Triton Beach: Saturday, 16 August

[Cowpokey]

Going to launch at 0700, or as soon as they open the gate. Not sure if we will try catching any bait for live lining, or go straight to trolling. Based on small high tide at 9:32 am, I'd say we will probably take advantage of the moving water and go straight to trolling.

Going to bring along third rod rigged up with something that can be cast over breaking fish, if there are any? Been almost a month since I fished this area...hopefully there are a couple fish around, dumb (or desperate) enough to give me a bite.

The launch isn't bad, but beach wheelz would be best for landing.

[JAR]

Fish have been breaking in this area at first light and usually quit just before the park opens. Mostly smaller rock and blues with an occasional keeper in the mix. I've been doing well with 4" Storm shads casting to breaking fish but the blues have been increasing in number since last week so bring some spoons too and save your plastics. Good luck!

[Cowpokey]

Is there still a lot of bait around? Last time we were there the bait balls were thick!

I'm using Z-Man plastics, going to see if a blue can hurt it.

I wasn't planning on using steel leader, but I'll bring some along in case I get bit off.

[JAR]

There is still plenty of bait here but not as thickly concentrated in one area like a few weeks back. So the bait is spread out and I'm seeing smaller bait balls here and there. I've been using the Z-mans lately (thanks for turning me on to them) and the blues can still bite them off, just takes a little more time. What I noticed is the blues will continue to chew on the lure longer since it holds up so well. And yes, they still bite just behind the hook. Hence the recommendation on spoons with rear hooks to increase your hook up ratio with the blues. Haven't had any bite offs yet and I typically use 20 lb mono leaders and check for nicks every time I catch a blue.

[Cowpokey]

Outstanding replay/info, thanks!

[Snakehead Hunter]

If you live line, just hook the fish at the tail. That's how I do it.

[Cowpokey]

If you live line, just hook the fish at the tail. That's how I do it.

I'll have to give that a try.

[Cowpokey]

Well, it wasn't for a lack of trying...but we didn't do worth a hoot. I had to give up on trolling north of the Thomas Point Lighthouse and put a bottom rig on with some fish bites, just to get rid of the skunk. Ended up catching two BIG spot by a buoy the had a faded marking "Oyster Anchuar" (???) on it. After that I figured it was safe to go back to trolling, ended up getting one short striper, 14 or 15 inches...and that was pretty much it for me.

We went back to the mouth of the South River, and found a bunch of bait jumping. Saw some fish flashing the surface that were chasing, must have been blues. Couldn't get any of them to take a bite. Tried casting a silver spoon and a silver/black Chug Bug...nothing.

We were marking plenty of bait, couldn't find the target species. Did a lot of fishing, very little catching.

[sparky1423]

Pretty much the same here. I was getting frustrated with all the boat traffic at the lighthouse... I ended up casting the riprap at Thomas point park, then across the south river and followed the shoreline back to the launch. Ended up with 3 stripers just below 18 and keep a dozen of the largest perch. Everything was caught on my woody spinner except for one rockfish.

[Sun]

Is that a dent in that kayak?

[Cowpokey]

Is that a dent in that kayak?

X2?

Apparently I added 15 miles to my trip this morning when I missed/went past the turn off of 50, and then missed the turn onto Triton Beach road...I left home early enough to get to the gate by a quarter to 7, and ended up getting there when everyone else was all ready to launch.

[Snakehead Hunter]

I was gonna go there on Monday but I think I"m gonna switch location

[sparky1423]

It's from my j-bar. I have to pop it out soon, just been lazy. I get that same dent every summer. Filleting the perch I found some baby crab in their stomachs

[Cowpokey]

I was gonna go there on Monday but I think I"m gonna switch location

I took Monday off from work, so post up a thread of where you're thinking about going and I might join you.

It's from my j-bar. I have to pop it out soon, just been lazy. I get that same dent every summer. Filleting the perch I found some baby crab in their stomachs

Do you leave it loaded on your vehicle all summer? Never thought about perch eating crab, but considering how aggressive they are, I guess everything is food to them.

[sparky1423]

No, only the night before. The bottom of the j bar is too small for the outback... It's a Thule 835pro. It's caused from ratcheting the bow and stern down. I've tried to ease up on the pressure, but then the kayak likes to wobble in the wind resistance. It's a big kayak for j-bars. I can pop it out fairly quickly with hot water and an air compressor Think of it as a birthmark