First Trip Report

We had to deal with adverse conditions and our first trip was a bust. Thick fog all day and poor anchoring conditions made it tough and all that wanted to bite was 14 inch blackfish. Listening to the radio, the boats from as far away as Long Island all reported the same...the keepers had lock jaw. The bright spot of the trip was the big orange belly ling to let us know better days are coming. Back at it in two weeks, they should be chomping by then.

Fishing this Sunday

Weather looks good for Sunday, 4/14. Blackfish are biting along with some ling and stray cod. If the stripers show we will get on 'em. Striper fishing was lights out from the beach this morning. Two hour bite on the schoolies, I had eight double-headers. See y'all Sunday.

Next Big Trip

Saturday, April 27...We will be running a blackfish trip on the Skylarker. Call or e-mail if you would like to go. The ocean is starting to come alive, it should be prime time. Let's go fishing!

A Live Ocean

It was cold when we left the house Thursday morning, but mild by time we got to the beach at first light. The ocean was silky calm, no wind and we were on the top of the tide with a swell and good white water. As the day dawned, we could see hundreds of gannets diving just beyond the bar, following a school of dolphins. We were the only ones on the beach and had a full nature show. Big horse head seals surfed on the breakers, making sure no fish could get close to our lures. When we got home, the word was the Belmar boats had an all day striper blitz to the north. Fishing season has begun.

Opening Day

The Weather Channel said it was going to be "noticeably warmer" on Thursday. The only thing I noticed was the truck covered in ice and the thermometer reading 21 degrees. We headed out to an early season inside spot and gave it a good try. It turned out to be a pretty nice morning, and we saw a bunch of osprey and a bald eagle, and got a lot of practice. Well, we were home in time for the Yankee game. Today, we went to the beach to try the ocean surf and were the only ones out there. The south wind was not that bad but the surf was tumultuous and the only thing we raised was a curious seal that was trying to figure out what we were throwing at him. Another couple weeks and it should all begin.

Changing Seasons

There are a lot of glowing fishing reports of backwater bass and even bluefish. I don't know who is catching them, as we spent a couple days scouting local waters and only saw one guy fishing. The beach was empty again, but the loons were feeding inside the bar and I think it is time to try the surf. The wintering seals and sea ducks are leaving the area and the first oyster catchers were on the beach. The old timers down here say when the "spring peepers" start singing fishing season begins. Yesterdays mild weather had the little tree frogs chirping, so it won't be long now.

Duluth Trading Co.

They have their winter clearance sale going on now, and it's worth a look. 140 dollar jacket, good for fishing on sale for 22 bucks!