7/7/10 - Crowes Pasture - Dennis, MA
Well, I was on vacation down the Cape for about 8 days (7/2 -7/10). Weather wise we couldnt have had it any better. Tons of beach time, bbq, beers, great friends, and a bunch of new friends as well. My 1st time being out to Crowes, and its a different but cool set-up. About 5-10mins ride through the woods to get to the 4x4 beach, with expansive flats. So when the tide is low you can drive way out on the flats, but you gotta watch your time window out there cause the tide does roll back in pretty fast, maybe a 4hr time window.
Anyway, I didnt get much fishing time, only this one day. My friend have raked some sand eels the day before, which seems to be the bait of choice for this area. So we park the truck on high spot on the flats so we dont have to move it right away. Throw some sand eels in a plastic baggy, stick them in your pocket, get 1 rod(7ft lighter surf setup), and wade out into the shallows toward the channel.
Well things were looking good as I waded out, lots of birds around, as I got to water about half way up my thigh, clearly I can see the Stripers chasing bait fish around, and I am pumped. Watching them swim around 5-20ft around your feet is intense as hell. I cast out, and re-bait a few times because of the crabs. 20 mins in I get my 1st strike and my line is screaming to the left, reel up the slack, set the hook, and Im on. Good one I say to my self as its pulling some drag. Couple minutes later, I have it to me, hold up to the measurement mark(28in) I put on my rod to make shore its a keeper, and its over. So I make a 5min walk through the shallows, and flats to bring it back to the truck. Measures 29in weighs 7lb 8oz. Filet it and give it a decent beach burial.
Again I grab my rods and head back to the shallows, and there are still fish all over the place. 10 mins later my bait get pounded again, reel up slack and set the hook...my drag is humming, I think I spouted out "Holy F*&!!!" As my rod is doubled over, I can see the fish way out jumping around pulling drag. About 5 mins later its swimming to me making the fight a little easier. Get in to me in about ass deep water, and as I go the lip it I hear SNAP...Stunned as about 2 ft of my rod breaks off. Lucky for me I have braided line on, so I lip the fish, check the measurement mark, definately bigger, hoof back to the truck. Measures 34in weighs 11lbs 9oz.
Sorry if Im a bit long winded on this story. But for a 2 Keeper day in about 30mins, the timing was definately on my side for sure. Great experience all around. And dinner was excellent too!!!