Place: Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, NJ
Time: 6:45am-2:45pm
Date: Sunday, July 26, 2009
Weather: Very warm, Blue-Bird skys;intermitent Clouds High 80's
Water Temps: 77.6 Degrees Northern section; Warming up to 81 Degrees towards rip rap and dam area
Water Clarity: down to 4.0'; 3' in the grass area
Water current and Level: Full Pool; with mild wind
Best Lure: Dropshotting; Shakey heads; Finesse plastics, Traps, & Deep Cranks
Depths fished: 5.5"~ 15'
Bass Limit: 3
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First off, I would like to thank the great officials and ranger on duty at the Manasquan Reservoir for showing the utmost respect, courtesy, and partnership in allowing SJHT Anglers the ability to "Fun Fish" today. Without there cooperation and partnership, today's "Fun Fish" would have been a disaster. So.. from the anglers below the Mason Dixon Line, We really Thank You!!!
Alright, here we go!!! With the weathermen forcasting sporatic, severe Thunderstorms and drenching rains in the afternoon, SJHT Anglers got on the road in the earlier AM and was met with the sounds of Thunder and a severe Lightening show as we neared Howell, NJ (Interstate 195 East Corridor). I thought this was suppose to be in the PM? Go Figure. After paying the launching fee and performing livewell checks, anglers set off to find Mobey Dick!!!! Oh did I mention, this was the 1st time that many SJHT anglers had traveled and actually fish this place. All I can say is Manasquan Resvoir is the Bomb Diggity!!!
Having done my research, read past and current reports, understand Time of season and how these Bass typically relate to Deep waters, I along with about 4 others proceeded to follow Tboe around the Lake!!! LOL With Marker Buoy thrown, we created a somewhat of a "Circle of Life" out in the middle of "No Where" and that's where the fireworks begun!!!
This place is No-Joke!! Andy a.k.a. "Trapper" kicked off the party by hauling in his one and only Fish..which turned out to be Lunker Winner going 4.19lbs. Way to cash in Trapper!!! Fishing on the same boat, TBoe then gets in on action with his biggun going 3.17lbs. Feeling a little left out, I get in not soon after with a 2.81lber. And then Bill Leach...joins in and loses boat-side the mother of all catches with an easily 5lb-6lber breaking his Fire-Wire line right off!!!! We all looked at him and said Damn...."You just knocked the Freak out"!!! LOL!!! Actually the "Circle of Love... I mean Life" just shook our heads and said better you then me!!! BTW...this all happen within the 2 hours!!
Remind me to comment about the 7lber Bass Hopper Lost in the last 1 hour of the tournament!!!
I've rambled enough!!! Can you tell we had fun out there today!!!
Alright for the second time and without further adieu, a Big Congratulations goes out to 2nd year member James "Jimbo" Martino for taking 1st place and only one with a 3 Bass Limit going 7.22lbs.2nd Place was won by up and coming Rookie angler "Tim R." with 2 Bass going 5.01lbs (which 1 was a Smallie). 3rd Place was won by our Tour Guide Terry "TboeBass" B. with 2 Bass going 4.43. As Mentioned earlier, "Trapper" finally got in the action by catching today's Lunker going a Nice 4.19lbs. Gentlemen....Way to battle the High Sun, very Hot weather, and the numerous break-offs!! You all Kick major Arse!!!
1st Place Jimbo 7.22lbs:
2nd Place Tim R. 5.01lbs:
3rd Place Manasquan Tour Guide Tboe:
Lunker Winner "Trapper" 1 Bass going 4.19lbs:
Tale of the Tape:
Honorable mentions and Manasquan scenes: Layne thinking about next move...
Gonefishin's catch:
My catch:
Bills Leach's catch:
Did I mentioned that Rookie member Rob. M. also caught a nice 16lb Hybrid Striper....along with Guest member White Mike Sr.
Note: Mr. White Mike Sr. was even courteous enough to call via Cell and varify whether or not Hybrids could be brought to the weight in scales!!! LOL Good S**T!!! I can't make this up!!!
Anyway, although the number of limits were not maximized, anglers caught many Dinks, crappies, perch, bluegills, along with there keeper Largemouth and smallies thrown in the mix. There was a definite concentration of Largemouths in one section of the lake vs. say the other. It must be that 5Alive Magic or something!!! You guys definitely have a gem in the SQUAN!!! We just wish it was a bit closer!!
Once everything was said and done, we just concluded todays "Fun Fish" as the bad weather rolled in and high tailed it out of the parking area.
Note: Trapper's Lunker catch had a Huge mouth. I could only imagine what Bass Hoppers lost catch looked liked.
Note Again: To any future "Fun Fishing" Anglers, the ranger has his own pet Bass community located near the boat docks and boats. He would prefer all anglers to stay away from his pet Bass so they can be fed earlier in the AM. This area is unofficially off-limits! Just ask Bass Hopper. What a way to start the AM!!!
