Finally(!) on the striper board

I can’t remember the last time it was this late in the season when I took my first striper. It hasn’t been for lack of trying; although, to be fair, this was also the first year in eons that I did not partake in the mouth of the Housatonic in April Bass-O-Matic. When the moment came, all was in line with universe: Rock Island flatwing, herring nervously milling about, greased line swing with a floating line, the hammering strike of a bass feeding with confidence. Though our session was only 90 minutes, we (surfcaster extraordinaire Toby Lapinski and I) got into about a dozen slot and sub-slot fish between us. And, as the herring run winds down, I begin to notice that the grass shrimp swarm time is approaching…

As the clock ticked past midnight, it suddenly became my 22nd wedding anniversary. I usually do well when I fish on my anniversary. And to ensure the event was celebrated properly, I chose a Padron Anniversario Series for my late night smoke. *(Photo by Toby Lapinski)*

6 comments on “Finally(!) on the striper board”

John Thelen says:

May 8, 2023 at 1:16 pm

The term “slot fish” needs to be replaced.

Steve Culton says:

May 8, 2023 at 2:31 pm

HI John, why is that?

Reply
- John Thelen says:
  
  May 8, 2023 at 2:41 pm
  
  Maybe not replaced. Just done away with. You’re using it to describe a bass in a 3” range.