Monday Raritan report 11-5-07

[Duffman]

I blame this crappy report on the fact I have limited time on Mondays to fish and couldnt travel far....  gotta blame something, right?

  Launched from Keyport at 9:30. Trolled tubes and Stretches right from the sailboats moorings out to the 20 reach - zip.

  Drifted the Reach edge at the start of the incoming just as the westerly breeze got going - kept the boat almost in one spot and spinning in circles - zip.

  Moved back inside Keyport harbor and drifted again in 8 to 12 feet of water - zip.

  Had stripers rolling the surface around us inside the harbor. Clearly able to see the fish less than 20 yds away, they wouldnt touch a thing!!!!!  Poppers, plugs, teasers, shads, freelined fresh clam and live nutz, they wouldnt touch a thing.

  Frustrating day, first skunk of the year for me. 
  Nutz non exsitant in the harbor, small pods further out in the bay. No bird activity at all. Surface temps from 52-56.
  Caught a manta shrimp clinging to a bunker bait, livelined that as well w/o a bump - nasty buggers!!!!

[IrishAyes]

Hey Duffman, yesterday was even worse.  5 1/2 hours of trolling without a knockdown.   bngh

[mboy]

Be careful with them bad boys, they can cut u reel good!

[Blackfish Jack]

Found a Loner over by Staten Island yesterday. Hit a 4" green and white calcutta shad bouncing near the bottom.

[IrishAyes]

Wow, I just saw that pic of the shrimp!  Never saw one of them before.

Good job Jack.  Nice catch.   

[Blackfish Jack]

I really wanted to go toggin but didn't want to take the chance of getting turned back by the conditions. Should have,. Don't know when I will get another chance this year on my boat. Only fished 2 hrs but didn't see another fish caught where I was. No blues either.

[rugman]

just put the boat away , it is time for hunting  bngh bngh bnghwill wait for the spring time

[Bucktail]

Found a Loner over by Staten Island yesterday. Hit a 4" green and white calcutta shad bouncing near the bottom.

Nice fish Blackfish Jack!  Looks like you win today!

[CapBob]

Good report and great try.......looks like tomrrow will be a blow out also..... bngh

[Hotrod]

Nice try Duff.  Yea I seen a special on those shrimp.  Man they are mean

[Luna Sea 5]

good reports seem very rare lately

[makokeith]

that shrimp is huge.  Can you eat em?

[mboy]

Fluke LOVE those mantis shrimp.

That is why gulp shrimp is a GREAT back bay bait, especially in spring.

[Skolmann]

Don't get your fingers anywhere near the mandibles of a mantis shrimp...dead or alive they will slice your finger open like a hot knife through butter.

As mentioned, they are awesome fluke bait !!