Place: Stone Tavern Lake, Monmouth County, NJ
Time: 5:45am-1:45pm
Date: Sunday, August 09, 2009
Weather: Overcast, Warm & Humid with steady rain up towards 9:45amish; Temps near 72 Degrees at start; clearing later with spotty sunshine rising to balmy 84 degrees
Water Temps: 78.0 Degrees at start; Warming up to 80 Degrees towards Northeast section of lake area.
Water Clarity: down to 1.5'; Heavily stained from the overnight showers
and grass somewhat thick
Water current and Level: Full Pool with many points submerged
Best Lure: Dropshotting; Blk\Blue Jigs; Rattle Traps, & Cranks
Depths fished: 2.0"~ 15'
Bass Limit: 3
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Okey Dokey.....after a tough outing last week at Sweedes lake, 16 members and 1 guest (Matt) came out for more punishment at one of SJHT favorite Central Jersey lakes in Stone Tavern. Arriving pretty much on time, we were met with very dark sky's and a storm brewing from the west. Our start time was delayed till 5:45am due to safe light and ended at 2:45pm.
All I can say is that 7 out of 17 anglers caught a limit of 3 Bass, while another 7 anglers caught at least 1 or 2 fish. With a slight haze\fog over the water at the start and somewhat calm waters (till the rain came), anglers were catching fish no more than 5 minutes into the tournament. Bass were being caught in the shallows (i.e. Pads), dropoffs (i.e. points), and even out in dead center field. So in other words, they were scattered all over the place.
You know its a fun day when little justin is culling before 9am and talking smack to Big Al and his pops Bill Leach.
For me things started out pretty good....especially when the rain and wind picked up a bit. I had a nice 2.5lber on with a Watermellon\Red Flake Ribbit frog casted toward the shore...Bass inhaled it and I kinda watched in amazement as I did not even begin to reel the frog back in. I had it on for a couple of seconds but couldn't set the hook on my finesse setup. :-< I had to settle for this little guy as the dinks were plentiful!!!
Alright enough of this babbling!!! On a day which alot of bass were caught and anglers battled the steady early morning rainfall, a Big Congratulations goes out to 2nd Year member and 2009 SJHT Points Leader Brian *Bass Hopper* S. in winning his record setting 4th victory of the season with 3 Bass going 5.32lbs and Lunker going 2.36lbs. 2nd Place was won by Rookie member Bryon P. with 3 Bass going 4.90lbs. 3rd Place was won by that guy named TboeBass with 3 bass going 4.81lbs. Way to bring in a limit guys and make the points race one to keep an eye on.
Bass Hopper 1st place:
Bryon P. 2nd Place:
TboeBass 3rd Place:
Stone Tavern Tale of the Tape:
Anglers with 3 Bass Limits: Bill Leach
GoneFishin:
Rob *Ram1212*:
Other notable anglers catches: The Pink Hooker:
Andy *Trapper*:
Me and my catch:
Big Al C.:
Jay's catch:
Word on the street is that Bass Hopper worked long and hard for his 3 keepers while others were culling in search for that kicker bass. I believe I threw every lure in my tackle box trying to figure them out. I will say that anything cameo or green pumpkin\flake in color did provide a consistent bite. Fished slowed and along the grass lines did provide a decent pattern. Burning a rattle trap and pausing just under the surface did provide some actions but most were of the dink variety. Like always, I hope someone, a kid, or curious angler can take bits and pieces of this pseudo report and create there own day on the lake!
All in all, a very good turnout. Hope to see another large turnout for the Battle on the Newt next Saturday!!!
