This is the report that I know that a lot of people have been waiting for. The harbingers of the spring fishing season have finally arrived. And they have arrived in full force! The 2005 Mackerel season has taken hold. After just a few trips with next to nothing and a hammering from Mother Nature every time we turned around I am proud to say that THE MACK’S ARE HERE!

I waited on the report for good news it always seems easier to write about catching fish than standing around the docks sipping coffee or preparing boats for the annual Coast Guard inspections. We did manage to sail on a couple of the past weekends but our results were less than favorable. This past weekend, despite the Northeast winds that we have all grown accustomed to, we actually caught our first ’05 Mackerel. Even though we only caught a handful of fish on Saturday’s trip it became apparent that there had been a lot of changes. Water temps were up to 45+ degrees and the fish were marking in several different locations. Conditions got the best of us it was hard just to stand up let alone jig!

On Sundays trip I almost knew that we stood a good chance of catching fish and we did. Mackerel and Herring tugged on fisherman’s rigs for the better part of the day. You did have to work for these fish but it was obvious that we were now in the Mackerel business. Monday we sat at the dock with still more Northeast winds that riddled our area blowing in excess of 25 knots. I was glad not to be out.

Tuesday was the day. Not just Mackerel fishing this was Mackerel catching. Anglers brought fish over the rails as many as four and five at a time. Eighty-Two year old Roland Wetzel from Oxford Pa. was among the ten lucky anglers that fished on this day. Roland managed to put on quite a clinic catching these nice Mack’s, as he was one of the first to fill his cooler. He never took a break even when the action would slow to just a pick! I can only hope that I can fish this well should I live to this age. On the other side of the spectrum eight-year-old Nicklous Giumto from East Fallowfield Pa. found out that rewards for achieving good grades can be awesome. Nick was treated to a day’s fishing with his father and there is no doubt he had a trip that he will remember for the rest of his life. He stood at the rail with the best and continued to catch big Mack’s all day long. Everyone on this trip including Nick would fill up thier coolers by day’s end. This was a taste of “as good as it gets”

The best part is that this is just the beginning of the run. With any luck fishing like this should continue for at least two more weeks. Water temperature is the key and as of now the warmest readings are only at about 45 degrees. These water temps and will almost certainly keep Mackerel well within our range for a while.

Today’s trip we were only about 12 miles out. As Mackerel fishing goes this is considered close to home. We are accustomed to running as far as 30 or more miles when necessary for these fish, with the average trip usually around fifteen to twenty miles. All of our boats are cruising at 17 knots or better so this keeps our running time to the grounds at just over an hour or so. Remember that this time of year when the water is still cold, any breeze on the water can make it feel like you are standing in front of the most powerful air conditioner you would ever encounter. Warm clothes are a must even if the forecasted weather says 75 and sunny. Remember you can always take the clothes off when you get warm.

We are on our seven-day schedule now sailing at 7:00 am with Full Day trips for Mackerel, we also will have 12 hr. wreck trips sailing every Saturday morning at 5:00 am until the middle of May. Blackfish, Cod, Ling and Sea Bass will be the target for these trips.

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