 Some good weather has allowed us to see some of the best fishing of the year so far this past week. After seemingly endless periods of winds and miserable weather we have finally had a stretch where we were able to put a few good days of some great fishing together.
Tog continues to be the mainstay with our regular Full-Day trips. Each trip this past week we were able to put together limit catches around the rail for just about every angler onboard and a couple times we were even limited out and back to the docks a little early. Tautog up to almost 13 pounds were caught this past week and the action at times was fast and furious. You could hardly keep your rig on the bottom without these slick quick bottom feeders just tearing up your baits! Both crabs and clams were the bait of choice with some guys actually at times catching these fish on artificial baits or even supermarket shrimp!
 As the week progressed we geared up for both Saturday’s special long-range 18-hour trip and the 12- hour wreck trip. Capt. H.D. had the pleasure of the extended long-range trip for the Sea Bass and Tilefish while I had what turned out to be the unlucky straw for the 12-hour wreck trip for Bass. The long-range trip prevailed with good numbers of both Sea Bass and Tilefish while I came home with my tail between my legs with the 12-hour trip.
 The Ocean couldn’t have been much nicer on Saturday allowing Capt. H to fish the deep water ledges where we have been seeing the good numbers of these Bass and Tilefish mostly all winter. Some anglers had limit or near limit catches with Sea Bass up to five pounds while average guys had close to double digits or more. Just about everyone got in on the Tilefish action also with some lucky anglers landing double digits of Tilefish up to 15 pounds to throw in the box with their Sea Bass. Even though this trip got back to the docks well after dark there were some very impressive coolers full of fish brought back and everyone was worn out, tired, and smiling!
As far as my twelve-hour trip was concerned I really would rather not talk about it but I will say this, it quite frankly sucked! That being said I could at least report some nice Codfish landed on this trip one of which took the pool and a few Tog along with a very disappointing number on the Sea Bass. It seems as though these fish have just not moved in enough to make a good day of it in this range but I truly believe that it won’t be long. We did see a sign of Bass but they were mostly small and not nearly enough of them. Spiny dogfish would ultimately end up being the catch of the day on this 12-hour trip.
 There is good news for those of you that enjoy the long-range trips though. We have decided to change this coming weekends 12-hour trip to an extended 18-hour trip provided that we can get enough patrons to make the journey. As of this writing we only have a few signed up for the 12-hr. trip and with this past weekends performance at the 12-hour trips range we thought it much better to switch things around so you would have a better chance at catching some nice fish. Reservations are required in advance for this added trip so if you are planning on going call as soon as you can to reserve your spot.
 Water temperatures continue to climb I have seen water as warm as 55 degrees in the Delaware Bay and near 50 along the coastline. The water inside the canyons is as warm as 68 degrees with some pockets even warmer. Striper action has picked up this past week up in the Bay and in the Mouth of the Bay but still leaves some to be desired. This fishing will surely get better in the very near future. In my comings and goings this past week I saw a lot of activity along the canal with small boaters who all reported catching Flounder and Bluefish in both the inlet and the canal. Surf fishermen have also been reporting Snapper Blues and a few Stripers.
It’s really just starting gang hopefully we will continue to have decent weather and will continue to see good spring fishing. I expect to continue taking advantage of the Tautog bite until the full closure on May 11th or until decent numbers of Sea Bass move into the range for the All-Day trips. As I said in a previous report it is also possible that we may be seeing some Stripers or Drumfish with our regular full day trips but I will be concentrating on the Tog daily for now.
 If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a charter or reserve a spot on one of the upcoming special trips, please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.
Until Next Week Happy Fishing!
Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V
catchfish@verizon.net |
