A Very Slow 12 Hours

    The month of August was for the most part a blank moth for me.  I was not able to get out much at all for a multitude of reasons.   My Grandpa passing away was the major reason.  As of late a lot of the family events have come to an end I have finally found some more time to go fishing

     Last night I got together with HVAC Nick, and we hit the surf from 9pm-12am.   Having to wear jackets for the first time was less than pleasing, but it was not bad weather wise.  We fished the incoming tide with a variety of lures.  The only fish of the night came on HVAC Nick's SP Minnow.  I was fishing a Jumpin Minnow slow on top like a needle fish with only a few light hits from small schoolies.   The good news was I did see some bait and the fish Nick caught was a keeper, which he released.

    This morning was not much better.  The plug fishing in shallow blew.  Jan and I worked 6 different spots with nothing to show for it.  We decided to do some bottom fishing, and that was just as bad.  2 hours later I had two Keeper porgies to show for it.  The idea of filling the Yeti cooler I got back in June was completely out of the question.  The only up side was the shallow waters are holding small 12-16 inch schoolies.  Well tomorrow is another day, my birthday.

Show and Tell: A Look at Yeti Coolers

 

  A few years back, I was  walking through the Cabela's in East Hartford, Connecticut.  As I was strolling through the store I noticed the cooler display area.  At the time I just so happened to be looking for a 35-45 quart marine cooler for my boat.  I have had Igloo in the past so I was pretty set on them at the time.  By chance I noticed the Yeti Coolers on display, and checked them out.  The first point I noticed was the price, how could you not.  The Yeti's were 3-4 times pricier than the Coleman's and Igloo coolers.  I could see the fit and finish, I know I am out of my mind "fit and finish" on a cooler, was top notch.  I also could see Yeti Had much more insulation than the others.  At the end of the day I ended up buying an Igloo Marine based on price and my needs.  Fast forward 2 years and I need a new cooler.

A Personal Best

      As a youngster I learned fishing through the art of bottom fishing here in Long Island Sound.  Over the years I have had some spectacular days fishing for Fluke, Sea Bass, and Porgies.  I never had much luck with the Fluke, but the Sea Bass and Porgies are another ball game.  I have always been very fond of porgy fishing, and I was very happy to drop a cut peace of clam down this morning.  What came up was a new Personal Best Porgy!  Sorry, no 50 pound bass of 20 pound blue.  It was evident The Porgy broke off another angler recently by the broken leader hanging out of his mouth.  Someone's "the one that got away" is my Personal Best.  The Porgy taped out at 16.75 inches and hit a little over 2.25 lbs. on the scale.  I have always come close to the 2lb mark but i broke it today.

Finally a Good Outting

   The last few fishing trips have been POOR.  Not much to tell a story about unless everyone wants to read about a 4 hour 16ft aluminum boat ride.  The last 3 trips may have produced 4 schoolie bass, which is unacceptable, and I honestly felt like I forgot how to fish.  Did the fish go into lock jaw? move on? night feeding pattern?  Whatever the problem was things needed to change.  Yesterday things changed.
    I got out on the water with Jan at 530 am.  It was questionable if we were even going to get out since thunderstorms were flaring up all around us.  We got some fish close to the ramp, and it looked like the makings of a great morning.  I then noticed the sky in the west getting dark and we decided to seek shelter.  We pulled up on a sand bar, threw on the rain gear, and waited it out.  The Radar app on my phone showed the storm passing just to the north and intensifying as it got east of us.  We didn't even get a lot of rain.
   Speaking of rain, Connecticut has received a lot of rain lately.  In June 10+ inches fell in one week shutting down the clam beds for a month.  Those beds were reopened just prior to the 4th of July and Jan and I were very eager to get over there.  After the thunderstorm pushed east and the sun came out a little we made the run.  Pushing the boat off the sand bar was a little tough  since the tide went out a little, but we got it.  We hit the clams hard and fast!  I even took a break from them to snag a few oysters.  I like oysters but I still prefer the clam better.   On the ride home We went back to plug fishing.  We got 3 more fish one of which was a  37 inch 18 pound fish.  I threw him in my new Engel Ice Bag and took him home.

      The big bonus of the day was the oysters.  Last spring I got a new oyster knife.  As soon as it arrived in the mail the rains started.  It was like buying a new snow blower and getting a 50 degree winter.  The knife is made by Victorinox and is a New Haven style blade.  It is a great oyster knife!

Here is a video of my trip
Clamming CT