The Fishing Line: Fish on the table

Remnants of Ida have brought us more bad weather and the news of another boat disaster at sea is fresh in our minds. Fishing is tricky and dangerous but the chance of catching ‘that big one’ keeps us going every chance we can. Be smart and be safe.
The stripers have certainly brought smiles to many faces fishing with Captain Jeremy Scrocca, Stalker Fishing Charters. He told me most fish are being taken on live spot, back trolling, and drifting. One or two have been taken on bucktails, but he expects that to improve later in the season. Most trips are limiting out!
Mike Sweeney, Jim Katner, John Mitchell, George Fennell, and his group had their limit of keeper stripers, plus bonus tags to 39 inches. So did Ken Hiltebeitel, Gene Mabrey, Lew Gibson, Jim Katner, Barry Desands and his charter, plus bonus tags to 40 inches; Dick Spotts, Mark Remy, John Mitchell, Bab Watterson, and his son, John Heaton, Mike Mackey’s group had a great day with their limit of stripers to 37 inches. Bob Graiser and his group from Hatfield, Pa., had six bass to 37 inches on live bait.
Mike Sweeney, Rock Trotta, Mark Remy, Fran Hahn, and his dad had their limit in one-hour in the rips.
Bill Raquet, Jim Emig, Ken Hiltebeitel, Gene Mabrey, and John McCaulley had nine bass and John Celestino’s charter from Glenholden, Pa., had 10.
Sterling Harbor has seen striped bass coming in from the Delaware Bay, Cape May Rips, the Wildwood Surf and the back-bays.
They also report excellent togging around the jetties and inshore wrecks. The daily possession limit for tog is now six (6). Chopper bluefish can be found in the 5 Fathom Bank area while trolling Mann’s Stretch 25’s and the like.
Captain Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May, was glad for the normal nice weather we had weekend before last. But even with the nice weather, he found fishing a little slower than it should be for this time of year.
The water was still murky from winds and rain, making conditions more difficult for catching striper on flies and plugs where visibility is a problem. He did best in the back-bay area where the water was cleaner. Most of the fish were on the small side but still a lot of fun on light tackle.
Ray says that the best fishing has been on the top of the tide and out going. This time of year with the lower sun, you can catch any time of the day with a good tide.
Deceiver and clouser flies in chartreuse and natural colors worked best for the fly anglers and Rapala x-rap swimming plugs were catching for the spin anglers.
Happy News: There were so many photos sent in this week that next week’s column will be a chance to catch up. Fish for Thanksgiving? Why not?
Calendar: Fight Leukemia Fishing Tournament, Saturday, Nov. 21, prizes for biggest striper, bluefish, and weakfish, $50, 602-8957 or go to Tackle Direct, 680 Bay Ave., Somers Point, 6-8 p.m. Nov. 20.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 23, more than 5,000 large trout will be stocked in 23 lakes throughout the state. For visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_winter.htm on the division’s website.
Greater Cape May Elks Striper Fishing Trip, Sunday, Nov. 29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $65 includes fishing rod, bait and beer, 609-425-1501.
All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. (Photo Gallery is being updated by Web master.) Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com