Moses' Annual Fishing Weekend 2008 - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:48 PM

As some of you know, I started a tradition a few years back with my two brothers and cousin to reserve a weekend around Father's Day each year to fish together. Didn't matter whether it was by shore (started this way) or by boat, the point being spending some time on the water together. Depending on schedules, a friend or two always seemed to join us. This year my brothers could not join me so I was meeting various friends then hooking up with my cousin on sunday.

This year's adventure started this past Friday june 20. I arrived at my buddy's boat on the South River ~445am. Conditions were beautiful with a light wind and clear skies. We launched without incident and found leaping shad at the confluence of the north/south rivers. Tried tossing some imitations to see if anything larger were chasing them but no luck. Also tried snagging them but alas it wasn't to be.

Our goal for the morning was to simply catch fish, didn't matter what kind or what size as I need to be back late morning to get my boat ready to head down the cape. We headed due south to Gurnet Pt and from there to Bug Light worked several groups of birds and breaking bass. When tide went slack low, we ventured into one of the many channels which afforded deeper water and started blind casting. We were rewarded with slightly larger fish and had the area to ourselves for the next couple hours. We stayed longer than either of us had originally planned but the fishing was non stop. Many bass caught/released and not one bluefish encountered.

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:49 PM

Once home I hooked up the boat, swung by Kingston and picked up my friend Mike (Elmo) and we headed for Sesuit Harbor to meet another friend who had been fly fishing the flats all day. We launched around 4pm and fished just outside the flats until 8pm. Besides a storm cutting accross ccbay, conditions were a little choppy with a stiff breeze. Again, nothing large but lots of bass and no bluefish.

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:49 PM

I was parlaying this weekend into a family vacation so had rented a cottage in Yarmouth as our base of operations. We arrived at 930pm, unpacked quickly and got our gear ready for day 2. This was our day to target large, as in tuna out east. We both tossed and turned for a few hours and awoke at 2am sat. On our way to Saquetucket, the flags were blowing pretty good. We made a game time decision to still go and launched ~330am. The ride out to the southern tip of Monomoy was very choppy but instantly flattened out once we made the corner. We made a straight shot for the "BC" buoy and along the way found one pod of working birds and what I thought was tuna. I made a cast with my heavy spinning gear and came tight instantly. I thought for sure it was a tuna but when my line didn't scream off the reel I knew I had a bluefish. Regardless, skunk was off for the day and we carried onward.

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:50 PM

Upon arrival just west of the BC we found whales and started the troll. We worked a few areas but no luck. After a couple hours we decided to start working our way home while still trolling. We had trolled for about 7 miles when an explosion occurred on my back left squid rig. Line immediately started peeling and it was game on. Mike and I worked the fish for about 20-25 mins and had to lock down the drag on my Penn 9/0 to gain line back. Once at the boat, the fish made another strong run but it was tiring. With only two people on boat, landing a tuna isn't exactly ideal for a couple of rookies but I put the rod in the holder, worked the leader and Mike placed a perfect gaff. Another minute and the fish was in the boat. Very exciting as this was the first tuna on My boat with My gear. We were absolutely stoked!

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:51 PM

More........

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:51 PM

With the weather looking a little nasty and not having radar, we opted to head back to the rips at Monomoy and try for some bass and blues next while the tuna chilled in my locker. We worked a couple of areas and landed a couple nice bass and ended the day catching blue after blue on top water. This bluefish blitz went on for over an hour and we were right there the whole time. Back to the dock by 1pm. First local tackle shop we saw we stopped at since we wanted the tuna weighed. Fish taped out to 52 inches and weighed in at 76.2 lbs gutted. It was filleted immediately when back at the cottage and some belly meat was enjoyed with a couple of cold beers. This led to a few more down Capt Parker's Pub with a nice meal to end the day.

Moses · 06-27-2008, 05:52 PM

Sunday morning came along way too fast for us. We were back down Sesuit at 330am for our mini striper torunament with 2 two other boats. Our game plan was to head straight for Race Pt because the conditions were so nice. We stopped for a quick look around Billingsgate first and were glad we did. A large school of bass we working baitfish and we had them to ourselves for an hour. Nothing big, most were in the 24 - 30" range. When the blues and dogs showed up we made straight for Race. Not much going on when we arrived so we checked out the tuna fleet over by Peaked Hill. Lots of whales but no tuna action that we could see. With the change of tide we headed inshore and were rewarded with a big bass blitz working sand eels along the lobster traps. All bass caught were between 35-40" which was great. My friend Mike caught the winning striper at 40" and 26lbs. Great way to end the day and weekend.

Fisherwoman · 06-27-2008, 06:13 PM

Good for you Moses and congrads on your 1st tuna buddy, you will never be the same again. LOL

ProfessorM · 06-27-2008, 06:27 PM

Great job Mike. Looked like fun.

Squid kids Dad · 06-27-2008, 06:34 PM

Excellent

Slipknot · 06-27-2008, 06:49 PM

Sounds like a blast, good for you guys

You must be beat after that fishing marathon, but you are young enough

Thanks for posting your story.

RickBomba · 06-27-2008, 07:01 PM

Nice job Mike,
Wish I could've been down there with you.
Have Fun!
Rick

Big Game · 06-27-2008, 07:12 PM

Wow...That's quite the marathon weekend.

Great post Mike!

Cranium · 06-27-2008, 07:18 PM

That looks like a ton of fun. Nice job.

Sudsrat · 06-27-2008, 08:50 PM

Congrats on a fine trip..............and a great report!

Slingah · 06-27-2008, 09:09 PM

this is the stuff that makes this site great...
congrats Mike and thanks...

tynan19 · 06-28-2008, 06:13 PM

Thank you for sharing Mike. Great read!

BassDawg · 06-28-2008, 06:24 PM

EXCELLENT, Mike!!

thanks for the great stories and congrats on a productive weekend.
there's nothing better than landing fish and hangin with family and friends.

NIIIIICE pix, and WTG on yer first bft!!

Bronko · 06-30-2008, 07:59 AM

Great Report Mike. Sounds like a blast!!

fish4striper · 06-30-2008, 08:26 AM

Nice, looks like a great trip! Congrats on your 1st tuna!

BasicPatrick · 06-30-2008, 10:50 AM

Well done...good times

keeperreaper · 06-30-2008, 10:52 AM

Mike nicely done.

Saltheart · 07-01-2008, 02:18 AM

Looks like a great time was had by all. Nice tuna!

Squibby17 · 07-01-2008, 08:31 AM

You fish hard man! Great read and great pictures too!

chief10 · 07-01-2008, 10:06 AM

Congrats on the Tuna

MarshCappa · 07-01-2008, 12:26 PM

What a great report Mike. How can you top that? I am very happy for your success. Keep up the good work!

jmonte45 · 07-01-2008, 10:32 PM

congrats on the fish, haven't seen you at the docks yet this year. I am sure I will soon.

Rick Ackley · 07-02-2008, 06:13 AM

As is always stated on this site, "Put in your time and you shall be rewarded." Great vacation. I'd need another one just to rest up. Awesome job, thanks.