How many..........

[bassmaster]

alot for me not sure how many, but its a feel thing with me. depending on how the bass are hooked also
but i learn early on when they chow lay as many as u can on the sand (selling) wow memorys

[Karl F]

non blitz.. slow, but steady bite.. Flap gave all the details

[BigFish]

12!

[Rappin Mikey]

Since you stated that the fish were in the wash. I would guess a fish I caught in the 20# class to take 3-5 minutes to beach. A 30# class maybe more like 5-10. Assuming I'm on the beach and not rocks, the surf is small to moderate, there is a consistant bite, and I'm not to drunk, I would guess 10 to 15. If you account for a tad of fisherman exaggeration, I would say 15 to 20. If you account for tough releases, gear failure, wind knots, grabbing a beer, I would say 5 to 10. So after reviewing all of these factors, I would estimate 8-12 fish!

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Bass could you land if you encountered the following:

3 hours into the drop, 2 am on an outer cape beach. The surf is moderate. A 3 foot swell with no wind but it's a new moon.

Big bass, 30 pounds and up are suddenly at your feet. Your fishing plugs. Needlefish to be exact. They aren't blitzing but they are eating well, not committing suicide but taking regurlarly.

You have a nine foot spinning rod with a braid friendly reel and 20 pound braid.

The bite is on for two hours then stops.

Being a reasonably knowledgable and skilled surf fisherman how many do you think you could expect to land given the weight of the fish, the line class your fishing and the time window?

This should be interesting!

You'd be really deep into the drop by the end of the 2 hours. Are you on a an outer bar or fishing a trough in front? I basically fish the backside with the outfit you have described...... I'd say 10-12 is a pretty good estimate.

[JohnR]

8 to 10 with a sheeet eating grin...

(less in Rhody cause of retying and breaking off 7 minutes into the fight on a couple)

[Slingah]

if I won I want a Flap plug....

[Ed B]

A few thoughts:
1. June = cool water, Moderate surf = plenty of Oxygen and frisky fish. Fish in the 30 lb class and bigger in the spring after the spawn are big+long for their weight and fight well. You won't yank any of them across the surface on 20 lb line if your drag is set where it should be. So it's going to take a while to get them in.
2. Three hours into the drop with a swell tells me there's a good chance you have a good current where your at and the fish are sitting nose into the current looking to feed. You'll probably have to present your plug properly like a small fish gets overtaken by current or they won't grab your offer, as a steady pick but no blitzing indicates that, at least to me anyway. The guys who've got buck-fever and are casting and reeling like crazy won't catch much (maybe one or two fish, but they won't get more than three).
3. Flap, you don't say how many other guys you have to share the action with, but since you don't mention it, I'll guess it won't be a factor and they won't be in the way. With current and thirty pound plus fish they'll take some line and you'll have to move down the beach some after you hook up.
4. I'll estimate five minutes of casting before the hit on a steady bite, + ten minutes/fish = 8 fish but if you account for time to retie once plus one likely tackle screwup, bent hook, plug change or tangle or pilot error, your down to 7 fish.
5. My final answer is 7 fish for those conditions listed for a 2 hour period. If you spend time on the release, which can be a pain in the swell, you may likely end up with less than this.

Ed

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Ed B

A few thoughts:
1. June = cool water, Moderate surf = plenty of Oxygen and frisky fish. Fish in the 30 lb class and bigger in the spring after the spawn are big+long for their weight and fight well. You won't yank any of them across the surface on 20 lb line if your drag is set where it should be. So it's going to take a while to get them in.
2. Three hours into the drop with a swell tells me there's a good chance you have a good current where your at and the fish are sitting nose into the current looking to feed. You'll probably have to present your plug properly like a small fish gets overtaken by current or they won't grab your offer, as a steady pick but no blitzing indicates that, at least to me anyway. The guys who've got buck-fever and are casting and reeling like crazy won't catch much (maybe one or two fish, but they won't get more than three).
3. Flap, you don't say how many other guys you have to share the action with, but since you don't mention it, I'll guess it won't be a factor and they won't be in the way. With current and thirty pound plus fish they'll take some line and you'll have to move down the beach some after you hook up.
4. I'll estimate five minutes of casting before the hit on a steady bite, + ten minutes/fish = 8 fish but if you account for time to retie once plus one likely tackle screwup, bent hook, plug change or tangle or pilot error, your down to 7 fish.
5. My final answer is 7 fish for those conditions listed for a 2 hour period. If you spend time on the release, which can be a pain in the swell, you may likely end up with less than this.

Ed

Eddy baby!!!! TC was speaking kindly of you the other day. I love the way you broke this down.

I can smell the smoke from all the thinking going on.

I will give my answer this evening and discuss it in more detail Wednesday night at Mass Striped Bass.

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by Flaptail

Your on the right track with your thinking. Got to analyze all the factors that might affect your outcome, including personal experience levels! I like it!

awee shucks, I feel like a student that just got an A!

[DZ]

Originally Posted by Ed B

A few thoughts:
1. June = cool water, Moderate surf = plenty of Oxygen and frisky fish. Fish in the 30 lb class and bigger in the spring after the spawn are big+long for their weight and fight well. You won't yank any of them across the surface on 20 lb line if your drag is set where it should be. So it's going to take a while to get them in.
2. Three hours into the drop with a swell tells me there's a good chance you have a good current where your at and the fish are sitting nose into the current looking to feed. You'll probably have to present your plug properly like a small fish gets overtaken by current or they won't grab your offer, as a steady pick but no blitzing indicates that, at least to me anyway. The guys who've got buck-fever and are casting and reeling like crazy won't catch much (maybe one or two fish, but they won't get more than three).
3. Flap, you don't say how many other guys you have to share the action with, but since you don't mention it, I'll guess it won't be a factor and they won't be in the way. With current and thirty pound plus fish they'll take some line and you'll have to move down the beach some after you hook up.
4. I'll estimate five minutes of casting before the hit on a steady bite, + ten minutes/fish = 8 fish but if you account for time to retie once plus one likely tackle screwup, bent hook, plug change or tangle or pilot error, your down to 7 fish.
5. My final answer is 7 fish for those conditions listed for a 2 hour period. If you spend time on the release, which can be a pain in the swell, you may likely end up with less than this.

Ed

Those damn engineers. Always have a formula or equation. That's why I like fishing with Ed. He's got the angle figured out.

DZ

[numbskull]

After the fourth fish I'd probably move looking for bigger ones.....and come up empty.

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by numbskull

After the fourth fish I'd probably move looking for bigger ones.....and come up empty.

Sad, but I have been guilty of sins like this.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by DZ

Those damn engineers. Always have a formula or equation. That's why I like fishing with Ed. He's got the angle figured out.

DZ

That's the difference between guessing, scientific wild ass guessing and estimating. I'd have just said 6.

[afterhours]

about 12 with a smile.

[Backbeach Jake]

5-6 in two hours ,steady bite, not crazy fish. All out blitz maybe double that. That's c&r. Money fishing would be different, heavier line and rod.might hit 15 then in 2 hours. BUT...when I started bragging, it would be over 100. Good thoughtful thread, Flap.

[Karl F]

yep.. throwing a needle on the drop.. very slow retrieve.. and non blitz.. that means.. what 5 or more casts between bites,minimum, and how long does that slow retrieve take?.... land it, against the drop..no incoming to help push it on the beach.. revive it, if needed... time the receeding wave right and.. release it.. you do 3 an hour, one every twenty minutes.. that's a good clip.. and.. if you have to retie, or change out a lure??.. I'm thinking I might have been optimistic.. but, Steve did mention at least one LDR... (Long Distance Release)... so....


Steve.. give us your answer.. and at some point in time.. I'd like to hear the Senior Angler's Answer....

[big jay]

0 - because I seem to be severly handicapped from the surf. But if I get in the boat and troll about 1/4 mile off the surfline with my wire and a 5 oz jig - I'll put a hurting on em.

[NIB]

Taking into consideration all the things I have read here.
I now have a headache..
Being as i have to use a 9 ft sissy stick an 20 lb braid.
The number would be< If i was able to use my usuall gear..
Where winching em in would be more condusive to a quicker release in 2 hrs i could do...,,.
I have no idea really..
I have a answer but What ever it is u say i will agree..

[tattoobob]

12 to 16

[Pt.JudeJoe]

8 seems like a good number to me .15 mins per fish on average ,gives you time to relish the moment(s) and still keep busy.

[Flaptail]

Okay, here goes. my estimate would be 8 fish. I use the theory of letting big fish on an open beach tire themselves out. A tired fish is easier to land in a moderate swell with the effects of the new moon pulling water across the bars. June fish, as EdB pointed out are in cooler water and that makes them, in my experience, and especially after just swimming 900 plus miles, some of the toughest fighting fish of the year. Also, as KarlF and a few others pointed out the bite is steady and a five cast to one fish ratio is right on the money and I work needles very very slowly. Add the inevitable dropped fish or two and you have the 8 count as far as my calcs go.

There are other mitigating factors as well. Leader chafe, knot strength (was that improved clinch knot on the clip snug enough???)
The water is lowering constantly and some of these fish are going over the bar and dragging the braid through the sand, braid doesn't really respond well to that. Furthemore, is that last years braid?

Many factors to think about and consider plus the level of excitement of the angler. Some are calm and cool, some, like myself, get wired when fish are hitting and caution can be somehow overshadowed by the thought of is this the "big one" I have been waiting for for 40 years.

There is no real right answer. It's based on personal skill levels and experience and your fish catching methodologies.

Thanks for your responses!

[Raven]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I'd be happy with one......

ya meat head! lol


interesting read Flaptail

[BassDawg]

This year............ZERO!!

Am going the All Trophies Route this year. Will catch the belly fillers inbetween the BIG GIRLS for the fridge............but this year I'm taking the Crazy Al approach and am WALKING AWAY!!!

I know, I know it sounds very foreign to the adrenaline, excitement, and "they're here" factor that consumes us; yet, do you want to catch and release quantities of feesh, or do you want to target that TROPHY or Quality Large that only come few and far between. And then again, if one does become a genuine Trophy Hunter wouldn't the number of landed COWS increase ~ya know, not be so few and occur more often~ by the very nature of solely targetting the 50# class and up?

Gonna be tough, but iffin you're spending that much time where ya know there are 30's, why not move and go git that 50+, somewheres? Don't get me wrong it would be a BLAST, but if I only have so many feesh in me, why not focus me efforts on the BIGGUNS, give them a quick pic, and safe release or mount if she truly is the Striper of a Lifetime?

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by BASSTracker

This year............ZERO!!

Am going the All Trophies Route this year. Will catch the belly fillers inbetween the BIG GIRLS for the fridge............but this year I'm taking the Crazy Al approach and am WALKING AWAY!!!

I know, I know it sounds very foreign to the adrenaline, excitement, and "they're here" factor that consumes us; yet, do you want to catch and release quantities of feesh, or do you want to target that TROPHY or Quality Large that only come few and far between. And then again, if one does become a genuine Trophy Hunter wouldn't the number of landed COWS increase ~ya know, not be so few and occur more often~ by the very nature of solely targetting the 50# class and up?

Gonna be tough, but iffin you're spending that much time where ya know there are 30's, why not move and go git that 50+, somewheres? Don't get me wrong it would be a BLAST, but if I only have so many feesh in me, why not focus me efforts on the BIGGUNS, give them a quick pic, and safe release or mount if she truly is the Striper of a Lifetime?

basstracker
no disrespect here, only what i think
it takes a lot to walk away from a bunch of 30 lb fish

to some it is the fish of a lifetime, others just happy catching instead of tossing all night with no avail

it takes true determination to walk away from a slug of 30lb steady fish to go looking for a trophy

[Flaptail]

Basstracker I understand your point. I guess that is an individual cross you have to bear. Being the outside beaches have been what they have been ( and with the new year hope burns eternal for a better prospective) then night I proposed as a situation you might find yourself in is as rare as the trophy you seek elsewhere.

Now RI, CT, NY or NJ south I cannot comment on as I only fish the cape and this may be plausible there but the outer cape I haunt religiously and it's gotten really really hard.

Thanks for posting though it's another insight into how we all think differently and at the same time in the same way! (I know that must be an oxymoron of some type)

[Rockfish9]

I tend to leave "smaller" fish for bigger ones, myself, I'm not interested in numbers, just quality, but if I recall the post correctly, it was 30 and up.... that size fish just might have a big one in it, I just might go to a bigger bait..... I've been there.

[Flaptail]

Originally Posted by Rockfish9

I tend to leave "smaller" fish for bigger ones, myself, I'm not interested in numbers, just quality, but if I recall the post correctly, it was 30 and up.... that size fish just might have a big one in it, I just might go to a bigger bait..... I've been there.

Exactly!

[RIROCKHOUND]

BassTracker..
no disrepsect...
How many 30's did you get last year?

I'll be 100% honest. I fished my ass off, had a slow summer and ended up with a fair number of 20- almost 30lb fish. I didn't weigh any so I had no 'honest' 30's...

I want a 'big fish' as much as the next guy but There is no way I'd walk away.

[fish4striper]

I'd say 8-12 in 2 hrs

I'd like to see someone walk away from a 30 and up blitz, you're either otta yr gourd or not into fishin