running the dog this morning..... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Striper_Haven_03 · 10-20-2010, 12:50 PM

Running the dog this morning at a secluded beach around 6:45am and seen 10-15 bass in the 40-45# (Im guessing....I know things look larger underwater but they were huge bass no question) range swimming on top in less than 3 feet of water, not feeding, just swimming slowly. I have never seen this behavior before, particularly with very large striper's. They were there for about 10 minutes then gone. Even my trusty dog Cappy was checking them out. Has anyone seen this before or have any idea what provokes this? Patrolling for forage? This was on a very sandy beach with no visible structure around. Strange. I had no rod and I was over 2 miles from were I parked. Was a very cool sight to see.

RIJIMMY · 10-20-2010, 12:52 PM

they're looking for me. We've been trying to find each other for years but it hasnt happened yet. Tell them I wont give up if they dont!

redlite · 10-20-2010, 01:06 PM

Need to train your dog a little better.....
"FETCH!!!!!"

Cool indeed.

BigFish · 10-20-2010, 01:10 PM

Put rodholders on that pooch! I can't go near the water without a fishing rod handy!!

Striper_Haven_03 · 10-20-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Put rodholders on that pooch! I can't go near the water without a fishing rod handy!!

Wish I had a rod but these fish dont seem like they were feeding....although a rigged or live eel prob. would have taken one of these fish. I have been taking a break from the surf after a marathon of late night excursions to catch up with family,friends,work and a few good nights of sleep....19 trips in 30 days. I will be back out tonight though....a few more and Im done. Not at this spot as I am sure these fish are long gone. Just strange to see such large fish in shallow water without any bait in sight.

Pete F. · 10-20-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striper_Haven_03

Wish I had a rod but these fish dont seem like they were feeding....although a rigged or live eel prob. would have taken one of these fish. I have been taking a break from the surf after a marathon of late night excursions to catch up with family,friends,work and a few good nights of sleep....19 trips in 30 days. I will be back out tonight though....a few more and Im done. Not at this spot as I am sure these fish are long gone. Just strange to see such large fish in shallow water without any bait in sight.

I could'nt think of a better place to start.

Swimmer · 10-20-2010, 04:38 PM

If you don't hit that spot tonight, aaaaaarrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh, I don't even know you and I'll have a bird.

bloocrab · 10-20-2010, 06:12 PM

Fish swim from point A, to point B,,,then sometimes back to point A before moving on to point C...etc....those fish were between the letters...

You need to get your butt over to point C before those wetsuiters show up ...

WoodyCT · 10-20-2010, 05:58 PM

It's late October, they are miles away already.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Pete F. · 10-20-2010, 06:17 PM

I generally operate on the principal that I don't fish where I saw or caught fish because they are not there anymore. Opens up a lot of new spots and you never have to worry about burning the old ones cause there are no fish there.
Oh man winter is coming

StriperWriter · 10-21-2010, 03:35 PM

Well said man.

The Dad Fisherman · 10-21-2010, 03:56 PM

I guess its me...I just don't consider 20-25 lb fish small....

numbskull · 10-21-2010, 05:11 PM

That is probably because you have been fishing for more than a few decades.

Striper_Haven_03 · 10-21-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

That is probably because you have been fishing for more than a few decades.

Numb,

Wish I had that much knowledge but I dont..been fishing since I was a kid for mostly large blue fish (late 80s early 90s) because thats all there was here in Plymouth.....huge bluefish, and a tog or five thrown in there when fishing the rocks. Didn't really consider that surf-casting....more of me just being a kid that grew up next to the ocean. I got into serious surf-casting 12 years ago and know little about the spots I fish, tough to figure mature nature. But there is one thing thats for sure. I check these spots often,sometimes theres fish there,sometimes not.

numbskull · 10-21-2010, 07:16 PM

I'm not criticizing you, S_H. It is just that you and many others seem to have come to striper fishing at a good time, a time when 20 lb fish may seem average, or even small. In the early 80's something similar happened, and even 30lb fish seemed average. But over a longer time, perspective changes. For many years in a row a few 20+lb fish from shore would make your season. Once you have fished through that, every 20lb fish you take seems worth appreciating. At least that is the way I see it.

Sea Dangles · 10-21-2010, 07:28 PM

perspective

Striper_Haven_03 · 10-21-2010, 07:33 PM

I gotcha bro. Which is why I let 99 percent of the fish I catch go. Might not make a bit of difference in the end but I feel as though Im doing my part by letting these fish swim away. If I keep anything its to give my dad his monthly fillet. I realize as a kid I fished the very tail end of a very,very poor striper decade and now in 2010 there are 30s-40s -50s caught on a regular basis in some locations, I do realize we are in for some real trouble in the future regarding the atlantic striped bass fishery. While it might be easy to take for granted the great fishing today I try not to do that. To quote Mark Twain "History doesn't repeat itself but it sure does rhyme". I hope not but it looks like its coming.