As Good as It Gets
 

Striper fishing was off the charts out of Rudee Inlet on Tuesday. We had to run way south and put a total of 180 miles looking and then following the school. They have finally come in closer to shore. We found 48 to 49 degree water. We could see 30 to 50 pound fish pushing a wake on top in calm water. They would chase the 10" bunker to the surface and patrol in "rat packs". It was a sight to see. Mike and I were doubled up most of the time for five hours. Our biggest fish was Mike's 45 pounder. My largest was longer but not as fat and 42 pounds. All fish caught and released with light tackle. They will be in the bay soon. Some are most likely here now.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...dbill99/md.gif

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...ll99/bs2-1.gif

Awesome report! My bet is we have about 2 weeks and we will find them in the open waters of the bay around bay bridge!

Thanks for the inspiring report Bill. Beautiful fish and 180 miles....WOW!

Yes, Paul that was extreme; but after not finding anything the two previous days, it called for extreme. Thank goodness for four strokes. Mikes new F250 pushed his 23 Seacraft at 35 MPH in calm water at just about 3 MPG. We could have gone again on Wed, but did not want to push our luck with the weather going that far. There are practically no boats fishing down their right now. Lonely is a good thing until something happens. Sometimes it is best to just be thankful for what you had.

Wild Bill; when you say you didn't find anything the previous two days; is that because they are still schooled up WAY farther south? Does that mean they have a lot further to come until they hit the Cheaspeake, and thus be a week or two behind schedule? 5th (Marty)

Marty-

I personally know about two huge schools of fish down there, one way out and one in close, but way south. The out school was reported to be 10 miles long. The school we were in was at least three miles long. Hopefully there are more schools. It is hard to know but I suspect that some fish scooted though the bridge with the full moon during those bad weather days when no one was out. I would not say they will be behind schedule. They can move 30 miles per day or night if they want. If I were a pre-season troller, I would try it soon.

Great report Bill.

Water looks calm and the sun is shining.

Must have been a great day fishing.

Thanks for report Bill. That big school must have been a sight to see.

Yes, Tim that is what keeps us doing all we have to do to find great fishing. This trip was a bit extreme with 134 miles the first day, 175 the second and 180 the third. We did our part to keep OPEC happy.

Thanks for the info Bill. It looks like my wife's "honey do" list is going to go undone again this spring. I'm ready for some pullage:).
5th (Marty)

Bill, I think we should gone striper fishing last weekend. I heard from a friend that there were birds right off the beach in VB. With the west wind it may not have been too bad. I still need that jigged BFT, however.:mad:

Hey Jack-

Chuck and Big Fish Bob are headed down today to check the CBBT and then the ocean. Hope they run into some good ones.

When we were down there was a huge flock of gannets at False Cape diving on bait with no stripers. I have seen that before in that area. Seeing gannets from the beach may or may not mean stripers.

You hit Hatteras on what we call a transition day after a blow. Even though it was still rough, boats could go out. That is the same thing we had our first day down. It had blown up to 50 Mph on the days before we got there. The bait and fish were scattered and we could not find them until two days later, when we had all you could want.

You may want to try Cape Cod Bay this summer for BFT. They get close to shore and you can do it in your own boat when the timing it right.

That is the most frustrating thing. I've had it many times off chinco, bazillions of gannets...not a single rock...all bait.

Bill, We booked a charter up there last year and were cancelled three times. The capt never returned my deposit, so hopefully he still honors it and we can go. If not, as you say, we'll do it ourselves.

Always look foward to reading your posts, Bill. Keep them coming.

-JB

Just saw this. thanks for the rpts Bill.

glad that you salvaged a great day out of the trip.
wtg.
:D
ps - rips are slow and small.:(

Thanks Ron-

I heard that indirectly from your outings. The rips should turn on again. I have not been for several years. It is a pretty long tow for me with how spotty it can be. If I had a boat there like you do, I would check it most every day.