Manasquan Inlet Speedsters 9/18

[Skolmann]

Had a 45-60 minute window at the end of the incoming tide where at first spanish mackerel were showering bait and jumping out of the water followed by pods of albies doing the same. At times had both species busting bait 10’ in front of me. I was able to catch 2 spanish mackerel (my first NJ spanish mackerel) while I couldn’t connect with an albie (although I did have one leap out of the water after my jig as I pulling out of the water to recast). If I am able to connect with albie in the inlet, I’d be able to claim catching a speedster grand slam inside the inlet as I caught bonito there earlier in the summer.

[Pennsy Guy]

You had me fooled...from the title, thought thread was about boats recklessly speeding. That had to be a blast with both the macks & albies that close ...hope you get that "slam"...Nice.

[Gerry Zagorski]

How cool is that.. Nice job Doc!!

[Duffman]

What kinda jigs you pulling?

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Duffman

What kinda jigs you pulling?

For the spanish mackerel (& albies) I was throwing a 7/8 ounce Hogy Epoxy Jig, for their bonito a 4” Tsunami Split Tail.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

For the spanish mackerel (& albies) I was throwing a 7/8 ounce Hogy Epoxy Jig, for their bonito a 4” Tsunami Split Tail.

Thanks Andy.

Been throwing the kitchen sink at em last week and cant get a sniff using the epoxies, small diamonds, dicks, flies etc....

Havent tried the split tails....time to buy some....gotta get lucky sooner or later

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Duffman

Thanks Andy.

Been throwing the kitchen sink at em last week and cant get a sniff using the epoxies, small diamonds, dicks, flies etc....

Havent tried the split tails....time to buy some....gotta get lucky sooner or later

With the Epoxies, I don’t just do a straight retrieve but rather I’ll twitch the rod tip while retrieving then stop the retrieve for a second allowing the jig to sink before resuming. Same for the split tails. Also with the split tails if you get a bite but don’t come tight just stop your retrieve and 99% of the time the fish will come back and slam it.

[NJ219bands]

Caught 2 fish in the inlet this week.

[MudCat08]

Originally Posted by NJ219bands

Caught 2 fish in the inlet this week.

Nice catch! Looks like rays are on their way back South.

[Billfish715]

This is a technique that you can try while casting and casting and casting at any of those speedsters. It works very well and cuts down on the number of casts per hookup. I use a snapper popper or weighted popping float like the kind used for popping for speckled trout or redfish. I replace the heavy mono leader leading to the surgical tube with a more appropriate sized test. A small crimp or swivel with a bead can be used as a stop for the popper at the end of the leader. The same can be done at the top of the popper. For quick changes, you can run a short section of heavier mono through the popper and attach a duo lock snap to the bottom end while making sure the loop knot or swivel at the top of the popper is short enough to keep the popper from sliding too far forward.

Tie on a Tsunami Split Tail or Tsunami Shrimp or epoxy fly or whatever fly or plastic you might like to the end of your leader. You can use FinS or RonZ unweighted plastics rigged on a freshwater bass long shank worm hook or a hook of your choice. The sizes can vary and so can the make of the plastic. A sluggo style plastic in the appropriate size can work too.

Cast toward the swirling or breaking fish and pop or twitch or just swim the rig back. Pause if you want to to let the bait drop. As was mentioned in another reply, the fish will hit a paused/sinking bait. If the fish are chasing rainfish or spearing, they slash through the bait and then show up many yards away. The popper gets their attention.

Just remember that you'll be frustrated because of how suddenly they will appear and then disappear. By the time you get one landed, the rest of the school might be 100 yards from where they were when you hooked the first one.

Try it. It gives you greater casting distance when using soft plastics that have little or no weight. Good luck.