Hosted Mike (fishpro28), Joe (torchee), Russ (Russh) and John (semperfly) on the NetKeeper for our annual Turkey Day Open Boat Trip. Headed South on a nearly flat & calm ocean to our first Tog drop bypassing lots of life on top along the way. First drop was no good, a short and doggies.
Moved to the next drop and on the way crossed paths with birdlife resembling a scene out of the Hitchcock's movie with Bass marked stacked 20 feet off the bottom and fish rolling on top. Stopped the boat and the guys threw an assortment of deadly dicks, small AVA's (naked, green & black tubes) and Sluggos at the Stripers and proceeded to boat a six man limit of Stripers within 30 minutes. There were minimal bluefish mixed in and all but one went back. The bass were so aggressive we had a few hit our dead sticks while Dom and I were netting bass.
After getting our fill of bass, went back to togging. Had no prevailing current or wind where we were which made staying anchored on the piece difficult. It gave up 5 keepers including John's 10lb (24 1/2") tog and Mike's 5&6lb fish. Constrained by time, we hauled anchor by noon and headed for home.
Today was a gift day as far as the weather was concerned. It was too bad that Thanksgiving was not tomorrow and that we couldn't have stayed out longer. At least we can be thankful that we were able to get out and fish today in good NJ Fishing Board company.
I was glad to be a part of a few firsts on the NetKeeper today:
1) Russ had both his first keeper bass and striper limit today
2) John with his Personal Best Tog at just over 10lbs on the Berkely digital scale
