For the Week Ending Sunday, May 26, 2019

Tuesday, May 21 (from Ron)...Been fishing saltwater lately, picking through a dozen or so flounder to find any keepers (16.5 inches), as well as taking a boat trip off shore for black sea bass this past Sunday. Went home with five sea bass (nothing over 2 lbs.), and they were delicious...just the right amount for three of us. Yesterday's best flounder of the season will be tasty as well. Also caught a couple small speckled trout and bluefish to 20 inches. Too windy today, and I need a break.

Wednesday, May 22 (from Ken)...Having no stomach for the Memorial Day Weekend or the Strawberry Festival, I gave myself a birthday present today and got in what likely will be one of the last quiet days on the water for a spell. Wasn't another soul in the parking lot this morning when I launched and shoved away from the dock about 7 o'clock. Had to sit at the mouth of West Neck and wait for a couple of "big boys" to pass but then ventured out into the channel and turned south. Didn't see another "big boy" until I was where I wanted to be, so it was a pleasant ride. The fishing started really slow. Had four different topwater baits tied on, but the fish weren't having any of them. Then went through a spinnerbait and a couple of crankbaits before I found one of the latter that would work. As luck would have it, the fish stayed on that same crankbait all day long. I ended up with a total of eight bass, including three dinks, a 1-1, 1-5, 1-6, 1-9, and 2-3. I also caught a crappie and one of Ron's prized bowfins, which I quickly released back where I found him. If today's catch was any indication, I have a feeling we'll be seeing fewer of the big fish in the days ahead. Even the carp and gar were subdued today. I plan to get out one day next week again. Looking forward to that outing, 'cause I'll be accompanying an old friend from bygone West Neck tournament days. We hooked up earlier this week and decided the best way to renew our friendship is to spend a day on the water together. He wants to use his boat, and that's OK with me. Have no qualms at all about just riding and holding down his back seat. Can hardly wait to find out what all he has been up to these past several years.

Wednesday, May 22 (from Ron)...Tides were wrong for an evening in the inlet, so opted for upper North Landing for a short evening trip. Weather was brilliant, but the bass, not so much. Caught a 1-5, 1-7 and a few dinks. They hit Senko, Flukes and topwater. One huge bowfin blew up but he missed the bait as they often do. Rare to see them actually jump and get in the air.

Thursday, May 23 (from Ron)...Fought the wind and caught a few fish in the evening. Had to put away the micro spinner, as it was attracting too many li'l white perch. Lost a big bowfin, caught a rare striper, and landed two dink bass. Plastics were not working due to the wind...just couldn't fish 'em. Threw some topwater around but had no takers. 'Twas a slow bite until the mosquitoes woke up at sunset!

Friday, May 24 (from Ron)...Fished No Name Creek this evening. The micro spinner was catching panfish, but I didn't want any. Also caught three dink bass and a 1-12. The action was kinda slow, but at least there was no river traffic or jet skiers to deal with.