Author Topic: Pilot / Kooz bass 11/19 (Read 3806 times)

pilot2550 · « **on:** November 19, 2009, 05:01:07 PM »

Well you know how the saying goes....Always have a back up plan. Tore the sheets off me at 4:30 this AM to meet Kooz at his house then make the trek to Brielle for a day of Toggin on the Fish Monger. Brother Jay won a helluva prize courtesy of Capt Jerry & Wayne at the NJSWF dinner earlier this year. Jay and Doc, T-bone and Capt Don were in transit around the same time. We all arrived at 6:15 and greeted by stiff NE and Capt Wayne with some disappointing news that we may not head out. Capt Jerry was up at the inlet checking out conditions. When he arrived at the dock he made the right call and said we were going to pass for the day. All of us were slightly bummed but fully understood the call. Instead we hung out, shot the bull for a good 45 min getting to know Jerry and Wayne a little better and picked up a handful of good tips. These guys are nothing but top notch professionals willing to share their knowledge and experience.

Can't wait for the reschedule.

So... we all went our seperate ways and headed back north up the parkway. At exit 116, Kooz and I said we can't go home for the day. Both of us took off from work and had to take a look to see if conditions were anywhere near as bad as it was down there. We headed to the new Highland bridge (first time on it since it opened)and I got to tell you, I felt like an osprey perched on the nest. Visibility was unreal. Spotted a couple head boats working their way to the SH reef and a handful of small craft in pursuit. The ocean from that vantage point appeared reasonable and the Shrewsbury was flat as a ice. Decision made. We'd go out with an arsenal of jigs, find the bait and work it.

Pushed off around 8:15 headed to SH bay. Again, flat as a pancake. Made it around the tip and it was a little different story. The 4-6 swells kept us honest. The C80 light with bait in 28ft of water in between the channels on the nearer side to sandy hook about 1/2 mile past the candlesticks. First drop tried the plastic and not a touch. Switched over to 4OZ deadly dick and that was the ticket. Kooz in the meantime, worked like a yo-yo champ using a gold hammered jig but could'nt get a rap. When he let it sit on the bottom and slowed down the retrieve he got banged good. When the fish surfaced, it turned out to be a doggie.

Tikki came to the table today. Went 3 for 7 on the DD. 30 1/2", 28 1/2" and a 26" in about 2 hrs. The bait was thick. The pickups on the fish were predictable. You would see them on the sounder and bumps or hook ups followed. Seas continued to build. We called it a day at 11:45 and headed back to the barn for clean up.

Here's a couple of pics. Check out the volume of sand eels in this one fish. Nice.... now I have bait for the weekend.

IrishAyes · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2009, 05:13:54 PM »

Nice report Pilot. It is great to have plan 'B'. Way to pull it off and get into the fish.

You are absolutely correct in your assessment of Capt Jerry and Capt Wayne. A better duo can't be found.

I do feel better now that I hear that Capt Jerry made the decision to cancel today. I planned on going out and checked out the ocean first and decided not to go. I was wondering all day if it was the right decision. If it was too wild for the Fish Monger it would have been hell on the Irish Ayes as it is about eight feet shorter.

When you do get your trip in you will not be disappointed.