Head out solo around 5PM for a few hours of trolling the Raritan Reach hotspots on the 19th. I spotted plenty of boats trolling around and no fish coming up. I had a few marks but no luck at all on the T-Man red tubes with the drails and live worms on the hooks. Back at the dock by 8:30PM.
On Tuesday the 20th I called Capt.Carl (Wet Dreams)and a few others for some Intel and decided to try drifting eels off Sandy Hook. I pulled out of Keyport with Cashin and Massbaster around 5PM. We tried drifting the rip at first but a few boats were anchored up and it was getting unsafe to stay in the area. I moved outside the channel and had a nice hit. The pole was bending in half and the drag was ripping off the reel. The line was under the boat so I kept pressure on the fish with the tip of the pole in the water to prevent and rubbing under the boat. I tightened up the drag a bit to get it in quicker and called for Chris to get the net. As the Striper appeared from under the boat I backed up a bit and Chris took a swing at it with he net. Well the Striper didn't like that and back down under the boat he went
. I tried hard to Keep it away from the prop and rudder so Chris could get another shot at him. I got him back up again and we missed the Striper with the net again,,, But after the third attempt Chris had it in the boat and we all were relieved to have our first fall Striper on board.
It weighed 13 lbs and measured 33".. We made several more drifts with a few hit and runs but we did not land anymore fish. We also tried a couple of spots on the way in with no luck either..
I called to thank Capt.Carl for the Intel and plan on heading out again Thursday evening.
Good Luck,,
Eddie
