OCTOBER    

.......So tell me........or write to me, How many did you tally before the fall run?..    Drop me a line and give some of the details.  You will see some great sagas that were sent to me. I love other peoples adventures. This sept has been spectacular.....I have tallied more huge stripers this sept.....than any sept in memory.  It makes me feel good to see such great fish....in such numbers.Br sure to try and release the big ones ,if you can! the other day it took me alongggg time to revive a 40" cow. But when she swam off it made me feel as if i was sharing alll this beauty..........and not trying to rule it.  Even with all these big fish,its still is THE FISHING.....that i like.....not just THE FISH.....and so

    WHITE NIGHT

     One of the pre-dawn duties of the sun, when you live on the ocean, is to wake you up ..before it rises over the water!   My brain hears its call every morn and I wake with a robotic nature to go see the event.......with rod in hand of course!  It would be like leaving one of my arms home.....it always comes along. The  weather was  predicted to be cloudy, and it was.  Being  an organized kind of guy. which is a very good trait in this sport, my gear was all ready for grabbing and going.  I always figured....why tie knots and swivels and blah blah blah , when the guy next to you is already fishing, in the prime time too! So I am a "carry and cast" kind of surf caster.  Because of my proximity to the ocean/fishing grounds,  I usually determine how im gonna dress and so on, by simply opening the front door and looking at the ocean and feeling its morning breath.  Its breath felt oddly warm today......since it had been quite chilly lately and the water had not been warming very well.  I like being comfortable  when im out there.  The waders seemed to be a bit heavy for this air....but the rocky beach called for them...I wore them.

     I began the wader waddle over to my spot and the orange ness of the moment was pasteled by the cloudy skies.  It was like walking into a peach!  Open ocean has always amazed me by its moods.  The very ocean that 2 days ago was too rough to fish in ...was now like a pond in the morning...with rising steam and all.PEACH SKY'S

  I faintly noticed some birds doing some sort of diving, but many times I swear my mind makes me see that.  Every surfcaster has that happen.  The last remains of night had been chased out by the peach sky's....I scanned the panorama for striper clues. 

    Barely a whisper of a south wind moved my hair.  But it was enough to push a rolling bank of fog down the beach .....and right towards me. It was fun watching it....So very dense and soft at the same time.  I Laughed, picturing the Pillsbury dough boy rolling down Humarock beach....But that's how it looked,UNTIL IT REACHED ME!...At that point all I thought of was the sky on 9/11.......so thick with smoke and clouds that the day became night.........WHITE NIGHT!  I had never ,ever, been in a fog this thick..not inland....up on mountain....out in a boat..no where...not this thick!!! Everything became everything..... and none of it was different!  I simply stood still, and thought about it..........its my nature to do that.

   South winds often bring warm, moist air into a region, possibly ending a cold outbreak. As the warm, moist air flows over much water, dense fog often forms. Warm, moist air is cooled from below as it flows over a colder surface. If the air is near saturation, moisture will condense out of the cooled air and form fog. Which was exactly the case here and with the  light winds, the fog near the beach and water became thick and reduced visibilities to zero. This is called advection fog
     The thickest advection fog usually forms during nights or early mornings, with light winds. The reason for this is that humid air near the ground isn't mixed with drier air above. Usually, the fog burns off during the day, but it can last for many days if it is thick enough to block out the sun's light. The upcoming event with the fog is what gave us those peach skies .  "Advection" refers to horizontal air movements, such as those that bring warm, moist air into a region. Advection fog is very common during winter warm ups and early spring thaws and can occur almost anywhere . this is the dense fog that can wreak havoc on commuters and travelers and often causes major delays at airports. IT was only wreaking havoc with my eyes this morning.  It was literally like WHITE NIGHT.  I fish at night and know my  range of  vision under scant light conditions.  At this point in this advection fog .....my limitations were as severe as in the black of night......WHITE NIGHT!

     I know any outdoors man realizes that when one or more senses are impaired...the others seem to become enhanced.  Well I sure as hell couldn't see a thing. so maybe a sip of coffee would taste extraaaa good!  The truth was that while I composed my old science lessons on fog ....that I began to HEAR chop in the water. Noise...splashing....movement...I began to hear , birds!  I did not need to hear any more.  I knew what I heard.  I'm a surf caster.  I reached for my plug bag.

     Normally I wouldn't use a surface plug unless it were light out.......but I guess it was light out ...in a way!  It was so foggy...........I had to bend way over to find where I put the bag...that's no kidden!  I found myself holding the snap swivel right up next to my eyes. as if it were dark out.  Simply an surreal event.  I had to listen for more splashing cuz I couldn't see it.  I could hear birds but no splashing. 

    Staring at the ground sand so I would know when I hit the waters edge...I crept up to knee depth and let a 10 ft stick do its job.  I heard the plug splash....but no other ones.  Poppers are fun to work. They seem to be a really popular one with new timers because the action is simple and varied is good. so even if the angler cant cup the water with every tug , for his splash.......its ok ..cuz it just adds to the distressed look of the plug.  I also had a bait rod out and I kept glancing over at it......hoping to detect any action in this pea soup. 

     There was know doubt in my mind that if I persisted in this white night. and kept casting. I would lure the school to me and the fun would begin.  Maybe some doubt is good at times....they never struck the plug. .....But once again...senses were enhanced by the void the fog left on my vision.  I heard the van stall whining from the waters edge just before my umpteenth cast.

     I like to strike bluefish very quickly.  Their fearless feeding tactics will cause them to ingest every thing if left to run with it.  This bluefish's intention was to visit Scotland...cuz it was swimming in that direction......quickly.  No need to set the hook....just hold on.......ol chopper was well pierced.  He ran and jumped and splashed. well it sounded that way because I still could not see a dam thing in this fog. 

   Fifteen minutes later.....I could definitely hear him splashing in the foam.....just to my left.  When I got to the point where I could finally see this bull. and it was a bull!!!....I had to pull a tad harder to drag him onto the sand in these wave less conditions.  He had swallowed the spiked rods bait...that extra pull allowed HIM a good hard bite on the 50 lb mono leader..and he was gone! 

   No more birds.......no more casts........no more noise....just the soft southerly breath of morning......keeping the white night in place for the time being.  It was as if it was the fish and I and no one will ever know we met.............until now.!!

    FIND FOG AND FROLICALLY FISH ,.WHITE NIGHT....Striper Mike

Foggy Fun


 

Hi Striper Mike

I love the great pictures and excitement my son gets from your site.  I thought I might send you my favorite bluefish recipe  and maybe you would use it.  I have always had fun with this , the marinade seems to make the bluefish lose its undue reputation.  sincerely, Dorothy

PIQUANTE BLUEFISH

1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil...2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice...1 tablespoon of chopped chives...2 teaspoons of drained capers...1.5 teaspoons of finely chopped rosemary...black pepper,to taste...1/4 teaspoon sugar...pinch of salt...2 bluefish fillets...1/4 cup cracker crumbs...11/4 cups of salsa piquante.

1.  In a small bowl, stir together the 1 teaspoon olive oil, lemon juice, chives, capers rosemary, pepper sugar salt.  Spoon this mix over both sides of the fillets. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

2.  Pre heat oven to 450

3.  In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Coat the fillets with the cracker crumbs, and saute them in oil just until lightly golden, one minute per side.  Then spoon 2 tablespoon of salsa over each fillet, and transfer the skillet to the oven.  Bake until the fish is sizzling and cooked through, 10 min.  Serve immediately, with the remaining salsa on the side.

Marinating Fish Hints

Allowing fish to stand for a short time (no more than an hour) in an appropriate marinade is a subtle way to add flavor.  Centuries ago, the original marinade was sea water, used as a preservative.  Today, flavorful oil with an acid such as lemon or lime juice is used.  Or, a mixture of sesame oil, soy sauce and ginger.

I WONDER WHERE THIS KID IS NOW?

HI MIKE

I was just wondering what rig you use when u fish, the high-low, the fish finder, or
 one of your own. I was also wondering what you do with the stripers you catch that are under the legal limit to keep but are practically dead because they are gut hooked. Do you keep them cause there dead or throw them back and let them float around upside down.  And what's a good way to set the hook so they don't gut hook themselves. Sorry for asking so many questions at once but one question just lead to another.

 thanks for any
 help you can give me. TIM
 
Hi Tim.............I use varied rigs depending on the conditions....but a safe bet is  a fish finder rig.........if a striper is gut hooked....I cut the line and give him the hook......obviously. removing it will assure its death....if you get caught with an under sized striper.........you will learn a harshhhhh lesson.  Also....use circle hooks........Even if they take it ,it usually hooks them in the side of the mouth. And  don't worry...the hook ratio is the same.........Good Luck Mike

> Hi Mike
>
> Enjoy your articles. Got a question about conventional bait casting
> surf reels. I've traditionally been a spinning rod buff for plugs
> and bait. As you can see from the attached picture I also fly fish and
> prefer it to all other methods for stripers. But I'm also an
> opportunist and believe you have to be in this game. That's why I want
> to step up to a conventional outfit for heaving bait and large plugs.
> But I'm confused. I'm looking at Daiwa SLOSH reels which are true free
> spool reels and are known for their distance casting. Its an advantage
> to allow a striper to pick up the bait and run before throwing the
> clutch to set the hook. With a spinning reel I set the drag very
> light, then crank down on the drag once I have a fish hooked. Is it
> the same deal on a bait caster. Do you set the drag light when the rod
> is spiked, then crank down once you've hooked a fish? Some reels I'm
> aware of have levers that control settings for free spool, bait
> running and fighting drag. Its not like I'm a totally inexperienced
> bait caster as I have a lot of hours with fresh water outfits
>
> Final question. For plug fishing with conventional tackle from jetties
> or surf, what's my best rod and reel combination? action? weight
> rating? length? make?
>
> For bait fishing, What bait casting combo will get my greatest
> distance for the money? Yes, price is a consideration. Don't need a
> Cadillac, just something reliable.
>
> Thanks in advance
> Bill
> AKA: Doctor Striper

wow..................ok...........thanks for the compliments........well....here goes........I use an ambassador 7500.....and a 10 ft custom composition rod...........just an ugly stick blank......I do NOT let stripers run with the bait.......many do...I feel more times than not they will drop the bait from hook detection......and those hook ups from idle rods sitting in the holder are exceptions not typical.......that also gut hooks those that are bait greedy. and I practice catch and release......if I am seriously fishing a tide....I hold the rod.............and simply lower the tip if I feel any action.....if he is still there after dipping the tip...I strike the fish...I have told many people about being careful  of the SOFT BITE............especially with experienced cows............while holding it I have the drag set to fight the fish........palm the pool on the strike and try not to mess with the drag........specially with big ones..... also..........distance is NOT always the key to surfcasting.........7500 ambassador about 150$.........good rod....100.............there is NO perfect.....rod for plug and bait.......but a 10 foot would be close.........please practice catch and release........good luck..........mike
>

                        

PLEASE NOTE THE AGE OF THE BIG ONES, THEY ARE THE PROVEN BREEDERS, LET THEM GO.

FALL STRIPER....RELEASED


>
>  Hi, thanks for telling me about the site, its pretty cool. Anyways, it
>  was 2 years ago, at one of
> my favorite spots in Mattapoisett. The sunsets are beautiful, its
> quiet, and there's never more than two people fishing with you. My
> friends, Amy and Wayne were visiting from Vermont, Wayne had never
> seen a striper, so I told him it's time. We headed down for post
> sunset fishing, it was a nice fall night, but it was a little chilly,
> even for a fall night. I was getting really discouraged when nothing
> seemed to be hitting, Wayne was pretty bummed out too. It was getting
> colder also. Hats and gloves were necessary, I think it was about 40
> degrees out. It was getting close to midnight, but I didn't want to
> give up yet, I couldn't, Wayne needed to catch his first striper. Sure
> enough, right when we least expected it, BANG!!! I could tell from the
> way the line was buzzing that it was a keeper for sure. I handed the
> pole to Wayne, and he fought away. Usually, the stripers there don't
> get too big, its kind of in on a bay, not real exposed. He kept on
> reeling in, not too long, but a good fight for the usual Mattapoisett
> striper. I went down to the edge of the water to bring it in, staring
> into the darkness...I couldn't wait to see. There it was, such a
> beautiful fish, I could see it, and I was a little surprised at its
> size, I usually only see one keeper size out of that place a year,
> which is ok with me, because I don't really eat fish anyways, I just
> have a lifetime love of fishing. So here it comes, I can see it in
> about 3 to 4 feet of water, come here you gorgeous fish! I'm watching
> it so closely, it saw me standing there and I believe it changed its
> mind because I saw its lips open up in astonishment, and the hook came
> out of its mouth. I couldn't stand to see it happen, Wayne's first
> striper....gone! Not so fast, buddy! Before I knew it, I jumped into
> the cold, October ocean...boots, coat, hat, and gloves...I got him!
> Here I am, in the middle of the night, in the ocean, bringing in
> Wayne's fish! We didn't have a scale, so I wasn't able to record the
> weight, but it was about 40 inches. Not the biggest, but Wayne was
> extraordinarily happy. I was too until the cold ocean water began
> biting into my skin. I made Wayne give it a big kiss on the lips, and
> we let it go.
>  How many 28 year old women do you know that would do that?!

Let me tell you my dear..that story is getting put in SOME GOOD CATCHES section...if you are in the mass area  I would love to meet you after that tale............it was great..Striper Mike.........and nice release!!!!

.

This nice one took a gulp before my Gibbs bit her

....that a common problem many surf casters have when using a plug or lure when fishing for bluefish and especially stripers, is that they attempt to set the hook too soon.  Let the striper bite down on it before you lean back....I t first inhales it with alotttt of water..expells the water. and then bites down. Granted, this is only a sec or two...but your instantaneous yank can pull the plug free instead of burying the trebles.....Remember don't ever set a hook. bait or plug. unless the line is taunt.  Tight lines up your odds for a hook up................immensly.!

Nothing is more of a pain when a fish takes your bait , then  to have it swim toward shore after the take.  What do you do.....hope she swallows it before detecting the hook...??......That will cost you a hook up!.......Do not typically strike the fish as you would when it flees away from you or to the side. Instead.....reel quickly and set the hook with sweeping side strokes......you may get a piece of the side of his mouth.  I am aggressive with bites....I don't waste them with ...."I hope he swallows it"......Please practice catch and release.........Striper Mike

.....I remember this take like it was yesterday........right to the beach.........Great fish!!!!......Pictures hold the time for you ..forever!

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Remembering August

Walking in pace with waves in gracious momentum, a dancer's perpetual spiral smoothly unfurls across the ocean stage.

                  Susan   9/23/03