Well, the 2017 April blackfish season has come to an end, but not before some nice fish and limits were recorded. Big bluefish have invaded the area waterways, stripers are around and the Dogwood in the front yard is in bloom. That means, at least by the old belief, that drum fish are close. During the last two springs, I’ve noticed how accurate it actually is. Reports started to roll in not long after the first blooms were spotted. More local fishing-related establishments are opening, and the shore is continuing to approach summer mode. Let’s take a look at what’s been going on.
Wow, talk about old beliefs or superstitions being proven true. I wrote the opening paragraph before dinner on Friday. Before heading out Saturday morning for Little League Opening Day festivities, I checked my phone to see what was going on in the fishing world. Well, from Hands Too Bait and Tackle came word of two “nice” drum fish being caught Friday night by an angler named Mike. I’ll have to try asking for the correct lottery numbers and see how long it takes for them to arrive.
Word arrived from Matt at Jims Bait and Tackle about their week. The beaches around the North Cape May area are giving up “nice” bass that are hitting plugs thrown at low tide, or on bunker or clam at high tide. They are also moving around the Cape and arriving at the point jetties and the Cape May beachfront. Larger bass are arriving and in the cove from the Maurice River down to an area above Reeds Beach. Bunker is the best bait, but hickory shad has also worked.
Puppy drum are reported around the bayside beaches and are now showing up off of the Villas and Del Haven. Look for the first drop off the beach and drop your hooked clam. Jim Whitman Jr. of Mays Landing boated a 60 pounder plus three pups, of which two were released.
Blues from eight to 21 pounds were caught from the beach and the back water. “It’s the best big bluefish run I’ve seen in years,” said Matt. “A lot” are taken on plugs, while others have been caught on bunker.
Jim’s Shark Tournament is scheduled for June 2 and 3. Stop by the shop or call (609) 884-3900 with any questions.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III has finished out the spring blackfish season, with a last weekend highlight being the 4.8 pounder caught by Dominic Martino. He will now focus on stripers and drum fish. He’ll leave the dock daily at 9 a.m. and return around 3 p.m. Additional night drum fish trips on Wednesday and Saturday evenings will sail from 4 till 10 p.m. They’ll start on May 10 and conclude on June 10. Call (609) 884-3421 to make your reservations.
Captain Bob from the Full Ahead concluded a “very good” tog season by putting some nice puppy drum in the boat on Sunday. The conditions weren’t good but fish were caught. He said he was glad that the “drum are ready to chew.”
The final day of the tog season was one to remember on the Cape May Lady. Gus Fellenbaum had the best day of his fishing life by catching three double-digit fish, with a pool-winner of 17.1 pounds. The other two fish? Just 13.5 and 14.7. Congratulations, Gus!
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle reports that Clean Sweep Sportfishing is doing well up in the bay. On Sunday they limited out by catching 23 fish, with 12 keepers and 11 throwbacks. Captain Tim described it as “the best day I’ve had in, like, seven years.” Call (609) 780-2772 to book a trip.
Grassy Sound Marina opened the last weekend of April and immediately people were bringing in some of those big blues that are cruising all over. Here’s a date for you to remember: June 24 is the day of the 11th Annual Grassy Sound Marina Flounder Tournament. This year they are adding a Kayak Division to the customary Fishing Pier and Boat Divisions.
The Miss Avalon got out over the weekend for its final tog trips of the spring season. Some highlights of the weekend were the limits for Jennifer Hurd, Captain Brandon’s wife, a second limit in two straight trips (over two weekends) for Charlie Moody, and yes, a 9.75 pounder for myself. It was the biggest tog I’ve ever caught, coming up just short of the coveted double-digit plateau. After weighing the fish and getting some pictures, we filmed as I released the fish to swim another day. It felt good to let it go back and help to keep the species going. I also got into the keeper column with three other fish.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle is really into the swing of things as anglers continued to weigh in big blues, plus some striped bass. Cameron has weighed in blues up to 15 pounds and stripers peaking at 21 pounds. The good news is that land-based anglers are able to participate in the bounty. Ocean beaches and those based along the inlets, as well as those in boats, are all experiencing success.
Recently the DEP secured the Army Corps permits to build two new artificial reef sites to be developed off Manasquan Inlet and closer to home in the Delaware Bay.
The Delaware Bay site is located 9.2 nautical miles southwest of the mouth of Cumberland County’s Maurice River and will occupy a little more than a square mile of bay floor, at depths ranging from 23 feet to 35 feet.
These permits will allow the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife 10 years to develop these reefs. That allows time for suitable materials for deployment to become available.
With all this action going on, try to get out and keep me informed as to how you do. Good luck!
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
