After throwing the net on some peanuts and spearing then fueling up the boat, IrishAyes made the mad dash out Shark River inlet at about 9am. The seas were not very welcoming in the morning. NorthEast winds had the ocean kicking. Aboard were Bob Cole, Lou R, Andy D, Richie and Captain Joe.
Started heading north and received a call on the radio from Capt Ed. He reported good seabass fishing on the Sea Girt reef (or was it Axel Carlson?). Hmmmmm.
Made a stop off of Bradley Beach and did two short drifts (small lump). No action so we went further north.
Made our second stop off of Asbury and put a 17 1/2 incher in the box. Also caught several shorts. The wind was beginning to slow down and blow more from the east. We made another move to a lump off of the Red Church. Had several nice fish there and then the action slowed with the wind diminishing even more.
Motored to the Shrewsbury Rock and found some seabass and more keeper fluke. Finished the day with twelve keeper fluke and five keeper seabass. All of the seabass were over fifteen inches.
Biggest fluke today was by Bob Cole (first pic) at 25 3/4 inches. This fish was just under seven pounds. Lou R had a fattie flattie at 24 inches and at 6.5 pounds (nice fish Lou) and another at 23 inches. Lou was high hook with six keepers. Richie beat his personal best when he landed a 23 inch 4.9 pound flattie. (third pic) Captain Joe had three keepers with none over nineteen inches. Andy D got the skunk today.
Water temp 70 degrees, air temp only slightly higher. Nice day on the water.
