I had the honor and privilege of running the Plum Island SurfcastersInvitational Tournament this year. Three clubs were represented: Plum Island Surfcasters, Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association, and Massachusetts Striped Bass.

Schoolie striped bass were actively swimming around Plum island. Teams located the fish, but getting them to overcome their lock jaw and strike was a challenge. The presentations that worked were small 4 – 5 inch baits (e.g. soft plastic paddle tail swimmers and white Go Stryper pin tails). Once the fish moved further out, small metals put some fish on the leader board.

After the tournament, a hot breakfast was served and a table raffle was has held. Some of the fishy gear items on the raffle table were: pencil poppers and an umbrella rig from Granite State Rod and Reel Repair and wooden plugs from Striper Maine-iac.

This year, the boundaries were expand because shore access continuous to be a challenge. This helped the 50+ participants put fish on the leader board during half of the out going tide in the rivers (Merrimack and Parker) and the incoming tide on the ocean front. There are several improvements already being planning for next year’s Invitational tournament! 😉

Fishing the Plum Island Surfcasters Invitational is a fun way to explore new spots and techniques while casting along side some of the top anglers in the North East. I hope to see you at next year’s Invitational!

Ron McKee, owner of Striper Maine-iac Custom Tackle, presented “Fishing the Night” at the Plum Island Surfcasters’ May club meeting. In this seriously fishy seminar, Ron shared field-proven tips and tricks to hunt large predatory striped bass safely and productively under the cover of darkness from the beach and rocks.

From start to finish, Ron flooded the audience with knowledge and his personal experiences. Here are but three of his tips:

1. Insert a glow stick into your eel jar. This will keep the local critters like skunks away from your eels while you surfcast.
2. Put a frozen water bottle with your eels to keep them cool and calm. At the end of the night, rinse off the bottle in the surf and drink the cold fresh water inside.
3. Install a large Fuji rubber butt cap on the end of your rod. This will keep your rod from slipping when you use it as a walking stick to negotiate your entry and exit from the surf.

Our striped friends are back in force in the Northeast. You will not see Ron McKey at another seminar until after the fall migration.  Be sure to stop in and watch his seminar at next year’s Rockinham Fishing and Hunting Expo or theNew England Saltwater Fishing Show. Trust me! ;-).