Thanks all! I spoke with Niko and Zacs over the weekend and based on the responses rcvd we have confirmed the trip to be a marathon (5AM-5PM) on the Challenger. I have called the Clipper Fleet and locked up the date for 5/15 and paid for 3 slots (myself and 2 guests). Cost is $70 pp. If you need a rod it will be $4 at the boat.

To sign up please:
1) Respond to this thread with number of slots and PM Zacs with your full name.
2) Call: 978-465-7495 or 800-404-4575 to sign up and pay. Tell them you are with the stripedbass.com group.

We need 15 paid by 3/31 and the full group by 4/15. Targeting 40. I’ve pulled together some group rates for hotel below. Note; space is very limited at the Stripers Inn (dockside) so grab these rooms early!

Hotel accommodations:

Stripers Inn (limited availability):
-4 rooms with 2 double beds $99
-2 rooms with 1 Queen and 1 twin pullout couch $99
-3 rooms with 1 Queen $79
175 Bridge Road Salisbury
978 463 3343
Kathy, mention striped-bass.com for 10% discount off above prices.

Best Western:
-2 adults per room $62.10
-3 adults per room $67.50
-4 adults per room $72.90
9 Stared Road Seabrook, NH (6 miles/12 minutes away)
603 474 3078
Jody, mention striped-bass.com for above rates

One more note; when you sign up and pay, Joe at Clipper Fleet will be reserving your spot (rail position) on the boat. So call early if you have a preference on where you fish from.

I'll be mating aboard the Mary D that day, which is berthed next to/just before the Challenger,if we are still at the dock.. stop by and say hello before you board the Challenger...

i called and booked 2 spots this afternoon. call and book your spots boys. we gonna do a cash pool or a plug pool? and keith i have a preference for a spot and you are in it :rotf2:. i'll be on the other corner

I like the idea of a plug pool. a good chance to pick up some nice wood. looking forward to this. will book this coming weekend.

Great job guys! First number is original order of sign up. Last number is order paid. Trying to track both to avoid any hard feelings once the boat fills up.

There are 39 of the 40 original spots available (Joe had one guy sign up 6 months ago for this day and is driving up from New York).

I believe we have 27 paid so far. With 7 that have said they are going but have not yet paid (below). That leaves 2 open slots left assuming the 3 slots listed as tentative confirm and pay as well. If you are one of these 10 and can confirm whether you are in or out as soon as possible that would be appreciated. If in please call Clipper Fleet to sign up and pay. If interested and haven't posted yet please post to the thread so we can get your name on the list. We'll see how it goes to determine when we will set the deadline to have paid so we can free up the spots for others that will have signed up.

Zacs thanks for also keeping a list while I'm away (checking in right now from Bangkok, Thailand)! Please keep it going and I'll check in when I can. Drop me a pm if you see something amiss and I'll try to drop you a pm back.

This crew is awesome! Thanks for all the cooperation. Mother nature wouldn't dare send us anything but a perfect day of weather for our trip! Tight lines!

1. Niko (paid) 1
2. Niko guest (paid) 2
4. Iamskippy (paid) 3
5. Iamskippy guest Al (paid) 4
6. Iamskippy guest Mike (paid) 5
8. PRBuzz (paid) 6
13. Fish On (paid) 7
14. Fish On Guest 1 (paid) 8
15. Fish On Guest 2 (paid) 9
19. Derekl (paid) 10
20. Freebie (paid) 11
24. ThrowingTimber (paid) 12
29. Piscator (paid) 13
9. BrianS (paid) 14
26. Keeperreaper (paid) 15
29. Niko guest 2 (paid) 16
16. RickBomba (paid) 17
17. RickBomba Guest (paid) 18
25. ShipWrecked (paid) 19
18. Striperman 36 (paid) 20
29. Angler229 (paid) 21
30. Angler229 guest (paid) 22
3. zacs (paid) 23
7. Rob Rockcrawler (paid) 24
10. JackK (paid) 25
31. Renegade6 (paid) 26
32. stripercrazy (paid) 27


1. JackK guest
2. Goose
3. Linesider69
4. Linesider69 guest
5. Redcrbbr
6. l.i.fish.in.vt
7. l.i.fish.in.vt son

Tentative
1. Linesider69 guest 2?
2. Freebie guest
3. BrianS guest

this will be a great trip everyone. newbies are welcome. for the uninitiated - this is prime time for cod and haddock. don't be shy, sign up and call them to book your spot. a few trips i did on my boat around this time of year, between 3 guys we loaded up a pair of 150qt coolers to the brim, hundreds of pounds of fish, all before lunch, all on jigs. a trip like this will load you up w/ meat for awhile. i will set it up w/ a local shelter/food pantry that i can drop off any fillets not wanted. and i believe freebie is derekl's guest

yes I am Derekl's guest. he beat me to the punch on this one. I might have a guest of my own but won't know til the weekend.
what kind of weight's should we be bringing to jig with on a trip like this? I typically use 14-16 but am guessing that more would be needed up in that neck of the woods?

Too bad they closed whaleback til June.That is where the stupid fishing occurs with the early season spawners.

Whaleback was really good thru late spring into the warmer season if you wanted to fish with a million boats on the same postage stamp. Makes getting run over by a down easter run by a teenager while tuna fishing junior varsity.

I asked the captain, he said they typically use 12 oz jigs and 16 oz sinkers.

I figure we'll have to go a little higher, as we'll be near the moon... I'll be bringing a range from 10 to 20.

I'm in. Bill I'll drive from Mansfield.

we are all paid up

Do we have a few more openings if i need +1?

Whale back is closed to bottom fishing ...

#22 spot taken & paid for. Just spk/w them 1 spot left on the stern.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

if there are 2 more spots i am in with my son.not sure if Victors post meant only one spot left or one spot on the stern left.

1 spot on the stern left. Speaking just about the stern. When you call to reserve he's ing to ask you for which part of the boat you prefer to fish from. bow, stern etc.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

just booked my 3

i'm a little confused though, he stated he books the boat for 30 people comfortable and he said we reserved it for 40 ?

still plenty of spots
just call and book your spots
the boat capacity is 45 guys - 30 is for the other boat i believe. there are always a few guys puking or sleeping or just have had enough

They do special limited trips on the challenger and only let 30 people on... Pic on the website. The boat is huge though, I can't imagine even with 40 we'd be cramped at all.

If you have paid, please post to the thread and indicate which spot on the list you paid for and we'll update. Thanks Throwing Timber!

To clarify on capacity, this is exactly what Joe at ClipperFleet told me, "The Challenger is a bigger boat and is twice as expensive to run but fits more people. They used to put 50 to 55 on the boat but today they like to limit it to a very comfortable 40". If we want to cut it off at 35 then we just need to pay $10 extra at the boat. I've been on the boat with 40 and it is not crowded.

let's get the 40 guys if we can - keep costs down and give as many guys a shot to come along

myself and 2 guests are paid and are on the front left mid side..
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Agree. 40 friends are better than 35 and bigger pools too! People are starting to pay for their spots fast. Better not wait!!!!

I'm in. I will call in the morning
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

there are alot of diapers between now and then :rotf2:

Please PM your full name if you have paid and I will add "(paid)" to your name on the list.

feel sorry for who ever that might be, between me, you, ryan and paul back there