Mendo Friday

 After being thoroughly spanked by my boy's on the last two outings I needed redemption.So I packed up for a Friday morning Mendo trip.
 I met up with Kickin Bass,Mahi Mahi,and Bluefin17 at the the boat ramp.We rigged up and were soon joined by Scwafish.I stayed to watch for bait while the fellas chased down some boils in the channel.I think Kickin Bass had some followers,but no love.
 The bait remained elusive,the ChuckE,and Frankfishing showed up.It's been 2 HOURS with no shad.So Sean suggests Plan B.Chuck and Frank made a run to the bait shop,(thanks Chuck).
 Finally OTW at the crack of 9:00!We all head out and start a troll spread,joined shortly by Fendente.
 Kickin Bass heads for the far south and I follow way behind.Everyone else trolled the water that produced well earlier in the week.Scwafish has a pull down with only a solitary scale for his effort.Paddling over the flats with Bluefin17 we mark bait.Bluefin made a turn and I trolled towards the next point.One of my rods got shaky,and it turns out to be a 15.5" smallmouth C&R'd.I had 3 baits,and the smallie took the biggest.I continued to troll to Rocky Pt. were my son Chad caught his fish Wednesday.
 I passed the point with no love,so I started to make a turn to join the other guys at Buchay.It looked like Kickin Bass was returning also.As I started to straighten out one rod goes off.It feels good,the right kind! .I boat the fish and it looks respectable.Down to my last bait I staighten out my line and continue the troll and get slammed again in the same area.This feels like a stronger fish.After landing the fish I decide to head back and try to make bait again,joined by Kickin Bass.
 We were unsuccessful at making bait,but did enjoy watching an older gentleman load up on crappie.The others soon came back.We BS'd a while then loaded up to go and eat.ChuckE,Frankfishing,and Fendente stayed to fish more.
               
 

solid fish Mark!   

Mark-

Those look like twins...! Nice looking stripers buddy. I'm thinking that if your boys were out there... they'd be holding those bad boys... 

Freddie

Congratulations Mark, Nice picture.

John

Freddie,thats why I didn't bring them!

Thanks to ChuckE for the picture.

Nice job Mark Great photo Chuck.

Here's another pic of Mark OTW with his fine twins....

wow nice fish Mark!!!  & good pics, Chuck!
I can't wait until tomorrow!!!

You guys are KILLIN' me!!
nice fish!!!

It was a tough day yesterday, and what little love there was all landed on Shimmy.  Sweet catch brother!

I scratched out one 17 inch smallie and Rick "Fendente" got two largemouths.  His biggest was 19".  All three fish C&R.

Chuck that's my Bass your kissing. Don't you love how hard smallies pull?

Chuck that's my Bass your kissing. Don't you love how hard smallies pull?

Mike... those smallies are so much tougher compared to LMB.  I thought I was snagged at first until it went nuts.

Mark, Dan, and Andy.... thank Sean for the minnows.  He picked up the tab for your group.


Frank's got my respect for hanging tough.  He didn't come back to shore till around 6pm.  The wind was howling in the afternoon and we were getting pounded by windwaves.  We felt like we were in the bay. 

Nice Chuck I'm glad you connected!If I didn't have to get back I would've liked to target more smallies.
Next time!Frank.