Finally got up to my old stomping grounds in Monmouth County, NJ! Now that I live and work in South Jersey, I really have to work for the fish....Monmouth's where it's at!!!:yes:

http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af49/curtinherps/IMG_1801.jpg

Not huge, but a few respectable stripers for my first time fishing the suds this season. Picked up those and a few bluefish....all on pencil poppers. There were a few more missed to boot. Wind was honking out of the South, and the fish were moving around alot....had a great day, though!

SWEET, I really need to get my license and get out.....:yes:

YUM!!!! I haven't had striper since we were in Maine a few yers ago!! Thats some good eats....

Well, that beats HELL outta small mouth!!! Now I'm hungry again :D

Mmmmm Hmmmmmm! Had me some fresh NJ sashimi as soon as I cut those girls open! They barely had time to stop moving.

I also learned a valuable lesson.....stripers LOOOOOVE NJ-D.O.T. yellow! :lmao:

NJ-D.O.T. yellow :lmao: :lmao:. That's like hunter orange around here. Sometimes it works REAL well.

You just can't beat fresh fish!

Dang nice catch Mike.. i need to visit and catch me a few of those lol.. i love some deep fried striper

Fighting big fish... Awsome! :yes:

Wish we had those around here....bet that was a blast man!:rockon:

yep thats some good eatin right there.

catch of the day. so when's lunch

Hell yeah bro! Bet those jokers were fun pulling in! I hope I find some time this year to do some fishing.....

Makes going out alot more fun to come home with those prizes, nice snags!!!

Nice catches

Gary is a great fisherman! He goes fishing all the time. Never comes home with any though.

However, you, Mike, are a great CATCHerman!!!!! LOL!! Good job!!! When your freezers get too full, don't hesitate to drop off a fish or two in Toms River on your way back south!

:)

Awesome catch man. I'm a big time fisherman that's a fish on my list still yet to catch. Catch Wiper around here all the time and there strong as hell so I can only imagine how strong them bad boys are.

Those are some nice catches!

Thanks, all!

Yeah, Quig, I started making my own plugs a couple years ago, and a friend of mine brought me some paint from the NJ Dept. of Transportation.....:rockon: I've gots to make some more!

They were fun to pull in, but I still wish I hooked in to the one I gaffed for the guy next to me. Bottomed out a 30 pound boca scale like it was nothing! Funny thing is that we were the only ones on the beach for the most part.

Stephi, I would, but I know if I had that happen, I'd be feeling a little, um, inept :lmao:!

Nice Mike...those are def respectable size wise......

Where were you fishing? I hit the 35 bridge in Red bank Monday. No stripers just huge blues. I lost about 20 hooks and packed it in. They were going through 80 pound mono leaders like nothing. I am going Sat. night if you want. Not sure where yet either the park or monmouth beach. Nice catches. My buddies fished Deal last night and pulled in a 42 and 46 pounder. They're early this year, but I am not complaining. Don't listen to Steph I catch something every time I go. I just don't eat dogfish and skates. She's a picky eater.
Gary

Don't listen to Steph I catch something every time I go. Gary

:lmao:

I was running from Seven Presidents Park south about a mile and back again. They had us working!!! Popping our balls off!

great catch

Very nice!!! And yummmy, I am sure!

Sweet stripes, Mike!

Funny thing . . . Up here in CT, we won't see blues for another month and a half.

~Bruce, who hasn't wet a line in _way_ too long.

Sweet stripes, Mike!

Funny thing . . . Up here in CT, we won't see blues for another month and a half.

~Bruce, who hasn't wet a line in _way_ too long.

The Blues I was catching were easy 10 lb plus. I hate 'em. Like they say you gotta get through the blues to get the stripers. I heard they made it out to the beach yesterday and I guess they weren't lying.

So you were hitting the pipe also. I think this is where i am going to hit Sat. I know they are catching down here, but like you I am going to stick to my roots. Give me a call seems like I only see you at shows.
Gary

Sorry for the double post, but I tried talking you into a double header for field herping and fishing. I'll show Steph and post some fish pics Sunday morning.
Gary

alright I am going for three. were you in a boat?

Nice catches Mike :cheers:

Nice work Mike.. I've never done any stripper fishing but I hear it's an awesome time. Looks like you made out just fine. Next stop is the fryin pan...:rockon:

Everything was from the rocks....waders and Korkers were a must....along with a long handled gaff. As for the skates and dogfish, I'd make the comment that you'd avoid them if you put down the bait, but I hood a skate in the eye with an A27 on my very first cast :eek:!!

Give me a shout....I may try and get out Saturday before the front moves in. Falling barometer :rockon::rockon::rockon:!!! If so, I think I'm wetsuiting it....there are a few rock piles I wanted to get to, but couldn't.

I'll try and get some good shots Saturday for everyone if I/we go.