Mass Leg...

[JohnR]

I just want to thank everyone that could make it last night (plus Steve, who attempted to show until the training wheels fell off the Volvo ) and we had a great feast with burgers and dogs, great snausages, and great venison burgers and p-salad... All of this was grilled on our lovely SB.com grille next to the gas station...

Thanks to the Thomas Family for allowing us to stink up the inside of the shop with smoke from the grille and to allow frequent use of the facilities )

Before departing, we offered a moment of silence and rememberance for those lost and victimized by the events of this week.

****
Like the last time, people broke off into those fishin' the Ditch and everyone else...

OK RedCrbbr snuck us into a secret spot last night after the coin toss came up tails and we decided to head west instead of east. West took us to Westport, Ma which is some of the bassiest waters you'll find. I've often wanted to fish there as some sharpies I know love the place... You can see Cuttyhunk/Elizabeth's Islands as well as Gay Head - MV - all major bass waters...

Took us a little while to learn the waters but once we got in the groove, we all had fish. Bob had the smallest and the largest bass of the night including some small blues. We had slow but steady action with a lot of hits and some chop offs by bluefish. I had 4 from 30 inches up to 37 and some change inches which was the first fish over 36 to come in. Clamdigger soon after had the same but his had a couple more pounds to it. Bob grabbed a 35 and the Fishpart got his 41. Meanwhile, Clamdigger is offereing to cut anyone's line that might have a fish larger than his ... Shortly afterwards, Bob get his fish which was the largest of the evening and maybe the C&R Tourney as of Leg #3 ( so far haven't heard from everyone just yet)...

All in all? EXCELLENT NIGHT, I had a great time seeing everyone again. AND, I'm glad the coin came up tails

[Saltheart]

Nice fish redcrabber. Looks like the bar got moved way up for a winning fish in the 4 leg. Congrats.

[Patrick82]

Nice fish.

That pic needs a caption. "You talkin' ta me!?"

[JohnR]

OK a few more pics...

[Canalratt1]

Hi All! Specialist and I hit the Ditch and got a few but was slower than I expected. Specialist got a blue and a 30" bass, his first Ditch Keeper. I got one blue and three bass one going 38" after I vultured Slipknots spot, he had a 37" when I talked to him. Funny never got a fish on eels getting the fish on chunks, swimmers and jigs. The Ox had a few small bass when I saw him and not sure how Saltheart and Smokey made out. It was a perfect night with the stars out and I saw skunks, foxes and a deer. Hope to make it to the next leg!

[JohnR]

On the new gear, eh Specialist?

OK C-Ratt - looks like you've bumped the Clamster from third ... Be fortunate he wasn't there to cut yer line...

Just shoot me the slip: either scan or snailmail - I'll give you the address if you need it...

[TheSpecialist]

So far every new piece of equipment has been worth the investment.

[redcrbbr]

Just trying to figure out the face on the photo.. I'm not sure if it was more a sigh of relief. When we first showed up to my little honey hole there were a couple of fisherman clobbering blue fish. I could see by the looks on john, clammer and fishpart faces they were already thinking, it's not to late to turn around and head back to plymouth. The tide was just starting to fall, so i wasn't going to waste my time tossing eels, so i set up my gear and started chunking. about 20 minutes later fishpart came over with a look on his face which made me feel as if i was the one that ate the other half of his eel.. things were kinda slow so i walked over to john and started gabbing when the fellows down the beach started yelling to me just as i saw my pole heading for Cuttyhunk. It was the first fish of the night a little 4 lb blue tried to steal my stuff. About that time one of the guys came over and said they got bumped "and it wasn't a blue". Well, i shifted gears and from that time on it was just a slow but steady night of fishing. I personally had a great time all day and it was even better to see that everyone on the beach last night had a full serving of bass. I'm probably going back there tonight to pick up something for the grill, wife says we have company coming for dinner.

[Saltheart]

Nice fish everyone!! Fishpart , you lucky dog ! Clammer and John , both excellent fish too. Looks like John is trying to stretch his a little .

[Fishpart]

Red, I was a little apprehensive after my second cast, but things worked out GREAT. That spot would have given up more fish (and maybe bigger ones) with rigged eels. Kind of nice, four in a row with each fish bigger than the last, I guess we need to remember to keep John on the beach measuring and taking pictures .

[JohnR]

Not apprehensive Bob - when the executive decision maker turned up tails, that was good enough for me... When Fishpart walked off with his eel cigar, that was OK too. I told Clammer that I wouldn't mind sacraficing an eel or two to the blue gods. But instead of a blue, I had several bumps at the very end of my cast which appeared to be bass mouthing the eel, taking a little line and changing their mind. Red - that Horseneck Beach is sweet, eh?

Once that little rip developed, I think we were a little late in recognizing that it was accessible but that's where the fish were...

Naw, the look in the photo was because you weren't sure if Fishpart could operate that technologically advanced piece of photographic equipment ...

The only problem I had was the time spent on the beach with the line not wet - but it was for good reason ...

Fishpart - I don't know if you'd want the rigged eels in there. Sure they'd help with the bumps on the way out but you would tear up a lot of work on those blues...

[Fishpart]

Luckily the Blues went to bed early. I was excited at first when I felt the tug, but when I saw the cigar butt my excitement waned a little. When the eel was still wiggling I tried a few more casts and it came back shorter every time.

As for riggies, A GREAT surfcaster that I know swears by them. I say GREAT because he is always willing to TEACH others what he has spent hours on the water learning.

There are many GREAT surfcasters here at Striped-Bass; EVERYONE I have met so far is willing to share the knowledge that they have developed over years on the water. The best part is they do it willingly and their only motivation is to further the sport.

[JohnR]

How's this??

[JohnR]

A few more shots from the B-B-Q...







Again - I want to thank everyone for showing, it was another success....

Thanks,

John

[STEVE IN MASS]

Hey Guys...Looks like you had a great time. I am so Pi$$ed I couldn't make it. I was on my way, stopped to get ice about 3 miles from my house. I came out and a cab driver was asking me about my Volvo. I told him it would probably rust away before the motor died. Me and my big mouth. Tried for an hour and a half to get it started, but no dice. Had to be towed home. My wife was in NJ, so I was stranded without a car. Still sits in the driveway, hopefully we can find out the problem today.

Anyway, glad you all had fun and caught fish. I sat home and ate shrimp, and ate more shrimp, and ate more shrimp......I think I'm shrinking

Redcrbbr - I will have to make it up sometime soon, as I have always wanted to fish there. Maybe this weekend if I get the wheels fixed. Will be in touch.........

[TheSpecialist]

Steve it's a shame what happened . We all looked forward to meeting you, and your shrimp. If you are still having car troubles during the 4th leg in RI, let me know I can pick you up on the way. Canalratt and I maybe car pooling down together , we would have plenty of room.