Fisherman's Wharf Fishing Report April 28, 2008

By Fishing Reports - April 28, 2008

Good weather and a few willing customers allowed us to actually get out away from the docks more this week than any other week so far this year. Tog fishing is still just about as good as it gets on our regular full-day trips with fish that have been averaging between four to six pounds and poolfish that weigh in over double digits nearly every day!

Small crowds have been treated to some fantastic bottom fishing over wrecks, rocks, and reefs this past week. Inshore the Tog have been on a pretty steady bite in just about all phases of the tide for my last several trips. Offshore fishing was also super this past weekend with Capt. H.D. on the long-range deep drop trip catching both Sea Bass and Tilefish for Saturday's excursion.

Limit catches were made for the entire rail every day with the Tog with the exception of Saturday's trip where just a few guys didn't get 'em. Beautiful weather had just about every small boater out trying to take advantage of the good fishing while it lasts and parking spaces were at a premium. Every time I turned around there was a small boat in my wake and I was just not willing to give away a few of the nooks and crannies that have been producing some of my best fishing with the biggest fish. As a result we had to weed through some smaller fish on known locations and the numbers of big guys didn't quite add up by days end. Most anglers had no problem catching their limit and releasing several more but you really had to fish for them.

With an ominous forecast on Sunday and another light rail we were back out in style only this time we had the whole Bay to ourselves. Sunday's trip was one of my best with big fish with several brutes landed over ten pounds and a poolfish that was nearly thirteen! I forget whether we fished a nook or a cranny but it seemed to work, all limits once again! We have until May 11th to keep catching and landing these beautiful Tog so if you want them there is no time like the present. Delaware will have a full closure on the Tautog until later this summer as part of the reduction plan so we won't be able to land them after May 11th.

The success on the last few 18-hour trips as a lot of you know has been pretty good and this past weekend was no exception. Captain H.D. reported many anglers still catching good numbers of big Sea Bass in the deep water and excellent numbers of Blue line Tilefish to nearly fifteen pounds to help fill the boxes by the end of the day. They took my camera out on this trip and there were so many good pictures of fish I'm going to have a hard time picking out which ones I should post if I missed your picture I apologize! We have decided to add one more of these long range trips on Saturday May 10th this will be a limited space trip so if you are thinking about going reserve your spot as soon as you can!

We have also added a 12-hr trip for Saturday May 3rd. This trip will depart at 5:00 a.m. and will be fishing for Sea Bass. As the water temperatures creep up these fish are moving further inshore and with some of the reports we have been getting from commercial fisherman as well as hook and liners this trip should have much better success than our first 12-hour trip. Expect to fish as deep as 150 feet of water and don't make plans for an early dinner you'll probably be late! As far as catching Sea Bass on our regular full-day trips is concerned I will know a lot more after this coming Saturday's 12-hour trip but I expect to continue fishing for the Tog until the closure especially with the light crowds we seem to be having these days.

We will also be Night Fishing on weekends for Drumfish and Stripers with the open headboat. These trips will depart Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. The Drumfish are just starting to turn on now and we will certainly see some good fishing with them in the upcoming weeks. Light tackle is ok but I would suggest at least 40 lb. gear, as some of these Drum can get really big and fight hard with the strong running currents.

Our season is really just starting to roll at the Wharf and it is only going to get better in the next few weeks. Tautog, Sea Bass, Stripers, Drumfish and Bluefish will all be on the menu at times for both the Charter and head boats. If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a charter or reserve a spot on one of the special trips please give us a call at (302) 645-TUNA.