SlipKnot Caught The Big One.
 

What a nice day on the Thames River. Not toasty warm, yet not cold either, with temp's. in the mid 40's without any wind. A husband & wife team nearby were cleaning our clock and I think the wife was really enjoying watching us suffer. After finally watching several boats do a lot of catching without us getting a thing, I asked a few key questions. The spiderwire was gone and a quick uni-to-uni knot was added to add a quick 50 foot of 8.8 tectan mono. I changed to a 1/2 oz head and made a switch to my little 4" hand poured split tail and I was finally on some fish.

Managed maybe 8 fish, which came quickly and then it seemed to slow for everyone. SlipKnot was pleasantly surprised by a nice fish. [img="http://www.rgsiroisco.com/slipknot.jpg"] He had quite a handful with his light spinning rod and 6 lb mono. The fish played him around the boat a few times and then decided it was time to land him, lol.

The couple that helped us out finally, was from Orange Mass and apparently fish their routinely. They fished last weekend and reported 100 fish days, so I'm excited to go back and try it again. Need to re-spool and make some tackle changes, but today's education will go a long way. I was amazed to see about 12 boats out today, which made for some tight fishing at times, but since it was primarily vertical it worked out fine. At some times I could have cast to or over 6 boats easily.

In any case it was great to get out and wet a line and catch some fish, tight lines.

That didn't take long to put that up Got Stripers,Ya the big one haha. Well certainly bigger that the 1-2 pounders everyone was getting including the trollers. I'd say 30" - 13-14 lbs. on a trout rod with very old line was a pleasant surprise.

It was great to get out fishing for my favorite quarry, in January no less.

Thanks again G.S. it was a good learning experience also.

Great job you guys. First trip and a score. That actually is an excellent fish for this time of year. Sounds like you guys are psyched now!!

:-D
Congratulations guys!! Nice work to get out while the rest of us are just dreaming about and being generally miserable :P

Bet that fish felt like a thirty on that trout rod :o

Great way to start off the 2001 season GS and Slip...

GS - how did the new boat work out??

Slipknot & Got Striper, glad to here you had a great day, nice fish for this time of year indead, its a hell of a lot better that what the rest of us our doing.
SLipknot what did you catch it on? Was just wondering.
GS did you happen to try any teasers!!!!!!!!!!!

Fisherwoman: Tried the teaser ahead of a Bomber Deep A for a couple trolling passes, but when your watching several boats score consistantly by jigging vertically, it's hard to put in the time to be successful trolling.

John: The boat worked great and there was plenty of room for the 3 of us jigging, since most of it was vertical or drifting. Need to pull the hose from my telltale and find out what's clogging it up, but other than that, the engine fired right up.

My usual partner got the report last night, because I had to rub it in since he bailed out on me. Looks like I've got him fired up again, so we will be making a return trip this week if the weather holds out. My wife isn't all that happy, because I'm ignoring the to do list that normally get's some attention come winter, lol.

Tight lines.

GS
Im glad you were able to get out this weekend . And fish to boot. Nice day of fishing .
Bruce nice fish for January . The thames is good for fish of that size and smaller with the occasional 20 to 30 # in the winter .

Yes Saltheart, I am psyched. Can't wait for spring , it's gonna be a good year.It may start a little later because of a cold winter but let's hope the temps. start to rise soon.

Actually John that fish hit and I set the hook and it felt like another stick or a catfish or something but the rod had a definate bend to it. It was quite a fight to bring it to the boat once it started to take drag. Bob actually landed a couple more while I was reeling in. I am very thankful the line didn't snap since it hasn't been changed from the last time trout fishing over 4 -5 years ago.

Fisherwoman, I caught it on a 1/2 oz. jighead with a black and clear with sparkles 4" bassassasin. The fish was released back into the 33 degree water.

I was impressed with the amount of fish in one small area, and it really helps to have a good fishfinder in order to stay on top of the fish.

Gee, that's a nice fish Slippy! Glad to "hear" you guys finally figured that out. I hate it when you see people catchin' fish after fish and you're doin' nothing.

I've always wanted to hit the Thames... maybe next time :)

Congrats to you guys.

Ya Schoolie Monster , it took a little while but it was worth it. It may seem like cheating but I'll take it, especially in January. I see there's a little teasing going on on the other thread.

S.M. , I see tonight that the lumberjacks are not on , Andy Mill is catching roosterfish. Outdoor Life Channel 6:30

Hey SlipKnot - is that your pic on the top of this post ? If it is you look awfully familiar. What business are you in ? You don't have to be too specific.

Rick, welcome aboard!! If you look on his profile (the head under his name on the left) you'll even see the link to his website. That should tell you all you need to know.

There are a couple of you Maniacs that swing by these boards. Mostly ledge lizards from just south of you... Myself, I get up to Camp Ellis a few times a year too... Again, welcome...

John

Hi John - I've been lurking here for a while. I enjoy the site and have picked up some good info on RI fishing. I moved up here from RI in 1988, but didn't start to surf fish till I was up here (always fished for largemouths when I lived down there)!!

Next time you're up this way during the fishing season, let me know. I live about 4 miles from Camp Ellis. I'll try to get a few Maniacs together and we'll go lookin' for 'em.

No prob, Rick. I hope to be up there around July or so (after we get a good shot at the herd ;P ) and would like to meet up with several of you Maine style fishin' types, ayup!!

Rick , good to have another fisherman from Maine here. I don't know if we've met but people do tell me I have a familiar face often. I also have 2 brothers. Maybe we can fish together at the next striperfest. I am in the cabinetry industry as you may have read from John's hint.