Today was going to be a clamming day for stripers. I had six fishermen aboard, including me. Johnny Oz, Andy, Lou, Bob G, SouthPaw Vinnie, and of course, me.
We went north, aiming for the Sandy Hook clam beds. On the way we were greated with a lot of bird action. Not one to miss an opportunity, I headed over to the birds. During several run and gun moves we jigged up four blue fish that went about eight pounds. Lot's of fun.
After the birds dispersed we again aimed north, going past our usual bottom fishing haunts.
We got to the clam beds and it was barren. Not a soul in sight. Nor were there any good marks. The wind was coming from the north-northwest and gave us about a three to four foot sea. We moved into the Sandy Hook reef to get away from the wind. There were plenty of boats at the reef, mostly drifting. I watched the area where they were drifting and picked a spot to anchor outside their drift zone. After we were hook up on the anchor, a party boat decided he wanted to drift this area now. I didn't like the odds (he was way bigger than us) so decided to pull anchor and drift along with the fleet. Poor anchor, it was stuck fast between some rocks, and after a little coaxing, came up with a large bend in the shank.
We got absolutely nothing while drifting this area. Didn't see anyone else catch a thing either.
Picked up our lines and headed south. Went to the outside buoy and put out some trolling lines. Trolled toward the inside buoy at the rocks and hit another nice blue fish near the inside buoy. No stripers to be had.
Put on some clark spoons and picked up the speed of the troll hoping for some albies or bonitos. No luck.
Shot down to our spots at the red church. Now this is where the small seabass are. All of them that you want. It wasn't a drop and reel type of action, but we got our share. Oh, I forgot, we also got a keeper porgie.
Headed back to the dock, cleaned the boat, cleaned the blues and porgie and will give it another try on another day. And I need a new anchor.
