Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Something to Think About

Virginia just announced the fluke regulations for 2012. They have a four fish limit at 16.5 inches. This is the most sensible regulation on the east coast and would lead to the most conservation and is best for buisness. It should be the rule for all states.

Monday, February 27, 2012

A Real Winter Day

We just got home from fishing on the Angler a little while ago, and it feels good to sit down on the couch. This winter we have been spoiled in the ocean but today we had a real end of February day. The wind started out at fifteen knots on the way out and steadily increased to twenty-five with higher gusts and the seas built to 3 to 6 feet. Fishing was tough in these conditions and only a few ling and blackfish were landed. Capt. "Tugboat" Fred won the pool with a big blackfish ( about eight pounds) that he caught while Capt. George was still anchoring the boat. George told Brian over the PA to "let out 20 feet" on the anchor, and Fred thought he said to let your lines out. You can't make this up!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Tuesday's Fishing

In the winter the best you can hope for is to get out maybe once a week. Weather systems are active and move through very quickly. This morning started with a calm ocean but by 10AM the south wind began to increase. There was a hard current into the wind making fishing very difficult. We did better then most, catching about a dozen each of big sized orange belly ling.  The wind increased into the afternoon and when we got home it was gusting to 35 knots. When they forcast 60 degrees in February you usually can expect a gale. The ocean does not look like a happy place until next week.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Presidents Day

I spent the last few days doing maintenance on all the reels that are used onboard during the season. Taking them apart, cleaning, changing broken springs and screws and lubricating all internal parts.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Weather Forecasts

This week the weathermen were having a tough time as thy changed their forecast every four hours. They were off base all week and continue to be so as the weekend approaches. Anyway we went fishing again and it was raining when we left the house. Only a few anglers turned out for what was a beautiful day. The ling bite was slower then it has been and some folks didn't catch many at all. Evelyn did well with a pink gulp. I fished for cod again and only caught one small one. A stop on the inshore grounds produced some nice blackfish up to 9 1/2lbs. Evelyn had a five pounder. Capt. George said he may try this again next week. On the way home we saw gannets diving on what looked like a school of striped bass.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

A Rainy Day

We went looking for the seals today but they were a little far offshore and hard to see. I tried blasting some "Shakira" music out the truck windows but it didn't work.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Another Nice Day

The weekend was so cold and windy that only a few boats sailed. We waited until Tuesday to go with Capt George again and the ocean was as calm as grease. The overcast sky made me comment that "this looks like a good biting day." Well the fishing started off slow and we tried different areas. I fished for cod again and caught the only one, an eight pounder to win the pool. The wind died out and George went back to New Grounds to drift and the ling bite was on. Everyone filled buckets and just before quitting time the mackeral showed up and we got to jig up a few strings of them. Dolphins out on the fishing grounds and a seal show on the way home.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

More Fishing

Friday was another spring-like day so we hopped aboard the Angler again. A good crew of regulars were out and they all had a nice day with good catches of ling all around the boat. The big ling did not bite on the rough bottom but there was plenty of small ones up on New Grounds. No cod, very few blackfish, a couple of sea bass and mackeral, and more dogfish then we have seen in the past four weeks.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

SEALS

No, not our military, the other kind that balance beach balls on their nose. OK, they are not trained but they sure are fun to look at. We see them everyday around low tide on the south end of the park. If you would like to see them bring binoculars for a close look.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

More Winter Fishing

After Sunday's great Super Bowl, I spent the day Monday doing some work on the boat. It felt nice in the sunshine so we planned another trip with Capt George on the Angler. Back out to New Grounds and 17 Fathoms after a quick try at Scotland for blacks. The ling were biting again and everyone had a nice mess of fillets. Jerry D. was aboard and caught a nice cod. I had a cod about 8lbs. to win the pool. Evelyn caught a small pollock and a big black sea bass along with plenty of ling and ocean pout. Light breezes, warm temps, a calm ocean and dolphins following us home.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Winter Visitors

After checking on the boat at the marina, we went to the south end of the park and found two SEALS sunning themselves on the jetty rocks. We are going back to look for them again. GOOOOOOO GIANTS!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Fishing with Old Friends

After a nice day Tuesday, Capt George talked us in to going again Friday. The weather was so nice all week (the daffodils in the park were in full bloom) we figured it would continue. Not so,as we were greeted by 20 to 30 knot NW winds and a winter day. There was a good turn out of fisherman aboard the Angler, and it was good to see Capt Jerry from the Pioneer II and "Duck Hunter" John. Lots of old time stories and catching up on lifes events. As for the fishing, the first drop was pretty good- Evelyn caught a mess of ling and I had a 5lb blackfish and the rest of the day was just a pick in the windy conditions. I did jig up a dozen mackeral that made for a tasty dinner. The long range weather still looks nice so we may try again.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

GULP

Check out this site for discontinued Gulp and Powerbait for half price. They even threw in a free pack.  Fisherman's Factory Outlet

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

What a Day!

It is amazing to have nice weather this time of year. The last day of January and 61 degrees! We went fishing again with Capt. George on the Angler. The forcast called for 15 to 20 with gusts but there was not enough wind in the ocean to hold the anchor line tight. Other then a four foot swell out of the south, it was like a spring day and the ling continued to bite. Plenty of fish all around and another cod that made for a fantastic dinner when we got home. The weather looks fine for the next five days. Amazing!