A little perspective (and a PB Fluke), by Alexi

I realized that this blog is as much a resource for myself as it is a platform for writing and tale-telling.  On the sidebar, (if you are on a computer, not a phone) there are plenty of links and widgets that you should use, that I use, that are a collection of the information I check out before I go fishing.  Weather/ tide/ NOAA maps/ surf reports, etc...  All absolutely invaluable information before going on a trip.  Even with as much planning as can be done, though, without intimately KNOWING a specific area, especially in Jersey's back bays near inlets, one is sometimes hard-pressed to know direction of current, let alone guessing at it's strength of flow.  WE know all about Snake Ditch, but still sometimes the direction of current in front of the Sedge House, or Horsefoot, confuses me.  So take a  look at the Seven Sisters area of Great Bay.  It's a mess of creeks criss-crossing islands.

Google maps of Great Bay

In those creeks that cut through the island it's only guess work as to which way that current is going on an incoming tide.  And then the next question, with such a wide open (Little Egg) inlet, how fast will it ripping around the point where the Rutgers Research Center is? Who knows?   So, sometimes you just HAVE to roll the dice and GO.

The Fishing Trip:

I started out drifting in Little Sheepshead Creek, and didn't stray much outside of it.  My first fish, just near the launch, was a keeper Fluke at around 19".   I was using a bucktail with a 4"swimming mullet Gulp, and a teaser above it, also with a 4"swimming mullet gulp.

19" fluke

A good way to start the trip.  The drift was heading towards the Fish Factory (under the bridge).    And so we drifted.

drifting and jigging

...and. just past the bridge, frustrated by weeds again, I hooked into what is likely my personal best Fluke.  24", 5 lbs.  I know it's not gigantic, but I haven't spent many summers targeting Fluke, and usually get 19" ers.  So for me it was HUGE!

24" 5lbs

I hate nets, (I always snag my hooks on them) and I forgot a rag/ towel for covering the fishes eyes, so I resorted to using an extra bandana I had.  As I slid this fish into my boat it shook it's head and snapped my line.  I immediately had it's eyes covered, and it sat there, calm as could be,  but it was close...

when needed, use whole leg as drift sock

Steve drifted away, past the fish factory towards the inlet, out to sea.   I stuck around and was catching snappers trying to use them as bait.  That was probably an un-necessary distraction, but with two fluke in the cooler I had time to experiment.  

Mostly overcast: Fish Factory

To read more about the fish factory here is a good article.       Fish Factory  

As my ice melted, and the outgoing current got stronger,  I made my way back to the boat ramp.   

Boat ramp

That's about it.  Another short day, lots of wind, weeds and current, but really, a roll of the dice and sometimes you get lucky!