The 2001
season ended December 10th with exceptional striper fishing
and weather. The past season went well, after a slow start
due to water temperature.
Inshore and
offshore wreck fishing was excellent, fluke and tuna showed
up on time in good size and numbers.
Tuna set
up at the "Hot Dog" around July 20th and stayed until
about September 20th when they moved out of range and into the
Washington Canyon.
Striped Bass
fishing with the few exceptions where wind and or dirty water
caused problems was exceptional. The bite, especially from mid
November until the season ended was fantastic. Most trips were
producing 15-35 stripers per trip with limits for many of the
fishermen.
I know the
weather was warm and the weather the previous year was very
cold which caused some groups to fish earlier in the season.
Remember, the normal temperature for Cape May at that time of
the year is 45-50 degrees, not the 25 degrees we had in 2000.
This year
again we plan to start fishing in mid April. If water temperatures
don't fall below normal we should have stripers in the rips.
Last season we started offshore wreck fishing, 15-30 miles out.
With the addition of the anchor windlass on the Gallant Lady,
these trips became workable and very successful. Sea bass in
the 3-4 lb range along with some cod, Pollock, and big ling
filled coolers and provided excellent dinners.
If night fishing
is an option, consider drum fishing. Drums up to 90 lbs. are
not uncommon in May and early June. Tuna fishing should start
in mid July with the arrival of the bluefins, followed shortly
by the yellowfin bite. Mid October we will again target stripers
in the rips. Book these trips early as they fill up quickly.
