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Surf report (May 2,2010)

Fished a back bay spot east of Fire Island with Kint and Chris tonight.

Conditions: Slightly overcast with late thunder showers.
Water Temp: 50-55 deg F? (Surprisingly warm)
Water Clarity: Slightly murky brown, but generally okay with about 3-4 ft visibility.
Fishing Method: Chunking/Dunking Bunker

Bait in the water: Spearing, baby sandeels, baby blueclaw crabs

Other notables: Horseshoe crabs mating by the tons along the shore.


Report: As soon as the first bunker chunk was dunked into the spot, we had small hits right away. We lost a couple fish due to rapid runoffs and drops (maybe small bluefish?). In time, each of us worked other areas. Luckily, I was able to get one run off of bunker chunk rear-end piece. I can't describe how pleasant the feeling was to get my first real run-off on the conventional rod this year! As soon as the fish hit, I turned on my red head light and saw my line peeling off. I counted to three, engaged, and then reared back hard --> the tension and tug of a fish on the end was something I've anticipated all winter long (Oh how I missed it so much!).... The fish peeled off some drag a couple of times before landing what was be the first keeper of the year for myself.

As the tide conditions became even more optimal, we each got a couple more runoffs. Kint was on with a nice fish but it shook loose just within 10 ft of us. Within the next 30 minutes, Kint managed to get a couple more runoffs, but they just would not fully commit to the chunks.

When the rain clouds moved in, the thunder showers came down hard. The bigger fish were probably still there, but we ran out of fresh bait. Perhaps, this was a blessing in disguise because, thanks to no bait, we all were able to get home at a decent hour to get some rest for work tommorrow morning.

Overall, the bite was a bit finicky, but one thing was definitely clear - the bass were in an unexpected area despite the expected cold water temps (which ended up not being true) and it being a bit early in the season. As long as no major wind/rain pushes through, the fish should still be there. Hopefully, we can be back for more action before the masses discover that the bass have arrived. The table is set for an AWESOME surf season...

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Surf report (May 2,2010)

We fished the same back bay spot east of Fire Island again with Kint and Chris. Thinking the light rains didn't do much to change the holding pattern of the bass from the previous night, we expected a hot bite. Unfortunately, that would not be the case.

Conditions: Slighly overcast with no wind.
Water Temp: 45-50 deg F? (Surprisingly colder than last night)
Water Clarity: Slightly murky brown, pollen on the water surface, but generally okay with about 3-4 ft visibility.
Fishing Method: Chunking/Dunking Bunker

Bait in the water: Spearing, baby blueclaw crabs, and clear-colored (3-4in) worms on surface

Other notables: Less horshoe crabs mating tonight.

Report: We made it to the spot an hour before prime time so we thought the initial slow action was going to change given some time. However, to no avail. VERY slow action. We got a couple of hits (likely cocktail blues?).

We dunked lots of bunker, and the crabs had a field day. We then split up and tried every spot, every hole, every nook and every cranny. Nada.

Then, we decided to up the ante by venturing out together to a deep, dangerous locale, which we knew would be our best bet for the night. The logic was simple, should one of us slip and fall, there would be safety in numbers. The three of us stood side-by-side and casted our baits, but still nothing. After about an hour of more nothing, we decide to call it quits. Chris reeled in, for what we thought was the final time for the night.

Just then, as Kint was about to do the same, "Oh oh...."
.....RUN OFF!
...............HOOK SET! Kint was into the lone bass of the night. A couple of strong pulls of drag, a low teen-lbs beauty made it wayside between the three of us. We stayed out for a couple more casts, but that would be it for the night.

Overall, it was a slow night of fishing, but still a memorable night among good friends. Hey, at least we got a fish!