5/27 One of my best days fishing in a long time

[wildwilly]

It wasn't about the fish today. It was about firsts. I had my one of my daughters come fishing for the first time. Started out at 6AM and ran around the Navy pier area looking for bunker, nothing happening. But watching her intensely looking for the splashes I told her to watch out for made me smile. I could tell she wanted to see that bunker splash so bad. Next I hit the point on the inside and made one drift, no bites. Asked her if she was okay going outside to the ocean side and she was fine with it. Went outside for the first time and made a few drifts and picked up one short. Asked my daughter how she felt about running down the shore to the Shrewsbury Rocks where I heard some bass were being caught. I have been chomping at the bit to  learn to use the stretches I bought. And I also have great memories of fishing there on the Big Mohawk (where I caught my first Blackfish and first Sea Bass). I wanted to see if it was in range of my little boat. So  off we went into the rolling sea with my little 20 footer. Arrived to find the Big Mohawk there which was inspiring because he is always on fish. He was fluking. Decided to 'spy' on him while trolling the Stretches and hoping for some bass. Sent 2 lines in and both hook up in less the a minute. She catches her first ever fish, a bluefish about 4 pounds, and I land an alligator closer to 14 pounds. No matter what I did we hit blues instantly so I figured a bass was not going to happen. Switched over to fluke and realized my daughter was not liking the rollers. So after 2 drifts and 1 big mystery bite  (large fluke I think) had to head back. As soon as she had the wind in her face she was all smiles again. So in the end we kept 4 of bluefish (the smaller ones only) and left the fluke and bass for you more experienced guys today, but it was a fantastic day. I got to share the experience of my daughter catching her first fish. I took my first trip outside Sandy hook into open water (other than Flynn's Knoll). I made my first trip to the Shrewsbury Rocks from my new slip in the Highlands so I now know that moving my boat there was the right decision. And I caught my first fish trolling the stretches, even if they were not the Stripers I intended to catch.

My friends who do not fish look at me kind of funny when I talk about being on the water but I know some of you guys must understand what it feels like deep inside where it just feels right. Fishing in this area is awesome and I bet when I get to the part where I do some better catching it will be even better.          

I have a few questions if anyone wants to share:

1) When you troll stretches (or spoons too I guess) How do you set your bail and drag?

2) Where are some additional places to search for bunker near the highlands? I prefer live lining to other methods.

3) When do you trade the Stretches for Spoons, Season? Temperature?

4) Is it worth trolling the beach all the way down to Shrewsbury or, if I am going there anyway, is it best to get there fast and do all the trolling down there? I am not sure if bass are picked up anywhere in between.

5) Any particular channel you guys frequent on the radio?
 
If you read this far thanks! I guess I am kind of excited about catching fish again. Barnegat bay was not good to me and the Sandy Hook area has been fantastic.

Wild Willy - Bill
Key West 2020 DC

[Salty Dog]

Bunker spoons or plugs ,when to change from one to the other ? When one doesn't work ,try the other .Now, bunker are plentiful ,the spoon will be the ticket on the bigger fish near the Shrewsbury rocks . Lots of bunker in the Navesink or straight out of the marina ,across the bay to Great Kill ,SI .

[wildwilly]

Thanks for the info Salty Dog. Every little bit helps.

[fellinger]

Great trip! I am waiting for the first time to take my 3 month old son fishing. I guess I have a lot of time to practice the catching part until he's old enough.

Thanks for the report!

[RustyHook]

Sounds like an awesome trip for sure, thanks for sharing the experience with us. 

The bunker spoons imiate bunker, as you suspect, so this time of year, in the spring, bunker spoons are responsible for many big bass being caught.  As for whether or not to troll that section will vary every trip.  Are you marking fish on the depth finder, are there schools of bunker around? In those scenarios I would toss your lines and see what happens.  If it just appears to be dead water sometimes I will take the run.  The key with trolling is your speed.  Bluefish like the lures a little faster than bass do...well bluefish will hit your spoons or plugs at any speed, but if your going too fast bass may skip on the meal.  I usually troll at about 2 knots, sometimes faster, sometimes even slower, depending on my rods and surface conditions.  I want my lures to travel just right off the bottom and moving just barely fast enough.  Its all about learning your boat, rods, and rest of your gear.

[Hunter 2]

Great day on the water.
Vhf radio channels  68 and 65
Guys in the ocean tend to lean towards 65
And 68 in the bay

Setting your drag while trolling:
It has to be tight enough to set the hook in the fish.  Don't lock it down too tight because if you get snagged you will snap a line.  If you like using the reels clicker, set the lure out and tighten the drag a couple more pounds of pressure than it takes to prevent line from peeling out.

[hiking]

great post, I enjoyed it.  be carefull trolling stretches over the rocks, they can get hung up on the bottom in some places. try channel 68 for a start.

[fluke - u]

 ....Sounds like you had an awesome day....

[wildwilly]

Thanks for all the info. I guess allot is common sense and trial and error 

[Bucktail]

Lot of good fishermen on this site.

[Duffman]

Awesome awesome report!!!!   Love it when kids get in on the action.  Welcome to the Sandy Hook/Raritan Bay area.

[paul-e]

Nice report and great to get your daughter out.
New fishing buddy.

[Hotrod]

Great Report

Lot of good fishermen on this site.