The summer months of July and August provided plenty of action, camaraderie, and memorable moments...
As we transitioned from summer into fall, the fishing only got better for the members of the Manasquan Fishing Club (MFC). The past two months have been filled with notable trips, tournaments, educational courses, and even some media attention!
September Highlights:
Cayman Islands Fame
A notable moment for the club occurred when Fred Truex found himself as the featured angler on an episode of a Discovery Channel series filmed during the Cayman Islands International Fishing Tournament back in April. The episode was the second in a series, and Fred’s exploits on camera were a point of pride for the club. Chris Jewell, who was also on the trip, shared how they braved rough conditions but managed to land a couple of Wahoo and a Blackfin Tuna, calling it an unforgettable adventure.
Croatian Adventure
Meanwhile, Frank Cuccio had his own international fishing story to tell. While visiting Croatia, Frank caught some type of porgy using a ball of bread as bait. Although it wasn’t the biggest catch, the story and the location made for an exciting and humorous addition to his fishing tales.
Introduction to Fall Fishing Course
September also saw the successful launch of the Introduction to Fall Fishing Course, taught by Paul Shafer. With 25 aspiring surf anglers in attendance, the course covered valuable tips and tricks for catching stripers in the fall. The beach session was especially exciting, with Max, one of the young anglers, catching his first-ever keeper striper.
Albie Frenzy and Ledge Success
Fishing trips continued to bring success in September. Chris Jewell and Fred Truex trolled the Lumps and landed multiple albies before moving to the Monster Ledge, where they hooked into a solid 35-inch fish. While their friends were busy with a 60-inch catch at another spot, Chris and Fred’s day was still deemed a great success.
October Highlights:
Sea Bass Bonanza
Sea Bass fishing hit a high point in early October. Sean Wohltman reported an incredible morning at the Sea Girt Reef, where he and his crew caught around 60 fish and kept a limit of quality Sea Bass. This prompted other members, including Paul Shafer, John Sheehan, and Fred Truex, to hit the reef themselves and enjoy similar success with a mixed bag of Sea Bass and porgies.
Wahoo Success
October wasn’t just about the Sea Bass, though. Fred Truex had an exciting Wahoo catch while trolling for Bluefin on a lump southeast of Little Italy. This marked Fred’s second Wahoo of the season, much to the envy of the club. As Fred humorously remarked, "Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and again!"
Northern Lights Viewing
The club even got to witness nature in a different light—literally. Eric Wasnesky shared some stunning photos of the Northern Lights while in the Poconos, much to the admiration of the group. Other members also managed to snap a few photos from their vantage points, making it a memorable moment for those involved.
Looking Ahead:
As fall deepens and the fishing season begins to wind down, the club is looking forward to one final tournament, likely shifting focus from Fluke to Stripers as the weather cools. With striper catches already being reported, including some sizable fish caught on Fish Monger, it promises to be a thrilling end to the year.
Stay tuned for more updates as we move into the heart of striper season, and don’t forget to share your catches and stories with the club!
