Irish Ayes No Bass 6/8/11

[IrishAyes]

After the last two trips I was hoping for another great trip again today. However, it was not meant to be.

Left the dock about noon trying to get into the same afternoon bite we had Sunday and Monday. What a let down. No bunker, no bass, not a thing.

Looked all over creation for bunker but could not come up with a one. No readings on them or anything. Chatter on the radio was that there was no bunker all day and bunker was hard to come by yesterday also.

Resorted to trolling. Again, came up empty. Tried jigging on some not so great marks. Foiled again.

Got word that the Cock Robin was into some bass. Moved to their location but again, zilch.

Moved off looking for bunker again, trolled again and jigged again. The only thing we got today was a huge fuel bill. 

Will try again tomorrow, possibly start the trip fluking then looks for the bunks and bass again.

Even with no fish, the time on the water did beat the heat. 

[Hotrod]

Nice try Joe.  these trips don't happen to you often. Hang tight

[Bucktail]

Nice try Joe.   

[kpcoe]

Bad day....at least the small blues kept us busy for a while!....where did all that bunker go? just gone!

[ped579]

Good try guys.  What channel are you on Joe (10 or 68). If you go out tomorrow I will give you a shout from the house.

[paul-e]

Can't get em all the time.
But just to get out on a sweet day makes it a win.

[Reel Class]

Time for flukin' Joe!

[Spearfish]

Seems like hit or miss now, either kill them or nothing.  Fluke taste better IMO anyway.

[Kenny]

Great effort Joe

[pilot2550]

Good days, Bad days we know we've had our share     You gave it a great shot and will get 'em next go around

[Tbone]

Good attemp Capt!  Hopefully next time.

[djtdmd]

I hear you, Joe- I know you are out of Shark River, I out of Manasquan. Left dock around 5pm, searched from SR Inlet to south of Squan, I saw not a single bunker. Slow cruise, sounder showed nada, satyed out till 8pm hoping. All I saw was guys fluking, bringing in skates, no one from SR to Squan did jack last night. Too sunny/ hot perhaps, stripers are very sensitive to barometric pressure, cloudy days are actually better!

[Bottom Dweller]

Good try Joe, They'll be back

[ReelFun]

Wave after wave of bunker cruising into Raritan Bay yesterday during my Fluke charter.

Analysis of 2011 Raritan Bay spring Bass season.....started late (about 3 weeks), inconsistant, hit or miss, and if you happen to be at the right place at the right time you scored big. If not, then you died. Carbon copy of last year. Raritan Bay is finished for Striped Bass for 2011.

For a recreational fisherman with deep pockets, then nothing I said above matters, but for full time charter operations, who have to stick to a tight budget to survive, not a great way to make ends meet and stay solvent.

Also, many charters are locked into specific time slots which can be death for any party trying for Stripers. Like I said, for the rec. fisherman who can just pick up and go at any time being structured is not an issue.

Quite frankly, I take a full years worth of bottom fishing anytime. (Blackfish, Sea Bass and Fluke)

Just my thoughts.....

Tight Lines,
Capt. John

[makokeith]

Saw you out there. Nice trry. We came up empty also.

[CapBob]

Great effort Joe, they will be back!