We’re off to the races. Fishing, that is. It’s all falling into place and the windy wait is over.
Our friends at Sterling Harbor report that the offshore wrecks are producing cod and nice sea bass. (Please note: As of this writing, NJMFC has set sea bass regulations as 12.5 inch size limit, 20 fish bag limit, opens May 19 to Aug. 8, resumes Sept. 27 to Oct. 14 and again Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.) Striped bass are being caught from North Wildwood and Cape May Point beaches, and there was a run of black drumfish off the surf in North Wildwood last weekend.
On the kayak fishing scene, anglers reported schoolie stripers being caught in the Back Bays along with a run of big bluefish. There are also nice summer flounder being caught and released. The season opens on May 18.
Captain Ray likes the spring like weather that has turned the fish on. He found hot fly rod action around the inlet rocks. Stripers, sea herring, bluefish and hickory shad all hit chartreuse/white clouser flies fished on sinking lines. The stripers were all small with no keeper size caught but the action was fast with one trip producing 58 bass on a four-hour trip. Ray says, “It was good to see so many small fish. It give us hope that they will be around in good numbers for the future.” To try and catch larger striper Ray tried using bigger flies, thinking it would keep the smaller bass at bay, but they wouldn’t be stopped. He caught a number of fish on very large flies too. Ray believes the fish might be feeding on shrimp and crab as there were no signs of bait fish.
The sea herring and hickory shad were all in the 16 to 18 inch range and jump like mini tarpon. On the fly rod they are a lot of fun. As different schools of fish move in there should be bigger fish and the first weakfish should show up any time now.
Fresh water lakes provided good fishing with pickerel, large-mouth bass and yellow perch taking small bait fish pattern flies.
Bucktail Willie is keeping his eye on the flounder. He reports fluke have been moving in since last moon in March and more coming in daily. Size has been real good with an average over 17 inches up to 22 inches. Bluefish arrived right on schedule. Willie also says there is a decent weakfish bite if you catch the right tide and wind. Schoolie stripers are on the move behind barrier islands. Everything is shaping up to be a good year.
Bucktail Willie will be putting on a Fluke Seminar at Whale Creek Marina in Strathmere on May 11 at 9 a.m. Don’t miss this.
NEWS: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the 2013 Marine Digest is available online in interactive and PDF formats. The print version will be arriving any minute now in coastal bait and tackle shops, marinas, sporting goods stores, and marine supply stores. Visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/digmar.htm
The 2012 Annual Report on the Status of U.S. Fisheries highlights the progress that collectively, NOAA Fisheries, the regional fishery management councils, and stakeholders have made to end overfishing and rebuild stocks. This annual report provides a snapshot in time of the status of U.S. fisheries at the end of 2012. Available on NOAA’s Web site.
Calendar: May 11, Sea Isle City Delaware Valley Surf Anglers Tourney, 624-1427
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com. Let’s go fishing!
North Cape May – Another shout out to Officer Bohn, the school resource officer at LCMR. I admire his hard work and devotion to the students and staff as I see him every morning and afternoon, snow, wind , sleet or…
