It's getting grim out in striper land. - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Got Stripers · 09-01-2001, 07:41 PM

Schoolie Monster and I fished from 5:15 until close to 2:30, maybe 17 for me and 3 for the Monster. That my friends is sad and in light of what I was seeing this time last year, downright disturbing. Although I did see the numbers start to drop off last year, we did have a great finish to August and early September just rocked. By this time last year, thanks to FW/BC, I had several 75-100 bass days up in Boston and the action was starting to spill southward towards Minot about now. It was bass and blues on top, one after the other for weeks. All summer I've had to burn hours of fishing and gallons of gas just to find those few schoolies here and there.

I had a great day with Greg, don't get me wrong it's not just about the fishing

, but I'm a fishaholic and I'm missing my annual fall blitz fix. All I can say, is I hope the fish didn't turn the corner in numbers or skirted north to Maine this year, because if this represents what's left of the usual summering fish in these parts; desparate times are ahead.

We covered water from Scituate all the way north to Boston and inside to Wollaston Beach. Then back again and up inside the North River to final get 5 more small fish. I'll bet I burned 3/4 of a tank and took hundreds of casts, the beginning of a striper fisheries crash I fear? I'm thinking the fall run just isn't going to happen and that's very sad, because I've always found those 3 weeks of fast and furious action in the fall to be a complete blast. I guess I'll start getting my Maine gear ready, I don't even think I will waste more gas on this weekend. Maybe down in Rhode Island when I get back from Maine.

Hope everyone has a good and safe weekend.

Slipknot · 09-01-2001, 09:35 PM

Sorry to hear your grim report but I have faith there WILL be a fall run. Glad you had fun but I hope you weren't running away from the fish all day either. It does seem odd that they are not in their usual places for you. But this year is different.
Just be at the east end of the ditch in mid-Sept. to early Oct. and tell me there's no fall run.

Got Stripers · 09-02-2001, 07:59 AM

I hope your right, however it will take a major influx of new fish in my water for it to happen. I hate to write it off, but it's September and in my water, the 1st quarter is usually well underway by this time. The stands are half full, the officials aren't dressed, no cheerleaders on the field and the other teams buss obviously took the wrong exit.

Canalratt1 · 09-02-2001, 10:57 AM

It has been a weird year. Went through the Ditch yesterday on the boat and saw tons of schoolies busting bait and waved to my buddy ratts on the way through. Hit Scortons Ledge and trolled to Barnstable Harbor with tube and worms and never got a touch. Marked lots of fish but they were dogs, it only takes one drop of a chunk to verify that. Last year at this time there were lots of large in this area but this year it has been slow all year except for spurts now and then. Ditch is loaded but lots of smaller fish for over a week, Right SK.? Good news from the Vineyard as the large are there but the winds are making fishing it tough hopefully will be able to get there soon.

Fisherwoman · 09-02-2001, 01:56 PM

Hey GS, the fish definatley are not in the usual haunts, just got back from being out all day and we slammed them on top from about 8 AM to 1:30 then they shut right down, got them over by Nahant again. bass and blues, fish to about 29 inches with bigger fish in the mix, alot of doubles, give me a call and I will give ya the details!!!!

Polish Prince · 09-02-2001, 03:04 PM

Dear Got Stripers,

Wait a minute --- hold the bus!!!!! You’re not catching 75-100 fish per outing --- and whining about it!!! If you spend 8 hours of real fishing time per trip that means you catch a fish every 6.4 to 4.8 minutes. Allowing for approximately three minutes to land each fish --- YIKES! --- You really do “Got Stripers” – ha ha ha
Now, I realize that catching stripers for some guys is like shooting fish in a barrel (sorry Frank – I couldn’t resist. And, I know its serious business but, also know you won’t take offense at a bit of good natured ribbing. Hope your lovely bride is ok and that the lawyers don’t get too rich off of you.) And, imagine using all that gasoline to search out the elusive beast! Why that is simply outlandish or is it balderdash, I always get those two confused? Hey, what about those guys on this and other boards who thrill at getting one keeper each season? Do you send them congratulatory notes or sympathy cards? ha ha ha

Seriously, I’m sure you’re an avid advocate for efforts to preserve this valuable resource and not simply sit back and rely on such well intended groups like the RFA.
For example, I’m sure you read the 1999 Striped Bass Circle Hook Study by the MD DNR and found it just as flawed as I did! (The false premises, the lack of any model for statistical analysis; a model accounting for the variance due to: first capture stress, all the other factors of net pen holding stress, the response to different baits – natural or otherwise, the absence of natural interspecies interaction, especially with bait and bluefish; absence of peer review and – on and on and on). And NO – I’m not against MD DNR or any other fishery agency. In fact, I worked with Joe Boone of MD DNR and Bob Pond of Stripers Unlimited more than thirty years ago on the Nanticoke River. I just don’t think that the ‘Circle Hook Study’ provides any sound evidence to warrant incorporation of circle hooks into any management strategy!!! And, I would strongly encourage fishing clubs not to endorse such an initiative. And NO – I’m not against RFA either. They and other organizations such as CCA’s and local fishing clubs form … “should form”… the grass roots basis for all sport fishery management strategies!!!

I also feel confident that as a recreational fisherman who sees this resource on a regular basis and not through a narrowly focused research window you and all your fellow fishers know full well that release mortality has virtually no impact on spawning success, size at maturity or age class recruitment. Moreover, I would suspect that you and many other sportsmen who quest after the beast take a proactive role in attempts at preserving it. I feel confident that you and many others also support lobbying efforts of your local fishing clubs and conservation organizations to:
a)establish striped bass as a game fish and prohibit all commercial fishing efforts,
b)encourage mixed management fishery strategies in keeping with genetic integrity as well as diversity of all striper stocks,
c)work long for much more extensive preservation of striped bass spawning habitat,
d)promote more reasonable access for shore-based fishermen,
e)develop legislative initiatives aimed at 100 percent fund allocation for and from salt water licensing programs --- Arghhhh – I know, I know – calm down though – this does have merit.
f)suggest research efforts more in keeping with uniformity of the species throughout its natural range while also considering culture supplements maintaining that genetic integrity of isolated stocks that contribute to the mixed fishery.

Whewww – I do go on! And, it has just occurred to me that I may have ticked you off --- Please take no offense. My intent if 1st for this resource and 2nd for those sportsmen that utilize it!

john

Got Stripers · 09-02-2001, 03:58 PM

Yikes, that's quite a reply and I WISH I COULD complain about catching 75-100 fish per day. That was last year and last year was kind of a freak, in light of all the bait late in the summer. Yesterday, I fished long and hard for 17 and yes Clammdigger, I am a little spoiled

. But since you took so long to reply, I will take a minute to respond to your closing points.

a)establish striped bass as a game fish and prohibit all commercial fishing efforts.

I personally would like to see a better effort made at coast wide limits, and a management effort that addressed the resource as a whole; rather than state by state as the migrate.

b)encourage mixed management fishery strategies in keeping with genetic integrity as well as diversity of all striper stocks.

Certainly, the stripers are only "part" of the food chain and what happens to the bunker, mackeral or even the lowly eel; all have an effect on them. Clearly, they all need to be balanced for it to work.

c)work long for much more extensive preservation of striped bass spawning habitat.

I think the waters I fish are cleaner than they have ever been, so I would think this should continue absolutely.

d)promote more reasonable access for shore-based fishermen.

What, those long rod, big reeled, code spouting barbarians? I guess we could do that

. All kidding aside, it's not just the shore bound angler that's feeling left out. I do a lot of fresh water bass fishing and some of my best water I can't even fish anymore.

e)develop legislative initiatives aimed at 100 percent fund allocation for and from salt water licensing programs --- Arghhhh – I know, I know – calm down though – this does have merit.

I'd have no problem forking over 15-25 bucks for a salt water license or a combined license, if the money were earmarked properly. The problem is, who has control of that?

f)suggest research efforts more in keeping with uniformity of the species throughout its natural range while also considering culture supplements maintaining that genetic integrity of isolated stocks that contribute to the mixed fishery.

I'm not quite sure what that means and I'm not up to speed on what the current state of genetic diversity is, as it applies to stripers. I can't really comment on that one.

My thrust would be a range wide 36" limit, ban commercial netting, get control of what might be ailing the bunker fishery and maybe even close down entire areas to striper fishing if it would benefit the fishery. Look what closing down entire sections of the banks has done for the cod/haddock fishing, maybe we need to look at something similar for stripers. Maybe move that Federal limit in a mile and put some stricker limits on the rec's and comm's.

I'd support a broad range of efforts, I value the resource that much. I'd put back the few I keep every year, if that's what it would take, but I truly feel those three 30 inch keepers I took this year for the table, plus one large that didn't make it; aren't contributing to the stripers downturn.

Clammer · 09-02-2001, 05:38 PM

Bob, YOu read my mind!!

JohnR · 09-03-2001, 09:16 AM

Me too... AND GET RID OF THE NETTER BYCATCH!!!!!

TheSpecialist · 09-03-2001, 09:22 AM

GS I worked all night and into the am for one lonely shorty. You are a god. Shore fishing is a whole different ballgame though. I totally agree with you that there should be one limit for the entire coast. I wonder how the proposed dredging of the Hudson is going to affect the future of the striped bass fisheries. I also think that there should be no commercial fishing for a few years. Maybe they should make a 2 fish limit for charters of more than two people also, just for a while anyway. When I go on a charter with my family or friends the boat can take 6 people max, I say only 2 keepers should be allowed . All other fish should be released, instead of the boat keeping 6 every time out. Just some dreams I guess.

schoolie monster · 09-03-2001, 10:24 AM

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.

bassmaster · 09-03-2001, 10:41 AM

Got Rubba, I want to show you my rubba, gets large

ditto on size thingy fer da bass

Got Stripers · 09-03-2001, 05:40 PM

Oh crap, they will let anyone join this board, now the BM is lurking. I know he's looking for plugs or rubber

so beware the capester that goes by the handle BM.

I think all those fish you've been having fun with never turned the corner this year. Well I'm hoping that's all that is wrong, because things just aren't happening like they should up this way. Love to see your rubber, pop me a digital or post a picture. I saw that jig/rubber combo you posted on SOL, looked good...but I'm a big horizontal weight kind of guy

.

Welcome to the board and everyone please keep track of your plugs now...it's not save in here anymore.

bassmaster · 09-03-2001, 05:59 PM

got plug?

Got Stripers · 09-03-2001, 06:11 PM

You guys all have potential, but you want to know who the surprise was all season long, the Clamdigger. He's a natural jerkbait man, I can tell these things and he picked up fish in some of the worst conditions; big *ss sweels and screeming crosswind. Yes he used my spare rod and it did have the 30/6 spiderwire, but that's no guarantee...he's got the instincts.

Maybe time to get him a proper rod, reel, line and some rubber as BM would say. I'm going to work on you other long rodders, I'll make some plastic fisherman out of you yet

. Schoolie, you were a pleasure to fish with and we will get out again. Maybe give you a call for some kick *ss bass/pickeral/crappie fishing come early spring. It ain't all about stripers you know, in fact; I can't wait to tie into a nice smallie in 2 weeks.

bassmaster · 09-03-2001, 06:27 PM

ask slip, you should cast the mold of it,im gonna make the sluggo from hell knock off, one of these days. i want that production pot, oh and slip tossed you rubba at bluefish and lost it, You should get him for that, I will let the bass go up there in them there rocks fer ya.
sooooooo buddy got any plugs??????

JohnR · 09-03-2001, 07:32 PM

BM - I'll trade you a shiny rotted Capn' Andys for one of those shaved needle fish, hehehehe

Welcome to SB

bassmaster · 09-03-2001, 09:27 PM

otay, but let me get a few critters on it, thanks guys fer the welcome

like steelin candy from a baby

Clammer · 09-03-2001, 09:31 PM

Got Stripers thanks for the compliment i appreciate it especially from a expert, i don;t say much if it don;t mean much, but i watch and listen very well, Bob I try and i don;t complain thats the best I can do!!

Your welcome on my tug any time,but the bass arn;t around// blues,blues/blues/ blues/ but if things die out up your way and you still want some saltwater fishing let me know, you to Greg//

Next time I;ll do better Bob, you;ll see, thanks!!

John R , go to the end on Rock ave/ when you make your rounds, yhe bluefish have been thick and steady the past week and sometimes from shore[ like tonight]
I have to hook up with you for the rod and computer
PS - Bike into Rocky Point property ??

JohnR · 09-04-2001, 07:12 AM

Clammer - one winter project is to rebuild the bikes - ala canal bikes - for Rocky Point and for sneaking up to the Light. I'll go to the end of my street for those blues (suprised there are no bass in the mix) but I'm not going to travel too far this time of year unless it's bass, bones, or albies....

I should be home everynight but Wednesday this week. Ask your bride

if she wants the data from another hard drive installed on this one. It's one thing to make a fresh install of the software onto the hard drive or I can take an image of another computer at your work (or home) and put that image on the new hard drive.

Got Stripers · 09-04-2001, 07:13 AM

I may take you up on that offer soon, because acres and acres of busting choppers right now would be a welcomed sight. Let me know if there's a good day weather-wise this week, I might just fire myself and send myself south for the day. Cleaned the boat out yesterday and will start loading in the smallie gear this weekend, so I'd love the opportunity to get out with you before I leave next week. Let me know what's good for you, thanks for the invite.

JohnR · 09-04-2001, 07:32 AM

GS - the schools were busting in half mile long sections of water yesterday, mostly well out of range from shore as they would jut in when some yahoos put them down with the boats and other times the boats wouls move them out again. Just too many yahoos behind the helm out there...

Clammer, I know what you mean now. My initial impression is that there is a higher concentration of idiots on Narragansett Bay than on Mass Bay/Boston Harbor. I saw some really stupid stuff in the past few days. It's really scary and sad...

Clammer · 09-04-2001, 02:11 PM

, cant go tomorrow, otherwise I think Im ok, sold a house last tuesday, listed one on weds,thus,fri, sold two more on Sun MOn 111 plus a offer is on the table, won;t know about inspection, app. etc, until last minute I dont care about the weather because the fish are up river

let me know pager 401-7864669

John, check the strre directory, Rock ave is off w/s/r , less than 10 /from your house//

JohnR · 09-04-2001, 02:42 PM

gotcha

Got Stripers · 09-04-2001, 03:03 PM

I'm thinking later in the week, after this front get's offshore and the warmer weather (SW) builds back in, plus I'm tied up for a couple days. Call me in the office some morning/afternoon, but I will be out tomorrow pm.

Love to chase some blues around with ya.