Pacemaker Fishing Forum

I was out today and kept marking huge fish suspended around Fort Washington. I thought they might be stripers, but after a bunch of 30-40lb cats I figured the suspended fish just weren't eating.

The bite slowed down, so I headed down to an area near Mt. Vernon that I have graphed and fished a lot over the past year. Sure enough, same thing but closer to the bottom near some significant structure.  I got set up and hooked into a 33lb striper. Great fight, but it took her a while to recover. Initially, I released her and she floated back up. I had to pull all my lines and anchor up so I could go net her back up and give her some love. After 15 minutes of intensive care, I let her go again and wished her the best. I don't know what was wrong. The fish came out of 25 feet so air shouldn't have been a problem and the fight didn't last long enough to stress her to death. ???

If you caught a striper out of season and it died, would you eat it? I was trying to figure out if it made more sense to keep it instead of letting it float away. I know the regs, but I don't waste fish or game that I kill.

Pics in a bit. And Ernie, I know you want to know where my spot is. I'll have to show you sometime.