Backwater Striper Opens
There is an almost imperceptible disturbance in The Force. Those that are tuned in to the inner sanctum of the fish world can just barely feel it. It is a stirring, an awakening, almost like the first gentle taps of a chicks beak on the inside of it’s shell.
As the sun rises and sets later, even though the water temperatures have barely started to climb, tiny microscopic organisms begin to hatch. The dark mud flats of the back bays absorb the warmth of the more directed sunlight, and with it the cycle of life begins.
Physiologically, our own brain chemistry begins to alter slightly. Endorphins release, nerve synapses fire, and our intellect crafts a subtle, yet compelling message that is transmitted to every molecule of our being. “Dude…IT IS TIME TO GO FISHIN’!”
Let’s be honest with each other. I have lost count of the number of opening days of striper season that I have bundled up like the Michelin man, packed up all my crap so I can carry it like a mule, and trudged my way, sand spikes clanging together, to the sod banks. With my plastic bag of finger-pinching mini-snakes and quart of pre-shucked clam, I ventured out in the darkness to repeat an annual ritual that has always turned out the same. One more year of making new friends on either side of me, and never… not once…connecting with an opening day striper.
I suppose with so many skunks painted on my fuselage that I should just throw in the towel, but I am writing this on the 28th of February and the small mountain of tomorrow morning’s gear is already piled up in the garage. Seriously, it is not like opening day of trout, where at least you know that they stocked the lake! Oh well, like Forrest Gump’s Mamma used to say… stupid is….
Today, however, I get to take a lap around the local tackle shops and talk to all the boys. If there ever was a group that was more ready for this season to start, I have yet to meet them.
First crony on the phone this morning was Chris up at Harry’s Army/Navy in Robbinsville. He and the boys are gearing up for opening day tomorrow. With some of the water temps bumping up a hair over the last week, he knows that his regulars will be out by the river mouths trying to temp a linesider into the game.
The boys at The Reel Seat in Brielle will be there for you on opening day. They are open Wednesday thru Saturday from 8 to 5, Sunday 8 to 2. There have been reports of a few shorts out front, but if anyone is fishing the back, they are not talking… yet.
Ron at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant, along with the rest of us, are already starting to feel the loss in the Sea Bass department as the end of February means the end of the season. If you are in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by and check out what a great job the crew there has done to get shop even better than before we all got hammered. Just like everyone else, there is lots of anticipation about stripers being back in the crosshairs.
Team Tackle Direct has been rocking the last couple of weeks with anglers gearing up. Special guest Larry Dahlberg, from The Hunt for Big Fish fame, was in the shop last week doing a video with your humble author, on the introduction of the new line of Shimano Stella reels. I can tell you that both the video and the reel are something you should go out of your way to lay eyes and hands on. The new girl is a monster and Larry does a great job of explaining the engineering behind the new line. Over 40 new instructional product videos were taped last week, so if you have not been to the TackleDirect Video library recently and you want to check out the specs on new gear from the manufacturers reps themselves, check it out.
Freshwater has been spotty across the state with some high points. Up at Efinger’s in Bound Brook a 6.6-pound walleye was weighed in, taken by Dan Pryor of Bridgewater on a shiner. A real 24-inch beauty. They also report that trout are being taken on nymphs on the South Branch and some good reports have come from up above the Gorge.
Best bet for this weekend, considering what a lousy opening day fisherman I am, is find out where I am not, and fish there! All kidding aside, take the time to treat yourself to a little outdoors. It is going to be cloudy, and breezy, but still… the game has started. Get off the sidelines early this year!
If you are still in prep mode, you can swing by the Berkley Striper Club Flea Market in Toms River on Sunday, or swing by Pride Bait and Tackle in Red Bank for their Early Spring Striped Bass Seminar that starts at 10 am on Saturday.