With the weather that we have been enjoying for the better part of the winter it's no wonder that fishing is starting to be on everybody's mind. Outstanding weather for this region has pretty much dominated over the past couple of months and it is without a doubt time to start thinking about some serious fishing.

Water temperatures are already way up for this time of year and the fishing scene has barely missed a beet for the majority of the so called winter we have seen. Striper action has been going on along the beachfront, the first Drumfish have been landed hook and line in the Delaware Bay, Flounder have already made an appearance, and the Tautog have been both pleasing and frustrating anglers now for several weeks when we have been able to get out. All indications are pointing to an early start for our normal Spring fishing action this year.

We haven't really done too much fishing since the first of the year, we have been running some ten hour trips basically just on weekends. Our production quite frankly had left a lot to be desired early on. Cod fishing never really took off in the deeper water like we had hoped we might see after our previous couple winters with these fish, perhaps the water temperature never really cooled off enough to push any numbers of the Cod into our reach. We had a fair shot on them right around the time that the 2011 season came to an end but just a few decent fish after the first of the new year, not hardly enough to make it worth the run to the grounds. Tog fishing has held center stage for most of our fishing effort now for the last few trips and after this past weekend the outlook is very promising for some good action with decent fish in the weeks ahead.

We will sail again this weekend weather permitting with ten-hour Tog trips sailing both Saturday and Sunday and the following week on Friday March 30th I will resume with our regular All-Day trips starting out with a four day a week schedule fishing on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays until later in the spring when we will resume sailing daily. All trips are departing the docks at 7:00 a.m. and green crabs and clams will be provided. Bring your own special baits like white legs, shrimp, hermit crabs gulp ect... they sometimes work well but we can't supply them.

Capt. H.D. also has a few long range special trips on the schedule for Tilefish this spring check for updates on the website.

I am looking foreword to a great season the way it is shaping up as of now, hopefully we will be able to muddle through all the regulations and won't get beat up too bad with what we will be able to catch and keep. As of now there has been no significant changes in the Sea Bass regulations and it will likely be similar to that of last year again for the 2012 season. I look for at least as liberal a season as we saw last year with the Fluke, and as for the Tog; big surprise the fishcrats admitted they made a flaw in their counting and it is even possible that the new regs on these fish may once again change. I will try and keep you posted here with any updates.

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

Until Next Time Happy Fishing!

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