The Fishing Line: Only the Strong Survive

Into December and the fall fishing is a tough one. For Captain Ray it has been a challenge overall for catching stripers on the fly due to high winds, lack of baitfish close into the beach, muddy waters and the slow migration of fish coming down the coast. On the nice days when onecan get out with good conditions, you can pick away at stripers around the inlet and beach front. Most all the fish are under keeper size, but for guys that have to catch them on the fly, they are still a lot of fun. Clousers and deceiver flies on sinking lines are the most productive.
Cape Queen, Utsch’s Marina in Cape May, is still booking striper trips and also sea bass trips. John Tubertini’s group brought in eight fish, ranging from 22 – 35 pounds. The Mike Winn group from Chalfont, Pa., brought back six stripers and Perry Gasper had top honors with a 49 inch 43.8 pounder. Joe Carroll and his six sons come down from North Jersey to go striper fishing and took turns battling a 40 inch, 28-pounder and finally got it in the boat.
The Atlantic Star has made the last of its 10-hour weekend trips. All trips will now be 18 and 20 hours, by reservation only, on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. They had great sea bass fishing with everyone aboard catching their limits. They also had some big blues and triggerfish mixed in. Bill Reed and his wife both had their limits of the bass up to five pounds, 14 ounces, and Bill took the pool honors with his hefty 6 pound sea bass.
Sea Star III is sailing daily, weather permitting, until Dec. 24, and Captain Chuck has gift cards available for the holiday.
The Fishing Line runs year round so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Check out Miller’s children’s book “Counting the Fish in the Sea: The Story of the NEAMAP Trawls” on www.epektales.com