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Scheduled a 4 hour outing with Captain Dennis Fleming for March 30. The weather forecast was iffy, but Ernie assured me that Dennis wouldn't go if it wasn't safe. While driving to the marina yesterday, it was raining...then snowing pretty hard...then sleeting and the wind was blowing at about 15mph. Needless to say, I was worried that the trip was going to be a disaster. Wow...was I wrong.
Departed the marina at about 6:30 a.m. and took a short run to the area near Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant. By the time we got there, the precipitation had mostly stopped (except for one more stint of large snowflakes); and although it was only 37 degrees, we were dressed warm enough that the cold breeze didn't bother us. Since my two partners for the day (my son Jeff and my friend Roney), hadn't done Light Tackle Jigging ala Captain Dennis, he did the first cast to demonstrate the proper jigging technique to use. About 5 seconds later, he strikes and immediately handed the rod off to my son. As Dennis yelled "that's a huge fish", my son began the retrieve which lasted about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, that's when the fish came unbuttoned. Dennis estimated the fish at 30+ lbs so we were disappointed to say the least.
So we all quickly cast out, and within a few minutes, I landed my first fish of the day.
After that, it was non-stop fishing and catching for 4 hours. Here are some of the pictures from the day:
Jeff's first fish he boated
Soon thereafter, Roney landed a huge fish that had a tag on it. When he calls in the tag number, I'll share the info back with you
Jeff's biggest one
Another one of mine
Roney strikes again
Father and son on the last drift of the day, certainly happy that we decided to take the trip
Many more pics, but I think you get the message. We each caught about 25-35 fish, and most of them were over 20". The largest fish came in at 38". One guy on Walleye Pete's boat, which was near to us most of the morning, boated a 47.5" monster.
Overall, a great day fishing with a great Captain. If you get a chance to take this trip in future years, I highly recommend you go out with Captain Dennis. He is not only skilled at putting you on the fish, but his instructive counsel is very helpful in this unique method of catching monsters on light tackle.
Bruce
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Outstanding Bruce......so glad that you guys had a great day!! It is not a guaranteed.....but bad weather does make it for better fishing and keeps others away!
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I forgot to ask...how are your arms feeling today?
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Ernie,
Arms are great, but my right wrist is killing me...
Bruce
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Nice fish!!!
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Wow...I have to go on a trip with Capt Dennis next trophy season!!!
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Friday and Monday were really good....but Saturday and Sunday were not as good. Smaller and fewer fish.
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I wonder if the difference was weather and traffic related. Weather was uglier on Friday and Monday, and I've always heard that stripers bite best in poor weather with low light conditions. Also, boat traffic was heavier on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, we only had about 5 other boats fishing the outflow plume so the fish weren't too disrupted. But until we learn to speak striper language, I guess we'll never know for sure.
Bruce
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Boat traffic probably does make a difference....especially those that keep their motors running.
This is a unique fishery. I caught my big one 2 years ago when there were many boats, sunny skies and calm seas...at noon.
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Awesome stuff! I hope some of those fish head up the bay by this weekend.
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Bryan, if that water warms up a bit....they will be on the go!
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That's a damn good day! I'll hopefully be out there soon.
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