Dysfunctional Family Monger Picnic

[hartattack]

Had the privilege of joining several NJF monger nation cohorts yesterday for the ubiquitous biscuits. Duffman Dan, Dave Dales, Dakota Tom, Dakota Ryan, Fin Reaper Glenn, Two Guys Rod Mike and guests quickly got our Sea Bass limit (130 - just a few taken on Jigs) then we steamed off to Ling grounds where we got that many and more Ling + Whiting + winter flounder. Some memorable moments:
- Who's that off-shore Sharker now mugging us ? Oh hi there Stellios !
- Most of us are fishing on the Fish Monger but Dave and Larry are on the Fish Conger
- Hey Tom - looks like the Spawning Stock Biomass for Biscuits is understated by a factor of a million
- Who's hung? Me - like a mosquito
- No we don't have any pink Monger halter tops
- Nice to see Joey Da Fish greeting us at docks with a cup o' Kawfee for Captain Jerry. Made think of LAB and smile
- Happy to have Stephanie at dock helping filet the catch - otherwise we'd still be there !

[dales529]

Dysfunctional today for sure. The weather gods played a new trick for my sea bass charter date this year allowing us to get out on probably the only day possible this week and it was perfect all the way. Capt Jerry and mate Sean certainly did not disappoint (not that Monger and crew ever does!)

Fish on from first drop close to home in 60 ft to last drop not so close to home in 100 ft. Capt Jerry stopped us from completing the boat limit at the close to home spot so he could steam north to top us off with some bigger size seabass and a boat load of ling . He could have easily let us top it off at spot 1 and gone home early but thats NOT the Monger way

I think everyone on the boat caught 150 fish. Sea bass short to keeper ratio around 10:1. Some really nice knuckleheads in the mix.
Great group for sure. Dominick Thanks for your service and get home safe from Afghanistan!
Tom Dakota probably prepping some new charts to show how they should manage Fluke to get back to the apparent HUGE Biomass stock we currently have for Sea bass. At the last stop we took bait off the top hooks when we topped off the sea bass limit and they were still hitting a bare hook. Ryan help Dad stay sane! Great job getting your flounder too by switching up the rig

Larry and I after getting our limits went to work on the Conger and silver eel populations All released unharmed
The rest of you always my pleasure getting out with you , lots of BB, laughs and so sorry Duff the bruins lost but at least you got in a great day on the water.

Great seeing some spike whiting back in our area and hopefully they come back strong.
Again I have to keep saying this as it factors into our regs> Beautiful day on the water and only a smattering of boats from MI to SH. With the sea bass going this strong we recreationals are NOT putting a hurting on them

[Duffman]

Well said boys! Great day all around. Gotta be the hardest working guys in the fishing industry!! Nothing overlooked down to the last detail.

Although Dales caught his limit of 2 Propfish, I was a close second with 1....

Def looking forward to doing it again!!!

Larry great day with a great group of guys. Dave thanks for putting it together.
As always, Jerry never disappoints and not sure a mate (Sean) could be more attentive to the fares. Just fyi, anyone who thinks mating is not a tough job, make one trip on the Monger. At the boat to open things up at God only knows what hour, rigs every rod, throughout the day when needed he's there in a blink, cleans over probably 250 fish on the way in and at the dock (with help) and then cleans the boat. Long day from start to finish, can't thank Jerry and Sean enough for their incredible effort and they make it look easy! Weather and sea conditions were tremendous, just an awesome day to be on the water with good people.

As Dave said, few whiting in the mix, plenty of ling and sea bass were in full force.

Mike's son Dominick was with us to enjoy the day before being deployed to Afghanistan Monday. Dave thanks for making mention of that, Dominick a big THANK YOU for your service to the country, very proud of you and all members of our armed forces. Serve proudly and get back safe, you're in our prayers.

Great meeting some new faces from the board, look forward to the next adventure!