Despite some of Mother Natures cruel weekend tricks we are still managing to sail almost daily to catch Mackerel. As I am sure most of you already know April’s weekend weather has been far less than favorable. In fact it has almost appeared that each weekend the nasty weather has been getting a little worse.

We started catching Mackerel in good numbers early last week however as the week progressed we had more and more Northeast winds which finally peaked between Friday and Saturday with a full force Gail blowing in on Friday afternoon. We did get away from the dock for the weekend crowd on Saturday but we didn’t get too far. Eight to ten foot waves, which in some cases were even bigger, forced even the biggest boats back to the dock with no chance of fish.

On Sunday the winds had finally abated but there was still a big ground swell. The Mack’s that we had been seeing within 8 miles of the beach on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday had been pushed back well offshore. We did find some fish late in the day on Sunday but they were small sized Mackerel mixed with Herring, and we really didn’t catch that many. Since Sunday however, we have been catching fish a little closer to the beach each day and the fish have been much bigger on the average. As I write this we are coasting home after one of our best days for the ’05 Mackerel season. We have filled up every box and can on the boat!

Now the big question. How long will it last? There is no doubt in my mind that by the time some of you read this the run may be all but over, but if you want them don’t hesitate. This is the time. Water temperatures are right where they belong to be for catching these fish and there does seem to be quite a few around right now. But as most Mack veterans know this could change overnight. I am not able to give you an accurate report from down the coast due to the fact that no other boats have been fishing for them. I do know that very few fish have been caught north of our area. I have still been fishing southeast off of the Delaware coast but a little further up the beach on each day. My guess is that we will get this weekend and maybe a few days next week, but to expect them for another weekend is definitely a stretch. When we get these warm sunny days like we have had this past week the Mackerel are up high in the water and moving fast. We have been catching them as close as twenty feet from the surface during some of our bails in the past couple of days and the action has been fast and furious. Our water temperature has been running right around 48 to 49 degrees. As long as surface temps stay in this range the fish should stick around a little longer. The weatherman promises cooler temps over the weekend and this could be just what we need to keep these fish in our range.

We will continue to sail seven days a week even after the Mackerel are gone. Next on the menu will be Sea Bass, Striped Bass or Tautog. Perhaps even some combo trips. Both Stripers and Tog have been coming on in several different areas over the past couple of weeks most of which are close to home. This will allow us to fish with even a bare minimum of people on nice days almost assuring you will get out on any given day. We are also taking reservations for 12 hr. wreck trips, which will be departing every Saturday at 5:00 am until the middle of May.

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.

Until Next Week Happy Fishing!

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