Great to hear somebody caught bass.
I was there also. Forecast was perfect for a long run. Had thoughts of going out to the Glory Hole to look for bluefins & Mahi or to the Mud hole for cod & ling. Had a bunch of clam & green crabs for bait. The kid at the gas dock said they were getting some stripers at the Shrewsbury Rocks.
As I cleared Manasquan Inlet at 6 am there was a giant school of bunker on the surface but I blew it off and headed east. However, as I got away from shore, it was a little breezier than I expected so I changed my mind and went 17 miles north to the rocks.
Got there to find a dozen kayakers who weren't reeling anything in. Then some small bluefish started popping up everywhere. Caught a few as I tried to get a jig below them for a possible bass. No luck on stripers at all. Went farther north to the fleet off of Highlands. Nothing but porgies (scup) and I didn't want to waste a day on them.
Saw a half dozen party boats anchored a couple miles to the east so I went out to check em out. Turned out they were anchored and jigging blues. It was quite breezy out there and I was glad I didn't make the long run east. I bailed on that and went back to the rocks, anchored and caught one keeper sea bass before noon.
The wind died so I said F'it and ran out 18 miles to the Mudhole where I found 5 party boats jigging blues. I tried my clam baits on numerous wrecks and rock piles. Just feeding very hungry bergalls and getting angry. The only brite moment was a 13" winter flounder in 150' of water...which I had to throw back! Couldn't even find one ling!
Stuck out for a while then headed 17 miles back towards Manasquan, stopping 5 miles short at Sea Girt reef to use up some more clam. Finally found some sea bass that were hungry. Managed 6 keepers out of the lot.
Tied up at 5 pm. One long-*** triangle boat ride with little to show...I should have snagged a bunker at 6 am and worked it hard.
I know "The Rocks" are a great spot for stripers, fluke, sea bass and Tog but every year I run up there a couple times and get skunked. Never had a good trip there
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