This is a guest post from MFCC member Jim Murphy. This past weekend I fished the beach with Jim and 2 other MFCC members, Chas Salmon and his good friend Dan.
I met Ryan in the parking lot about an hour before sunset. Fellow MFCC members Chas and Dan were expected to arrive in an hour, so Ryan and I suited up and headed for the beach.
We’d go on our way, and meet up with Chas and Dan later on.
​We trudged down some stairs, through a short wooded slope, and walked on a sandy path amid the beach grass alongside a large bay.
More...
We climbed up between the dunes and emerged onto a huge stretch of open beach. The sky was clear, with a light onshore breeze.
I waded in and started fishing.
The air temperature was perfect—warmer than expected, but just cool enough that we wouldn’t be sweltering in our waders. The water temperature was amazingly warm.
We’d soon have a good view of the approaching sunset.
So romantic! Don’t be jealous, Lauren.​
The plan was to head south, fishing along the way. There was no destination—just to go wherever we found fish. And there was plenty of room to roam. No pressure and no worries.
I’d brought my new 11-foot surf rod, which I bought over a month ago but hadn’t even casted until earlier in the day.
Perhaps tonight I'd get a chance to break the rod in?
Stripers In Shallow
Ryan and I "leapfrogged" each other for a while, chatting as we passed and walking together here and there. It was during one of the chats that we saw the swirls in the water, not more than 25 feet from shore.
There would be no need for long casts tonight.
We cast our offerings over and through the swirls. We had some follows at first, but no takers. Schools of perhaps a dozen stripers would swim right in front of us, in just a couple feet of water.
What a great article..thank you for sharing I honestly could feel the excitement as I read..and could completely identify with the lack of introduction with the other gentlemen until after the bite was gone.
Great report guys. I love that spot. I’ll be there in July. Hopefully the fish will be too!
Very nice Warren, I hope they show up for you!
Great job Jim! I have to admit that I am a little afraid of venturing into unknown at night. Maybe will help if going along side someone like you. I am curious if the light from the moon is the key when fishing at night or knowing well the terrain?
Hey Emil, on a very clear full moon night, the light from the moon can absolutely light up the beach. Sometimes it’s so bright I can tie a knot without using my head lamp!
However I would not say the light from the moon is “key” to fishing at night. A lot of people prefer to fish on dark, moon-less nights.
It definitely helps to first go to the area during the day to scope things out and get an idea of what the terrain is like.
Excellent article, some day I’d join you guys. Sounds a lot of fun to be with great fisherman with a positive actitud…
Sounds great Mario! Gluck out there this weekend!
Thanks, Ryan. As you can tell, I had a blast too. I hope the bachelor party was also a blast. I can’t wait to see the video. (Not of the bachelor party–I mean the fishing trip).
LOL yeah the bach party was nuts, especially on short sleep.
Video will be up tomorrow!
Excellent Post Jim! I really loved the story. Even though you were alone much of the time it was nice to here about you all going together.
Thanks! I was alone some of the time, but not a bit lonely. It was great fishing with Ryan, Chas and Dan too. I recommend it highly.
Great post. Am I correct assuming this was all on an incoming tide?
Hey Charles, the best bite actually happened during the first two hours of the outgoing tide.
Hey ryan Im loving this site very informational I caught my first blues yesterday I will be making my 5th trip to the canal in the am the keeper fish still eludes me any tips im heading out early Thanks also how can I be part of your next trip
Nice good luck and have fun!
I will be sending out information soon with regards to how members can join in on the next trip. Best advice would be to keep racking up points in the forum.
I hope you find some life out there!
Jim, great recap of the adventure! Sounds like you guys did pretty well and you got to check an item off your list. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Thanks, Ryan. We did real well.
Great write up Jim! I had a blast fishing with you, Chas and Dan.
I also have some decent video from this trip. I will probably publish a video report to the blog sometime tomorrow.
Wonderfully written, Jim you painted a vivid picture. I will be able to fish the salt later this week for the first time(this year). The next few days are going to seem incredibly long, your story is not going to help LOL.
Also, Congrats on the bucket list. I would say your nephew is in good hands!
Thanks, Rich! From what I’m hearing, later this week will be a great time to start your saltwater fishing season. Best of luck!