Hatched the plan to run after work with a some outstanding anglers. 5:15 push off from the gas dock. First off... big props to the Netman - Pualie! Three tosses of the Percy and we have bait to chock the shute of an industrial wood chipper. Loaded up what we need and passed a healthy load of livies to Capt B of NJ Devil.
We're in route by 5:35, things are looking good. Headed south and did a test run on a consistent producing spot. Committed to giving it a whirl for 15 mins to see if we could get a snif. set up on drift, lines in and bait immediately harrassed. Water boiling, tails slappin, lines running action. Everyone of us got tight on fish to have them spit and shake. These fish were having a blast with the bunks, some fish less aggressive, others absolutely committing with a vengence. T-bone is all jacked and the one responsible for putting the bug in my ear to piece this one together. Trust me it didn't take much convincing. Well... have at it T. It's your turn on the dance floor. His line is running off fast... we see him count down making sure the bait is turned for ingestion, then bang!!! Eyes are crossed. We're all looking to verify that this one is set and coming to the net... There is no doubt but T has his hands full with a bruiser! He gets the crank going and forfeits line drag almost one for one. Net out, bass in. Now this is a beauty. Not record book beauty but an excellent fish that weighed out at 35#, 45". First one over the rail and more to come. Topping it off (and I never seen this happen), T decides to release. Kudo's brother.
We finish this drift and Paul is talking to Pumpkin like he's having an intimate relation! Bill Clinton's got nothing on you Paul
Something about fish talkers
.....They put the meat on the table!!! He's got his Highlands filter feeders doing a tango out there with the bass. He's the hot hand putting back to back 25lb fish into the coffin. Pete and I are watching bass slap around our bunker like the flippers on a pinball machine. No commitments and then I get tight! Another quality fish added to the box. We reset the drift and hit the same line about 1/2 dozen times. Run offs, fish every pass.
Pete's the late bloomer. Paulie and he are tormenting one another playing backyard football blocking and tackling, toying with one another to see how good their angling skills really are. Try fishin while someone throws roadside bombs in your path to keep you off your game. These guys have been at it together for sometime and it's all good fun! We're clocking in around 9:15 and Pete's line is tight as piano wire! Lines are cleared to give the man his due. Several deepwater runs, surface, drag peelin but this one is destined for the deck. Beautiful sight netting that fish, hook in the corner
and the bunker still shimmying half in the mouth of the bass! It does'nt get much better than this. Paul and I had the double header whistle fish to cap the night at 10:15. Left them biting and slid back to the barn in glass flat seas for cleanup and pics!
The team went
7 8 for 21 with:
6 7 in the box, 1 release 20-35lb
Till next time
