Spent Thursday on the Chesapeake Bay with a few close friends of mine. The big rockfish are in and I know several guys who have caught some 60+ pound monsters further south from us.

Launched at 8am, made a short run to an area and set all 13 lines. Trolling tandem rigs in 4/6 ounces and umbrella rigs. I also launched a downrigger running the Reaction Strike Shad Clone. It's a 10 inch bait that mimics these shad down to the eyeballs. I set the downrigger at 35 feet (trolling over 60-80 F.O.W.) and we all sat back.

Around 1015AM, the downrigger rod went off, in a big way. I grab the rod and feel nothing but monster head shakes and knew it was a beast. I called for lines to be cleared, and she took off screaming the drag on my Tekota 700. After a 15 minute fight, I landed this beauty. 47 inches long, 32 inch girth, weighting in at just over 44 pounds.

Proceeded to catch another 20 rockfish, average size about 35 inches. Had 5 fish over 40 inches, and 4 came on the Shad Clone. We all kept our over, and caught two unders. The slot is 28 inches, and it's hard to catch them that small this time of year!

It was a blast, and the Shad Clone held up through all of it. If anyone is looking for a big shad bait, full profile and all, then take a peak at this bait. It's a monster, but if you're after the big girls, you won't be scared!

Nice report..............now that's fishing!

Nice fish!

                                   Ian

now that is a nice cow.

WOW  

Great Catch!

           

                    WOW!

..... WOW....WOW...WOW....Umm... WOW!

 Mind If I tag along next time!

those are some really, really, really and need i say it one more time. Really big fish.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing-forum/Smilies/drool.gif

Now that's what I'm talking about!  NICE FISH!!!

man thats pretty sweet

congrats!

Right on.

Are you running wire line?

I noticed your buddy's jacket, must be something about big stripers and maroon North Face gear.....

The maroon North Face gear just calls those stripers in!!!

We are not running wire.  Personally, I feel it's outdated technology.  I do have it on two rods on my boat (I am a mate during the summer) but it's such a PITA.  One little kink and it's ruined.  I have found braided line to be a much better alternative.  It is thinner then mono and therefore less water resistance.  You need less weight vs. mono and slightly more vs wire.  It also lasts much longer then mono.

Thanks for the compliments everyone!  As big as they are....they were still catching bigger!  A friend of ours had a 63 pound MONSTER a mile south of us.  I'm still happy with my big girl!