Today I had a trip that I have been looking forward to for a week. Phil(wreckfish)was the winner of a trip I donated at the NJSWF banquet a few months ago. The trip was for a blackfish/bay fluke trip after the 7/16 opener, but when I talk to Phil he asked about seabass and I said no problem seabass it is. With some very high expectations Phil,Guy(Phil's very good friend and a great guy) and myself set off to fill the cooler with a boat limit of tasty seabass.In a few short hours I would of settled for a slow pick pins. It is tuff when a Capt has some very good anglers on board that know what good bottom fishing is and cant get it going.We started with a pick of keepers putting 7 in box in a short time then the bottom dropped out. Spots that I have been picking limited catches off of were bare of life. We coverer some amount of ocean and depths from 50 to 90 feet and could not find much. Many of the deeper spots were barren. With 10 seabass in the box and me about to stick sharp needles in my eyes I ask the guys if they wanted to have some action with blues up on the flats. After a slow pick turned into no pick and seeing many miles of ocean pass by the guys said it sounded good. A nice smooth ride into the bay and about 4 cast located a nice group of blues.Boy o Boy let me tell ya it was sure nice to see the bluefish. The guys and myself had a blast with all the top water action. For every fish landed ten more struck at the plugs. Most fish were in the 2 to 3lb range with some 4lbers mixed in and Guys top fish of 6.25lbs. When the guys had enough we left them biting and headed in but not before I checked some of my crab pots.The crabs are potting well after the shed and we had plenty with some good size stuff.I sure would of like to say we limit out on seabass but I can say that I had a great time with two true gentleman who's company it was a pleasure being around. Thanks guys for a wonderful day.
