Manasquan Inlet Report - September 2, 2007

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

Headed out at 4:00AM today in hopes of getting a trip in with my brother Anthony. We do not get to fish much. The last few years have been tough as every time we went out we were greeted with hard NE winds and high seas. We always fished the bad conditions. We caught but nothing big. Well, wouldn't you know it ... Friday and Saturday it happened again. Today, Sunday, we hoped the seas would lay down.

It looked promising until we broke the Manasquan Inlet. We were greeted by hard 15+ mph winds out of the north/northeast and constant 5's all chopped up with an occasional 7' to make it more of a challenge.

Anthony was at the helm (he is a bad sea specialist - LOL). We decided to go right to Plan B (Plan A was the Manasquan Ridge and further offshore). We headed to some wrecks east of the Sea Girt Reef. Anthony scored some seriously huge inshore seabass (7 over 3 1/2 lbs. and 4 over 4lbs. with the largest over 4.5 lbs. on a boga scale). We also played catch and release with some nice fluke.

We also tried the reef he had constructed on the Axel Carleson with a pick of Fluke and Sea Bass.

The wind died down a bit but the ocean never really did. When we came in at 3:00PM, it was starting to blow and the waves were picking up again.

So, to recap:

1. Great inshore Sea Bass on clams (hi/low rig).

2. I did not bring the 2 lb. test setup. A big mistake! There are IGFA line class record sea bass in close.

3. The seas were big ... the water was dirty and green ... but the fishing was surprisingly good.

4. A buddy of mine scored big with Fluke on the Sea Girt Reef with killies/squid combo.

5. Pell's killies are awesome (very big and hardy).

6. Thanks for the call Rod - always nice to hear that kind of news!

7. While there are some fish around, it looks more and more like the major body of fish have left. We caught shorts in areas of deep water that is always a sign of the exodus.

8. The comms are out in full force. It looks like the Klondike, area east of the Manasquan Inlet in 80 ft. are toast. I bet the Manasquan Ridge is next (if it already hasn't been plundered).

9. Anthony had a great weekend ... personal best Fluke and 3 fish that qualify for Skillful Angler. Not bad! Good job handling the boat as well.

10. Where are the ... Porgies; Croakers; and False Albacore ... oh yeah, and alos all the bait? Late year or

Anyone going out tomorrow, best of luck ... work hard at it and you can put a good catch together.

Good catching,

Capt. Ed

[hareball]

great job anthony!!

we are heading out at 7am.

[mboy]

Nice!

[IrishAyes]

Good report and good catching Captain Ed.  Thanks for the call this morning.

Not going out tomorrow, but will be out most of the days next week.  Gotta get the fluke while we can.  

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Capt. Joe,

It is a test out there ... I had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get a good catch.

I am suppose to take out my Mom, and 2 of my 3 brothers tomorrow. We may have a bit of a change of plans. Negotiations are in progress (LOL)!

I am going to look at the weather closely and if a day looks good, I will try to get out.

Your radio/antenna is crystal clear!

Ed

[Anthony]

Excellent time again, thanks Capt Ed.

Hopefully I'll figure out how to post some pics on this thread!

[Anthony]

Sunrise.  I do not recommend snapping pics and trying to time rollers.  Capt Ed was a tad wet when I got done snapping and then starting driving the boat again!

[salty pig]

Nice job guys !

[Anthony]

The "End Of Summer" ...

[Anthony]

The four pounder.  I'm pretty beat up from a rough journey out and an even rougher night before.  Hang over and a 4AM wake up call.

[Anthony]

The three pounder.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Anthony,

Look at the horizon in the picture ... the pitch of the boat was sick.

You left the big Sea Bass fillets in the frig!

Thanks for the pictures,

Ed

[hareball]

great shots anthony.

[IrishAyes]

Nice catch Anthony.  Did you see any boneeters out there?   

[Ruger314]

Nice job Capt. Ed and the Bonita and Falsies are hangup nice around ambrose and Sandy hook channel.. Got a call today about them from a reliable source!!

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Joey,

Thanks for the info and congrats on your great season.

I hope your next few months are as rewarding!

Ed

[Reel Class]

Gotta love that shot of the sunrise 

[ped579]

Great Shots Anthony,

It sounds like the two of you had a grand ol time out therre dispite the sea conditions.

Good job guys.

Happy Catching

Paul