27 Jan 07/Less Ordinary Stripers

 

The weather forecast was iffy with 20 knot SW winds but we needed some pullage. Got together a crew of myself, Lanie, Dr. Ike, and Steve. This time the forecast was on target, strong SW winds up to 20 knots from the start so we hugged ocean view and stayed close to shore all the way to about a mile or so north of the VA/NC line. The bait and fish were about 2 miles offshore so things got a bit bumpy and rolly but manageable.
Once we got lines in at 10:30 it didn’t take long to start catching. I think we got there at the right time which Ike says is the last 2 hours of the current (this was outgoing). We had our limit of 8 by 12:15 so we caught and released for another 2 hours catching up to 2 dozen quality fish.
Here is our video report: Less Ordinary Stripers.  (Video Link is currently not available, please check back)

Shelby (Ike and Kathy’s daughter) picked out the song for this trip.

The bait was thick and scattered over a wide area in about 35 to 40 feet of water. Water temp was 49.5 at mid day. Here is a typical screen shot of the bait.

Bait Ball

Bait Ball

 

The striper were spitting out small menhaden (bunker).

The striper were spitting out small menhaden (bunker).

The first fish was mine (I just happen to be closest to the rod that went off). It was a hog at 45 inches. Doc said I should release it for citation but fresh striper tastes better than paper so in the box she went. She weighed 37 1/2 lbs at the scales.

Mike's Big Hog

Mike's Big Hog

Very nice class of fish caught the rest of the day with another double and the rest picking at singles. Most of our hits came on the chartreuse umbrella but also caught fish on chartreuse parachute and mojo on bottom as well as a white bunker spoon and red/white stretch. I think it’s important to cover the water column with various lures and this is what we tried to do.

Lanie's Striper

Lanie's Striper

Steve

Steve

Doc Ike

Doc Ike

At the Rudee Inlet Station Marina you can’t dump the carcass in the water but you can the skins. The pelicans were lined up competing for the skins that they swallowed whole.

pelican striper

pelican swallow

Doc Ike, Mike, Lanie and Steve

Doc Ike, Mike, Lanie and Steve

Great day on the water.  Until next time.
 
Mike and Lanie

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