[Michael]

My dad and I hit the sandy flats on the Black Rock Harbor side of the Fayerweather jetty Thursday evening. We arrived just after 6pm as tide was getting closer to dead low. My setup was a 7' 1 piece Star Rods Aerial Jetty Surf/Fierce 2000/10 lb Spiderwire Stealth.

My dad played with a number of topwaters and shallow plugs I chose for him, which included Saltwater Zara Spook Jr, 3" Creek Chub, 5" Red Fin, 3" Atoms Swimmer, and 4" wooden popper. I stuck with the one that's been doing it, the shad SP-9.

Once the tide got closer to dead low and was about to turn is when I got my first explosion and landed a 20"er.

Within a few casts I get another explosion and land a 22"er.

My dad hadn't gotten a single swirl or hit yet and I told him I had a few more SP-9 with me but he didn't want to use any.

Finally my dad got a nice hit on the Atoms swimmer but didn't set the hook.

Once I had landed 5 up to the 22"er is when I get a nice swipe followed by an explosion. This fish was pulling and took some of the braid out. I managed it and landed a 29" keeper.

Right as I put it on the stringer and notice tide was getting higher I told my dad it was time to head over to the city boat ramp. Once we got to the rocks at the jetty is when it started to pour! We were already wet once we got to the car and the parking lot was very wet.

Once we got over to the city boat ramp the rain had stopped and saw 1 of the usuals there.

My dad and I got out and I told him to stick with the Zara Spook Jr but work it slowly. That got him 2 swirls and landed a 14"er. I stuck with the shad SP-9 which got me 1 miss, 2 losses, and a 14"er.

My dad was wetter than me due to him not changing into a better shirt after coming from work and leaving his rain jacket in the car, which meant by the time it had gotten cooler out he had had it so we hit the road.

Total was 7 landed up to 29" and 2 lost all with the SP-9 while my dad only set the hook on and landed 1 with a Zara Spook Jr.

The keeper was loaded with mantis shrimp up to 4" long when I brought it home.

[RTownsend]

sounds like a great time congrats. pretty cool about the mantis shrimp inside too, did you get any pics?

[Michael]

No pics of the shrimp, but Google mantis shrimp striped bass.

[Michael]

Here's a pic my dad took of me holding the keeper


Here's the 22"er...I love the way these fight