Up at 3:30 this AM. Quick run to the drive thru At Dunky D's for a coffee and I'm on my way. At the rip at 4:45 for the last hour of the outgoing. Water temp at 71.5 which to me is fairly cool for the beginning of August!
A slug of big fish moved in last week and I was ready. Not much marked until I hit the boulder piles. Huge marks on the FF. Even though I've done this probably thousands of times I still get psyched!
Slope Head Swimmer goes out on 200' of wire and gets clobbered almost as soon as I get it in the rod in the holder. This plug is absolutely amazing!
Big, big fish and very strong fighter, long deep pulls. Still fairly dark but can just make out the size next to the boat. Netted and unhooked quickly, looked to be about 45lbs.
The next 2 1/2 hrs was almost as good with a total of 6 bass from around 30 to 45lbs. Lots of weed which makes it tough but still manageable. Unfortunately it does take away from prime fishing time.
All fish released but for one. Even though it wasn't the biggest it was one tuff SOB. She didn't want to come in. Even when I got her close to the boat she was staying deep. Throttled the boat a bit to get her up to the top. She pretty much had it and couldn't get her to pop for the release.
Its on tonight's menu.
Been cooking it a different way and it comes out great. I make a sauce with butter, garlic, white wine and shallots. Reduce about 1/2 way and put aside. Add some veg oil to the hot fry pan and sear fish about 3 min on each side till golden brown.
Add the sauce to the fry pan and then into the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Some corn on the cob and a fresh tomato and basil salad, its really, really good.
Getting hungry just thinkin g about it.
Time to run out and get some corn.
All have a great evening, .. Lou
Awesome report. Lou. I wish we had stripers that big out here. The biggest I've caught to date is 22 lbs. That was on light tackle (rod 10-17 with 30lb braid, 20lb mono leader), and boy was that fun! I love a good fight, which is why I Love sturgeon fishing ( the biggest we have in the Delta).
Very nice fish!
Lou I just landed in Newark I'm coming for dinner. Great report! This cab sucks. Worse ride than going out of Oregon inlet
Sweet stuff, Lou! There's nothing better than taking on big bass all by yourself while the sun is rising.
Nice fish, enjoy that meal
Dom
Dom, I was looking at the Freedom Tower when I was landing, and thinking about the story you told me about 911. God bless them.
Wow Lou. What a Pig! :o
Now I know why you call yourself striper Lou. You the striper man. :D :D Dominick
And it looks even better if you click on the pic!
Great report.
great as always.
Lou, whats your go to reel and rod for the stripers like the one on the picture?
Awesome. I have only fished in Florida, Bahamas, the Caribbean and Baja California. I would love to put a giant Striper on my list before I croak. I have never even eaten one. A must do on my list, after going Elk hunting.
Nice slug Lou!
I will try the recipe on my next West Coast baby striper😎
The go too reels are 113h with a bit of work on them. 3 of them have wire line and 1 has leadcore. 2 rods are 7' Star w/ carbide. The bunker spoon rod is and 8 1/2 footer, don't remember the #. The leadcore rod is a modified 7 1/2 ft Ugly stick used for tube n worm.
The 2 wire rods are used for plugging, bucktailing, and umbrella rigs and the 8 1/2 footer for bunker spoons.
Nice fish Lou.
very nice fish
I hope you have pictures Joe. It would be Great to see you and the misses in action. ;)