The Fishing Line: April 24

The swing of momentum is often spoken about in sporting endeavors. At one point a team will have it and then it swings over to the other team. Well, that’s how this week’s fishing action can be looked at in relation to the previous week. Last week, with the closing of the first week of the spring blackfish season, things were moving. Fishing during the week seemed to be staying up to speed with catches of blackfish, small stripers, and even a drum fish being noted. Then the weekend arrived with less than favorable conditions for fishing. This resulted in Saturday being lost, not totally though and for Sunday to be considered challenging at best. But fishing did occur so let’s see what was happening.
The Porgy IV ventured from her berth on Saturday while most boats stayed in. This trip was capped off by Bob Brett who limited out and also won the pool with a 9.5-pound blackfish. Limits were also caught by two other anglers, while others landed a couple of keepers each.
A foggy but calm Sunday resulted in “a nice crowd.” More shorts than keepers were the rule of the day which resulted in “limits for 3 or 4 anglers.” The pool was claimed by Ali Huang who landed a 12.5-pound blackfish. Some other keepers were mixed in around the remaining patrons.
The Miss Avalon stayed tied up on Saturday, their first scheduled day for the season, but were able to fish Sunday despite the foggy, calm conditions. It was “slow picking today but we managed a few keepers.” They will continue targeting blackfish through the month of April so call 609-967-7455 to see exactly when they are running. Weekends are a definite and some days during the week will also be on the schedule, so check ahead of time to confirm.
The Sea Star III and Captain Chuck, is getting back into the swing as they are sailing for blackfish. They got out once last week as they felt the effects of the weather just as the other boats did. The pool-winner of that trip was Gary Agness with a 3.85-pound blackfish.
The Cape May Lady was out on Wednesday and reports the “most life we have seen so far this season.” Lots of shorts with some keepers mixed in made for an active day. Some limits were met while other anglers had 2 to 3 fish. The pool fish was a 10-pounder caught by an angler who wishes to remain anonymous. Give them a call at 609-425-4303 to reserve a seat on a trip before blackfish season ends at the end of the month.   
Captain Tom and the Fishin’ Fever had a good week. They had fish to 9-pounds early in the week, a slower spell mid-week, and then finished strong on Sunday. The Sunday trip finished with 21 keepers to 8-pounds. Tom also had a charter out on Wednesday and they had a “decent day” which totaled around 15 fish. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Full Ahead Sport Fishing and Captain Bob had a productive Sunday just like the other boats. Their trip “showed lots of life” with plenty of shorts mixed in. For the record they finished the day with 20 keepers for their charter.
On Wednesday the Full Ahead went to the bay and was able to catch some drum fish. The water temperature in the bay “is still a bit low” but they seem ready to eat. Captain Bob “believes they will chew on the moon at the end of the month.”  Call 609-847-2304 to reserve a date to catch your own. 
Avalon Hodge Podge is now open for the season. They have spring hours from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m. and are loaded with new gear, poles and reels, and artificial baits. They also have plenty of fresh baits for your fishing needs. Stop in and say hi to Tammie and Dave the next time you are in the Avalon area. With that in mind, let’s check their first report of the season.
Lots of schoolie-sized striped bass are congregating around the 8^th Street Jetty. These fish have been hitting Riptide Mullets with the glow-tail in the four inch size. A half to three-quarter ounce jig head, depending on wind conditions and your line weight, should be enough. Most of the fish are 15 to 24 inches in length, but some keepers have been mixed in.
If you can get offshore to the reef system or a wreck, with some green crabs as bait, you’ll have an opportunity at some nice blackfish. If that’s not possible than you may want to hit the back bays, dock areas, or sod banks  where snapper bluefish have been reported to be hitting metals, swim baits, or as Tammie suggests, mullet.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle has been reporting lots of short stripers being caught. Those reports quickly grew to include bluefish, and now, keeper striped bass.
Chris Conroy stopped in to weigh in a 9-pound bluefish he caught “at the inlet.” Not long after that weigh-in occurred an angler walked in with an 11.9-pound striper. The Sea Isle area is hot right now, so head over and get the line wet.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle mentioned that big weakfish are being reported in the bays behind Sea Isle. With stripers already present, and the weakfish and blues showing up, the action seems that it can do nothing but get more intense.   
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle posted a message from the U.S. Coast Guard. Twenty aids to navigation pylons, on the Inter-coastal waterway between Barnegat and Cape May, were damaged by winter ice. They’ve been marked with wreck buoys to alert passing boats to their presence below the water’s surface. They also pointed out that since buoys can shift during tidal fluctuations it is recommended that you use the center of the channel when applicable. Also, if you believe you have encountered an unmarked damaged pylon you can report it to the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay at 215-271-4807.
Well, as you can see, the action is heating up. Get out and get fishing, good luck, and let me know how you did.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.