Capt. Eric got out this morning with regular Harry's customer, Tony Settimi of Marlton, NJ. The river was unusually high due to the new moon and a stiff East wind, which in turn made getting herring a chore. But by around 10:00 am it picked up and we had 15 in the live well. Then Capt. Eric made a bold move and headed South to a pretty well know spot about 20 minutes South. We got on the anchor and had some nice size cat fish immediately on the chunks. Then approximately 11:30 am Tony's reel (with the live herring) started singing. After 20 minutes or so we were both in amazement at the fish at the side of the boat. Landed the fish and we quickly measured, weighed, and snapped a few pictures, and she was on her way to do her business. All said and done she measured 54 inches and weighed in at approx. 48Lbs. She was a beauty. Congrats to Tony for a perfectly fought and released fish of a lifetime.
Today we got an early start with Dave Alu and his cousin on the boat. Got some herring and started drifting a flat for some early morning action. Fishing was tough due to weather and boat traffic. We did manage a few fish but it was work.
Thursday was also a super early start, due to the fact that I partnered up with Capt. Chris Gatley (Ardent Angler Guide Service) to help out with a photo shoot for Salt Water Sportsmen Magazine. Our boat was the camera and bait boat, Chris's boat got all the fish with 6-8 Stripers up to 39 inches. Turned out to be a great day for the shoot with beautiful weather and some good fish. I would like to send a thank you to Chris for including me in the fun with the guys from Salt Water Sportsmen Magazine - Ardent Angler.
We got another early start, with an awesome sunrise. Today I had the pleasure of having John S. from Trenton on the boat to fish with. Got Herring in about 30 to 40 min. and beat the rest of the fleet to the Striper grounds. I had three Stripers up to 18 lb. in no time, and John had two Stripers up to 12 lb. All fish caught live lining Herring.
Got out Wednesday afternoon with Greg R (AKA Pencil Popper) and I can't keep Capt. Eric off the boat. Thanks to the trophy teasers we slaughtered the Herring and Greg miraculously wrangled a monster 9 lb American Shad on a Sabiki rig!!!! Then we got to drifting, for Stripers and had bass harassing our Herring immediately. Eric hooked up and landed the first fish, a fat 15 lber. Then after having a fish messing with his Herring for 10 min. Greg was hooked up, after a short fight Greg had himself a nice 10 lber. Eric hooked up again and had another fish about 21 lb.. In between fish we had non stop run-offs. Everyone went home smiling. We also kept what Herring we had left for the bait pen for the next morning.
Had Capt. Eric on the boat again in the morning, no problem finding Herring. We also caught a few small white Perch while jigging Sabiki rigs. But the bass had lock jaw, due to the heavy amount of boat traffic, unusual for a week day?????
Got an early start Mon. with a special guest from Harry's Army Navy, Frank B., on the boat. Again finding Herring was no problem with about 20 to 25 in half hour. Made the run south again, I had a chunky Channel Cat and Frank landed one Striper aprox.10 lbs. Fishing was tough due to the weather.
Well, we kicked off the season by putting the boat in the river for its week long stay at Ross's Marina for the marathon week! Of course myself and Capt. Eric couldn't resist attempting a little fishing in the process. We started off getting Herring and within 40 min. or so we had 14 and were ready to fish. We made a short run south and anchored up. Within 30 min. I had the first Striper of the season, I got the fish to the boat and he somehow worked free, the fish was estimated at approx. 20-25lbs. Then we pulled anchor and tried drifting, within approx. 20 min., Capt. Eric was hooked up and after a short fight, landed his first fish of the year a beautiful 15lb Striper. All and all not bad for three hours of fishing.