It's getting grim out in striper land.

[schoolie monster]

Let me start by saying thanks to Bob for letting me tag along. It was a great day weather-wise and we got enough fish to stay busy, though we did work for them. Bob is a bit crazy, but I mean that in a good way. He has alot of fun out on the water and you can tell. Anytime you need a fishing partner, I'd be happy to join you.

I'm a fairly competitive person, though I don't really show it. And while young to striper fishing, I consider myself a good fisherman. I can cast, I have a good feel, I can work any lure given a little practice... and I can fight and land the fish.

I got an @ss-kickin' out there on Saturday. GS had 6-7 fish in the boat and I had only had a hit or two. I started to get the rhythm down of working those ledges and the hits started to come, but man, they don't hold that plastic very long. Bob is a sharpshooter. He missed very few.

Per GS's suggestion, part of it may be using no stretch braid versus my mono to feel more hits and to get tight quicker and that makes alot of sense, but I also think that proper rod position and concentration had alot to do with it. He was still intense when I was mentally fried.

I'm not kissing up or anything, just givin' my opinion. If he offers for any of you to go out, take him up on it. You'll have fun day, get to see some spectacular water, and get a shot at some fish.

As far as the numbers of fish we caught... realistically, I should have definitely had 5 or 6 more fish that hit well and I had my rod out of position, too much slack or just plain didn't get hooks in them. And I had alot of other bumps, but we fished alot of water and threw alot of casts.

We both continually scanned the water for any sign of birds, bait or fish. We ran from Scituate Harbor to Boston Harbor. We finally found a school around Wollaston and took a few fish, but that was it. The rest were from structure and scattered. One here, two there...

I hope things are just off or late, or that the bait is elsewhere and the fish are following. But it was kinda desolate for what you'd expect at this time of year. Let's hope things pick up and we all get a few blitzes before its all over.