Fishing. Challenging, rewarding, disappointing. This has been an interesting few weeks for fishers in the county. Low oxygen levels, broken bunker nets, and even reports of algae blooms. But we are still going out hoping for a good day asea.
Stripers are being caught off the Grassy Sound Fishing Pier. Lots of sea bass, kings, and bluefish also. Kathy Sandefur, Philadelphia caught two stripers at 32 and 33 inches off the pier during incoming tide using clam. She was also catching sea bass two at a time.
Thirteen-year-old Eric Delellis, Aston, Pa. caught lots of bluefish and sea bass off the pier using peanut bunker, mackerel, and mullet fishing the outgoing tide. Dylan Snyder, Dublin, Pa. caught four stripers during incoming tide on clams and bluefish at the top of the tide off the fishing pier.
Nick Hertkorn and family, Cherry Hill, fishing in the Delaware Bay, using spot during incoming tide were catching kingfish, blues, flounder, and croakers. They reported lots of kings being caught at the Cape May Inlet near the rocks.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Oct. 2, 56th Annual Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament. Register at Anglesea Firehouse, Second and New Jersey avenues, beginning at 6 a.m. Fish 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Teams and individuals welcome. entrance fee. Call 856-786-0070 or visit asaconline.org.
Oct. 9, Great Fall Classic Surf Fishing Tournament. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at 15th and beach, North Wildwood. Fishing concludes Sunday at 12 p.m. fee for teams is $50; individuals, $10. Cash prizes. Call 732-269-8878 or visit njbba.org.
Oct. 16, Annual Anglesea Surf Anglers Surf Fishing Tournament. Registration 6-7:30 a.m. Anglesea Firehouse, Second and New Jersey avenues. Fishing begins at 7:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m., entrance fee, 465-2675 or visit asaconline.org for more info.
The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s meeting to be held at Congress Hall, 251 Beach Ave., Cape May, (884-8421) Oct. 12-13. Log onto www.ustream.tv and type mafmc in the search block to listen to the meeting.
If your boat trailer is going to spend the off-season outside exposed to the elements, Boat Owners Association of the United States has five tips to protect your investment and eliminate problems down the road:
Spraying lubricants such as WD-40 on metal trailer roller assemblies, winch gears and electrical connections will keep moisture away and rust at bay. It’s also best to take care of any rust spots now: sand, prime and paint.
Some boaters think their boat will be protected by storing it under trees but the opposite is true – ice, snow, and howling winter storms can snap off tree limbs which come crashing down. Falling leaves and needles can also stain boat covers and gelcoat, or make their way inside where they can block transom drain holes.
If you’re going to leave the boat on the trailer in your driveway for the winter, face the hitch away from the street if possible, and put a lock on the trailer hitch. The name of the game in avoiding boat theft is to make your rig as difficult as possible to steal.
In addition to being a theft deterrent, removing tires and storing them in the garage or shed will keep the sun from damaging them. This may also a good time to repack the bearings. Block the frame and secure plastic (contractor grade) trash bags over the hubs and brakes to keep them dry. If tires won’t be removed, position the trailer so that the tires rest on a piece of plywood or plank to prevent dry rot, and cover them (again with plastic bags) to keep the sun off and hubs and brakes dry. To avoid flat spots from happening, move the trailer periodically a few inches throughout the winter.
Keeping the boat and trailer rig in a slightly nose-high (bow up) position will allow water to drain out the transom drain hole. This can be easily done by placing a small block under the trailer jack. (Don’t forget to remove drain plug and tie it to the ignition key where you will find it in the spring). Also ensure that the boat’s cover is tight and periodically check inside throughout the winter – critters love to hide aboard boats and find them appetizing.
Send your fish stories and photos to cmiller@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
