Brother Jay (Shay Shay) and I had today penned in for about 2 weeks now, since we don't get out together as often as we'd like. Figured it would be an excellent rain check day with Joe Pops to make good on this past Wednesday nights Bass Hiatus that he should have been on. Jay was talking that he had to get his personal best since all the bass being reported have been out of this world. Not too much pressure
We get to the boat by 5:30 with a handful of clams as the back up and motor off to GK for fresh bunker.
Plan was to make bait quick and get back to the crime scene of Wednesday night. Spent well over an hour to piece together 5 thats right 5 stinking bunker for our effort. So... hate to admit it but ended up buying bunk from a commercial guy. Should have done it earlier and saved an hour. Off to the crime scene. Lines in, chum started. Nada
Gave it 45. Got a call that the bite was picky back up the Reach. Took that advise from Capt Don(s) after their report of a couple of runoffs. On anchor in new location and within 5 the runoffs begin. First up to bat. Joe Pops. No swing and a miss here. He locks in and crosses eyes. Line is peeling, staying deep, got confirmation on some surface acrobatics the demons were in town. When he makes this one to the boat, the gut was so distended from gorging you could see the bunker he just engulfed. Joes nearly doing cartwheels this is a good 12-15lb blue. Certainly the biggest ever made to the deck Z’Obsession. I'm getting my share of line screaming but bluefish were the order of the day. Meanwhile, Shay Shay is too quiet. I've experienced that silence before. No way, it's not going to be that kind of day for him is it? Joe Pop and I continue to bang bluefish just hoping that one of these fish are striped. Wasn't happening with us.
Jay suddenly perks-up. Oh yeah, there he is! Line is peeling nice and steady. Counting it down a crank on the handle to engage the reel, Brother is winding quick picking up excess braid, tight as she goes and a clean lift plants the circle home.
(Props to Johnny T) "Whoa, this fish is heavy" there’s a nice arch in the Lami. Line is taken in and given back. A tug of war between two determined species begin with only one winning the chess match. Net is pulled from its spot. we've yet to see the fish but after a good deep run we get confirmation with finning at the surface this is the fish we were targeting today. Battle weary, the net is lowered 10 -15 minutes into it and the old girl finally acknowledges defeat. This fish better not unbotton at the last might or a sloppy net job strike the leader! Jay is jacked… he guides the fish to the boat. It almost looked cartoonish in the water as its body narrowly makes it into the mouth of the net. Up over the gunwale and onto the deck both parties exhausted. Checkmate!
A couple of quick snaps of the camera and Jay has the privalege of releasing his personal best! Nice job bro.
So we hang tight with one minor adjustment made. Joe Pop and I continue to bail the blues and Jay gets his only other fish for the day but again it’s the right species and this ones going home for table.
Till next time.
