No this is no April Fool, I am finally posting a new report. After a long and painful winter with some of the coldest enduring weather I have seen since I was a kid, I think that I can finally say we are starting to think more seriously about our fishing season here at Fisherman's Wharf and these pictures that I am posting from back in January and February around Lewes are a thing of the past!

It seems like week after week we have been pounded with more cold, more wind, and more of that pesky white precipitation that I'm fairly certain most readers are about sick of. With any luck that is all behind us now and we can get back into the swing of fishing. The weather man promises that the worst is behind us now as far as the cold goes and hopefully the wind Gods will be in our favor in the upcoming weeks allowing us for some smooth sailing and some fish catching action.

Our fishing Season so far since the beginning of the New Year has been limited to just a couple long range trips fishing for the Tilefish and only one regular full-day trip that we made a couple weeks ago which basically just turned into a boat ride. We found only one hungry and lonely short Tautog for all of our effort. At least on the Long-Range trips they a had little action with some nice Tilefish and lots of pesky Spiny Dog Sharks to keep the guys busy. The weather has been just too unsettled to even think about getting away from the docks these past couple of weekends that we were scheduled to sail and we remained tied up to the dock looking out at the rough seas and the often snow covered ground.

Water temperatures are frigidly cold. It really shouldn't be any surprise to see surface temperatures as low as they are right now however at this date and time the last few years we had the luxury of looking at surface temps in the upper forties and even the low fifties. Right now that is just not the case, the surface temperature at the Delaware Lightship Buoy has just now reached a chilly 40 degrees on the surface and up in the Delaware Bay the surface temperatures are even cooler. The so called Polar Vortex did a number on the water this past winter and it's just going to take lots of sunshine and some good weather to bring them back to a more normal reading. This is the start of a fishing season like we were more accustom to seeing when we would have the massive schools of Mackerel looming off of our coast throughout the month of April in the cooler water. One can only hope that something like this could occur again this year! I know I will certainly be keeping an eye out for them when we do get out and I will be prepared to catch them if they should show up in our range. There were several reports of Mackerel throughout the winter to our south and if they migrate up the coast inshore the way they used to, it is entirely possible we may actually see some of them with the water temperatures such that they are right now.

It will be nice to get the season rolling again, we have a lot to look forward to during the upcoming year. It sounds as if we will be getting another break with our Flounder regulations again this year, it is entirely possible that we will be able to keep even a smaller fish again in 2014 while maintaining a year round season along with the same creel limit of four fish! I have already been stocking up on teasers and jigs and I can't wait to start fishing for the flatties this spring. Our Sea Bass season, while not finalized quite yet should be similar to that of the last couple prior years with a late May opening and a 12 1/2 inch fish with late season closings again. The creel limit I believe will be 15 fish this year but don't hold me to that I'm not certain yet.

As it stands now we are scheduled to run with the regular Full-Day trips on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays. Trips depart the dock at 7:00 A.M. and we generally return around 4:00 p.m. I will be primarily wreck fishing for Tautog. Bait has thus far been an issue with the weather we have had but I plan on providing both Crabs and Clams when they are available. Feel free to bring along some shrimp or any other hard bait you can get your hands on. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so that a fresh bait supply will be readily available to us as the season progresses. In the event that some Mackerel do show up don't be surprised if we stop and try to jig some up if or when I see them. I may be dreaming of yesteryear but there is always that chance they will show and the Mac's can be a lot of fun! Our next Long-Range trip is scheduled for April 12th and will be fishing primarily of Tilefish. There is a complete list of trips listed on the website at fishlewes.com and don't forget to check out Groupon for the latest deals on trips sailing out of the Wharf this year.

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a private charter or reserve space on an upcoming special trip please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.

Until Next Time Happy Fishing!

Capt. Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale IV
catchfish@verizon.net