Hey! Summer arrived, well at least for a day. Saturday, April 14 seemed to be the start of our steady 40 to steady 80-degree weather. It seems that’s the way it is here anymore. No slow build-up to the heat. Just a quick transformation from winter to summer. I had been contemplating some tog fishing for Sunday, but the forecast caused most boats to table their Sunday trips. And they did as the weather turned cold, rainy and very windy. Well, what’s that old saying, something about the best laid plans of tog and anglers. No harm, no foul as my son and I went to the Cape May Fishing Flea Market. We saw some old acquittances and met some people who fish on a local boat and have been mentioned here due to their prowess in winning the pool. Another shop is opening, more local boats are ready to hit the water, and word of the first recorded local striper catch, plus a big double-digit blackfish, reached me. And don’t sleep on the freshwater scene. Let’s get going.
News of the first striper of the season, a 41-inch, 27-pounder, was reported by both Hands Too Bait and Tackle, and Jim’s Bait and Tackle. Sarah Campbell, a young angler, caught the fish with bunker off a local beach. Seems she went to both shops to register her catch. It is definitely good to see the first recorded catch, as it shows that fish are slowly starting to show up. If the weather allowed for more folks to get out, then the amount of fish being caught would figure to increase. After all, its is a numbers game. More lines in the water would seem to equate to more fish caught.
By the way, Jim’s Bait and Tackle is now open for the season with all your fishing needs, so stop in and say hi.
Another great catch to speak about was made recently. A 33-inch, 23.9-pound blackfish was caught last Wednesday by an angler that I’ve written about before. Ron McClelland, who fishes a lot on the Fishin’ Fever with Captain Tom Daffin, caught this fish while fishing out of Ocean City, Md. on the Fish Bound. This is another in the growing collection of large double-digit blackfish that Ron has caught. Congratulations on a great fish, Ron.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle has been a hub of early season activity. Lots of small stripers have been recorded by their patrons while they were hitting the inlets and backwater. The other fish that were hitting Boulevard’s bloodworms were from the local rivers. Lots of white perch were reported with one going as large as 1.84 pounds. It was caught by an angler named “Joe.” Dan G. bagged two that tipped the scales at 1.5 pounds.
Catching largemouth bass has become second nature for Robin from Peace Token Fishing Tackle. He was out for about an hour after work recently and landed “some nice bass.” I saw a picture of a couple and they were just as described – “nice.”
Libation Charters brought their boat home from North Carolina, but not before squeezing in some fishing as they traveled back to Cape May. They went four for five on “smaller hoos,” and also a tuna that became “great sashimi on the dock.” They are now “prepping for a month’s worth of maintenance, modifications and upgrades!” Welcome home.
As the month moves on, some of our regular contributing captains are finishing their winter chores. Those include repairs, painting, addition of new electronics or just a little fine tuning on their boats.
Local boat update: The Miss Avalon is in the water and chasing blackfish when the weather allows, while their backwater boat, the Avalon Lady, starts fishing on May 5 at 8:30 a.m. The Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing Boat was put in the water last Monday, April 16, while the Sea Star III is waiting for the Coast Guard to give them the go-ahead. Meanwhile, the Cape May Lady is prepped and ready to sail, and the Full Ahead with Captain Bob is loaded up with some new electronics that will aid in finding the fish. I talked to Captain Tom of the Fishin’ Fever and he was ready and willing, and had been out on four trips already. Another open boat you may want to check out is the Osprey. It is docked in Atlantic City for the month. It will be running for blackfish before heading back to Long Island when the April season ends. Important: Call ahead for reservations. Bottom line is that the docks are becoming a beehive of activity, and now we just need the weather to cooperate.
A release came from the Division of Fish and Wildlife reminding you to check out the 2018 Skillful Angler Program. This is a program they have been running for 35 years. It recognizes your fish of “not quite record size,” but one that tested you. Also cited are those who catch their first fish. A new angler of any age will qualify.
If you’re a more experienced angler, don’t worry. The program recognizes trophy catches of 45 different freshwater and saltwater species. Specialist (five qualifying fish of the same species within one calendar year), Master (five qualifying fish from five different species of either salt or fresh within one calendar year) and Elite (10 fish from 10 different species of either salt or fresh within one calendar year) angler categories add another challenge to accomplish.
For more information about the program, please go to the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife page then find the “What’s New?” box on the right side. In that box find the highlighted Skillful Angler Program Updated for 2018 and click it. Good luck on whatever quest you choose.
Don’t forget that this Saturday, the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club is offering a series of three fishing seminars starting at 3 p.m. The Strathmere Fire Hall at 9 Commonwealth Ave. is where you’ll be heading to hear sessions on summer flounder, surf fishing, and inshore and ocean fishing. Vendors are scheduled to be on site, gift certificates will be given away following each presentation, and beverages and snacks will be provided. For further information, call Sallie Callahan at (717) 979-1131 or email inquiries to bsji911@comcast.net.
Got luck if you get out, be careful and I’ll see you around.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
