| Sept 29, 2008 |
Another early fall carbon copy week of big stripers early morning and cookie cutters throughout most of day. The bluefish were spotty this past week as the huge pod of small baitfish mysteriously disappeared. Water temps have dropped a bit more, down to 58 degrees. Still no sign of peanut bunker or spike macks……let’s hope the baitfish return soon. The best action has been a “first bite at first light” for the big cows. Steve P and the shore crowd had a “reel” solid week of big stripers. They accounted for maybe a dozen fish over 40 inches. Robbie R had the fortune and misfortune of hooking, battling and finally dropping a striper that was estimated to be larger than 50 inches. The big cow had over 100 yds of line out when it made a sharp turn shoreward and got the line into the reef and cut him off. Many of us have experienced something similar……next time will be better! The boat action was also very good for us this past week. The first light bite accounted for more than a half dozen fish up to 40 inches and several other smaller keeper sized fish. We also enjoyed several good late mornings hooking several dozen 22 to 26 inch fish on flies and white slug-go’s. So far, the fall pattern has not fully taken shape. We are not seeing any real blitzes or massing of stripers as yet. Most of the stripers are still orienting along the shore structure much like they do all summer. So until the bait moves in, continue to fish the structure and fish early for the biggest fish. I do expect the baitfish to arrive; maybe this week.
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