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Barnegat Fishing Charters

NJ Striped Bass Fishing - A Season To Remember

Just before sunrise on June 5th, Jack Merwede, from Lavallette and Whiting, hooked in to a striped bass of a lifetime while fishing with colleague Mike Chizhik on his 22' Shamrock.

After having run in to large school of bunker at the mouth of the Shark River in Avon, Snag-and-Drop was the order of the day. Two 25 lbers were already in the boat when Jack decided to try a unique surf  fishing technique currently under development. Jack used a fish-finder type rig with an 8/0 Octopus Circle, 3 ounce weight and bunker chunk on the end of a 7' Ugly Stick with a Shimano 3500 Baitclicker, spooled with Power Pro. Certainly more of a fluke rod than a striper rig.  Of course Murphy's Law prevailed as the monster bass picked up the chunk from the bottom and took off for parts unknown. Fortunately, Mike's boat handling expertise afforded some time to catch up with the brute and wear her out . After a 20 minute chase and struggle, the 50 inch-50 pound trophy was brought to the boat. This fish was Jack's lifetime best by almost 19 lbs.

 

 

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