It was a day before we headed to Colorado. My parents had left for a trip to North Carolina, Theresa wanted to have a down day, so that left me to do what I wanted. And of course that would be to hit the beach. The question would be where?
From home base in Manalapan I figured I could go one of three ways. Down 33 to Asbury. Down 537 to Long Branch. Or snake through Monmouth County to get to The Hook. Sandy Hook always is one of my favorite early fall spots, especially when it's big fish first. So after the 45
minute drive I was pulling into Lot C. It was about mid-flood tide and the water looked good but there wasn't much for bird life in close or out far. Usually when the action builds it either starts out aways or up the beach. Today there was neither. But it's early, or just before, the fall run.
I decided that I was going to pick one spot and just fish it. No jumping around without wetting a line. When it's early in the fall blind casting can be productive and even though that kills me I went with it. And if you look at the photo below then you know the excitement that builds in your gut as you approach the first steps. And then as you get to the top you're either thrilled with what you see, or you're disappointed. Today I was just happy to be there.
When I got down to the sand there wasn't much showing. There was about 2 hours left until high with a NE wind from 10-15 mph and a pretty good swell that had the waves breaking at the bar creating nice white water. I was happy when I looked south the birds were up and they stayed up the whole time I was there.
The birds were working the water where the waves broke on the bar, mostly dipping and diving down into the troughs of the breaking waves. I couldn't see what bait they were on but the birds were a mix of gulls and cormorants. I did see one explosion out beyond them and that could have been a dolphin or a bluefin, or a very large bass. If you click on either photo you can see just how many birds were in the mix.
I walked back and forth keeping the birds in front of me blind casting as I went. There was a pretty good right to left sweep so most of casts went south in order to retrieve them back in a straight line in front of me, otherwise the wave action would have had my fly and line behind me to my left. I stayed upright for about two hours before just grabbing a seat and taking in the nice wether and smell of the ocean. Even when the tide went slack the birds, and whatever fish were underneath them, none I suppose, ever came in. So I called it a day.
My stomach was starting to growl and I wasn't sure what I was going to put in it. McDonald's, no thanks. Bagel Talk- no late. Brennan's- not that hungry. What about The Windmill? Perfect. As I drove south on Ocean Avenue I got a glimpse of the new additions to the concrete jungle that is the new Jersey Shore.
Development, well over development, is like AI these days, you can't fight it. But it's a shame that these are clouding the views, the smells, and the winds, that are a part of the experience of driving around the Jersey Shore. And as far as accessibility for "normal" folk? Forget it, these are for the rich and famous.
The Windmill looked the same as it ever has which is comforting in its own right. Inside I was helped by the day staff, which isn't really different than the night staff. Let me say, well I hate to say it, the last half a dozen or so times I've been at The Windmill, regardless of the location, the staff appears to be coming off a bender, are under the influence, or on their way back from being down and out. Not all of them, but enough of them. Today was no different. A quick urine test would have confirmed my suspicions. I say that all without judgment, but the whole scene is a little slimy.
I ordered a well done dog with mustard, kraut, and relish. Now I remember the dogs always being bigger than the bun but this seemed way out of proportion. And the way the server lined it up on the bun called for additional training. And worst yet was the price, $6.66, forget it. With us getting on a plane tomorrow I didn't want bad ju-ju following me, so I added the $3 soda.
I swallowed it before I got to the Red Church and pulled into a few familiar haunts. Each one of them was the same snapshot of the day, a beautiful scene along the Jersey Shore, that's it. But it was nice to stop and reminisce about good times, and fish, I had at each of them.
When I went on Facebook there were enough posts from the local tackle shops up and down Monmouth and Ocean County to confirm the big fish are here, and yes, even on the beach. Matt Rooney confirmed that to me the other day and Dwayne Tracy Sr. did it yesterday morning, spot unknown.
This morning we're boarding our flight to Colorado and I'm looking forward to seeing our friends who are already out there. But truth be told, I'm tired of being on the run. We feel like we're in the Witness Protection Program and waiting for our permanent new home assignment. Hopefully after the nuclear stress test on Monday we'll be free and clear to leave at 0-dark thirty on Tuesday the 27th.
It's time to get out and fish, reports or not.