12.06.20 She's home and now the fun begins....

     Yesterday she came home after a long salt soaking night in Atlantic Highlands. She was brought out west by AAA, thank goodness for that, all it dose me was a tip. Lots of encouraging Ellis and texts from friends, family and followers. Have to again thank Bunky and Paul for jumping to and helping out after it all went down. There was few questions on the cost of this mishap. Boat US doesn't cover anything, even with the xtra salt/fresh/trailer. on the road and water coverage. The towing and the diver cost me $525.....I thought it was going to run me thousands. Getting her back and road worthy again, if possible, priceless. Again the overwhelming opinion on this, "Forget it", except for my guy Jim, an ace mechanic, he ready for the journey with me and has been advising me since the beginning. 

     So as soon as she hit my yard it was game on with my ace mechanic helper Theresa. First we drain the oil. My bet to Jim was no water, just oil......his reply, "Yeah right". 

     So after 5 gallons of Sandy Hook Bay saltwater drained from the plug the oil finally came out. I flushed the engine, ran some oil, and filled it and put the plug back in. Next was the transmission. Mind you, I am not mechanically inclined at all, maybe decline even. But I took the pan off, got all the old fluid out, flushed it and partially filled it and replaced the pan. 

     Today I removed the seat which weighed about 500 pounds from being water logged. Another pressure wash in and out followed by a leaf blower session getting all the water away from anything I could. So then it was time to replace the battery and remove the spark plugs spitting some water out, of the pistons?and see if she would turn over.....

......and she did. Phew! The lights came on, radio come on, horn worked and after spitting some water out, of the pistons?, it was WD40 in each, hole?, and repeat the process again. Tomorrow it will be out with the old gas and repack it with fresh, install the new plugs, and fire her up for real....and then drive her down the block. Just wishful thinking. 

     My brother, a true problem solver, came up with the explanation of what happened. We know what I did, but why did it happen? Here's why. 1995 GMC 2500. Heavy in the front, light in the rear with the high and extra suspension. The ass end is way up. Yes the chocks were in place and there was no bounce at all after coming off forward with the engine and trimming. But what happened was, picture this, with the weight on the stern of the boat, it stood up where the tongue of the trailer meets the ball, and that caused the truck to jump the chock. Now, was it my fault, well Monday morning quarterbacking would say so, I checked the rear wheel, had I done the front, where the weight is, my brother thinks this may not have happened. It really makes sense. He slo said I should get a drop hitch, which would lower the center of gravity, which may have would have prevented this. 

     After cleaning up and giving her a soapy bath I covered her and ran a torpedo heater pointed under the hood. It needs to warm up and dry out as quick as it can. I'm still hopeful, but so far everything is going as planned, well hoped. 

 

12.04.20 Great day of fishing until the last two minutes....

     I knew Friday was going to be the only shot I would have to get out this week with the forecast not looking good for the boat through and after the weekend. Tried to get some clients in, then tried some friends, then my daughter, when I asked Charlie, "See you at 4 am, I'll bring lunch" 

     We were in the water at Atlantic Highlands Marina by 630 and after turning the corner we found that SW wind had the ocean up and a little sporty. We pushed down the beach and out a bit but didn't find any life worth sticking around for, or even conditions you could safely fly fish in. 

     By the time we circled back the fleet had taken up position between the channels, and they never moved. We had one fish, over 30 inches release itself at the boat as I reached my thumb into his mouth. We decided to leave the party and went and found our own fish, luckily. Drift after drift brought feisty and fat school bass to hand all eating sand eels flies. Today was interesting, birds around, not picking as the bass never brought them up to the surface. A 350 Depth Charge line wasn't enough, and Charlie went to the 450 gr and it made the difference.

     We had nice weather through the bite and then the wind picked up and the colder air came in along with some rain. We tried the Bug Light on the outgoing but only marked fish and had a whale and a seal for some company. Another quick trip out front and we found tons of birds with gannets diving on large adult bunker. We threw big flies but didn't mark or see anything on them. And just about after 2 o'clock we decided to head in. 

     There was about 1-1/2 hours left till dead low and the ramp had a few boats ready to take out. After docking we got boarded by the State Police Marine Division checking credentials, safety equipment and compartments for any fish. I went and got the truck and backed it down the slick ramp. When in place I put into park, shut down the engine, applied the emergency brake and chocked the wheel. 

     I pulled the boat on and got down and winched it tight and applied the chain for safety. Funny, a guy from Blue Marine was there taking out a large boat and said "Its nice to see someone here who knows what their doing".....30 seconds later my truck was submerged. 

     Everything was done right, with a lot os people watching, including the State Police Marine Officer. It just happens. Charlie was right next to the truck, with the guy, and watched the truck jump the wheel chock and slide into the water. Charlie valiantly tried to get in the truck, then moved to the winch. In the end he wound up swimming and holding onto the boat until I could fish him out. 

     Charlie and I stood on the bow of the boat for an hour before the divers and tow truck responded, hooked it up, and got it out. They did a great job. As we waited I took a pic looking to the ramp and you can see the chock just sitting on the ramp. 

                           

      I reached out to Paul Eidman who was there in twenty minutes. After we were able to disconnect the boat from the trailer in the water and tie it off we headed to Middletown Trailer Supply and had the damaged tongue replaced. Charlie had left his truck at my house so Theresa brought it along with a change of clothes for us as we were soaked and frozen. 

     When we arrived early this morning Charlie commented on the "Trucks Don't Float" sign that is posted around the ramp. The ramp where most operators cringe when its near dead low. It's a great ramp, but can be a severe incline or decline when the water has left or is just starting to arrive. Paul used his truck to get my boat up and out and we used Charlie's truck to bring it back home. 

                               

     It always could have been worse, for any situation. Charlie could have got jammed up while trying to stop the truck and boat, run over or caught and swept under. The trailer could have been jacknifed and flipped the boat. But it all worked out, no one hurt, except my feelings, but I remain confident as I took all necessary safety precautions as I always do when launcjing or taking the boat out of the water.

     Of the five people who talked about my truck, five of them said "It's done". I went for a visit to Hennessey Towning's yard and disconnected the battery as instructed by my friend Jim who is an ace mechanic. She get towed tomorrow by AAA to my house where I will begin the process, hopefully not a waste of time or money, in getting her back running. My early goal, pass by Hennessy's, he was the most honest and vocal about my trucks fate, and to launch my boat before years end. 

     After hearing the news through the grapevine Capt Jason Dapra reached out to make sure everything was okay.. I explained to him exactly what happened and he too is always cautious and concerned about that ramp at low tide. He followed our conversation up with a screen grab from some forum, titled, @thequalifiedcaptain. In my life I never judge or throw stones at anyone when they have misfortune, because, I know, that at any point something bad, which could look like a careless mistake, could occur to me, and I would not want to be judge and jury to something I hadn't been witness to or experienced myself. They call them social media tough guys, or keyboard super heroes. Call them what you like, I hope he got the satisfaction he was seeking in his post. 

 

11.27.20 Day after Thanksgiving.....

.....well it sucked, at least where I was. Started out 454 am just a few minutes before high tide. went straight for the rocks because that was the only place to be. Made my way out, got soaked in the process, and fished both sides trying to avoid the S swell that was breaking on the rocks and beach. At times it appeared the swell was running along the beach. 

     I went with a pbigger bunker pattern led by a Pulse Disc trailed by a sand eel. Thought it was a good plan. After two groin and being wet down my waders I decided to head back to the truck where I changed coast and went through a half a box of baby wipes, if you know what I mean. Luckily light was just starting to arrive.

     As light came the surf softened a bit. I could then see it was off color, not too bad, but the water was coming up the beach and just going down. That's what happens when you have beach replenishment. Today, on the high, you had about 1-1/2 hours before there was only 1 foot of water from the Bech scarp to the top of the sand bar. All the course sand gets sucked out, never compacts. How do I know? Have you ever walked along the beach and you sink with every step? Thats because its like walking through water filled gravel. As the tide ebbs the water gets pulled through the "stones" and pulls them with the liquid. 

    White water is good, yes. But not this white water. Its big swells breaking on the outer bar, then riding the bar, then building momentum again and breaking on the beach, or your stripping basket. I know sometimes the beach gets big, and sporty, and white water all over, but there is no "water lanes" running off the beach due to the lack of structure. 

     If you want to see good structure, untucked by man, go to Island Beach State Park. The towns north of it, Ortley, Lavalette, Brick, Mantoloking, and Point, have all been ruined by the beach replenishment, but they have some saving grace in that there are no groins down there. That's why home used to be called 'Jetty Country", but beach replenishment and groins don't work well together. 

If you want to catch a fish, head south, the bites been good down there. But its not easy on the fly rod, no rocks, lots of waves breaking in your basket, and a left to right sweep that'll keep you running up the beach, wouldn't won't go over well with guys every 30 feet or so. 

 

11.24.20 Alright now what...

     Trying to figure things out from a distance. Watching the wind and wether reports and making calls to go or not a few days ahead. Yesterday I cancelled which which was a good call. Today the wind is S, which I hate but not bad in speed. The water has been dirty on the beach after a few days of a hard blow.

     I see many of the guides have called it quits for the year. I think we have good fishing, cold fishing, ahead of us. That means into the second and third week of December. If the temps stay around 45 degrees, air temp, you can have an enjoyable day, but it usually starts out with the wind in your face cold on the way out. So I'll be looking to go for the next three weeks or so before shutting it down.

     I am starting to get my rods back from Orvis rod repair. The first I sent in was a 9ft 10W Clearwater, love this rod, recommend it for the beginner or a back up rod, hell even a daily service rod. Instead of fixing they just sent a new one. My biggest complaint with the lower priced odds, as I have explained in the past, is the use of filled cork on the grip. eventually, especially in the salt the pieces fall out and it looks like someone with bad and missing teeth. But otherwise a good rod, remember this pic as I will compare it after some time in the salt. 

     The other day while having Chris out I left Deal and started the journey north looking for signs of life. we stopped at Big Monmouth and I quickly saw the aftermath of beach replenishment, again. when we talk about overhead and the beach, its usually from surfers talking about the waves. Well in New Jersey overhead and the beach can be the Cliff of Mohr that can literally hurt you or, if timed wrong, cause you to fall into the bass and drown. The above pic was taken from a post on Stripers Online. 

    And lastly, after two -yers, I finally got my Case 224 up and running. Not fishing related in any way, but when you live win the country one of these, is a must have. Mowing deck, plow, snow blower and leaf attachment- ready to roll now. 

 

11.20.20 He came, and casted and casted and got one

     Had new to the surf flyby Chris out today. Started at first light and went right at it. Sand eel pattern, Double Barrel popper, small peanut bunker imitation.....nada. Sad thing is there were fish here the last two days. Luckily I didn't sell him on that, but did tell him later in the trip. 'You should have been here yesterday". Same old story. 

    Chris fished hard, when we weren't on the road between spots he had a fly in the water. He can air it out and quickly learned that line management was key when fly fishing and using a stripping basket. We went from the Hook down to Deal and just when I thought it was going to be a skunk outing he went tight and brought one to hand. 

     It wasn't an easy day but hopefully he learned enough to want to take the ride down from Bergen County often and will get his passion for striped bass fishing going. He's a new tier and ties some nice flies after sitting in on a Jason Taylor session up at Tight Lines.

     Now the original plan was to have Leif out for another boat trip. I'm keeping this fall to single stocks in the boat as I get used to the new ride. He was a great first test rat. So after looking at the forecast with the blowing SW wind for the afternoon we called it Thursday night. Just didn't want to get beat up coming down the beach, and not having much faith in the bay this fall. 

    So we headed south. There's been a good bite down there and we learned when we arrived they had fish on the beach in the AM. Big bunker are around and the fish had pushed them in. I went with one of my favorite flies, a Joe Pheiffer hollow, which has caught a bunch, and is nearing the end of its service life. 

     We followed a pod of big bunker down the beach a bit, in range to snag but nothing really on them. If you look below you can se them running along the bar that runs from Mantoloking down to Seaside. 

    So today I was from Fisherman's Beach down to Seaside. Only saw Andy hook a few small ones in the early AM and then Chris's fish, none after that. We finished up before the sun set in Deal, wading out and casting into whatever water was left on the ebb, without a tap. 

 

11.16.20 Alright let us talk about that three mile line...

      So what's up with the three mile line? The three mile line protecting striped bass was part of the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act which was passed by Congress in 1984 went the decline of striped bass hit an all time low. So I fished around the web and found some interesting things, "The EEZ has been closed to the harvest and possession of striped bass since 1990, with the exception of a defined route to and from Block Island, whee possession is permitted, said Kate Brogan, a spokesperson for NOAA". And this was on BassBarn, 

"was talking to two barners today who were out last week 10 miles. they were catching loads of stripers between 34 and 42 inch non stop.all were RELEASED.everything caught on metal.he tells me there were acres and acres of bass moving through. after the third day they got tired of catching them.he figures they landed and RELEASED lots of bass between the two of them.they also tell me there must have been 8 or 10 party boats among the many other boats there. now these two kept nothing,but isnt it illegal to target stripers after the 3 mile limit? his answer was possession of stripers is illegal, fishing for them isn't

Every year and when you're out there you wonder just what's up. Is it okay to head out over the three mile line to fish? For say, bluefish? Or tuna? Or mahi? You see there's a lot of boats that fish in the fall over the line, six packers, private boats, and even the party boats. They steam out full blast and head 4, 5, 6 even 8-10 miles out and you know what, nothing happens. Why? Because it's a law that cannot be enforced. What can be enforced? Being boated by the Coast Guard and being checked for the possession of striped bass or a safety check. The code word to the Coasties comes down to one word, "Bluefish". If you read into the party boat reports they most time of the time will put the word "bluefish" in the report, 'Tons of big stripers.......and two bluefish". 

     When you head out, if you're not the first boat out, then you will see basically two flotillas of boats, well maybe three. There's the group way inside the three mile line, the group way outside the three mile line, and then there's the darters, who are nervous of being caught and go back and forth between the two groups. Being caught? Recently the Coast Guard has been out boarding boats....party boats? No not them, they get a pst, but the smaller six pack boast yes those. When boaters see the Coast Guard coming they don't run, when they see them flying overhead they don't duck....why? Because as long as you don't have bass in your boots or no life jackets or flares you're good, and they know it. "any fish in possession cap?" "Nope" "Can I see your life jackets and throwable device?" "Have a good day".

     What do I say? I say it would be nice if anglers could practice catch and release on striped bass outside of the state's jurisdiction of the three mile line. Problem is, guys would screw that up and ruin it, like they do everything else. But why shouldn't we? Right now we have party boats landing 40 and 50 pound bass 15 feet above the water line depending on the tide and then releasing the fish headfirst like and albie. This is not good practice. Just take a read on the forums when a guy hands a bass he caught on the sand...."keep em wet", "Don't remove them from the water", well picture the mate on that party boat, "Tally ho...as he plunges the female cow back into the water". 

    And while sand eels and shads have been hot for the jig bite, let's talk about the live lining that's going on out there as anglers "cull" through big striped bass  to get "their keeper". In New Jersey this year you can't harvest a fish between 28" AND LESS than 38"- a 38 inch fish is illegal. So is this slot helping us protect the big fish when sang and drop continues? Are guys targeting 32" inch fish snagging and dropping 10-12" adult bunker? C'mon guys. In 2021 the new regulation comes into effect, maybe. Those "live" fisherman will have to use circle hooks to catch their 28-38" inch bass. No more 10/0 treble snagging hooks lodged deep in the throat or bowels of that 40 or 50 pounder. 

     I saw this picture of the take from yesterday's fishing from a local six pack Captain. All legal fish, bonus tag fish included. How do we move forward to protect the striped bass, allow anglers to enjoy the sport, charter captains to make a living, and for people that choose to legally harvest and enjoy a fish for the table? You see, guys won't drop say $100 for a head boat trip to play catch and release or to bring home one 30" bass, and forget about the $500 and above price tag to go out with a six pack Captain. The rules have not be set to protect the striped bass, or those that fish for them, thats why they have resorted "to bluefishing" in the fall during the striped bass migratory fall run. 

     So how can a charter captain help? Stick to your guns. During my trip the other day the question came up "If I catch another can I keep it or are you just catch and release?", "C&R only please". How can you do that? Pretty easy. Kinda like telling patients I don't prescribe benzos, my boat, my practice, my licensees. The only I should ensure is that I tell the sports that when they book a trip. 

11.13.20 Not an easy Friday the 13th.....

 

    So Tristan came out to play in the slop, fog, rain, wind, tide and swell. I watched the forecast yesterday, cancelled, then called him back to go, and he was all in. Had the boat wet at 530 and we were underway at 6. Might have been a tad early. Spent the first minutes outside the marina hoping the bass had found the bait but after many casts and cruising around there was nothing to be had. 

    We drove through the tide and swell and got soaked, and then a steady mist added to our saturation. Birds weren't up there were no marks and nothing showing. We took a cruise across the pond and found birds mostly hovering over a dead striper that followed us around most of the morning. Tristan is a worker, newer to saltwater fly fishing, but eager to get his fly in the water. Today there was a lot of driving and looking. 

    While over there he caught a schoolies, around 26 inches that spun his head as I went to lip him and he was gone, I was hoping that wasn't the only fish of the day. We decided to drive out the big bridge and then around Coney Island before heading up the channel and coming into the lighthouse along side the sporty Knoll. Nothing showing, I was frustrated, could have called it there, but it just felt like something might happen. 

     We took a spin back to the sporty water and found some birds very interested in the water below. There were bass, some good ones, blowing up on bunker, and soon we were tight. Tristan landed the top pic and had several other good shots at bigger fish. One thing I advise, if you see that swirl or blow -up, put your fly in there, quickly. 

     We kept at it for awhile hoping it would go again but that never happened. After a quick lunch and some more casts I called, but not before heading out front in some huge swells with tons of birds overhead. It would have been a life-jacket-on move and I only would have went all it if I saw consistent fish on top. 

      It always helps working with other Captains that are out on the water, saves time and gas, and your kidneys. There is still A LOT of good fishing to be had. While I believe the last two weeks was probably the main body of big fish that will pass by New Jersey this fall, Montauk is still red hot and there are fish on the way. 

     I have blocked out my schedule at the practice to work my little side hustle here, so if your interested in a boat trip, I wouldn't sell a wade trip just now unless you're a newcomer, the fish just aren't touching the beach so far this fall, give me a call or text 732 261 7291 or shoot me a email colin@theaverageangler.com