Fishing in Da Fog 11/14

[CapBob]

Had the Jim English charter on board today from Western PA.  Started out in Pea Soup and I mean thick.

Headed to the back of Raritan Bay, got to where I wanted to be and was reading fish, shut down the engine and rigged the boys up. Could only see about 100 yards or so, we were not drifting 20 minutes when Line siders started break all around us. Left two baits in the water and had the guys start with plugs, Storm Shads and poppers. Nothing, had 26-32" Bass busting all around us, put on Ava-27 and 47, Crippled herrings, zippo. Changed colors, configurations presentations.......nothing had fish busting right next to the bys fferings, no takers. After abut 25 minutes all was quiet and the fog began lifting.

Started trolling with Umbrella rig and Shads, hoked up on fish to 26" . As son as the tide went slack so did the bite......

Ran over to Flynns Knoll more god reading but no takers. Headed out to between the channels, filled the box with Blues to 10 lbs, and hooked up on Stripers to 24" The bys arms got tired of jigging so we headed in with some happy fellas.

[mboy]

Good job Bob. Can't believe they were boiling but would not bite.

[Duffman]

Why dont those fish hit anything!!!!!!!??  What are they looking for?  Same story last week in the back bay, rolling around me but wouldnt touch anything.

  That fog was sick this morning.  Going to work, visability was practically nothing on land, let alone on the water!  Got a little further north onthe NJTPK and it was clear!!

[Bucktail]

I hate when that happens!  Sometimes, too much bait can almost be as bad as no bait in the water.  Hard to get them to look at what you're throwing.

After all that it sounds like you had a great day in the end!  

[Capt. Mike]

Great job Capt.

It is times like that you wish for a spear gun...
 

[Hunter 2]

It sure is frustrating when that happens. , Hey, At least you were out there!

[Hotrod]

 

[CapBob]

I shoudda broke out the snagging hooks bngh

[IrishAyes]

Good job, as usual Capt Bob. 
Them bluefish sure do know how to save the day.   

[ped579]

Great job Capt. Bob,

My morning started the same till one guiy next to me started to tip on top water plugs in blue and white.  As soon as I changed to a blue and white popper I started to catch.

When it slacked off I changed to a red and white and hooked up again.  I did notice the blue and white worked better when the clouds got heavy and as soon as their were breaks in the clouds I switched to a lighter pattern and bingo.

I guess it pays to watch it light pattern as well.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Luna Sea 5]

 

[Pops Soul]

Great Report Capt. Bob

[GregB]

I also have been in that situation. only the shorts were taking the jigs. I tried a blue and white striper wiper plug and got zip. VERY frustrating to see the bigger fishand not get one. bngh

[Skolmann]

Sounds like you gave 105%....

Here's a little tip that might put a few fish in the boat the next time you're faced with the same situation.

It could have been that the bass were keyed in on small bait (rainfish, bay anchovies, spearing etc.) if that was the case tie in a dropper loop 24"s or so ahead of your jig, popper, shad and place a clouser minnow or surf kandy type fly on to the dropper. The jig, popper, shad will act as a casting weight. The small profile of the bait on the dropper might just be the ticket to draw some strikes from the fish.

Of course there is also the possibility of getting a doubleheader  --especially since the fish will be in a competive mode.  

[CapBob]

Skolman

Thanks for the tip, we had tried that.....threw everything I had and all my tricks....

[wb]

Nice job Capt. Sometimes match the hatch is not so EZ. What else could the slammers have been biting on?

[CapBob]

I am guessing rain fish....I have seen this before....one time it was slid fish from the Reach to Flynns Knoll and they acted the same way..........sometimes ya just can't beat mother nature   bngh bngh bngh