhanatic wrote:
This is a freakin awesome picture btw.
- PhishingPhanatic
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Yeah man, you can see the different layers of NJ smog pollution in the sunsetJDL wrote:Thanks man!!!PhishingPhanatic wrote:
This is a freakin awesome picture btw.
- bolo
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
I'll trade you my Snakeheads for your Stripers. Oh btw, thanks for not inviting us.
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The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."
- snakehead terror
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Must have been fun on that light gearJDL wrote:I was using my Avet MXL with 20lb test and 30lb fluoro leader and a ocean master light tackle series rod.snapperkiller wrote:Very nice fish. What sized setups were you using?
BEAST
snapperkiller
snapperkiller
- fishnfool73
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Great pictures and reports.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.
- WhoDey
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
You da man Justin
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2009 ShoreBound Tourney Bridge & Pier champs
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See us in action!
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- Seasoned Fisher
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Re: NJ stripers 6/29/09
Thats some true cows you got there, congrats
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