Barnegat Municipal Dock 11-4-23 with end of the year summary

[NOREAST]

12 ring traps baited with c/n's
Culled at 5"
Water temperature 50.6 - 54.2 degrees
Low tide coming in
Started at 9:30 - 2:00 pm

The game plan was Striper fishing with crabbing in between. No hurry in getting down early with the cold temperatures. Beware of the new law that requires everyone on board, under 26' boat, must be wearing a coast guard approved life preserver while underway. *NOTE* photo with striper showing the belt type life preserver. Headed to the crab grounds on a flat and beautiful morning on the first week of November, trying to stretch the season out before the end. We caught crabs on every run but the size was very disappointing, with the size of the crabs early in the season I thought the fall run would be a banner one. Two weeks in a row with crabs just over 5", with a half dozen over 6", the overall size of the crabs are poor. In between runs we fished feeder creeks with poppers and guess who hooked up, the Captain. Overall I could of stayed out there all day knowing that this might be the last trip of the season, but when the Captain says it time to go it's time to go. Ended the day with a heavy 1/2 bushel that I gave to my neighbor.

End of year summary
38 trips
Close to 200 hrs. On motor
Fish caught:
Fluke
Sea bass
Bluefish
Blowfish
Spot
Striper
Clams
Total fluke caught: 229
Largest fluke- 24" 4-5lbs (first mate)
Next best, double header fluke 18 1/2"-19" (Captain)
Biggest crab 8 1/8" Chester River MD.
Best crabbing memory, cooking crabs in hotel parking lot, Chestertown MD.
Best fluke trip, 16 fish, 4 keepers, and I didn't catch one of them.
Overall a great season and it's hard to believe how fast it went by. The older you get, the quicker it goes by.
Going to hold out hope for next week, to take a trip down to the Fort, weather permitting.

[crabbin paisano]

Noreast you the man,great summary of the season with great photos. I had 2 maryland traps in the lagoon at my in laws house from friday nite to give it a last try pulled them out yesterdy and got 13 ,then it was time to cover the boat. A warm Sunday in November . Good luck next week i am putting money on you getting another half bushel next week. 

[Wahoo]

Great end of year report... Crab on!!

[DCAP1]

Wow.  Just wow.  These are the things that dreams are made from.  Nice job and thanks for the report

[coins1101]

Nice summary of the year. Maybe try one more time. Big warm up middle to end of next week.

[crewstation]

Nice recap and pics, Ray.

Although I thought your greatest memory would be rescuing my Dad and I from a dead battery with your fancy new gadget.   

Wishing you and the captain a quick winter and happy holidays.

Mike

[NOREAST]

Mike, when I heard that motor start I told the Captain, that thing( battery jump starter) really works. How did you make out that day? Best wishes to you and the family also.