Pretty outstanding week of fishing as far as I’m concerned and the Sea Bass will get the headlines. Weather has permitted me to fish seven out of the last seven days and I have seen some outstanding fishing. This past week I have concentrated primarily on the Sea Bass and anglers have been treated to the best catches so far this year. Not everyone onboard has been catching limit catches or anything like that, but every day top hooks will land anywhere from a limit of twenty-five nice Bass to a more realistic number of fifteen to twenty. These fish have been nice in size and there have also been a good number of throwbacks providing steady action. Of course the dreaded Spiny Dog Fish Shark mixes in at times to keep things interesting. Good Fishing Really!

I’d have to say we are about done with the spring Tautog fishery now although we do seem to catch just a few each day. I’ve still been carrying crab on the boat but when the Bass bite is on I rarely see anyone baiting up with them. We have also seen a handful of Blues and Fluke in our travels mixed in with our catch. Water temperatures have really not climbed all that much over the past week ten to twenty miles out in the Ocean. Temperatures seem to be hovering around 52 to 54 degrees, still a little cool given the time of year. The fish coming off the bottom feel like they have been in a refrigerator. The inshore waters seem to be climbing a little more rapidly with Bay temps up to 57 plus degrees and Inlet temps approaching 60.

Inshore fishing has been heating up along with the water. Flounder, Blues, Stripers, Drumfish and even a few Sea Trout have all been taking hooks along the coast and up into the Delaware Bay. Surf fishermen as well as small boaters have been faring very well in the near shore waters along with the back bays and the canal. I have seen more Bluefish in and around our inlet than I can ever remember seeing in the last couple of weeks. I’m not sure what it means but it’s nice to see them around! With any luck this could be a comeback year for the Delaware Bay with a nice variety of fish this summer.

I will continue to target these Sea Bass with the All Day trips for several more weeks. If you are thinking about coming there is no time like the present. Remember the biggest ones come first I have already seen several fish over three and four pounds. Anchoring over the shipwrecks and artificial reef structure continues to be our best bet so that is what we’ll do but it is just a matter of time before we should be able to catch some of these fish over more moderate structure such as the rocks and ledges of “the old grounds.” As the water warms more the Spiny Sharks should be moving off the rocky bottoms and I anticipate mixing a few more Flounders in with our catch of Sea Bass. Last year we had a couple of really good weeks in June with a mix of Fluke and Bass just drift fishing the open bottom.

We will run daily departing the docks at 7:00 a.m. Wreck fishing is the program now. Remember the water is still relatively cold and with any breeze it can be quite chilly out on the ocean so dress in layers. We have been fishing anywhere from 60 to 100 feet of water. Medium action rods will suffice as long as you can use eight to ten ounces of lead. High tech. braids are your best choice for line, 30 to 50 pound test line is good. Gear up and go fishing!

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a private charter please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.

Until Next Week Happy Fishing!

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Keen Lady IV
catchfish@verizon.net