First order of business... A huge thanks to Capt John from Reel Fun Sportfishing... Put us on the fish as he and his charter left them biting
We pushed off at 5:30 anxious to get the last couple of hours of incoming. Joe Pops... was making his way to the parkway and called. He had a good 45 minutes ahead of him so we agreed to a rain check. (Friday will be an all day run)
A couple of dozen clams in tow. Bunker all over the bay but we couldn't get on them. Anchored up near Capt John and had two quick boxers on the clam. There was an offer made on the last of the bunker and we shamelessly accepted. Here's were the scarry part comes in. John motors over my way and his mate slings the bag of bunk to our stern and you guessed it the bag is in the water. I beeline to the net rack and in the meantime Paul reaches out into the water to try and put a paw on it. The next thing you know, he's ass over tea-cups in 28 ft of water floppin around with the bag of bunker. I'm scared crapless. This is the first time I've met the guy so I have no idea if this intentional or what his capabilities are as a swimmer. The net is out and this is the biggest thing I've ever landed. Paul is probably 6 ft 230 lbs. The thing that cracked me up if you can find any humor in this is that he didn't want to grab the net because he was ready to go diving looking for one his boat boots that came off in the dunking.
Well he's safely back on board. Soaking wet and shoeless. Will not take a towel and drip drys for the next 6 hrs.
Back to fishin.... We pull the hook and head toward the Great Kill. In transit, the bunker we've been hearing about show up in mass. Thick and all over the place. Tails slappin, trebles being tossed, we get a few here and there. The live well is cranked up. We snag about 2 dozen in about an hour during the slack.
Headed off to the Ambrose where the marks were insane. Livies bridled and sent down to 60+ ft. Drifted this area for another 1 or so. No takers
Went back to John's spot. Started to chunk and it was game on with bass up to 20+ lbs. We fished till 12:15. Kept our limit + bonus and played C&R the rest of the time.
Unbelievable fishing. We made a good night into something that started on shakey ground. We left them biting too
Time get some sleep.. work in 2.5 hrs
Till next time