10/1 Sandy Hook Bay Bassin

[Irish Jigger]

Headed out with pops this evening at 530 and found life right away on the east side of the bay. Bass and blues blowing up on spearing. Had 6 bass on the white shads up to 24" and as many cocktail blues as you could handle on the popper. Water was clean, full moon, and hungry fish!! Water was 66 degrees, so hope it drops soon. Not a bad 90 min trip. Love the fall!!!

[Artie Lange]

Thanks for the report

[Gerry Zagorski]

Nice report and hopefully the sign of things to come this fall. Bring it on!!

Love this time of year especially when you see fish blowing up on bait up top. So much fun and excitement watching these fish swipe at the popper you're working. If that don't get you you excited and your heart pumping, you might want to go see a doctor :D

Speaking of getting excited, a quick tip when fishing up top with poppers. Don't get too excited when working your popper... If you're like me, your first instinct when you see a fish take a swipe at it is to set the hook. Instead you need to resist that temptation and continue working your popper until you feel the weight of the hooked fish, otherwise you're going to pull it away from him.

Thanks for the report Jigger... You got my heart pumping just thinking about it :eek:

[rwp2101]

Sounds like a great trip!

Gerry, great advice right there-- it took me a long time to learn that for myself!

[Duffman]

Nice report. Damn that water temp dropped quick from my last trip!

[akoop]

Nice report and hopefully the sign of things to come this fall. Bring it on!!

Love this time of year especially when you see fish blowing up on bait up top. So much fun and excitement watching these fish swipe at the popper you're working. If that don't get you you excited and your heart pumping, you might want to go see a doctor :D

Speaking of getting excited, a quick tip when fishing up top with poppers. Don't get too excited when working your popper... If you're like me, your first instinct when you see a fish take a swipe at it is to set the hook. Instead you need to resist that temptation and continue working your popper until you feel the weight of the hooked fish, otherwise you're going to pull it away from him.

Thanks for the report Jigger... You got my heart pumping just thinking about it :eek:

Great tip!

[Irish Jigger]

Watching a popper get tail slapped 6 feet out of the water is damn near as fun as catching the Bass. Didn't happen with these schoolies but it's almost time for that excitement. Cut off 90% of my poppers treble hooks, and replaced them with 4/0 siwash single hooks. Easy release, less damage, and easier to just grab the popper to remove the hook.

[tjd24]

Me too.
I replace trebles on albie jigs with Siwash hooks too.
I'd rather lose a fish or two than kill them.