Subject: Long Branch, New Jersey

Submitted by Bill K (ip 209.158.162.114)

• Fished on 5/31/2009

  Water Temperature: N/a
  Water Clarity: .
  Seas: 2' chop
  Weather: Overcast,SW 15mph,cool
  Fishing_for: Striped Bass
  Boat: FinFun
  captain: Doug
  

  Report:
  We left the dock at a leisurely 5:15 A.M. but knew by the amount of boat traffic coming past our dock that we would not be alone. As we cracked the inlet, a fleet had already assembled off Sea Girt on a large bunker school. We "made bait" there and didn't see too much activity within the schools to make us think they were being chased by any stripers. On our way up north we spotted some bird life out a little deeper and found several active schools of bunkers that were being harrassed by some gamefish, but never the explosions of bait we hoped for. I tossed a pencil popper and later a Danny-type swimmer into the schools but did not have a taker. No one had any pickups on the live bait either. The schools kept moving and popping up here and there. Our friend on a private boat called us farther up north and said he had a good bite on bunker spoons in 60 feet. He had a dozen knockdowns and connected only five times. We trolled through the area and I saw a swirl on top and MOB'd the spot. Our portside spoon was soon hit and it came unbuttoned. Then the starboard spoon was smacked and the same thing happened. While my son held the rod and started to retrieve the spoon, it was whacked by a bluefish. I went back on the numbers and reeled in the lines and set up a drift with some "livies". Within a few pushes of line through the guides, my wife's bunker was eaten and she was into a stiper. While she was coaxing hers toward the boat, my bunker was eaten.....double up! Then my son's bunker was banged...triple! After that, it was a slow, slow pick as the wind changed. We missed more than we should have and then the blues took over so we left. All the bass were big. Mine taped in at 44". On the way back, we saw scattered schools of bait but no activity. The Jamaica was fishing along the beach, I'm sure, chasing the same bait readings we were. He ended up off Manasquan before he came in somewhat early. The C*ck Robin was also fishing off Belmar. To show how cold the water must still be, the Miss Michelle was fishing the incoming tide in the Manasquan River. One other note, "Moby Mantoloking" the whale that has been up and down the coast this past month was spotted off Bay Head. Those bunker schools attract everything. Watch out Steely! Your 'yak might look like a snack to Moby.

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