I am happy to report that this morning I caught my first striped bass of the 2015 season. Woo hoo!
The following report is shorter than usual because I want to get back to fishing ASAP. I will be publishing more in-depth reports (with video) over the next several days so definitely stay tuned.
Until then, here is a quick recap of this morning's trip.
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First Stripers of 2015
This morning I fished from 7AM-10AM without so much as seeing a swirl. I registered no bites and saw no definitive signs of life.
Yet that would all change very quickly. As soon as the sun broke through the clouds I began getting bit. It was as if the fish appeared out of thin air.
Only issue was I couldn't get a hook set!
An entire school of stripers were stacked in front of me, yet I couldn't hook a single one of them. Finally the "dumbest" fish of the bunch took a swing at my offering and I was able to connect.
Not bad for April 11!
However that was far from the end of this trip!
The action continued and I even landed one fish just shy of being a "keeper." Final tally for this trip was 3 schoolie striped bass, and 8 or 9 missed hits.
I am heading back out the door right now to fish again, so stay tuned this coming week for a more in-depth report.
I have a lot of video and details about this trip which I will share with you very soon.
What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.
Btw, how did you do in the second half.?
I did very well Art, at least by my standards.
I will publish a report for that trip very soon.
Thanks for the report ryan, I’m glad someone is keeping those fish honest. It will be some time before I can wet a line, just had rotator cuff surgery last week. Looks like I’ll be in a sling for at least eight weeks. I know there are ways to fish around it but I think I’ll just see what it’s like to be a conformist for a while.lol. Short term goal is to make it to the vineyard in June.
Here’s to a speedy recovery Art! Nothing wrong with being a “conformist” as you say. LOL
That Vineyard trip will be here before we know it.
Guess it’s time to dust the rods off! Finally!!
Yes sir Ryan, and thanks for your tips regarding bait!!!
Congrats Ryan! That’s a beautiful and healthy looking striper. Was that a —— bait on one of the HD picture?
Yes Alberto you are correct! The bait I used is exactly what you mention.
Not bad for the first fish of this year. I am a little jealous. Congrats and good luck the rest of the year!!!
Same to you William! Spring has sprung!
Nice Ryan! Can’t believe they made it through the winter!
They are tough creatures!
Awesome job. Can’t wait to get out there.
Gluck when you go Rich!
Didn’t see lice in the picture. Must be hold-over, which still counts!
Yes no sea lice sighting yet, but I’ll keep ya posted!
Congratulations! We’re starting to see some signs of life out there.
Big time signs of life! Aside from the bass I saw ospreys, hawks, fox, a fisher-cat and tons of different species of birds.
Congrats!!! Nice to see for certain that the holdovers are starting to become more active.
Absolutely! Feels good to shake off the cobwebs
Where were you fishing? Can not wait to start fishing.
Get out there Paula while the sun is shining!
Estuaries are the place to be right now.
Ryan, I am SO jealous. But congrats!
LOL – thanks Brian!
Were you fishing curly tails?
I was not, however white curly tail grubs are usually killer this time of year.
Congratulations ! Nice to see especially 4 someone who still has snow in his yard.
Do you think it will ever melt Rich?
Congratulations, Ryan! Good way to start off this fishing season.
I am very blessed that is for sure! Bring on spring!
Holdover or the real deal.
Great to hear , i’ve wet a line also this weekend. No signs of life yet at the mid cape. Just glad to be looking. Congrats! Chuck.
Sure is nice to just be back out there. Gluck when you head back out Chuck!
I feel they are holdovers that may be traversing to and fro the open ocean, but that’s just a theory.
Ryan, nice work bro! did you catch the bait yourself? i tried way up the weweantic yesterday and struck out. I did some chasing bait on the surface but out of reach for a cast.
I struck out trying to catch the bait myself, but luckily I found the one bait shop in the area which had a few of what I needed. I can only imagine that there will be fish caught in the Weweantic very soon if not already. Go get ’em!
Ryan, You the man! That fish looks pretty healthy for a holdover, especially after THIS winter. Did you see the rabid fox in Northbridge story? It was my next door neighbor that shot it. So, knowing how you like wildlife, be careful out there!
I hear that! I was fishing striper on the banks of lake texoma TX last fall and came accross fresh cougar tracks. It definitely made me more aware of the possibility of an unwanted encounter.
I actually saw 2 fox this weekend, and one of them was swimming right in front of me. Saw a fisher-cat as well. I will stay safe and same to you!!!