First Keeper of 2010

[chefchris401]

Here are some pics of the manager at works first striper, which just happened to be a 31” keeper! Here’s his story and how the night played out.

Scott is an avid freshwater bass fisherman, goes whenever he can and like most of us its about fishing and being away from work and life.

When I took the job a few months back as executive chef, we got to talking about saltwater fishing and I told him he needed to catch some stripers this year. I gave him a 9ft rod that I never used and he put his Stella 4000 on it. I also equipped him with some swim shad type baits that I got from the local bait shop for a $1 a pack.

I’ve been getting into some decent fish in the east bay areas and told him he had a pretty good chance of getting some fish. We agreed to meet up after work and fish a spot that always has great spring fishing. We fished for a about 2 hours, throwing top water, redfins, swim shads, all the usual suspects and nothing. Up until this point all he managed to catch was the same rock twice and lose two swim baits.

Around 7:45 the tide switched and started running out, rain picked up and wind shifted, all perfect for fishing. A few cast later he got slammed as he worked the bait thru the channel. The fish easily took 40 yards of line before he could tighten the drag. Once he got the drag set properly and put the butt of the rod between his legs, he was in control. The fish continued to fight and thrash on the surface, once I saw it I knew he had something good. After a few minutes I was landing the fish for him, only due to the tide and positioning, just made more sense that way. After a few photos the fish was released and swam away fine.

As you can tell from the smile he has, he was pumped! This is his personal best ever in his lifetime of fishing.

I was really glad I could share the experience and get him onto a fish, never mind a keeper! I got skunked but oh well, was great to be there and share the enthusiasm and get into a fish.

[WESTPORTMAFIA]

Nice post Chris!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Clammer]

great . that,s whats its all about ><><><><

[tynan19]

Chris, nice work and thanks for posting this!

[keeperreaper]

Nice.

[PRBuzz]

At least you likely experienced an adrenaline rush, touched a keeper in 2010 so only a little skunked! Nice story and 1st fish.

[5/0]

Nice job for sharing you time and hooking him up with his PBE

[mag minnow]

I think I enjoy getting other people to catch for the first time more than catching myself.

Nice job on creating another Striper fisherman...

[numbskull]

Kudos to you for taking him. The pressure of trying to find someone a fish when that person's expectations are high is considerable and often humbling. I'll bet you were hanging on his every cast and praying that he got the hit rather than yourself.

[beamie]

Originally Posted by numbskull

The pressure of trying to find someone a fish when that person's expectations are high is considerable and often humbling.

Boy, that is very true........

[Dick Durand]

Great account of fishing outing. I'm sure Scott will be gearing up for more stripers.

[fishbones]

Great job! It's great to put someone on their first fish! And since he's your boss, this should make things at work better. It's nice to be able to share fishing stories with people you work with.

[FINnie]

Good Job guys

[Swimmer]

That smile on your buddy is priceless

[robc22]

Great job......nice report and pics!!!......

[MarshCappa]

That is really cool. It will be interesting to see if he goes back to fresh now after experiencing his first keeper in the salt. I'm not saying he'll give it up totally but i bet his priorities may switch a little now.

[the point]

WTG Gettin the Guy hooked Up a early season keeper at that. Now you have created another addict

[SurfCaster413]

nice job another angler comes over to the dark side