That’s an odd looking striper

13 Aug That’s an odd looking striper

Fishing for Stripers, 08/10/13

High Tide 2:34 pm – South of the G3 Can – 10 / 12 mph W SW wind – Sunny

Angler Tom Dunphy  & Captain Dave Miele

We have fished together for many years Tom & I, over twenty, and this was not unlike any other Saturday that we might venture out for a late afternoon / early evening of striper fishing – or so we thought. Gear loaded up and lines cast off, our course was east to the mouth of the Merrimack to troll wire between the jetties.

It was a bit slow so we decided to south of the “cans” out front of Plum Island. I saw the strike as Tom loudly stated that he was on! – Tom’s “I am on” quickly became warnings of being spooled. “I’m crankin in as fast as I can Tom” I had slowed to I idle speed to keep tension on whatever he had on. – Many thoughts were shared – “I think I have the bottom” – “this thing isn’t moving” – “but your rod tip is moving Tom – it’s got to be something” – “must be a log there’s only sand over here” – “maybe it’s a sea monster” – “Dave I see my spool” – — – now we fish with 150 feet of 50 lb. wire and the 100 yds. Of 50# Dacron backing – all this happened in about 2 minutes or less! – I quickly threw the boat into reverse with some throttle and that saved the day. My line now in, I was able to run the boat, take direction from Tom and 25 minutes later we discovered what was at the of Tom’s line.

Up from the shadowy depths the form slowly took shape – Shark we both shouted simultaneously! – Then in the same breath said Sturgeon! – It was definitely a monster. Using references on the boat that later would measure out at 9 feet we estimated the fish with the tail still swishing at the stern at about 9 ½ feet! Truly the catch of a lifetime. I could not be happier for the friend of a lifetime!

Since these fish are protected we took great care in the removal of the hook. Once done the beast instantly began undulating and slowly submerged as it appeared into the depths.

Last Year we wrote a story called “A Tale of Two Sturgeon – Leave Both Alone” which tells the story of the two kinds of sturgeon we have in the river, the Atlantic and the Short-nosed sturgeon. It’s an interesting read, and includes the regulations.