Trolling - Channel TPL Area - 12/7

[drichitt]

Weatherman promised 5 kt winds and we got 15kt; felt like a cork out there today bobbing and weaving. But not to be deterred, we were able to hang in there and pick up 5 fish, 32 to 40 inches. Had TFer McKee Craft Rockfish (Dan) and his buddy Jeff with me today; they had to drive 2 hours down from PA. Dan reeled in the 40" fish and it was his personal best. We already had our limit in the box, so I was happy to see the big girl released. Only the boards caught fish today, from 50' to 150' back. First place I saw some good marks was just off TPL out in the channel. Picked up a couple right off and then had some unwanted company (other boats). Continued further south down the channel toward BPL area, but marks started getting worse. I decided to again go against the grain, leave the good company that had accumulated, and headed back north where no one was. All the good marks off TPL, on the western side of the channel, were all gone. Figured it was time to look on the other side and out deep. Paid off! Each of next 3 passes across the channel netted a fish and then current went slack. Started a slow troll north, back to ramp, looking for a few stragglers and then called it a day. Will be out again tomorrow, but with Mlag...Don

P.S. Plenty of marks still in the channel and widely scattered pods of bait (with rock feeding) as high as 15'-20' down. When running back up the channel, I was happy to see many good marks just below the bridge near 91 & 92 markers. Temps 47 at start and finished at 48. They won't be here much longer.