Montauk Moonlight Bass

[KayakFisherman]

I just got my beloved FJ Cruiser back after two months without it (another story). It has all my stickers. Without my 4x4 permits there was no ocean kayak launching, especially at the Point, until Thursday night. I drove from the mechanic's, to my house (to get my kayak), then to the Point, just in time for the top of the tide.
The moon was still big, but it was a ghost town. Not a single surfcaster on the south or north sides. Not a single light out on the water. I was certain I'd missed the party, but just wanted to get back out on those Montauk swells again. Really didn't matter if I caught.
...But I DID catch. I hooked up with a healthy striper about 15 minutes after I launched, with about an hour left before high tide. It was a slot bass, about 30 inches. As the tide turned the bite got much better. I marked a couple of spots that I just kept hitting. Deep diving 5 1/4" Crystal Minnows were the ticket. Switched to deep tube just to entice a bigger bass, but they were all between 27 and 30 inches, and the tube got no love. Finished with about a dozen cookie-cutter bass, no blues, and that great feeling of being home again.

 

[Chinacat]

Nice!!!