Headed out of Sayreville 6 am, at least a dozen boats out before me....Beautiful morning heading out with my 78 year old dad(his last trip for the past 10 years!) and nephew little Joe. Headed towards Ammo pier where I had luck a couple days ago....why did I waste my time....nothing, no marks, dead....Did notice bigger fleet off Staten Island and headed that way along the channels on the troll. Halfway there a blue fish barrage....thinking... way to early to deal blue demons messing up my gear, shads destroyed on umbrella setup. Put the umbrella away till I saw the marks I wanted. We were all by ourselves most of the day with the large fleet inside the candlesticks that were mostly clamming. We started banging the stripes.....got our limit quick then it was catch and pray for a 43 inch fish(closest was 41)....the old man was hot landing at least 10 stripes while little Joe managed 4 with some blues mixed in. Not lights out fishing, we trolled many miles, but it paid off...headed in a 2 with an exhausted crew(longest my old man stayed awake in years!)
......poor Mako Keith nursing a bad knee at his daughters communion today...congrats to her!