I just can’t hold off any longer it’s time for a report. The 2006 fishing season actually kicked off at the Wharf a few weeks ago. There really hasn’t been much for me to report the last couple of weeks, however things are changing. Our first trip of the year was an extended offshore Giant Sea Bass Trip that saw limited success. Some lucky anglers landed anywhere from 10 to 20 big Bass most of which would tip the scales at 3 to 5 pounds. There were a few limits on board and just about everyone walked away with more than enough for supper. Mother Nature would put the kibosh on the next two 18hr. trips and the 12-hour wreck trips have starting out much the same way.

We started out fishing daily this past Friday. Mackerel was the target species and unlike some starts I can honestly say we caught some on our very first trip. Not nearly enough though top hooks had just barely double digits. We didn’t catch many but they were small!

I fished four days in a row and we caught Mack’s on each trip. Saturday was the best day with most folks landing a couple of dozen and high hooks at about 40. Better but still not Mackerel fishing to my liking. Water temperature is the key and it is likely that we will see some real good catches in our immediate future given the present water temperature at 45 degrees.

Mother Nature has dished out quite a few breezy days here of late and Monday was my last day out. It was even too windy to paint today with Northwest winds clocking in at well over 35 knots! I thought March was supposed to be the windy month. Capt. H.D. has had the helm on the last two 12-hour trips both of which returned to the docks early due to rough weather.

Our schedule is for a 12-hour wreck trip to sail every Saturday departing at 5:00 a.m. These trips will target Sea Bass, Ling, and Tog. We will also be sailing daily with the regular Full Day trips at 7:00 a.m. I will be fishing for Mackerel with the Full Day trips for as long as we can catch them or it becomes obvious that we can’t. Reports are good down the beach so we know some of these fish will be passing by within our range. The fish that we have caught so far have been 7 or 8 miles from the beach and about 10 miles or so to the south.

On other fronts Striper and Tog continue to hit the docks frequently and I have even heard reports of Croakers and Trout already being caught by some of the commercial fisherman up in the Bay. This is a true sign that the water is warming up. The best Striper action seems to be way up the Bay fishing at anchor with Clams and Herring for bait. Tog Fishing has also been real good fairly close to the beach. Both the Tog and Striper fishing should provide excellent chances for a great trip with a small charter for the next several weeks.

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you are interested in booking a charter or reserving a spot for one of the 12-hour trips please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.

Until Next Time Happy Fishing

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V