Haven't posted for a while but I wanted to share a couple of photos and the story behind it with you guys -
Got a call from my brother-in-law Scott in Indiana last week saying he was going to be able to take a short notice vaca to Newport. He and I used to do a lot of fishing with the late Capt. Jay O’Brien back in the 80’s when bass stocks were low and Scott said he really wanted to do the striped bass charter we've been talking about for a while. Every other time he's come out to see us on his vacations he's worked his butt off to help me out on some major house issues that had to get done, so I booked a light tackle charter for him as a thank you for all his hard work and generosity. I called Capt. Corey Pietraszek who I think is one of the best in the biz - and some of you guys probably know from his days at the SWE - to hook him up.
Well, we went out Monday and had an incredible day with Corey I don’t think Scott (or I) will ever forget. I can't tell you how many big fish Corey found for us in a number of different locations in this size class and larger. The number of fish we raised was amazing with huge swirls visible from several fish at a time as they followed the topwater plugs to the boat but the water was gin clear and it was making them pretty finicky. This particular bass came from a boulder strewn UDL on a big bone colored muskie spook.
This is the first striper Scott has ever caught and it bottomed out the 30# Boga - we guestimated it at 35# and it measured 45". Ya know, I was just about to bust him about hurrying up to get the #*#$%*# fish boatside like Capt. Jay used to until I saw the rod double over with the drag going off and I realized he had a pretty respectable fish on for the first time. He did a helluva job during the fight for his first bass and never got rattled. I think I was grinning more than he was just watching it.
After a few quick photos the fish was released unharmed. Corey revived her and I leaned over the gunnel to watch her as she swam gracefully down to the bottom with a few deep strokes of her tail to live and spawn again another day.
Anyway, I just got off the phone with Scott back in the Midwest and he’s already planning his September trip! I sure hope Mrs. Crafty will forgive me, but I think I’ve just created another monster in the family.
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