Bunker always bring the bass

[Chris1129]

Today as I left work, at the Union County Courthouse complex in downtown Elizabeth, I ran into some bunker in the river under Rahway Avenue (right outside the jail). This isn't the first time I've seen them here.

How cool would it be to see some bass chasin them??

[Striperswiper]

I hate to admit it but I remember when the limit was 10 fish 18 inches

In the seventies everybody was taking big fish all over the place totally wiped them out and then we had to wait for the stocks to rebuild makes absolutely no sense to take these big bass now

History is just going to repeat itself

Besides the fact that these bass are feeding on bunker absolutely taste like crap they taste like bunker you are what you eat


Captain Brian

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Striperswiper

I hate to admit it but I remember when the limit was 10 fish 18 inches

In the seventies everybody was taking big fish all over the place totally wiped them out and then we had to wait for the stocks to rebuild makes absolutely no sense to take these big bass now

History is just going to repeat itself

Besides the fact that these bass are feeding on bunker absolutely taste like crap they taste like bunker you are what you eat


Captain Brian

Wasn't until the federal ban on fishing for them commercially was put in place that the stocks got rebuilt. Pushing the Bunker reduction boats out helped too.

[DEEP POCKETS]

Originally Posted by Striperswiper

I hate to admit it but I remember when the limit was 10 fish 18 inches

In the seventies everybody was taking big fish all over the place totally wiped them out and then we had to wait for the stocks to rebuild makes absolutely no sense to take these big bass now

History is just going to repeat itself

Besides the fact that these bass are feeding on bunker absolutely taste like crap they taste like bunker you are what you eat


Captain Brian

Respectfully disagree, had striped bass for dinner tonight that were feeding on bunker on Tuesday and it was delicious!!

[DEEP POCKETS]

Thanks Capt Sal, enjoy reading your posts and hearing your perspective. We were catching them on poppers last trip out and it doesn't get any better than watching a bass blow up on top water

[squan63]

Originally Posted by 1captainron

The past three days Seaside has been Red Hot with Big fish? Yes, Too many Big fish are being taken, but that's what the rules have become. It's total Bullshit in my opinion also!

I released 9 big fish today on circle hooks and saw the boat next to me gaff one after another with 4 guys on it. regulations aside they will be the same people saying where did all the stripers go.

[AndyS]

http://menhadendefenders.org/

[courbeco]

Originally Posted by fishunt

i know i will probably get bash for this comment. but i think the bass stocks are far from healthy. up in the raritan bay the fishing might be good but for us shore guys and spots farther down the coast the striped bass fishing has been far from steller. livelining and trolling are accounting for lots of big bass. but we are still taking to many big fish. i hope i am wrong and the good bass fishing move down the coast. just my opinion guys!

Ortley, Seaside, further south to IBSP are red hot right now. Agree that too many big fish are being taken, but respectfully disagree that the stocks aren't healthy.

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by fishunt

i know i will probably get bash for this comment. but i think the bass stocks are far from healthy. up in the raritan bay the fishing might be good but for us shore guys and spots farther down the coast the striped bass fishing has been far from steller. livelining and trolling are accounting for lots of big bass. but we are still taking to many big fish. i hope i am wrong and the good bass fishing move down the coast. just my opinion guys!

First of all you can never compare the ocean run of striped bass to the Raritan Bay run. The migratory bass you will catch are heading South towards the Chesapeak.The bass we are catching in Raritan Bay are mostly of the Hudson strain. Since you posted on this the bass fishing has exploded off Seaside and further South.It is early yet and i would think the best is yet to come for south Jersey.

[Capt. Debbie]

Ah Charter memories.

I had a night time blue fish charter. 3 people same family and household. Nice 5-7 pounders were are be bailed. We were chumming and the school held to the boat.

After the first dozen are boxed I asked them to think about C&R as they could not possibly eat all that they already have. NOPE was the answer. Eventually their arms got tired. Over a hundred pounds of blues. with likely 3/4 of it will end up in the garden.

Moral of the story- people get crazy when the bite's on. Especially the infrequent fisherman.

Originally Posted by Capt Sal

One slot is enough for me and my wife.If the limit was ten some people would do it!