I Know the report is a little late this week but I wanted to wait until after the Special Tog trip that I ran on Wednesday so I could give a good report about how this trip went good or bad. With the Summer like weather that we have been experiencing over the past several days water temps have actually risen and all I could do was hope for the best. Even though it was not a slammer trip I am proud to report that it actually exceeded my expectations. It was a good day with many Togs upwards of six to ten plus pounds and countless throwbacks. We even had a couple guys limit out! I must admit I was pleasantly surprised!

I only wish that I could give as good of a report for my regular all day trips. Warm water has fish movement stymied and our Sea Bass catching has been….. well…. less than spectacular. There have been many times that you’ve heard me say we need a good blow or a little shake up to turn things around maybe now would be a good time. We spent most of the weekend picking at a variety catch with Croakers, Blues, Bass, and a few Trout and Fluke but it was not lock and load fishing by any stretch. By Monday morning I couldn’t even find a good pick of Croaks in the area where we have been fishing so I had to push off in search of Bass. There were some spots that we actually caught more Triggers than keeper Bass. You think the water is warm?? The temperatures will change they have to the globe isn’t that warm and besides it’s the second week of October!

There still seems to be a good number of Sea Bass around unfortunately they are falling short of the required size limit and in some cases way short. It seems that the more Bass that we are over the smaller that they are, hopefully a good sign for the future if they all survive. With water temps still hovering around 73 degrees just 15 miles off the beach and reported bottom temps of 70 degrees I really have to think that the best is yet to come. Capt. H.D. ran the first 12-hour wreck trip this past Saturday and expectations fell way short. Capt. H covered 80 miles plus of ocean, fishing wrecks in all depths from 70 to 180 feet deep and found the best Sea Bass action closest to the beach and oh yes, more and more Triggers, nice ones too up to 5 lbs. There were a couple of lucky limits of Bass around the boat but for the most part not a freezer packer.

Water temperature and hard running currents will make all the difference triggering movements of fish and the weather man promises that we will indeed see a change in the weather as we approach the weekend. We are also on the backside of the moon right now with some very strong running tides. As the season makes its gradual change to a more fall like weather pattern something will happen. The water temperature will begin to fall and fish will once again be on the move. Along with the changing season we will also be making a few changes with our trip schedules. This weekend will be the last opportunity for a Half-Day trip we will go Friday through Sunday two trips a day at 8:00 and then again at 1:00. After Sunday Half-Day trips will be done for the 2007 season.

On October 15th we are scheduled to begin Striper fishing departing the docks at 8:00 a.m. this will be a regular 8 hour trip and we will be drift fishing with live bait until the water cools enough to fish with jigs. I do not anticipate the best Striper fishing for a couple more weeks but then again I didn’t expect to do all that well on Wednesday’s Tog trip and we actually did. All Special trips will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I will be running limited space Tog trips every Wednesday until November 21st . These trips are 10-hour trips and we depart the docks at 6:00 a.m. Capt. H.D. will be running the 12-hr wreck trips on Saturday’s these trips depart the docks at 5:00 a.m. Reservations and payment are required in advance through the office.

As far as my Full-Day grind I will continue to sail daily at 7:00 a.m. this trip is at least an 8 hr. trip and as my crew members are quick to point out it is usually closer to nine. As for what we will catch, I am going to stick with the variety pack however most of our time we will be concentrating on the Sea Bass. I will not shy away from biting Croakers and Trout. As I write this some of my partners in Jersey are enjoying some of the best Sea Trout fishing that they have seen in quite a while. These fish will be coming our way and it is possible we may see some along with the Croaker on some days. We are also seeing the occasional Fluke and keeper Porgy and some days several Triggers. Most of my time will be spent on the anchor be it over shipwrecks, artificial reefs, or live bottom. It is still possible that we may drift with optimum conditions. I anticipate fishing in depths from 70 to 90 feet of water and variety catch is likely with a strong emphasis on the Sea Bass and yes most of our time will be on the anchor. I truly believe that Sea Bass fishing will likely improve in both size and numbers in the upcoming weeks.

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to reserve a spot for one of the 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