Hot Weather Making Fishing Tough

CapeMayRay · 08-03-2006, 11:44 PM

Tough chartering conditions but we worked hard for a few fish. Started sweating as soon as we got on the boat and the water in the marina was 74 with a hot breeze for the west.

Started in the back with the tide just starting to go out. Flies were brutal. Greenheads and black flies were out for blood. Used the skin so soft and keep them under control. Worked a current draining into the intercoastal water way and got a couple of stripers and a few small blues with a few misses. All on pink/white deceivers on intermediate.

Not much to write home about but atleast it was fly rod action. The pictures do not show how God awful hot it was.

We decided to cool off and work the inlet rocks where we got another small blue.

We then tried the beachfront but found the water too nice. It was 72 degrees and very clear. We could see bottom in 6 foot of water. Fished it a little while and decided to go back to where we started the night with atleast a decent current. Got two more blues and a big stingray. Couldn't tell whether it took the fly or was foul hooked. It was on the side of the mouth and it broke off as I was trying to leader it without getting whacked. With the heat, warm clear water, fishing is tough at best. Need some good tides at night to get things back to normal.

CapeMayRay · 08-04-2006, 01:46 PM

Lucked out and ground out a good trip.

Was out this morning with a charter right after a nasty thunderstorm past. Went back to where we fished last night and the tide was just starting to go out. We started in 3 foot of water. It was 70 degrees and murky. Probably from the rain we had earlier in the morning. Had one guy using a popping plug and one using a fly. First cast with the popping plug the angler had a hit and a miss. On the next cast I told him to not be so quick to pull the plug away. Before I got the fly angler casting he hooked up.

Had hit after hit on the popping plug. The fly angler with limited casting skills couldn't get a hook up and after watching his buddy get his popper contantly whacked and after four fish, decided to go to the popping plug. The action was super as we ended up catch 14 bass and 3 blues with tons of missed until the sun started getting bright. (Had gnats, greenheads and black flies.) I had lots of bites and wasn't even fishing.

Fly angler tried the fly again but just couldn't hook up and neither did the plug angler. We moved to the inlet where finally got a nother blue for each. Water on the outside of the north jetty was 62 degrees.

Good morning of fishing as it was really hot by the time we got back to the dock at 9:30. Just couldn't get the fly angler into a good bite today as the wanted that big popping plug.

CapeMayRay · 08-05-2006, 12:46 PM

Left the dock Friday night, with a husband and wife plugging charter to hit the out going tide in the back bay. We were hoping to get the same good action as the morning trip. Wind was real strong from the west making positioning the boat a little tougher, but not a factor.

Greenhead and black flies were bad. Sprayed ourselves down and they were under control with just a bite here and there. Everything looked perfect. Good water, good tide, good water temperature and lots of bait in the water. Tried the spot near a shallow bar and got a 17 inch bass and some small blues there. Went to the very back of flats and found all the bait that you could ever want, with 5 to 8 inch blues chasing it all over, but not bigger fish around for us and no signs of bass pushing it in 3 to 4 foot of water.

Worked a go to spot to death with only more a couple of super small bass more small bluefish for our efforts and I mean we worked it to death. biggest bass of the night was only 18 inches. If there were any decent stripers going by there it couldn't of missed our presentations as I was throwing a third lure out most of the trip trying to get them on to some action. Charter had fun, but I couldn't find a reason why the lack of a bass bite with conditions looking so good.

Here is the highlight of the night. It almost looked like fall, except for the heat.

Normally with a early back to the dock, I would of went out myself for some personal fishing, but just felt it wasn't worth the efffort and I don't discourage easily when it comes to fishing.

CapeMayRay · 08-08-2006, 12:10 AM

Real tough night tonight. Had a single fly angler out tonight. Left the dock at 6:00 p.m. with a strong wind out of the south with the tide still coming in and the water temperature at the marina was 68. Got to first fishing spot in the back bay and it was 66 degrees no bait and the wind kicked up more.

Moved over to where a friend caught the other night. Water there was 66 degree and tons of bait. Tough to control the boat with the wind. Angler was using Chart/white clouser and I was flinging Popping and swimming plugs and neither of us got a bite.

Moved to the area where I caught the other night and found 76 degree water and tons of bait. Fly angler had a bass on and tippet broke. He was using 10 lb test and it broke at a wind knot. I caught a blue on a plug and had one other hit and that was it.

We tried three other spots and then came back to the spot where we he missed his fish. He had a nice hit and then we noticed lightning in the distance. Turned on the weather radio and they said there was some nasty storms heading our way across the bay, so we headed for the barn.

Called it an early night and I promised to get him out with me later in the week. Wind was still blowing strong when we got in. Turned out to be a good decision as there is a ton of lightning going on right now.

CapeMayRay · 08-08-2006, 04:11 PM

Well I can still catch stripers on that stinky stuff called bait. Had a father and his two kids out this morning. Too young to do the fly or plug thing. Just wanted to get them some action. When I stopped to get some clams and clam bellies this morning they asked me what I was going to do with them as stripers are all gone.

Left the dock at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Checked the inlet first just to make sure there were no blues or fish around the rocks. Found 62 degree water at the inlet and no fish.

Went to the back to set up a clam belly and bunker chum slick. Was hoping for a stray bass, blues and maybe some sand sharks for the kids.

Had a great morning. 5 stripers in total 23, 24, 25 1/2, 26, and 27 inches. Also had a number of sand sharks, one herring that took clam and a mess of little sea bass that they got on the gulp baits, jigging on the bottom.

Taught the kids the importance of reviving and releasing the fish unharmed. Caught our last one at 11:30 just as we were leaving. Think there were more around, but 4 hours and the kids were ready for lunch and the beach. Don't think we could of gotten them on the fly that time of day. They were all happy. Biggest fish they had ever caught and just as impressed with the sand sharks.

CapeMayRay · 08-10-2006, 05:36 PM

Felt like fall Wednesday morning. Could turn off the air conditioning and had to wear a sweatshirt. Found blues and the inlet and around the intercoastal water way and got one 22 inch striper. Saw tons and tons of bait where we fished, but the action was slow. Also had the engine breaking up at higher speeds even after changing the Water filter last night. Can't do the one in the motor. It is somewhere inside. Not like the older ones that were inline. Set up to have it checked out but they many not be able to get to it till next week. Now I have to run around a low speed or stay at the dock. Going to make charters difficult till I can get it looked at. Glad I have sea tow, incase I need it. Believe it is ethanol related problem.

Today, Got my morning one person fly charter in despite engine not running properly. Fished the inlet rocks and only found small blues that took pink/white deceivers and clousers. Lost one schoolie bass that took a chart/yellow deceiver. It gave a nice fight and came off before we could put the net on it.

Worked the back where we got the blues yesterday. There was plenty of bait and picked one around 22 inches on a popping plug. Moved way back on the flats and picked up a few more on the popping plug and tried the old bait and switch on a couple. Couldn't get them to hit the fly. Water was very clear and the was a good amount of sun. All morning never saw any fish pushing bait. Could be the full moon tides, who knows.

TONYS MARINE MADE MY DAY. When told mechanic of my problem he checked and knew right off the bat that it wasn't fuel related. Filters were clean. Said it can be one of two things. Photo sensor or power pack. Replaced the sensor and still had the problem. Replaced the power pack and she is running smooth and I am back in business.

Been dealing with them for years and they have always been there when I needed them. Good people doing a good job. Put the smile back on my face. Might frown for a minute when I get the bill but it was worth it.

08-04-2006, 01:46 PM	#2
CapeMayRay I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 1,112 Credits: 2,656.1 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Lucked out and ground out a good trip. Was out this morning with a charter right after a nasty thunderstorm past. Went back to where we fished last night and the tide was just starting to go out. We started in 3 foot of water. It was 70 degrees and murky. Probably from the rain we had earlier in the morning. Had one guy using a popping plug and one using a fly. First cast with the popping plug the angler had a hit and a miss. On the next cast I told him to not be so quick to pull the plug away. Before I got the fly angler casting he hooked up. Had hit after hit on the popping plug. The fly angler with limited casting skills couldn't get a hook up and after watching his buddy get his popper contantly whacked and after four fish, decided to go to the popping plug. The action was super as we ended up catch 14 bass and 3 blues with tons of missed until the sun started getting bright. (Had gnats, greenheads and black flies.) I had lots of bites and wasn't even fishing. Fly angler tried the fly again but just couldn't hook up and neither did the plug angler. We moved to the inlet where finally got a nother blue for each. Water on the outside of the north jetty was 62 degrees. Good morning of fishing as it was really hot by the time we got back to the dock at 9:30. Just couldn't get the fly angler into a good bite today as the wanted that big popping plug. Last edited by CapeMayRay; 08-04-2006 at 03:02 PM.

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08-05-2006, 12:46 PM	#3
CapeMayRay I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 1,112 Credits: 2,656.1 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Left the dock Friday night, with a husband and wife plugging charter to hit the out going tide in the back bay. We were hoping to get the same good action as the morning trip. Wind was real strong from the west making positioning the boat a little tougher, but not a factor. Greenhead and black flies were bad. Sprayed ourselves down and they were under control with just a bite here and there. Everything looked perfect. Good water, good tide, good water temperature and lots of bait in the water. Tried the spot near a shallow bar and got a 17 inch bass and some small blues there. Went to the very back of flats and found all the bait that you could ever want, with 5 to 8 inch blues chasing it all over, but not bigger fish around for us and no signs of bass pushing it in 3 to 4 foot of water. Worked a go to spot to death with only more a couple of super small bass more small bluefish for our efforts and I mean we worked it to death. biggest bass of the night was only 18 inches. If there were any decent stripers going by there it couldn't of missed our presentations as I was throwing a third lure out most of the trip trying to get them on to some action. Charter had fun, but I couldn't find a reason why the lack of a bass bite with conditions looking so good. Here is the highlight of the night. It almost looked like fall, except for the heat. Normally with a early back to the dock, I would of went out myself for some personal fishing, but just felt it wasn't worth the efffort and I don't discourage easily when it comes to fishing.

08-08-2006, 12:10 AM	#4
CapeMayRay I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 1,112 Credits: 2,656.1 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Real tough night tonight. Had a single fly angler out tonight. Left the dock at 6:00 p.m. with a strong wind out of the south with the tide still coming in and the water temperature at the marina was 68. Got to first fishing spot in the back bay and it was 66 degrees no bait and the wind kicked up more. Moved over to where a friend caught the other night. Water there was 66 degree and tons of bait. Tough to control the boat with the wind. Angler was using Chart/white clouser and I was flinging Popping and swimming plugs and neither of us got a bite. Moved to the area where I caught the other night and found 76 degree water and tons of bait. Fly angler had a bass on and tippet broke. He was using 10 lb test and it broke at a wind knot. I caught a blue on a plug and had one other hit and that was it. We tried three other spots and then came back to the spot where we he missed his fish. He had a nice hit and then we noticed lightning in the distance. Turned on the weather radio and they said there was some nasty storms heading our way across the bay, so we headed for the barn. Called it an early night and I promised to get him out with me later in the week. Wind was still blowing strong when we got in. Turned out to be a good decision as there is a ton of lightning going on right now.

08-08-2006, 04:11 PM	#5
CapeMayRay I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 1,112 Credits: 2,656.1 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Well I can still catch stripers on that stinky stuff called bait. Had a father and his two kids out this morning. Too young to do the fly or plug thing. Just wanted to get them some action. When I stopped to get some clams and clam bellies this morning they asked me what I was going to do with them as stripers are all gone. Left the dock at 7:30 a.m. this morning. Checked the inlet first just to make sure there were no blues or fish around the rocks. Found 62 degree water at the inlet and no fish. Went to the back to set up a clam belly and bunker chum slick. Was hoping for a stray bass, blues and maybe some sand sharks for the kids. Had a great morning. 5 stripers in total 23, 24, 25 1/2, 26, and 27 inches. Also had a number of sand sharks, one herring that took clam and a mess of little sea bass that they got on the gulp baits, jigging on the bottom. Taught the kids the importance of reviving and releasing the fish unharmed. Caught our last one at 11:30 just as we were leaving. Think there were more around, but 4 hours and the kids were ready for lunch and the beach. Don't think we could of gotten them on the fly that time of day. They were all happy. Biggest fish they had ever caught and just as impressed with the sand sharks.

08-10-2006, 05:36 PM	#6
CapeMayRay I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cape May, New Jersey Posts: 1,112 Credits: 2,656.1 Occupation: Charter Capt.	Felt like fall Wednesday morning. Could turn off the air conditioning and had to wear a sweatshirt. Found blues and the inlet and around the intercoastal water way and got one 22 inch striper. Saw tons and tons of bait where we fished, but the action was slow. Also had the engine breaking up at higher speeds even after changing the Water filter last night. Can't do the one in the motor. It is somewhere inside. Not like the older ones that were inline. Set up to have it checked out but they many not be able to get to it till next week. Now I have to run around a low speed or stay at the dock. Going to make charters difficult till I can get it looked at. Glad I have sea tow, incase I need it. Believe it is ethanol related problem. Today, Got my morning one person fly charter in despite engine not running properly. Fished the inlet rocks and only found small blues that took pink/white deceivers and clousers. Lost one schoolie bass that took a chart/yellow deceiver. It gave a nice fight and came off before we could put the net on it. Worked the back where we got the blues yesterday. There was plenty of bait and picked one around 22 inches on a popping plug. Moved way back on the flats and picked up a few more on the popping plug and tried the old bait and switch on a couple. Couldn't get them to hit the fly. Water was very clear and the was a good amount of sun. All morning never saw any fish pushing bait. Could be the full moon tides, who knows. TONYS MARINE MADE MY DAY. When told mechanic of my problem he checked and knew right off the bat that it wasn't fuel related. Filters were clean. Said it can be one of two things. Photo sensor or power pack. Replaced the sensor and still had the problem. Replaced the power pack and she is running smooth and I am back in business. Been dealing with them for years and they have always been there when I needed them. Good people doing a good job. Put the smile back on my face. Might frown for a minute when I get the bill but it was worth it.