Trolled two stripers near Shrewsbury Rocks area

bgreene · #1 10-10-2011, 05:35 AM

Fished yesterday, Sunday headed north from Shark River Inlet at 6am.....

Two keepers at 29" and 31" plus two big blues before switching to bottom fishing and picked 4 nice size porgies.

Great weather.

SkunkBoat · #2 10-10-2011, 10:21 PM

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

bgreene · #3 10-11-2011, 04:26 AM

Thanks for your report. I also had to work hard to get fish - setting up the two wire rigs to troll the shad umbrellas. Felt real lucky to get those two keeper bass....four hrs of trolling.
Both big blues hit at the same time too but that was it. Didn't see any other caught at the Rocks.

Good to hear there were bunker off Manesquan - might want to consider snagging a few any time you see em' for bait..........just in case you need it later.

Were the party boats jigging getting blue fish ?

The fishing should pick up soon.

SkunkBoat · #4 10-11-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgreene

Were the party boats jigging getting blue fish ?

yes, and out in the MudHole they were bigger, 8 to 12 lbs maybe

bgreene · #5 10-11-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

yes, and out in the MudHole they were bigger, 8 to 12 lbs maybe

Feel free to call me on my cell 609-790-6226 to swap any fishing recon.
Or.....if we both go the same day, we can call to confirm if we find a good bite on.

I've fished the north end of the mud a bunch of times- even caught a lobster by accident up there !!

step up here · #6 10-12-2011, 11:30 AM

sea bass is closed until November first. sometimes its easy to forget what the regs are! i also launch out of Belmar.

bgreene · #7 10-13-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by step up here

sea bass is closed until November first. sometimes its easy to forget what the regs are! i also launch out of Belmar.

Belmar - home of one of the most dangerous beat up ramps.........the one next to Fisherman's Den Municipal, State ramp. I heard they're going to start improvement work on it soon........been hearing that for a long time.

The other ramp I use is behind the Restaurants over the bridge. Get the pass from Mac's Bait and Tackle. Now that's a nice little ramp.

SkunkBoat · #8 10-14-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by step up here

sea bass is closed until November first. sometimes its easy to forget what the regs are!

Crap! You had me in a panic but turns out last Sunday the 9th was still open....closed the 11th!

So I guess this weekend its No Fluke, No Seabass, one Tog.....time to search for stripers...

bgreene · #9 10-18-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

Crap! You had me in a panic but turns out last Sunday the 9th was still open....closed the 11th!

So I guess this weekend its No Fluke, No Seabass, one Tog.....time to search for stripers...

We plan to be out on the V21 this weekend - Sat or Sunday. Doing my usual recon before the trip to get some intell on fish location. Fishing for stripers, sure why not.