Cod is King

The wet snow was barely enough to warrant the use of windshield wipers on the Blue 1969 Dodge Polara’s windshield. They were on though, and rubbed against the glass in a thumping thick squeal. The vent window was open but provided relief no from my Dad’s Camel cigarette as we seemingly drifted down the desolate highway. The heat felt good on my legs and feet.

   “What are you thinking about?”, my dad said. “Nothing”, I answered. I was too tired to talk because I was up all night thinking about the Cod. “Well, I hope we get a few”, he said. I just nodded and nuzzled my chin back down into the old bomber jacket I was wearing. The collar smelled musty and like smoke. Some of the brittle sheep skin lining was coming off inside. It was too big but it was warm and we dubbed it the “Cod coat”.

We pulled into the Belmar marina  parking lot. It was cold and the wind bit at my face and spilled down my neck. I smelled the diesel from the boats and liked it. Years later I saw Apocalypse Now and remembered the line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”. To this day when I arrive at the boats with my son, I think to myself, I love the smell of diesel in the morning.

We were greeted by smiling captains and mates waving us over like they knew us. “What are you fishing for today fellas??” There were ½ day Mackerel, All day Whiting and Cod boats.

“Cod”, we said and made a bee line for the one with the big COD sign. We climbed on board with our rods and a bucket filled with sinkers, snelled black cod hooks and lunch. I tried to open the heavy metal door and budged it a quarter way as it lifted up and got stuck on the track. My dad completed the task and we got a seat and table by the door. The cabin was dimly lit .The smell of cigars, cigarettes and coffee filled the air.

The fluorescent light flickered and dimmed further as the engine rattled the boat. We were off.

“It won’t be long now”, my dad said as we headed out of the inlet. My dad had told me stories of the Cod and I saw them when he brought them home, but I never caught one. In fact I had only caught Sunfish and Carp. I was only seven years old. There were no other kids on the boat, just old guys, me and my dad.

Before long we reached our destination. Back then you didn’t have to travel out too far. We left the dock at 7:30am and within an hour or so we were fishing. The mates cracked whole clams and we baited our hooks with whole clams. “Isn’t this too much bait” I asked.” They have big mouths and big bait catches big fish” was the reply. “Just keep it on the bottom”. I think he asked me if I was on the bottom a thousand times that day.

It wasn’t long before my dad had a fish on. The 7 foot 4 inch rod with one grooved guide bent the rod into a bow. The rod from what I was told was one of the first fiberglass rods made. He got two of them, one for him and one for his friend. There was no reel seat. Just a type of Chinese hand cuff , twine wrapped area to which the Penn 68 was clamped on with two hose clamps. This “rod and reel combo” always turned heads and raised questions. My dad was one who used things until it didn’t work any more. The rod and reel still worked but it had seen better days.

The fish was at least twenty pounds. It came to the surface, fat white belly and magnificent spotted sides. Fins raised, gills flared and prominent barbel. In one fell swoop the gaff was planted and the fish was on the deck. Instinctively I quickly grabbed the fish under the gills. The twisting fish cut my small hands on the knuckles and fore finger as the sharp gills raked across the skin. The mate unhooked it while I held it in pain. I dropped it in the burlap bag tied to the rail.

No cameras, no coolers, and no internet report. Just a memory burned in my mind with smoldering white hot precision.

Soon it was my turn. I was using a Penn 155 with the same type of  rod.
Fingers and toes frozen, nose running, I added more flavor to the sheep skin collar as I reeled and reeled. “Take your time” my dad said. “Don’t jerk him off the hook!” Heart pumping, all of a sudden I became warm. I remember my eyes peering over the rail, neck and arms straining, I wondered if I would get the Cod in. I did. My fish was smaller but no less regal. Ten pounds or so of bristling beauty. It’s gold and black eyes lowered and stared at me as I attempted to unhook it with my numb fingers. I saw its muscles tense under its leathery olive spotted covering and stared in awe as it succumbed on the icy deck.

My dad won the pool that day. He bought everyone beers and tipped the mates well. I don’t think he kept any money that day and gave me twenty dollars. “We always split the pool”, he said. To this day I still do with whom ever I fish with.

Leif

Sent from my i

NJ Fishing Information: Sea Bass Story

NJ Fishing Information: Sea Bass Story

Sea Bass Story

"Nothing better happen to him", Judy angrily whined. "Nothing’s going to happen".... "The weather looks good and it’s a big boat",  I replied. “You better not let him out of his sight!", she cried as I scurried around the house stuffing last minute "necessities" for the trip in our bags. The necessities were comprised of gear, food, and clothing for a week. In actuality, it was an eighteen hour fishing trip.

It was December 27th 2006. Part of my son Leif’s Christmas present was an offshore Giant Sea Bass trip on the Gambler Party boat. It was his first overnighter and he couldn’t wait. Trying to get him to sleep a little before we left was a useless battle. The boat was leaving the dock at 12:00 am and I figured Leif, who was 10 at the time could use a few hours of rest before we left. "I’m not tired", he said and after asking," Can we go now?" for the billionth time, I decided to head out a little early. I figured Leif could hit the bunk room and sleep as soon as we got on the boat.

 I was just as excited. Having just built a new Giant Sea Bass rod, I couldn’t wait to try it out. It was an eight foot rod built with a Gator Glass blank, Batson turbo guides, and Fuji graphite hooded reel seat. The wrappings were red, black, pink with silver accents. The new custom Penn 4/0 with Tiburon frame, aluminum spool and oversized Tiburon handle balanced the rod out nicely. Before we left I stared at it like a proud father, stupidly gazing at his new born child through the window of the nursery.

The computer like scan in my head doing "the final check" was interrupted with a viral verbal assault. "I really don’t like this idea and you never told me it was over-night and you better watch him....Is he wearing a life jacket?? What time will you be home??" The virus was intercepted by, "He’ll be fine... I’ll watch him like a hawk; yes he’ll wear a life jacket and around five o’clock tomorrow." Leif kissed his mom, she reciprocated, I got a dirty look we were off.

Leif and I hopped in the blue overloaded Jeep Grand Cherokee. We had coolers for fish, food, tackle bags filled with rigs in every color of the rainbow, a hundred pounds of sinkers, rain gear, extra clothes, boots, rods and reels, cameras, sleeping bags and pillows. “Are we picking up Bill?” Leif asked in his tired nasal voice. “Bill’s meeting us at the boat” I grunted while pulling away and trying not to spill the coffee I was balancing on the arm rest.

Bill was driving down from North Jersey where he lives and works. We did most of the preparation for the trip and we didn’t mind because Bill has always been a good friend to us. He is the kind of guy that will show up with a cup of coffee at the perfect time without asking. He never forgets to bring your kid a little something when he visits and if he goes fishing without you, because you couldn’t go, there is a cooler of fish on your door step when the day is done. Good fisherman and great friend.

We pulled into the Gambler parking after a twenty minute drive. The headlight beams announced our arrival, bouncing and blinding a few eager fishermen in the stern of the vessel.

Before I could put the car in park Leif was out and headed for the boat. I jumped out just as quick and yelled, “How about some help with all this junk?” I gave Leif three rods and a small bag. I told him to put the rods in the port stern corner and the bag on one of the tables in the cabin. Leif looked back at me from the stern of the boat as if to ask “is this OK?” I nodded, and after putting the rods in the holders he scampered around the boat like a hyper dog sniffing out his new environment.

He quickly circled the deck, eyes peering up from his downward stance. Next he inspected the cabin and back to the stern. “Can I see the bunks?", he asked.  “Hold on", I said. First we have to get situated and there is still stuff in the car. Just as I said that, Bill pulled up and I told Leif to take a look at the bunks if he wanted but to be careful. Bill would help me unload the rest of the equipment.

Even though Leif and I had gotten most of the equipment ready for the trip, Bill still had a car load. “Jesus Christ!” “Did you bring enough crap with you?” “Do you really need that cod rod?” “Why don’t you leave some of this junk in the car?” I said. “Go f*** yourself!” was his reply and I laughed as we began unloading. The ball busting had begun.

It was now 11:00pm. Capt. Bob and mate John (now Capt. John) were in the stern of the boat getting ready to give the bunk assignments. Capt. Bob and John were always nice to Leif and today was no different. The names were called in order of reservation and since we called in early, we were at the top of the list. Leif, Bill and I grabbed our sleeping bags and set up our bunks for the trip out. The engines started with a ringing roar and Leif slipped into his sleeping bag like he’s done this a hundred times before. “Alright, get some sleep. I’ll wake you up when we get there.” Bill and I went back up to have something to eat before we settled in ourselves.

The slowing of the engines was like reverse alarm. I awoke and glanced over at Leif who was still asleep. It was around 4:30am. As I maneuvered out of the bunk he popped his head up and I told him to say here for a while until we anchor as it will be a while longer.

He nodded and plopped his head back down. Bill and I headed up the stairs and directly toward the thermos of coffee and assorted Entenmanns donuts. I never had a problem eating on a boat. The donuts were just an appetizer to the many egg bacon and cheese biscuits and bologna sandwiched that would follow. Bill, on the other hand always looked one step away from being sea sick although it never deterred him from venturing off shore.

It was not bad outside for the end of December. It was cold but not freezing. The light cold wind felt good on my face and you could see it was getting light through the thin cloud cover. Leif appeared as we were attaching sinkers and clam baits to our double and triple hook sea bass rigs. To me he looked like a little Knight after taking off his armor. His head was covered with a black ski mask. The part that was meant to cover your mouth and nose was down around his chin, framing his round rosy face. He wore a red sweat shirt that bore an emblem, enhancing his royal stature even further. “Sir L’il Leif” of Oakhurst, NJ, I thought.

We all dropped our rigs down into the depths. The sinker seemed to fall forever and I figured we were in about 200 feet or more. I was wondering if there might be a Cod but from past experience I knew those fish preferred shallower depths when on structure. Several anglers on the port side had hits and were bringing in fish. Leif’s head seemed as if it was on a swivel, checking out what was happening and asking, “Why aren’t we getting any?” “Be patient”, I said. They are just waking up and it should get better as it gets lighter. Sure enough the bites began. First it was me then Bill. We reeled and reeled until the fish came to the surface. “Double header knuckleheads”, I yelled as Bill brought in a six pounder with a big purple knot on its head. The fish, with its black and purple iridescence, lavender chin and tattered tail seems almost fake to me. “That’s a nice one”, I said as Capt. Bob came running down the stairs to take a few pictures. He had me hold up the two biggest ones for the picture. Capt. Bob always seems to take a good shot and that one turned out to be a “classic”.

Next it was Leif’s turn. “I got em!” he yelled as I was unhooking another double header. “Bring em up!” I said, and he did. This was indeed “drop and reel fishing” and all the fish were keepers. Leif was all business at this point and was keeping up with the best of them. One at a time, two at a time and three at a time, he couldn’t get the bait down quick enough. The 124 qt. cooler overflowed with fish. The action slowed toward the end of the day and Leif caught a big ling. It was his first ling. He proudly smiled as I took a picture of him holding it up in all his glory. The day was almost over.

Now he will be spoiled, I thought. This is was too easy. I was glad to see him catching those fish though. He was no stranger to fishing at ten years old but this was his first offshore trip for giant sea bass. I was glad to have him with me and I wished my dad could see how proud I was of him but he had passed in 1993, three years before Leif was born. Then I thought, maybe he could see us and maybe he had something to do with this. It just seemed too much of a coincidence that we could have so many great trips.

Bill, Leif and I caught many Sea Bass that day. We filled our coolers and then some. I asked Leif what was the best part of the trip he said it was catching that big ling. I thought that was kind of funny since he caught so many big Sea Bass but he had never caught a ling before and I guess he thought it was the best. 

Leif


Sent from my iPad

Jetty Fly Fishing Report 10/25

Jetty Fly Fishing Report 10/25


Well, I did something different today and fished the Jetty instead of the wash. I put on the old Korkers, rain jacket and headed out. Even brought the gaff just incase.

I fished from 6:15am until 7:45am today. I used my Chartreuse "super snake" today. The water looked great. light NE and some wave action. Nice current drifting the fly naturally into the feeding zone....

The only problem was, there were no stripers or bait. It seems those stripers are tuned into those peanuts and the act like a vaccuum, sucking all the bass to where they are. If they are not where you are.....no fish. I was hoping for a stray or resident fish but no dice..

Hopefully we will get a few days in before the Perfect Storm....


Leif

October Fly Fishing Deal Surf

Fly fishing in the surf this October has been pretty good. Most of the fish I caught so far have been on the small side. They have ranged from 19-28 inches. I have been using the fly rod and fishing the Deal surf and have had actions most days. October in this area can be tough after the mullet come through but there always seems to be something around in the early morning to keep you busy.

Here are a few photos from the end of September and October...

Fly fishing for Stripers from the surf and jetties

Fly fishing for Stripers from the surf and jetties


Striped Bass were made to be caught on a fly. Their feeding patterns and close proximity to the shore line and Jetties make them accessible, even to the novice angler. If you have fly-fished for trout and other species you have a slight advantage but with today’s equipment and advancements anyone who likes to fish for Stripers can be a pro in no time. The trick is to keep it simple and with a little practice you will be on your way.
In this post I will attempt to dispel some myths associated with Saltwater Fly-fishing for Stripers, provide simple information on how to get started in the sport including the four flies that will cover most situations.

The post will primarily deal with surf and jetty fishing situations. Again feel free to comment.
This post is primarily directed to those who may be interested in getting started in saltwater fly fishing and to give some perspective and general information on the sport.

Myths

“Fly fishing for stripers is light tackle fishing”

While this can be true in some cases, The rods and reels manufactured now are capable of handling fish up to a hundred pounds or more yet are very light due to advancements in technology, the use of thermoplastic resins, graphite, aircraft grade aluminum and impressive drag systems.

“It is an expensive sport”

Again, while it can be, you can have a good set up (rod, reel, and line) for Stripers and Blues for under $400.00. Not cheap but in comparison to some spinning and conventional equipment I’ve seen lately, not bad.

“It’s too complicated”

With the advancements in loop to loop connections, no knot systems and a little research and practice, you will only have to change leaders, tie standard knots and change a shooting head (Fly line for different situations like floating or sinking line)

“I can’t cast far enough to catch fish”

Most fish I have caught have been right in the wash in the “gully” or along a jetty. A thirty to forty foot cast is all you need. Having out fished others using live bait and plugs, I have to say this may be more effective than other standard methods of catching Striped Bass.

What you will need

One mistake that fisherman do when undertaking the sport is to purchase a rod that is too light. If you fish for stripers, especially from the surf you need a rod that will be able to punch out large flies in wind, turn big fish take a beating. Leave the 8-9 weight rods home. They will work in dead calm conditions. I do own them but only use them occasionally for smaller fish at the end of the season.

Rod, reel, line and leader

I use a nine ft Orvis 11 weight rod with 12 weight shooting heads. I also use a Lamson fly reel capable of holding 300 yards of 30# Dacron or gel spun backing, a 100ft of running line and 28ft for the shooting head.( I use Floating or Intermediate)


There are many manufactures, do some research and buy the best rod you can afford. For the surf and jetty I would not go lower than a fast action 10 weight rod and use an appropriately matched reel.

For the leader I use a four foot piece of 50-60lb mono leader with a perfection loop in each end. Attached to that is a four foot piece of 17-20lb fluorocarbon leader, perfection loop to the butt.

This may seem like over-kill (it is a Tarpon rod) but make no mistake, a five pound bass is still a thrill on this rod. You will be able to fish in most conditions when you need to and when that cow starts heading for the rocks; you can put the heat on.

I am not out to have “fun” with the fish. I want to land them as quick as possible and keep it if it is a keeper or let it go if unharmed if I choose.

Waders, Korkers, (Cleats) and Striping basket

If you already have a good pair of waders and carbide tipped cleats, you are set. All you need is an adjustable wading belt and a striping basket to “catch” the line as you strip it in. Use one with molded cones so the running line tangles less.

Striper Flies

Over the last twenty years I have tied many flies and have tried them all. I have found the following flies to be the most effective at the time listed next to them. If you do a search on any of these flies you will find images and information on how to tie them or where to buy them.

1) Popovick’s Spread Fly 2/0-4/0 Herring imitation Spring May-June

Cast up current or into wave alongside the jetty

2)Lou Tabory’s Snake Fly 2/0-3/0 Mullet imitation Fall Sept-Jan

Especially productive during the mullet run near the corners of the jetty or wash. Let the current /wave
action work the fly.

3) Lefty’s Deceiver 2/0-4/0 General Small Baitfish Spring May-June

Best color is chartreuse/white, fish in the corners near the beach in spring and late fall.

4) Bob Clouser’s Minnow 1/0-3/0 Spring and Fall

The weighted head gives this fly a jigging action that imitates an injured baitfish.

Each fly is fished differently. What makes them so productive is their ability to appear natural when fished and presented in the Striper’s feeding lane.


Use floating line for the Snake fly and intermediate for the rest as a general rule.

Earlier in the spring a sinking line may be more effective. Experiment!!!

Most retailers, either on-line of brick and mortar will generally be helpful or “put together” an outfit for you based on your budget and experience. They will also put the backing, running line and fly line on the reel for you at purchase.

Hope this was helpful.

Give it a try and good luck,

Leif

Fly Fishing Surf Report 9/25

I fished the Deal surf today from 6:00am til about 7:15am. Light SW breeze and a few snapper blues in the wash chasing rainfish. I had no hits or misses.


I saw quite a few people fishing. A couple of other fly rodders including Colin and Al. Al had a small blue on a popper and I heard one angler had a small bass.
Nice morning.

Surf Fly Fishing Report 9/23 Got 'em!!

Surf Fly Fishing Report 9/23 Got 'em!!


Fished the Deal surf again today with my fly rod. As usual this time of year I was using a 2/0 snake fly that I had tied.
I fished 6:00am to 7:15am on the out going tide and the wind was from the west at around 10. The water was slightly off color from the runoff and rain we had.
I hooked into a fish around 7:00am after working the stretch and seeing a little bait. It was a strong fish and several times it took line quickly that resulted in bruised knuckles.



Anyway, nice to be out there. These fish are right in the wash. You don't have to cast far....


Leif

Surf Fly Fishing Report 9/13 Day 4

Fly fished again this morning at the usual spot. Beautiful morning again and there was life in the area. Had one fish on but lost it after 2 seconds.

Calm conditions seemed to make the fish a little spooky. I was hoping for the light NE that was predicted yesterday.
Saw Collin on the beach as well. He was headed up for some little tunny. Best of luck with the speedsters!

Looking forward to some cooler weather.

Leif

Surf Fly Fishing Report 9/12 Got 'em

Fished the Deal surf again this morning...Wow 3 days in a row! I give Al credit for going every morning at 89 years young.


In any event, I fished from 6:00am to 7:00am and wound up with another short 24" Striper. As usual I was using a snake fly and the fish hit right in the wash.

It was a beautiful morning and the swell has subsided. Mullet and rain fish in the wash being chased by small bass and blues. Further out were some bunker schools and dophin.

Leif