As luck and of course Mother Nature would have it we were finally able to get away from the docks this past week for a couple long-range trips. I can honestly say that we saw the good, the bad, and the very ugly between our two offshore adventures.
The forecasts were all good and we had back-to-back trips scheduled for both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, which happened to be the first time that we actually fished in a few weeks we had a combined years of fishing knowledge and experience on board that could only be added up with a calculator! It’s been an annual trip now for a few years, local Captains and mates and several of their friends along with some of the brilliant mushroom men from up at Kennett Square. The fish didn’t stand a chance! Or so you would think.

We departed the docks with the mercury dipping down around 12 degrees and skim ice coming down the canal with the incoming tide. Anchoring up just after sunrise we found the fish biting very well and the more the sun raised the better they bit. Sea Bass were the catch of the day along with a few Blue line Tilefish in the mix to keep you on your toes. Most of the Bass would range in the two to four pound category with several brutes around five pounds or more. Our biggest Tilefish was nearly fourteen pounds. The fishing was good! As the day progressed it became more of just a pick with several Spiny Dogfish Sharks entering the mix. By mid day the current was boiling and conditions were deteriorating such that even with 20 ounces of lead the lines would scream straight away from the boat while anchored and the frustration with the Sharks made it tough.

Capt. H looked around for a better location but every time we dropped the dogs would take over again. Fortunately with the conditions that we had drifting became an option and by the end of the trip the Bass and Tilefish were once again coming over the rails on the drift putting a little icing on the cake! With the big gray box as well as a couple totes and cans full of beautiful fish we started for home with our heads held high and some high expectations for our next trip on Saturday…..WRONG!!

There is a reason why they call it fishing, you just don’t always get um’ the way you want and I am sad to say that Saturdays excursion was painful living proof of just that. With a stellar Saturday crowd and a forecast nearly identical to the prior day we ventured off to the same depth as Friday’s trip. What we found was current and lots of it. We did manage to catch some quality fish but nowhere near the amount that was needed to turn this trip into a good one. At one point I told Capt. H that on a 1 to 10 scale of suck that this was more like a 14! And I meant it.

Top hooks on Saturday would land close to double digits with a mix of Sea Bass and Tilefish but there were way too many unfortunate anglers that would be looking for a fish market on the ride home. I’m not really proud of it but that’s the report. Those of you that follow my reports have heard me speak of the fishing excuse handbook but I’m not sure there is a chapter that would cover what we endured on Saturdays trip! (and it would take up a whole chapter.) Moon tides were strong making it nearly impossible to stay in touch with the bottom anchored or drifting and the Spiny Sharks continued to tangle our efforts from the first to the very last drop! If you were there you know just how tough of a day it was and if you were not be glad that you chose a different date. It was truly hard to swallow especially seeing the fish that we had caught just 24 hours earlier in the same depth of water. You just never know.

With the colder weather that we have had so far this year water temperatures offshore have dipped in the last couple weeks and moved some of these Spiny Sharks around to areas that just a couple of weeks ago had none. Our Water Temp offshore was around 47 to 48 degrees, which is well within the norm for the offshore migration of these Jumbo Bass. I fully anticipate more good trips with these fish in the upcoming weeks. I think that the full moon currents along with the tangles played a major role for our trip on Saturday. The fish were certainly there it was just too difficult to get down to them and get them back to the boat.

We have several more trips on the schedule in the upcoming weeks and remember that reservations are required in advance. Our dates can be viewed on the special trip link from our home page at fishlewes.com
Reservations can be made by calling (302) 645-TUNA.

If you would like any more information about the trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to reserve a space please give us a call.

Until Next Time Happy Fishing!

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