Left the dock about 7 am with high hopes of heading outside and looking for some bass and weakfish. When we got to the inlet the fish gods had other plans for us. After watching the Paramount disappear behind a swell only showing the bridge of the boat when in the ditch we decided to wait out the change of the tide. There were some pretty tall breakers across the inlet mouth with the SE breeze and outgoing current. The dredge was also finally gone from the river.

I setup on the mussel beds in hopes for a stray flounder. Didn’t have live worms so we set out Gulp! sand worms.  He had a couple of hits and bite offs and figured it was blues. The inlet had seemed to have calmed so we picked up and headed out. It waited for us to just about clear the inlet and then a big breaking wave appeared out of no where. She took it better than I did. Still have a bump on my head from hitting the pilothouse roof but we didn’t take any water over the bow or the pilothouse.

Once outside there were big rollers of varying sizes. They would be 3-4′ for a while then a set of three or four over 5′. There was a ton of bait around but nothing wanted to chew. We tried spoons, plugs, mojo’s, bucktails and umbrellas. There were definitely some small schools of bass and also some larger schools of what looked like weakfish along the bottom. Those who get out today may fare better with calmer conditions.

After about an hour or so of no action and marking tons of bait and fish we decided to head back in for the change of the tide further up the Manasquan River to see if there was any action inside. Finally the right decision. We had light tackle, non-stop action with blues for the next 2-3 hours. Fish varied in size but most were 2-4 pounds. I had two that went 6.7 and 7.75. Yo-Zuri crystal minnows and small swimming plugs produced the best.

We also decided since we wouldn’t be flounder fishing anymore to hang the chum pots over to draw more fish to the boat and clean them out…it was a blast having the blues coming right up to the transom and exploding on plugs right at the boat. I was going to get the fly rod out but then realized I left my box of leaders and tippets at home. Probably would have had my first fish on fly…oh well, next time.

The rain came and went throughout the day until we got back through the canal, then the sun sort of came out…figures. Water temps ranged from 51.3 to 59.8.

I got my b-day present installed on Friday afternoon and had some fun testing it out. Got the Faria Fuel Manager from Lacey Marine. I don’t really know what the fuel burn was before having the wheels done but at a 26kt cruise (3,800 rpm) now I burn about 12gph, at 22kts (3,600 rpm) at 10gph. The factory sea trial has a fuel burn of 9.5 gph at 3,500 rpm at a speed of 25.7 kts and at 4,000 rpm, 31.6 kts at 12.9 gph. So with bottom paint, 3/4 fuel, two people, 1,000 pounds of gear, 10 gallons of water, beer, ice and about 25 lbs of fish I think I am doing pretty good.

We fished Friday and Saturday this weekend.  Friday was not so hot but we did boat two fish.  Actually they two fish were boated pretty much right after we got setup at our first spot.

Saturday was another story.  We went back to where we had fish on Friday and did not have a single fish for over two hours.  Then we got one and then no more bites there.  Deciding to make a move and try another spot for or last 30-45 minutes of fishing time was a good move.   We had fish right away and steady action for the next 40 minutes.  We ended up boating 13 fish total to 2 lbs.

Water temps ranged from 47.6 to 51.3 degrees, the water was pretty clean and clear and winds varied throughout the day.  A few of the fish that were not that fat did have roe in them.

I also heard reports of limit catches to the South off of The Water’s Edge on Friday and pretty good catches on Saturday as well.  It looks like the bite is finally turning on, hopefully it will continue for another couple of weeks.

I went to SHBC for MFC and then did some PM and repairs.  It’s a new year and I need to get back to doing what I said I would…posting at least weekly.  This week was pretty uneventful, I have heard a few reports of good blackfishing in 90-120′ of water and some rumors of cod and pollack in the same depths.  I have also heard that mackerel are within 15 miles from the beach.

Tommy and I ran down to Barnegat to see Joe at Sun Harbor Bay Club, I needed to get door prizes for the Manasquan Fishing Club meetings and also to visit since I have not been down there in a while.  We will have some really great prizes over hte next six months thanks to Joe and his generosity to the Manasquan Fishing Club.

As for the boat I removed all the sealant around my deck hatch for the fuel tank due to it leaking late in the season.  That effort was three fold, I also plan on installing a conduit through that hold for some wiring and also installing a fuel vent whistler to prevent fuel spills while filling up.

I had planned on giving the bilge its annual cleaning and doing some rust busting but it was a bit cold for that and the marina bathroom was winterized so I had no access to hot water for rinsing the bilge out with.  I guess I will have to bring the turkey fryer next time to heat up some water.

Friday, don’t think I will be down early enough for the afternoon bite but will be able to refuel and get the gear set. Also have a fishing club meeting.

Saturday I have a family event so that only leaves me about three hours fishing time…but we will make the best of it.

Sunday I should be out all day depending on wind and if it stays out the West when it picks up.

Not sure if I will be turning right or left yet waiting to hear from some guys who may be fishing to the North tomorrow and Friday. Should be leaving the dock Sat & Sun by 5:30.

Only 12 days, 1 hour 46 minutes till she is hauled out…have to make the most of it.

Fished the Manasquan River and Inlet today from 3 to 6 PM for a Manasquan Fishing Club Intra-Club River Tournament. Had 10 shorts to 16 1/4″ and no keepers. Also had a couple of birds and lost a fish at the side of the boat…did not get a chance to see what it was other than long and slender and definitely was not flat. Must have either been a weakie or a blue…did not fight much so don’t think it was a bluefish. Water was cold near the inlet only 52-54 degrees, found 70 ish water further up river but no fish. The wind and tide kind of fought each other most of the time except in one part of the river when they combined for 1.9 knot drift.

The first place fish was 18.5″, second was 18″ and third was 17.5″.

It was like unwrapping coal! I got to my fishing club meeting to find out my new Tekota’s did not come in and are on backorder to arrive in about three weeks. I sure hope they come in soon. I need to get them spooled up and wanted to take a coupld of runs with them deployed to check the action on the spoons and adjust the spoons to the new rods.