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Post by saltydawg44 on Nov 17, 2023 12:18:13 GMT -5
My preferred way of fishing has always been trolling. But this year every species here has either migrated south, or those that remain have had their season closed. In early November I normally would be fishing for Gag Grouper here around our shallow rockpiles. But instead decided to go elsewhere this year. So I loaded everything up and headed out of Florida. I followed the fall northern baitfish migration for a bit over 50 miles, and the Striped Bass were feeding on them the whole way. I froze my ass off, but it was well worth it. Filleting fish when it's windy and in the low 30's isn't for us old guys.
Trolling with large spoons, heavy parachute jigs with 10" paddle tails, and deep diving plugs were all productive.
My best was 42" and probably between 30 and 35 pounds.
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Post by quad32x on Nov 17, 2023 12:32:28 GMT -5
Nice catch !
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Post by stc1993 on Nov 19, 2023 15:01:00 GMT -5
Looks like you know how to catch them.
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Post by tankered on Nov 20, 2023 9:57:50 GMT -5
Where were you?
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Post by saltydawg44 on Nov 20, 2023 20:50:33 GMT -5
In New Jersey. Fished from Sandy Hook down to Barnegat light. Everything was between 100 and 300 yards off the beach following the massive bait schools.
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capt louie
Junior Member
"You'll get your weather"
Posts: 61
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Post by capt louie on Nov 21, 2023 8:08:58 GMT -5
Nice catchin' Pete
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Post by tankered on Nov 21, 2023 9:09:58 GMT -5
In New Jersey. Fished from Sandy Hook down to Barnegat light. Everything was between 100 and 300 yards off the beach following the massive bait schools.
Cool. I took a tuna trip years ago on the Miss Barnegat Light, caught an 80lb YFT. Not sure if that boat still runs out of there.
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Post by saltydawg44 on Dec 6, 2023 12:15:42 GMT -5
Cool. I took a tuna trip years ago on the Miss Barnegat Light, caught an 80lb YFT. Not sure if that boat still runs out of there. The Miss Barnegat Light is still there and in operation, and still owned and operated by the Larson family, who also own the marina. It is the last head boat left. The rest have been killed off by a combination of rising fuel and insurance costs, and the very limited open seasons and catch limits.
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Post by tankered on Dec 6, 2023 12:35:40 GMT -5
Yep. Recreational offshore fishing is being eliminated by a combination of many factors.
All by design.
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Post by Alex from GA on Dec 13, 2023 17:20:08 GMT -5
I know a couple of people in CA that sold their boats due to the same things, high fuel costs, shorter limits and closed areas. They now go bass or trout fishing. Good going Pete.
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Post by saltydawg44 on Dec 14, 2023 14:38:37 GMT -5
I know a couple of people in CA that sold their boats due to the same things, high fuel costs, shorter limits and closed areas. They now go bass or trout fishing. Good going Pete. Thanks Alex. I probably release 90% of what I catch even during open seasons because one Grouper makes 4 or 5 meals for my wife and I. So I fish for enjoyment and release everything out of season. Right now is the best time of the year for shallow water Grouper. I'll turn 80 before the season reopens, so I don't have time to sit home and wait. I don't post the results due to a lot of remarks from meat fishermen. I've changed all of my plugs over to inline single hooks to do less damage to the fish, and make the release fast, safer, and easy.
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Post by tankered on Dec 14, 2023 15:19:41 GMT -5
Yea a big thrashing fish with trebles hanging out is a recipe for disaster.
I don't even use them on my stinger rigs, singles work just fine.
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Post by Mango Man on Jan 22, 2024 16:47:15 GMT -5
Thanks Salty, brings back memories from long ago. Love to fish there again.
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ocala
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by ocala on Feb 11, 2024 11:54:52 GMT -5
Been meaning to change all my hooks to in line single. Just gotta do it I guess.
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