It's been a good week here at the Wharf for catching fish. With the end of October came a full moon, some more extreme tides, more rain and wind, and fortunately some biting fish. Even after nearly a solid week with no sunshine the water temperatures seem oblivious to the time of year and are still stuck right around that 60 degree mark in the Ocean and still around 57 up in the Delaware Bay. The fish however, are still on the move.

Last week we were plagued with more wind and rain but we did manage to get out over the weekend and also a few days so far the first of this week with the nice weather. Tog fishing has been pretty good, every day that we have been able to get out we have been blessed with a decent Tog bite. Lucky or skillful anglers have been able to put away a nice catch with fish up to about nine pounds with the average fish running around three to four pounds. Even though the surface temperatures are not drastically dropping the bottom seems cool enough to have some Tog moving around and biting most of the time.

We have had very light crowds every day we have been out and it has made for some fun fishing onboard a big boat with so few people. Each and every trip we have been able to roam around the boat looking for that "sweet spot" to drop into and get the magic tap tap of the Tog. Even when the action has been at it's best these fish still do not seem to be biting too aggressive, we are still getting bites but they have been very light testing the skills of even the most seasoned Tog pros. Not only has it been fun to watch, but with the light crowds I have had a chance to drop down and be humbled by Mr. Tog myself!

There has not been too much of a variety while anchored up over these wrecks lately, most of the Sea Bass I suppose are moving offshore however we still manage to see a couple that would have made the grade. We did see several more Triggerfish landed over the weekend and I have to admit I was surprised to see a few of them still hanging around they are usually found in much deeper water this time of the year. Like clockwork the dreaded Spiny Dog Shark has made his appearance along the Coast as well as up in the Bay fortunately using just the crabs for bait they have not bothered us too bad we have only landed a couple.

We have dropped back to just four days a week now with the regular All-Day wreck trips. I will be running Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays from now until the middle of December and we will be fishing just for the Tog on these trips. Hopefully with the shortened schedule we will see enough patrons to sail each scheduled day. It is also possible if the weather gives us a break that we will continue running weekends for the Tog after the first of the year. For the last several years with the warmer water sticking around so late some of our best Togging has been in December and January and even into February if the weather and temperatures hold.

We are now sailing daily for Stripers. Striper trips will depart the docks at 8:00 a.m. and should return right around 4:00. The Stripers had been biting pretty hit and miss so far this year however they have been biting good since Sunday and several fish have been brought in that would tip the scales well over twenty pounds. Most of these fish have been caught on live Spot or live Eels with only a few on Jigs. I actually had the pleasure of running the Striper trip yesterday and can attest to the amount of fish that are around; you know they are thick if even I caught a twenty pound fish! Whether you are more interested in catching Tog or catching Stripers there is likely not a better time to try and catch these fish than now. Hopefully the month of November will be a little more weather friendly than the last two prior months we have endured and we can get away from the docks on a more regular basis than we have been. Fortunately both the Tog and the Stripers can be caught within just a few miles of the inlet allowing us to fish on some of those questionable days where you may otherwise stay tied up with the wind.

Remember All-Day wreck trips depart at or around 7:00 a.m. and we get in around 4:00. Striper Trips will sail at 8:00 a.m. and also gets in around 4:00. With so few people showing up to go fishing these days It is suggested that you show up for the Striper trips fairly early so we know how many folks are around. We will go out with the bare minimum if it is a pretty day even if we have to combine the two trips. If you make the journey we will try and get you out fishing. If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a private charter please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.

Until Next Week Happy Fishing!

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