Fishing remains much better than business! Since my last report I have only been away from the dock four times. Each trip ended with everyone on board landing a limit catch of Blackfish (Tautog) up to 12 pounds! We really have been seeing some outstanding catches with these fish. Even though the limit is only three, many more fish were caught and released, some fish near or over citation size.

The combination of Mother Nature, and I suppose maybe gas prices seem to be keeping the sponsorship way down. The weekend was a bust and I have not been out these last couple of days. Good weather is forecasted for the remainder of the week and if just half the people that have called show up to go out, we should have no problem getting away from the docks. Having these fish so close to home will allow us to run with just the bare minimum of passengers on any given day. Sometimes we are only two or three miles out so fuel is not a big issue.

The 12-hour jinx still remains. Capt. H.D. had to cancel once again this past Saturday due to near gale force winds offshore on Saturday. It looks like this weekend is a go with the long range forecast and word is that there are some Sea Bass starting to pot within 20 miles of the beach. This is good news and I am certain that we will see some of these fish coming across the docks in the next couple of weeks. There is still space available for the 12-hour trip this Saturday.

Water temperatures are on a steady incline now up to 54+ degrees in the Bay without sun. Ocean temps have still been hovering at around 52 degrees. Last week saw a major school of Blues in our area with several reports of Bluefish up to 12 pounds having been caught in and around the inlets and also from the surf. One day while we were out Togging there was a New Jersey head boat just three miles away from me catching Blues on the Surface up in the Bay. I can’t remember the last time there was a big school of “splasher’s” in the Bay at this time of year! Some of these fish would also weigh in at 8 to 10 pounds. Stripers are being landed up in the Bay as well and there are more and more reports of Drum being taken by boats targeting the Stripers.

My guess is that I will continue fishing for the Tog for a couple more weeks especially with a small crowd. Sea Bass are not far off now and we may have some with the regular all-day trips as soon as next week. I hate to even say this but a good Northeast blow should push a lot of Bass onto the structures if we were to get one at this time. I would rather not see the wind though!

I would like to remind you of a special offer we have at the Wharf. It’s called an inflation fighter. While this is nothing new, it’s never really been publicized and with the latest price increase it has never been more valuable. It’s simple. Buy four trips and get the fifth trip for free. Couple this with the yellow punch cards that we have been using and it knocks about seventeen dollars off of the current price. Inflation fighter tickets can be bought any day right at the booth. For anyone planning on fishing several times it’s really the best way to go!

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 a 12-hr. trip please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.

Until Next Week Happy Fishing!

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V