[Even Steven]

Started out Sunday night (3/25/07) from 5PM - 7:30PM on the sods out back in South Jersey. Did not get down early enough, so had no bait, but plugged for the duration. Nothing happening.

Started Monday (3/26/07) off at 11AM in a different spot. Had one rod with clam on FF rig, second rod with bloodworm and FF rig (both with 8/0 Gama Circle and 6" leader), and I was plugging with the third. Fished hard, then got hungry (and frankly a little bored) around 2PM. Took one bite out of my lunch, looked up, and WHAM! My first hit of the season! She gave me a good run and broke water a few times before running in right towards me. Got her into the shallows and she came right into shore. Measured 27". Circle hook entered the cheek, but never touched the gill plate, so she was revived and set free. Here is my first of the season and this was on bloodworm. This will be the year I get my first keeper:



The fish was very healthy looking, gave a good fight for it's size, and was aggressive and looked great! This is yet another good sign for the state of striper fishing in NJ!

Fished hard still for another 3 hours and left for eats @ 5PM. Hit another spot @ 6PM. Tossed one rod out with bloodworm, FF rig with 8/0 Gama Circle like earlier. Threw out a plug and started working it when WHAM! The baited rod gets nailed!! Not really a big run, felt different than a striper at first but wound up she was just tired and came right in. This one measured in at around 26". Again, revived and set free. Good hookset on this one and yet another VERY healthy looking fish:



Fished till about 8PM at that spot, nothing else happened. Moved North a bit and tried the location from the first fish earlier and had no bites. Wrapped up @ 10PM.

Went out Tuesday (3/27/07) at 11AM. Fished hard with 2 baited rods and plugging along with third rod and nothing. Wrapped up with a skunk for the day @ 3PM.

Also drove down last night (3/28/07) and fished hard with the wife (yes, she rocks!) from 5PM - 8PM. Had one tiny tap tap tap (very light) on bloodworm again just before sunset. Had a gull try and take an RM Smith custom. So, ended that evening with another skunk.

More fishing and more reports to come!

Steve