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Captain's Focus

Nothing went according to plan during today's trip on Ty Man from Gateway Marina in Highlands. Chuck Many of Annandale had a weather report of dense fog, but it was actually crystal clear as we ran up to the Hudson River where we started seeing scattered fish breaks. My casts with a large white pencil popper raised bluefish on almost every cast even though there wasn't much indication of feeding activity. They seemed to be hitting small rainfish, but there was no concentration and no bird activity. Yet, before we switched over to bait,I ended up keeping Many, who many years ago was a mate on the Cock Robin, busy releasing 24 blues from my single tail hook-only pencil popper. Most were from  about 2 1/2 to 4 pounds, but one about 8 pounds and another of at least 6 pounds were also hooked -- and my last cast with the big popper produced a 23-inch striper. Unfortunately, the bait fishing wasn't good as porgies and small sea bass attacked our sandworms rather than the weakfish we were seeking-- and peanut bunkers weren't very effective. We did get a brief thrill with big fish in Raritan Bay, but they turned out to be large smooth dogfish. One more school striper of 20 inches was released in the Hudson, but Many had to get back early before checking out all his spots on the right tides. The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported lots of porgies once again along with a few tog, some blowfish -- and a spiny puffer. The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands also had a continuation of great porgy action with no problem from the swell. Vinny D'Anton of Wall said some blues up to 6 pounds showed up again in Shark River to hit poppers. He also tried the surf, but noted that it was quite rough from the swell.

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