Cool fish pics and stories 2016 (no bashing aloud!)

[Guppy]

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Here ya go Mikey!!!....

Hit both bays with father & son.....making memories is what it's all about....
First cast for this little guy and he filled the tree!!!....

Great stuf,,, is that your fathers right hand or a sledge hammer? LOL

[Rappin Mikey]

Here is a few more pics of Norberto. When I told him he would remember that day for the rest of his life, he told me I would too. He was right. I got to see him and his dad the next weekend around 4:00 AM. They had geared themselves properly and matched the color of the swimmer I was using. They told me they had been there since 10:00 PM again with no fish. I told them bite was usually starting around 5:00, but they left right before they started hitting.

[Rappin Mikey]

Overall it was a good push of fish up the CT River into Western MA this year. Lots of fish of good size. There was even a confirmed all out ocean style blitz under the new bridge into Chicopee with fish over 30# being taken on poppers. I got the call, but couldn't get a pass from the boss. Because of the lack of rain/snow run, off coupled with the hot weather in early June/late May, they took off about ten days earlier than usual. Now I have to drive for them.

[Rappin Mikey]

A few more with what I like to call "The Scoop on Poop". Not quite as rated X as Clammer goes, "butt" I thought you guys might like it.

[hardcore from shore]

Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[JohnR]

Very nice!

[piemma]

Great pics Mike. Kid is getting big!

[RickBomba]

OK,
So this used to be a thread, but I'm going to try to sum up what was probably the best fishing I've done in maybe my life. Most of it was with #^&#^&#^&#^&y.

I can say that for the RP crowd, we were absolutely the highliners out there...this goes for all boats, the kind you pay for and the weekend warriors.

So, here it goes...I did not sleep much. We caught very few fish that were under 28 inches and all of our fish were on top water.

We released all of our biggest fish.

Saturday June 4th, this was our first day. The wind was light and the crowds were thin. We released lots of 36-40" fish and were back to the dock by 10:00.

Sunday June 5th, second day, it was foggy and overcast. We caught lots of the same size fish. Back to the dock by 9:00 AM.

Monday June 6th, Mom's birthday. Caught good fish in the early am. Back to dock by 8:00 AM.

Tuesday June 7th, windy in the AM, so we went back to bed. We decided to look at the weather at about 11 AM, and the wind had layed down. Went out and caught good 40 inch class fish in the bright sun. Went home, cause we were very sunburned.

Wednesday, June 8th. Too tired to fish so we slept in because it was too windy. #^&#^&#^&#^&y drives out to RP around noon just missing a big shore blitz at noon.

Thursday, June 9th. Maybe close to the windiest I have ever fished. We were casting tins at RP and crushing the schoolies. The first wave was full of 26 inch fish. We looked out at the second and third waves and saw bigger fish swimming in the waves. We changed to big pencil poppers. Epic change...three twitches and you had a fat 40 incher on the line. Best of all...no seals. Can't remember how many we put back. There were three people fishing that day (#^&#^&#^&#^&y and I were two of them), and the only boat crazy enough to be on the water was a 23 foot Hydra Sports.

Friday, June 10th. Crazy windy again...we caught maybe 12 shorts (maybe keepers). No boats on the water that day.

Saturday, June 11th. #^&#^&#^&#^&y and I heard the fish were big if you went a little further around the corner. We ran hard on smooth water out to the Tuna Fleet. Saw no breaking fish (or marked fish). Ran back to RP, got some 36 to 40 inch fish for about 30 minutes. The vertical jigging armada moved in, drove out the big boys as they caught what was left over. Lotsa shorts.

Went home from Saturday to Friday. OTW put out reports that big fish are around. News that somebody got a 40 pounder, so #^&#^&#^&#^&y and I figured we could best that.

Saturday, June 18th. Ramp is already busy at 3:30 AM. We launch and run out in the dark. Get good fish, run around backside, get into some fish. Head home to the dock by the time the Armada hit RP. I think we were on the trailer by 7:00 AM.

Sunday, June 19th. Spend more time on the backside. Get into big fish. Tired and back to the ramp by 7:45. Great Father's Day.

Today, June 20th. We took marky and his daughter Amelia. Launch at 4:00 AM and hit RP. Not much current but good wind. #^&#^&#^&#^&y has a keeper the first cast. In 20 minutes we had three good keepers in the bag. Decide to make the run behind before the wind picks up.

I ran the boat at top speed for about 20 minutes. Then we start to see the birds, lots of birds. #^&#^&#^&#^&y, marky, and Amelia were all on fish in the mid 20 pound range. marky was catching bigger and bigger fish with every cast. Mostly we were at least doubled, if not tripled up.

Then we turn to look at the shore about a mile away. There was a line of giant fish busting 14 inch mackerel for as far as you could see. We reel up and #^&#^&#^&#^&y runs us right into the middle of the fish. They were BIG....very BIG. We cast and everyone has a fish. We are dancing around the boat with 4 big fish on. marky and I settle into the stern and start working the two biggest ones. Mine took 1/2 of a 500 yard spool of 40 pound power pro off the VM. marky's fish took almost all of his line. We turn the fish, fight them for 20 minutes. marky flops his fish on top of my 44 inch wide bench seat. The fish hung over each side, and was fat. I couldn't get my scale to fire up, but I'm sure it was in the high 30 pound range. My fish was about a 35 pounder that was foul hooked and literally was held on by a piece of skin and a scale. It was a miracle that I got it in.

Today was seriously the best fishing I have ever seen in 45 years on the water. The bass were heavy, the traffic by us was almost non existent. And the best part, was as we drove home in a hard SW chop, was to roll really slowly through the vertical jigging fleet with not an angler with a bent rod in all of the 30 or so boats at RP.

No pics yet. I'll try to pull some down from FB. Hope that satisfies the request of cool fish.

Love,
Rick

[RickBomba]

Here we are. Enjoy.

[Clammer]

Denis ,s arm melted in the rain .But he still fished ><><

[Hookedagain]

Today, June 20th. We took marky and his daughter Amelia. Launch at 4:00 AM and hit RP. Not much current but good wind. #^&#^&#^&#^&y has a keeper the first cast. In 20 minutes we had three good keepers in the bag. Decide to make the run behind before the wind picks up.

I ran the boat at top speed for about 20 minutes. Then we start to see the birds, lots of birds. #^&#^&#^&#^&y, marky, and Amelia were all on fish in the mid 20 pound range. marky was catching bigger and bigger fish with every cast. Mostly we were at least doubled, if not tripled up.

Then we turn to look at the shore about a mile away. There was a line of giant fish busting 14 inch mackerel for as far as you could see. We reel up and #^&#^&#^&#^&y runs us right into the middle of the fish. They were BIG....very BIG. We cast and everyone has a fish. We are dancing around the boat with 4 big fish on. marky and I settle into the stern and start working the two biggest ones. Mine took 1/2 of a 500 yard spool of 40 pound power pro off the VM. marky's fish took almost all of his line. We turn the fish, fight them for 20 minutes. marky flops his fish on top of my 44 inch wide bench seat. The fish hung over each side, and was fat. I couldn't get my scale to fire up, but I'm sure it was in the high 30 pound range. My fish was about a 35 pounder that was foul hooked and literally was held on by a piece of skin and a scale. It was a miracle that I got it in.

Today was seriously the best fishing I have ever seen in 45 years on the water. The bass were heavy, the traffic by us was almost non existent. And the best part, was as we drove home in a hard SW chop, was to roll really slowly through the vertical jigging fleet with not an angler with a bent rod in all of the 30 or so boats at RP.

That was my son and I on Niko's boat when you stopped to talk to us. You are right there were a lot of fish breaking on the surface. Top water action was good for a while but dropped off. We got a little beat up heading back with the SW wind but not too bad.

[RickBomba]

Originally Posted by Hookedagain

Today, June 20th. We took marky and his daughter Amelia. Launch at 4:00 AM and hit RP. Not much current but good wind. #^&#^&#^&#^&y has a keeper the first cast. In 20 minutes we had three good keepers in the bag. Decide to make the run behind before the wind picks up.

I ran the boat at top speed for about 20 minutes. Then we start to see the birds, lots of birds. #^&#^&#^&#^&y, marky, and Amelia were all on fish in the mid 20 pound range. marky was catching bigger and bigger fish with every cast. Mostly we were at least doubled, if not tripled up.

Then we turn to look at the shore about a mile away. There was a line of giant fish busting 14 inch mackerel for as far as you could see. We reel up and #^&#^&#^&#^&y runs us right into the middle of the fish. They were BIG....very BIG. We cast and everyone has a fish. We are dancing around the boat with 4 big fish on. marky and I settle into the stern and start working the two biggest ones. Mine took 1/2 of a 500 yard spool of 40 pound power pro off the VM. marky's fish took almost all of his line. We turn the fish, fight them for 20 minutes. marky flops his fish on top of my 44 inch wide bench seat. The fish hung over each side, and was fat. I couldn't get my scale to fire up, but I'm sure it was in the high 30 pound range. My fish was about a 35 pounder that was foul hooked and literally was held on by a piece of skin and a scale. It was a miracle that I got it in.

Today was seriously the best fishing I have ever seen in 45 years on the water. The bass were heavy, the traffic by us was almost non existent. And the best part, was as we drove home in a hard SW chop, was to roll really slowly through the vertical jigging fleet with not an angler with a bent rod in all of the 30 or so boats at RP.

That was my son and I on Niko's boat when you stopped to talk to us. You are right there were a lot of fish breaking on the surface. Top water action was good for a while but dropped off. We got a little beat up heading back with the SW wind but not too bad.

Glad you guys found them! I think we ran about 20 miles back in my boat. It was wet for a 20 footer. That SeaCraft hull certainly doesn't pound, though. marky stood right with his back to the spray. I'm not sure if he did it intentionally, but it kept me dry.

#^&#^&#^&#^&y and Amelia sat on the bench seat in back of me, and said they had a wonderful ride home.

[Rappin Mikey]

A few weekends ago, I was walking to one of my CT River spots at about 4:30 AM. I walked by two guys and asked if things were happening. (it was still dark)I heard a younger voice retort "what's your last name?" Thinking it was one of my students by the oddity of the question, I replied, "what's your first name?" Then I heard "Is that you Mr. Bombardier? It's me Norberto!". He was with his dad that didn't speak any English. He told me he had been fishing up and down the bank all night since 10:00PM with no fish. I asked him about school as he transferred from Holyoke to Longmeadow the prior year. He informed me he was still at it and actually had some career goals which are rare for a inner city young teen. Now mind you, this student for the two prior Springs always used to tell me how many stripers that he caught and how big they were (never showed me a pic though). I told him how happy I was he was still in school and made my way about 50 yards down from them where I knew a few fish would be hanging in a pocket. At this point it was bright enough for us to see each other and I immediately buttoned into a teenish pound fish, then a 20#, then another 20. He then came over with his dad to hot box my spot. They only had one 5 ft stout jigging rod between the two of them. The dad was throwing a soft plastic. I landed one more fish and then told Norberto, if I hooked another he could bring it in. A few casts later I was tight into what felt like a fish in the upper teens. I handed him the rod which went immediately under his armpit for the beginning of an awkward fight. I tried to coach him to put the rod between his legs and not give it any slack. As he got the fish close to shore (my drag was tight) the fish gave it's last burst, almost pulled Norberto in, rolled and came unbuttoned. I talked to him about what he could have done differently, casted back out, and was into a reel good fish in about five minutes. I handed him the rod and he ended up landing a 26# fish. The funny part of the story is after he landed it, he screamed "my first striper ever!" Then he looked at me and said "yeah, I was lying to you all of those times at school" He said he would remember the day the rest of his life and thanked me. I told him the best thanks I could get was if he finished school and get the RN job he was planning on pursuing. His dad took pictures through the whole event.

[chris L]

Originally Posted by Rappin Mikey

A few weekends ago, I was walking to one of my CT River spots at about 4:30 AM. I walked by two guys and asked if things were happening. (it was still dark)I heard a younger voice retort "what's your last name?" Thinking it was one of my students by the oddity of the question, I replied, "what's your first name?" Then I heard "Is that you Mr. Bombardier? It's me Norberto!". He was with his dad that didn't speak any English. He told me he had been fishing up and down the bank all night since 10:00PM with no fish. I asked him about school as he transferred from Holyoke to Longmeadow the prior year. He informed me he was still at it and actually had some career goals which are rare for a inner city young teen. Now mind you, this student for the two prior Springs always used to tell me how many stripers that he caught and how big they were (never showed me a pic though). I told him how happy I was he was still in school and made my way about 50 yards down from them where I knew a few fish would be hanging in a pocket. At this point it was bright enough for us to see each other and I immediately buttoned into a teenish pound fish, then a 20#, then another 20. He then came over with his dad to hot box my spot. They only had one 5 ft stout jigging rod between the two of them. The dad was throwing a soft plastic. I landed one more fish and then told Norberto, if I hooked another he could bring it in. A few casts later I was tight into what felt like a fish in the upper teens. I handed him the rod which went immediately under his armpit for the beginning of an awkward fight. I tried to coach him to put the rod between his legs and not give it any slack. As he got the fish close to shore (my drag was tight) the fish gave it's last burst, almost pulled Norberto in, rolled and came unbuttoned. I talked to him about what he could have done differently, casted back out, and was into a reel good fish in about five minutes. I handed him the rod and he ended up landing a 26# fish. The funny part of the story is after he landed it, he screamed "my first striper ever!" Then he looked at me and said "yeah, I was lying to you all of those times at school" He said he would remember the day the rest of his life and thanked me. I told him the best thanks I could get was if he finished school and get the RN job he was planning on pursuing. His dad took pictures through the whole event.

See Mike that's why you do what you do , your good at it ! Hope its students like that that keeps you motivated . Sounds like you guys had a moment . lol

[Rappin Mikey]

Originally Posted by chris L

See Mike that's why you do what you do , your good at it ! Hope its students like that that keeps you motivated . Sounds like you guys had a moment . lol

It was! I told him I would never forget it, and won't. His dad and I couldn't verbally communicate, but I could tell by his eyes, and the pics he took, he would probably remember it for the rest of his life as well. I put the pictures in my binder for family communication (Standard#4 or #3? it's late) as evidence that I hang out with and love the peeps I serve. I wish Flap Tail was around, he would have loved that chit!

[beamie]

Nice story mikey that must have made you feel good.
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[Higgie]

You Bomba's have a gift. Nice story Mikey
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[redlite]

Mikey your Norberto story takes the cake for epic story. Good all around. Put a smile on my face and the picture to prove it. Right on man
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[Rob Rockcrawler]

Good story mikey

[Hookedagain]

Great day

[Rob Rockcrawler]

Maybe so, if i knew where you lived i would have pulled you away from work for a bit to bend a rod

[Rappin Mikey]

My 3.5 yr old daughter reeled in her first striper yesterday. Got her first keeper in today! pics to follow. Big thanks to Mark on the keeper (he dragged some sluggos out.

[Slipknot]

congrats Mikey and to you daughter

[Moses]

Fished the backside this past Sunday. Was able to stay away from the fleet and boy were we rewarded. We had a school of bass practically to ourselves for almost 1.5 hrs right after sunrise.

Beautiful sunrise as usual. Seems there are more seals every time I visit this area. Had my wife's nephew (shore fishes occasionally) along with my brother, his smile says it all.

[Moses]

Fish pics

[Clogston29]

Unfortunately I did not have my camera or scale with me, but got my best non-eel fish last night. 49" with decent girth and a big head. 9" sluggo on an owner weighted swim bait hook. Got knocked on my ass a few times by the much bigger than expected swell but it was well worth it. Few smaller fish as well. Released to fight another day.

[Slipknot]

Real Nice Josh and Moses!

49" ! must have been a great fight Josh

[ProfessorM]

Good for you guys
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[Raider Ronnie]

Worked a tuna charter Monday on the Skip A Dory out of Boston.
Hooked, brought to the boat in about 1 hr a 9-10ft Great White shark.
Naturally we released it.
Got a video on my phone.
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[Jim in CT]

My 9 year-old son, and my 14 year-old nephew, with a good days work out at the pork chop, from today July 10. Light tackle with live eels and spinning rigs.