Did I catch any on New Years Eve?????

[Lov2Fish]

Ofcourse I did! --127-3- Fished the NY Harbor Areas. Landed 32 schoolie stripers. But dropped a lot more. All on the small side 15" --- 22" Tagged 10 of them. Winds were calm, but AM snow squalls were annoying. Was pretty cold out too! Air 29 -- 34 degrees. Water temps were up a few degrees from last week 40 -- 43 degrees. Only fished 1/2 a day. Tried to beat snowstorm, but it started just as I got to ramp. Me thinks the "Fat Lady" is now singging! Fingers are all split open from lipping fish! Attaching a pic of one of the schoolies Tagged and ready for release. Many Tight Lines to All, and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[flyaddict]

What depth did you catch them in?
Were you fly fsihing or Jiggin?
NIce to see that someone was out catching fish.
I am suffering for striper withdrawal.
Thanks for the photo

[AndyF]

Lov2fish: you are hardcore! Congrats on the late season action.

[Lov2Fish]

FlyAddict -- Those fish were jigged. This time of the year when water is cold, I find that the stripers hold close to the bottom. And with the currents in the NY Harbor,a fly rod would be very difficult. Ofcourse you can use a sinking line etc., but a jig fisherman will out produce 20 to 1. I like either small diamond jigs or leadheads with finess type plastics. The fish this time of the year hit VERY SOFT! Most times I don't even feel the strike, I see my line twitch and set up on fish. Hi Vis braided line is a must. When fishing the Harbor and East River, you must look for ledges and humps and work those areas. Fishing anywhere from 15 to 40 feet. You can catch these fish for atleast another few weeks, sometimes it never ends, all year. Takes alot of practice, been doing it for 20 years and still learning every trip I make. Last year was on a friends boat , I believe it was Jan 17 or so, and we released 17 fish between 26 inches largest 36 inches., but that was an exceptional day. This part of the country there is always a cure for "Striper Withdrawal". There is even a few power plants around that hold fish all winter, near their warm water outflows. There is no better feeling than "FISH ON!" ( well to me atleast )