I will begin running charters in mid-March for the 2009 season.

Here is what to look forward to in 2009.

March kicks off the season with early season Stripers, and a couple weeks later, Winter Flounder. This is strictly a bay activity. The Striper fishing is primarily worms and clams. It is quite possible to fish for both Winter Flounder and Stipers at the same time. Each year, the Flounder take a similar migration path. The very early bite will be in front of the power plant run-off and around the ICW around mid island. As the season progresses the bite will move to Oyster Creek Channel, Double Creek Channel, and finally Myer's Hole. Of course, if you want to catch the winter flatties, a warm sunny day with an outgoing tide is preferred.

Sometime around the middle of April the first "tiderunners" will appear. To say Weakfish are finicky is probably an understatement. To increase the odds in your favor, use low light and boat traffic to your advantage. And when using artificials, use any color you want. As long as it is PINK.

A week or so after the Weakfish arrive we should see the first early season Blues. This can be some really fun fishing. Trolling ponytails on light tackle around the bay provides for some fast action. Just a note, once the Bluefishing starts you can pretty much count the Winter Flounder season over.

In May, look for the Bunker in the ocean. If they can be found, so can BIG Stripers. This will carryover at least into June. Also, do not forget the start of the Fluke season. Though, truth be told, I am not real optimistic for the early season. Your Fluke choices will be limited to many fish with virtually no keepers in the bay or very few fish, but a couple of keepers thrown in, in the ocean. Not until the ocean reaches at least 65 F. should you start getting excited about the ability to catch some keeper fluke in quantity. One good early season location to give a try is the famed "tires". In addition to Fluke, you may grab some tasty Seabass as well. That is, as long at your are fishing early. For some reason, the Seabass bite always seems to fall off considerably after 10:00 AM (trust me).

For those of you interested in a bit larger quarry, May and June offers some good in close shark fishing. Makos, Thresher, Brown, and more are all a distinct possibility.

Most years, July is a month of transition. Water is just too warm for Stipers. Fluke fishing is decent, but nothing like what is still ahead in August (and hopefully September). Mid-summer Bluefishing is usually hit or miss near-shore and virtually a sure thing further offshore (especially at night).

In August, things start to get really interesting. Warm water close to the beach puts within easy range the possibility of pelagics and southern species. It is not too uncommon to catch Dolphin (Mahi), Cobia, and even small Tuna.

I will leave the rest of the season for the subject of a future post. Hope to see you on the water soon.