The 2023 Running Roccus Striper Report

[Roccus7]

No need for a new post every time I go fishing, which is just about every day, so I'll just update this thread periodically.

Today I got another 3 stripers in 'da hood, 2 @ 25" & 1 @ 24". They had me screaming at them, but that's early season bassing. Better screaming at fish than screaming at a computer!!

 

[Roccus7]

Striper - It's what for dinner!!

After getting blown out yesterday, I got off my dock at the last possible moment at 04:15 this morning and crawled over to the other side of the river to drop the hook at the late ebb Honey Hole. Fish interest was sporadic, with 5 follows, 5 hits and only 2 hookups. The bright side is that both hookups resulted in a 29 & 30" slot fish, the smaller one kept for our first Striper Sashimi Soiree of 2023.

 

[captmike28]

Striper - It's what for dinner!!

After getting blown out yesterday, I got off my dock at the last possible moment at 04:15 this morning and crawled over to the other side of the river to drop the hook at the late ebb Honey Hole. Fish interest was sporadic, with 5 follows, 5 hits and only 2 hookups. The bright side is that both hookups resulted in a 29 & 30" slot fish, the smaller one kept for our first Striper Sashimi Soiree of 2023.

View attachment 63065

Way to go, Roccus.
Just had my first Striped Bass dinner of the year with my wife last night and boy did it taste good!!

 

[Roccus7]

Lack luster day today, picked up 2 smaller fish, 20 & 22", and dropped a large one. However, there was a first. We've got a real glut of eagles around this year and today, there were scattered pods of larger fish crashing some unknown bait up on the mud flats. This activity got eagles to swoop down and try to get in on the action, something I've never witnessed. Have to assume that meant alewives were on the menu. The action was up and over within seconds so chasing them down was difficult.

 

[Roccus7]

Damn wind driving me nuts. Got three today 25-27.5", but it was tough fishing. At least I learned a new trick today, and that is while anchoring the boat along by the ass end in a strong wind, the secret is to head the boat 180° FROM the direction you figure it will set up on with the anchor our, and drop anchor while boat is still moving against the tide/wind.

It's done the trick now for me the last 2 tries.

 

[Roccus7]

Today's Lesson: Calm Water is very humbling...

Every day striped bass fishing should be a learning experience and this AM's glass-like conditions was a master class. I've been fishing in >10 kts of wind for the past week, and it raises havoc with popper action, but more importantly, it doesn't allow you to know what's going on as only very overt fish "interest" in your lure.

Well this AM was quite different and I had a 20 minute spurt when every cast had "fish interest", but at first there was very little evidence with actual surface disturbances. Most "interest" were subtle changes in the plug's wake or a change in the plug's wake, usually an increase in the plug's bow wake. Without glassine surface conditions, there is no way one would even know there was a fish showing interest in your plug.

What I did learn today is that fish can follow your plug for 30 or 40 yards without making any kind of commitment of hitting it; I've never thought it be that long of a follow. Now in the summer, when water temps rise above 60°F, a couple of quick, hard pops usually gets a strike from a "follower", but in the low 50°F temps of late spring, that doesn't work well. I've found that one hard pop, and then, if the follower seems a little more interested, a pop and a STOP, will get that "strike". Strike is in parentheses because the hits early in the season resemble more of a tap, than the violent crashes I would have later in the season. At least I started getting some action by employing this new popping sequence.

So I ended the morning with 6, fat, 23" fish. Five of these fish were caught in that 20 minute spurt mentioned above. During that time about 90% of my casts had definitive fish interest. Of that 90%, I'd say 80% were subtle signs of interest that only a dead calm day would reveal. Of the remaining 10%, I had overt signs like splashes, swirls and actual "hits". Of that 10%, I actually caught 5 fish and didn't drop any. Yes, I was expressing my discontent quite loudly at the fish, but that's me.

Striped bass fishing is truly a Remember thou art mortal! Experience...

 

[captmike28]

Striped bass fishing is truly a Remember thou art mortal! Experience...

How true. I know many anglers who believe Striped Bass are pretty stupid and easy to catch on most days. I think we agree that is far from the truth!

Well done, Roccus!!!

 

[Roccus7]

I caught André's escaped dinner today!!

Nice morning fishing with a friend on his flats boat equipped w/spot lock, which made for a nice session. We started at my favorite rip, testing the spot lock system with a strong wind on a strong tide. The performance was good, but not $omething I'd consider for my boat. After picking up 4 fish 21-25", we noticed some action up on the flats, that only had 2' water on it and motored up to the action using the electric motor.

After seeing a break, I tossed my plug at the spot and got hit. It was a nice fighting fish, but when I got her close to the boat I could see a fairly fresh bite mark across her shoulders. When boated, this 28" fish was lightly bleeding from this wound, and I could see some necrotic tissue, which, along with the size of the bite, suggested she had escaped from a 2 or 3 day old seal attack. I intended to get a photo, but just after measuring her, she flipped out of my hands into the water. Thankfully she swam straight away.

 

[longcast]

I caught André's escaped dinner today!!

Nice morning fishing with a friend on his flats boat equipped w/spot lock, which made for a nice session. We started at my favorite rip, testing the spot lock system with a strong wind on a strong tide. The performance was good, but not $omething I'd consider for my boat. After picking up 4 fish 21-25", we noticed some action up on the flats, that only had 2' water on it and motored up to the action using the electric motor.

After seeing a break, I tossed my plug at the spot and got hit. It was a nice fighting fish, but when I got her close to the boat I could see a fairly fresh bite mark across her shoulders. When boated, this 28" fish was lightly bleeding from this wound, and I could see some necrotic tissue, which, along with the size of the bite, suggested she had escaped from a 2 or 3 day old seal attack. I intended to get a photo, but just after measuring her, she flipped out of my hands into the water. Thankfully she swam straight away.

The performance was good, but not $omething I'd consider for my boat.

Reasoning?

 

[Roccus7]

Reasoning?

My boat has a hard top cabin so huge windage area and a small keel need to be factored in for the necessary power equation, as well as a very high bow deck, probably 4' over the water, so we're talking a huge ass shaft on the motor.

Additionally, the foredeck is a bear to get to and very cramped with a high bow rail to boot, so totally automated system deployment situation is needed Add in the 3 extra batteries that I really don't have any logical place to put, so we're talking some cabin/hull modifications, as well as the necessary electrical work.

I would hazard a guess I'd be easily looking a a $15-20K investment for something I can do by hanging an anchor off the transom. If I were ever to buy a flats boat CC, I'd probably try to find one with spot lock, but retrofitting this one is not an option...

Sister ship without the bow rail I have...

 

[longcast]

My boat has a hard top cabin so huge windage area and a small keel need to be factored in for the necessary power equation, as well as a very high bow deck, probably 4' over the water, so we're talking a huge ass shaft on the motor.

Additionally, the foredeck is a bear to get to and very cramped with a high bow rail to boot, so totally automated system deployment situation is needed Add in the 3 extra batteries that I really don't have any logical place to put, so we're talking some cabin/hull modifications, as well as the necessary electrical work.

I would hazard a guess I'd be easily looking a a $15-20K investment for something I can do by hanging an anchor off the transom. If I were ever to buy a flats boat CC, I'd probably try to find one with spot lock, but retrofitting this one is not an option...

Sister ship without the bow rail I have...

I see what you are saying, but I see them on Parkers, Steigers etc. As far as height, a bit longer shaft. Cost I think is a bit off. Not sure if you would do the work in the offseason or have somebody do for you. Minn Kota auto deploy probably 3.6K with the plate, you could always go with a single 36v lithium, rather than 3 batteries. Close to 1.5K with the charger and 11 year warranty. Just a thought.

Dakota Lithium 36V 60Ah Deep Cycle LiFePO4 Single Battery

Play Harder Dakota Lithium 36V LiFePO4 Single Battery for trolling motor, golf cart, or 36V application. Best marine 11-year warranty battery upgrade.

dakotalithium.com

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/min...w-mount-bluetooth-trolling-motor-with-i-pilot - 72" might be a tad small.

 

[Roccus7]

I see what you are saying, but I see them on Parkers, Steigers etc. As far as height, a bit longer shaft. Cost I think is a bit off. Not sure if you would do the work in the offseason or have somebody do for you. Minn Kota auto deploy probably 3.6K with the plate, you could always go with a single 36v lithium, rather than 3 batteries. Close to 1.5K with the charger and 11 year warranty. Just a thought.

Still not a priority. The installation will be far from easy and it's beyond my skill level. Yes, I have installed cleats and extra pole holders, but putting in a electric motor, additional electric system -- Did I tell you there's no power to my dock? -- , making structural changes to the boat, and tying things together with my GPS would have to be done by professionals so my estimate isn't too far off, especially if I have to have power run down to my dock.

Why would I spend all this money when my $100 anchor set up works well enough?? I always do a cost/benefit analysis for capital expenditures. I'm not the type of person who will spend 100s of dollars on Van Staal titanium fishing pliers when my $19 extra long needle nose pliers probably work as well, if not better for deeply hooked fish. Oh, and when one goes over the side, I laugh and pull out another pair without a second thought...

Like I said, if I buy a flats boat, and it would be used, a definite "nice to have" would be the spot lock. Kind of like radar with my current boat. Nice to have it, but I still would have bought if it didn't have radar...

BTW as far as Lithium batteries and hard salt water use, the lobstermen up here avoid them like the plague, and Hamilton Marine, won't even carry them. When the working folks, and the people who supply them avoid something, there's usually good reason...

 

[longcast]

Still not a priority. The installation will be far from easy and it's beyond my skill level. Yes, I have installed cleats and extra pole holders, but putting in a electric motor, additional electric system -- Did I tell you there's no power to my dock? -- , making structural changes to the boat, and tying things together with my GPS would have to be done by professionals so my estimate isn't too far off, especially if I have to have power run down to my dock.

Why would I spend all this money when my $100 anchor set up works well enough?? I always do a cost/benefit analysis for capital expenditures. I'm not the type of person who will spend 100s of dollars on Van Staal titanium fishing pliers when my $19 extra long needle nose pliers probably work as well, if not better for deeply hooked fish. Oh, and when one goes over the side, I laugh and pull out another pair without a second thought...

Like I said, if I buy a flats boat, and it would be used, a definite "nice to have" would be the spot lock. Kind of like radar with my current boat. Nice to have it, but I still would have bought if it didn't have radar...

BTW as far as Lithium batteries and hard salt water use, the lobstermen up here avoid them like the plague, and Hamilton Marine, won't even carry them. When the working folks, and the people who supply them avoid something, there's usually good reason...

Very interesting. Appreciate the insight about the battery.

 

[longcast]

Still not a priority. The installation will be far from easy and it's beyond my skill level. Yes, I have installed cleats and extra pole holders, but putting in a electric motor, additional electric system -- Did I tell you there's no power to my dock? -- , making structural changes to the boat, and tying things together with my GPS would have to be done by professionals so my estimate isn't too far off, especially if I have to have power run down to my dock.

Why would I spend all this money when my $100 anchor set up works well enough?? I always do a cost/benefit analysis for capital expenditures. I'm not the type of person who will spend 100s of dollars on Van Staal titanium fishing pliers when my $19 extra long needle nose pliers probably work as well, if not better for deeply hooked fish. Oh, and when one goes over the side, I laugh and pull out another pair without a second thought...

Like I said, if I buy a flats boat, and it would be used, a definite "nice to have" would be the spot lock. Kind of like radar with my current boat. Nice to have it, but I still would have bought if it didn't have radar...

BTW as far as Lithium batteries and hard salt water use, the lobstermen up here avoid them like the plague, and Hamilton Marine, won't even carry them. When the working folks, and the people who supply them avoid something, there's usually good reason...

You did not have to bring Van Staal into this conversation, LOL.

 

[Roccus7]

You did not have to bring Van Staal into this conversation, LOL.

Oh yes I did. I'm still trying to find someone who can defend purchasing those pliers besides their being a "Look At ME!!" status symbol, like a lady with an expensive designer bag.

The reels are defendable, especially for the folks in Montauk who swim out to a selected rock to fish from, but $380 for a piers w/a sheath??? Anyone out there care to share details that would justify this expense???

 

[Roccus7]

FIRST CAST CURSE!!

This morning started off with that most detestable way that striped bass screw with you, the First Cast Curse.

Saw a neighbor fishing when I got out at 05:00 so I motored up to talk and as I slowly motored over to chat with him I noticed the odd "V wake" on the surface of the water so I tossed out my plug. I quickly noticed my plug's wake had changed indicating that it was being followed so I went through my normal bag of tricks to elicit a strike and BAM!!, I was on and landed a 20" fish.

And then the Cynical Demon popped up on my shoulder, "Well you're screwed now. Might as well pack it in and head back to the barn, it's over for the day." Fortunately the Optimistic Angel popped up on the other shoulder, "Well you got up early to get here, you might as well go up to the start of this drift and take a full drift", so I did. Lots of "Wake Follows" ensued and I was able to get one to hit the lure, and I soon landed a slot fish, telling the Demon to begone.

Well, should have packed it in then, fished for over an hour with only an occasional wake follow, and even though I channeled Joe Cocker's best spastic convulsions to lure a strike at my popper, there were none. Then the wind fan got turned to high, and I headed back to the barn...

 

[longcast]

Oh yes I did. I'm still trying to find someone who can defend purchasing those pliers besides their being a "Look At ME!!" status symbol, like a lady with an expensive designer bag.

The reels are defendable, especially for the folks in Montauk who swim out to a selected rock to fish from, but $380 for a piers w/a sheath??? Anyone out there care to share details that would justify this expense???

Full disclosure, I do not own a pair, nor will defend owning a pair. I do carry an Accurate pair of pliers on my hip. Much, much less expensive.

 

[jpd]

The reels are defendable, especially for the folks in Montauk who swim out to a selected rock to fish from, but $380 for a piers w/a sheath??? Anyone out there care to share details that would justify this expense???

You need to talk to someone that owns a Yeti cooler lol.

 

[Roccus7]

You need to talk to someone that owns a Yeti cooler lol.

My other "Look at me!!" hot button. I'm still using my circa 1977 96 qt blue Igloo that cost me like $65, and it's working great! I've added upper and lower garden hose connections so it can be a live well,$10, and just replaced the hinges, $10, the handles, last season $15, and the latch 2 years ago, $12, all from Amazon.

It works for me just fine, AND you can easily "Yeti-ize" them by drilling small upper and lower holes and pumping in "Great Stuff". Multiple YouTube videos for this conversion, but I'll pass. I never need to keep anything really cold for more than overnight.

That being said, I do have a fond spot for the $50 Yeti 5 gallon bucket, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF would even consider buying one of those???????????????????????

 

[longcast]

My other "Look at me!!" hot button. I'm still using my circa 1977 96 qt blue Igloo that cost me like $65, and it's working great! I've added upper and lower garden hose connections so it can be a live well,$10, and just replaced the hinges, $10, the handles, last season $15, and the latch 2 years ago, $12, all from Amazon.

It works for me just fine, AND you can easily "Yeti-ize" them by drilling small upper and lower holes and pumping in "Great Stuff". Multiple YouTube videos for this conversion, but I'll pass. I never need to keep anything really cold for more than overnight.

That being said, I do have a fond spot for the $50 Yeti 5 gallon bucket, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF would even consider buying one of those???????????????????????

Full disclosure......................no Yeti either.