Capt. Dave's Fishing Reports Archives

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These are past reports if you want to see what happend in the past.

2000

June 8, 6 pm, I started writing the June 3rd report during one of the few times I didn't have my hands in the crab tanks, but I fell asleep at the first line.  Now I   have the crabs semi - under control, but I must make this short so I can make another round of the tanks. 

The Big news is that the Absecon Municipal ramp is finished and now we have one of the finest facilities in the state on Absecon Creek.   So if you are a trailer boat fisherman drive on in and give the ramp a try.   When you do please be sure to stop by the store and see the selection of bait and tackle we have ar reasonable prices.  Until then take a look at the ramp with these pictures   to find us and the ramp check out this map.

Fish wise whenever the wind stops it is really turning on.  The shed is comming to an end, so I am forced to raise the price of shedder crabs, but they wil;l be worth it as the weakfish have a taste for crab, and the natural supply is running out.  Today I saw lots of good sized fish on the cleaning table and the fluke are just the same.  AS I slowly get my mind back I promise to get back to the daily reports and pictures. I do have an assortment of good fish pictures that I got during the "CRAB WEEK".  I hope to get a softshell crab page together real soon.

CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS, CRABS CRABS

June 3, The fishing is here, but as you can see I definately have a case of the crabs.

May 29, CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS,CRABS, That is about how crabby I feel and the shed has only just begun.  Getting all my tanks set up has already taken a toll on my sanity and has kept me away from the computer as I had predicted.  However I seem to be winning the battle and have all my tanks running and if a couple more crabbers can fight this wind this afternoon on the tide I will just about have them filled with shedders.  That will be about 15,000 crabs which is a lot of crabs to watch and pack out when they shed.   They have Started to shed out very well and I now have plenty of Jumbo and prime softshell crabs available.  If you want the best softshells fresher by days give me a call and I will give you current prices.  As soon as the market stabilizes I will post current prices on my home page
     Back top fishing when the wind has stopped it has been great   I got my first day for weakfish last friday making another episode of FISHING THE EAST with Bo Higbee and in reality we were blownb out, but we did manage to get ahold of a few nice flounder and I caught a weakfish so we will have a new show on the air June 6.   I've seen a lot of fish a whole lot better than mine comming in over the Memorial day weekend, even with the windy wet weather weve been having.  The BIG stripers are here if you want to catch a cow you better get around the inlets ans beachfront to find them.  Jonas Haws and Bob Scull are a couple of the anglers fishing structure after dark to fight the big ones.  I have a couple pictures on the catch of the day page so give them a look.  Big weakfish are also eating the shedder crabs I've beeen seeing them over 6 pounds every day and a couple 8 1/2 pounders showed upnwhich is a good fish anywhere.  Tog are still hiding under the Brigantine Bridge and I will have Green Crabs and Fiddlers until the 1st when they go back to a one fish limit when I will release my bait back into the wild.   Harry Rabbiger and Paul Steelman have been throwing poppers into theback waters to fool bass and get loads of action on bluefish in the three pound class.  Lots of big fluke have been showing up, even if I didn't catch them friday.  My neighbor Jim Winks had a 6 1/2 pounder backed up with a couple four pounders yesterday and on Saturday little Raymond Slemmer Jr. had a six and1/2 pounder himself that really looked big along him.  Now its time to go back to the CRABS,CRABS,CRABS.

May 24,   The Rain is finally comming to an end. And we can really use the sun.  Fishing wise it really hasn't been too bad for those willing to get wet.  The shedder crabs have definately started and my computer time will suffer, but I'll try to keep up with the reports.   Stripers are getting better every day.  with this cold water temperature and the crab shed we may be lucky enough to get large numbers of fish in the bay eating the crabs.  On the Inlet side te stripers have begun eating eels much more so itis time to get out and catch some.  This is turning into a night time game for the most part so get out whenever the weather and tide comes together, It is the time to catch some of the biggest bass of the year. 
    Oviously, weakfish will be targeting shedder crabs, so if you want to connect that is what you will need.  I have all you want.  Current price here is $1.50 each or $15.00 per dozen.  Remember I have the largest selection ob bucktails, rigs and rubber baits to fish the shedder on, so if you stop in for bait take some time to look around.  Hopefully, if today's weather holds I will have some more definate reports available and please e-mail any reports you want to share.

May 21, 6 am.  With the wet weekend we went through there isn't much for a weekend report.  It seems the fish really didn't mind the rain and the cold water is the only thing which really slowed them down, but the miserable cold rainy weather sure kept the fishermen indoors.  Let's look forward to better days ahead.  The crabbers have been getting real active as the annual crab shed is beginning to get underway.  I now officially have the seasons first shedder crabs for bait and all my tanks will definately be full by Memorial day weekend.  I don't have a price yet because I haven't found out what the shedders are worth to the crabbers shipping them to market.  You can be sure I'll give you the best price and the best crabs possible.  While this shed is on I'll do my best to keep up with the reports, but since I'm in the crab babysitting buisness 24 hours a day it gets hard to even thing inteligently, much less actually write something down that makes sense.
    Soft shell crabs should be readily available by the Memorial day weekend.  Since it will be almost impossible to find a hard crab at this time if you want to eat crabs at the bar b que I suggest you throw a couple softies on the grill or better yet break out a skillet and lots of garlic and butter and damn the colesterol and enjoy.  Remember my softshell crabs are served in all the areas best restruants and found in most of the seafood stores so stop by and get them here, days fresher right out of the tanks.  I'll post prices daily on the home page as soon as they start to become available.

   May 19,  It is a dreary looking day and Not much happening here.  I just sold a couple dozen eels to Ron Senn who thinks the big boys are about ready to switch to the slimes from their previously Herring diet in Little Egg Inlet.  He says that he is almost tired of catching the big weakfish in Grassy channel.  He also says that the scoolies have invaded the sod banks heavily so it is time to survey the plug supply and get your casting arm in shape.  Remember you are allowed to take that 24" to 28" school bass home for dinner, but can only take one over 28" unless you have a bonus tag.
     I did weigh in a nice 6 1/2 lb weakfish for Doug Sinagria who caught it in Absecon Bay this morning, one of the few who looked out the window instead of listening to the weatherman.  As far as the weekend goes I suggest that you play it by ear and if you find any opening to fish try it because it has been great.

May 18, It never fails that when we finally get a breakwith the striper limits, the wind starts blowing.  Right now I can't get a real handle on what the weatherman is offering for the weekend so I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed.  One thing I would suggest is reading this weeks  Fisherman Magazine.  One of the feature articles on Intercostal Waterway Weakfish is by yours truly.  Another is to check out the tournament calender and get involved with some competition this year.  If you are sponcering a trournament please e-mail me so I can add it to the list.  Anyway here is the info on the Ladies Bluefish Tournament I just recieved so the fairer fisherpersons can get into the act.

From: <JPH606@aol.com>
To: <dave@abseconbay.com>
Subject: 16th Annual Ladies Invitational Blue Fish Tournament
Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 8:52 PM

Captain Dave,

I came across your generous offer to post information and therefore would
like to take you up on it.

My name is Nicole Wray, I am a resident of Brigantine and a committee member
for the LIBT this year. Our event will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2000,
and this will be the 16th year for the event. Our tournament benefits the
Ruth Newman Shapiro (R.N.S.) mobile mammography unit which services South
Jersey and is this year especially in desperate need of funds due to the ever
diminishing funding by insurance companies and local medical centers.
Therefore we are not only looking for participants but for corporate
sponsorships also. May I send you our corporate sponsorship information?

Details about the tournament: Entrance fee $250.00 per boat.
Friday, June 23rd @ 7:00 pm the Captains Meeting will be held at the American
Legion Post 396 in Brigantine. (food & beverage will be provided)
Participants will pickup T-shirts, rules & regulation packets and other
assorted goodies.
Saturday, June 24th - a "box check" will be held at Harrah's Marina from 6:30
am - 7:00 am angling begins promptly at 7:00 am (women only, sorry guys)...
The "weigh in" will from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Harrah's Marina....
There is prize money involved !!!!

To conclude the days events there will be an awards banquet at Harrah's that
evening....For further information and registration forms please contact
Nanci at (609) 266-5157.

If you have any questions or need further information please do not hesitate
to contact me here.

Again thank you Captain Dave.

May 17, The fishing remains great, but the big news is that the Striper Bill has finally been signed and now you are allowed to keep one slot fish from 24" to 28" and one fish over 28" Below see e_mail report from Tom 'Fote  with announcement.  Beyond that fishing just keeps getting better. Everyone 'out there seems to be doing great.  One of thebest catches I have seen in a long time was made by Jerry the Tog Man and his crew this morning.  Four anglers fished the Brigantine Bridge and in front of Harrahs dock.  They brought in all the tog they wanted to over six pounds and put back an amazing number. They had five keeper stripers to 37" and a pair of flounder that were both at least six pounds .  They had them all sliced up for dinner by te tim I got back from a doctors appointment so I didn't get a picture.  I do have a couple good ones up on the photo page    so take a look and see what is available.  By the way Charlie Sturgis had a full cooler of weakfish this morning from Crosstides along with a nice mess of keeper fluke.  It is only mid-week but it is shaping up to be a great weekend, and the last one to catch tog if they are on your menu.

From: "Tom Fote" <tfote@JCAA.org>
To: <tfote@jcaa.org>
Subject: STRIPED BASS BILL SIGNED: SLOT LIMIT IN EFFECT MAY 17
Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 4:30 PM

JERSEY COAST ANGLERS ASSOCIATION
Working For the Saltwater Resource and Marine Anglers
1201 Route 37 East, Toms River NJ 08753
Phone 732-506-6565 Fax 732-506-6975
Web Site http://www.jcaa.org



NEW JERSEY FEDERATION OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS
Working For The 150,000 Sportspersons Of New Jersey
190 Oberlin Road North, Lakewood NJ 08701
Phone 732-905-0755 Fax 732-905-5261
Web Site http://www.njsfsc.org/


PRESS RELEASE
STRIPED BASS BILL SIGNED: SLOT LIMIT IN EFFECT

JCAA and the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs wish to thank
Senator DiFrancesco for signing the Striped Bass Bill. Since Governor
Whitman is in Japan, Senator DiFrancesco is acting governor. In response
to requests from JCAA, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs
and the RFA, Senator DiFrancesco took action to end the wait. Effective
12:00 AM, May 17, 2000, the new regulations become law. In addition to
allowing anglers to take home a wider size range of fish for personal
consumption, the new regulations will also have a positive, conservation
impact on the older year classes. Remember, this slot limit was enacted to
achieve a 36% reduction on the larger fish. This is even more than the 14%
reduction required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

This also allows anglers to take home a safer fish. We know that PCB
levels are lower in the smaller fish. Rhode Island and Delaware have
already used their commercial slot limits to provide this benefit those who
purchase fish. Now New Jersey is providing the same advantage to the
anglers who catch and consume their fish.

Again, we are delighted with the actions of Senate President DiFrancesco.
He has demonstrated his leadership and concern for the anglers of New
Jersey in this work to achieve the passage of this bill. It was Senator
DiFrancesco who made sure this bill passed the Senate in a timely manner in
early April. It is appropriate for you to call or write him to thank him
for his efforts. Thanks to him, on May 17th you can harvest one striped
bass at least 24 inches but less than 28 inches and conserve the larger
fish. Senate President's press release is below.

Sincerely,
Thomas P. Fote
Legislative Chairman JCAA & NJSFSC
22 Cruiser Court,Toms River NJ, 08753
732-270-9102 Fax 732-506-6409
Email <tfote@jcaa.org>
*************************************************************************

NEW JERSEY SENATE
OFFICE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT
Senator Donald T. DiFrancesco
State House, PO Box 099, Trenton, NJ 08625; (609) 292-5199, (609) 984-8148
(fax)

May 16, 2000    S-1075
Contact: Nicole Ouellette
(609) 292-5199   

DIFRANCESCO TO SIGN MEASURE ALLOWING MORE
"KEEPERS" FOR NEW JERSEY STRIPED BASS ANGLERS

New Jersey's recreational anglers can keep more of the striped bass that
they catch under a measure to be signed into law later today by Acting
Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco.
Senate President DiFrancesco, who is Acting Governor while Governor
Christie Whitman is out of state this week, will sign the measure tonight,
allowing fishermen along the New Jersey coast to keep more stripers
immediately.
"Why wait?" said DiFrancesco, who is a co-sponsor of the measure along with
Senator C. Louis Bassano, R-21. "I was told that New Jersey's fishermen
were counting the hours until this law goes into effect. We moved it
quickly through the Senate last March, and now that it has finally passed
both Houses of the Legislasture, I don't want these sportsmen to wait one
day more."
Specifically, the legislation would change the current daily catch or
possession limit for striped bass from two fish of at least 28 inches in
length to one fish of at least 28 inches in length and the other to be at
least 24 inches but less than 28 inches in length.
"Our research shows that striped bass are clearly in abundance off the
coast of New Jersey," said Bassano, who was instrumental in passage of the
legislation. "It's the right time to change the limit."
The new possession limit does not make any changes to a separate provision
of the law that allows the taking of additional striped bass under the
"trophy fish" program under specific circumstances.
"Our measure will afford fisherman greater opportunities to keep two
striped bass," said DiFrancesco. "It may seem a small change, but to the
angler who might go home empty handed after a full day of fishing because
of the current regulations, this means a lot. I am happy to help get this
new possession limit on the books as quickly as possible."

# # #

Release For Tomorrow
Tom Fote

From: <Crelldirec@aol.com>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: blues off brigantine bridge
Date: Monday, May 15, 2000 11:38 AM

hi all

on 5.13.00 sat. afternoon i caught 4 blues ( 5-8#s) off the old bridge on
mackrel.
saw another fisherman catch 6 or 7 sea bass on crabs

tight lines to all
len castaldi

May 15, 6:30 am.  What a weekend, and a belated happy mothers day to any mothers who might read the fishing report.  As you might expect mothers day is not the biggest fishing day of the year, but there was activity and Saturday and Sunday were fish producing days.   Really there hasn't been much change in any of the fishing.  One great note is that Jim Freeman got tired of catching 15" flounders in the Absecon Channel and took off to the A.C. reef in 80 feet of water and all three on the boat limited out with solid 18 to 23" fish.  So if you prefer to fish the ocean for fluke don't be afraid to run out and try they are out there. 
     I still haven't heard results on the vote on the striped bass bill.  After I post this report I'll go looking on the legislature page, but if you have any information please let me know.  As soon as I have anything solid I will post it.  For now I have to catch up on some paper work so take a look at these e-mail reports and don't forget to send in yours.
BTW the herring are done for this year, but I may get some Shedder crabs out of Virgina before next weekend.  They are a little expensive, but with the weakfish around they may be worth it.  E-mail or call with your opinion.

-----Original Message-----
From: Alfred F Matarazzo [mailto:fmatarazzo@mlfa.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 9:09 AM
To: reports@abseconbay.com
Subject: Bass at Broad Creek


Dave,

thanks for getting up extra early to help us out with the herring! It seems
that morning along the sod banks was truly amazing. we went 4 for 6 on the
herring. the other two were near misses as the bass batted them on the
surface and the gulls got at them.

As a follow-up..fished two hours into the outgoing tide at broad creek
7:00am to 8:30am - sod banks along the north side.

anyway i wanted to thank you again.

al

From: <Tilefish4@aol.com>
To: <gofish@abseconbay.com>
Subject: bass on plugs
Date: Sunday, May 14, 2000 6:33 PM

hay dave how are you i just wanted to tell you that your web page is great
and that im chaching alot of small bass on plugs in the back bay along
with blues and some weak fish a good friend of mine caught a 10.2 lb blue in
the back of brigantine his nane jerry delvilin jr. . i talked to bill lake
saterday morining 5/13/00 and he had 2 keper bass on live hering on that same
day jerry and i had 6 fish "stripers" 2were 30" plus fish we kep 1 to eat
sunday we had 10 all short but fun dave ill talk to you later my name is
kenny parnell i live in brig i fish out of a 15ft. waler and im good friends
with dale fink maybe i can help you with your fishing reports in the futcher
illtalk to you later . my e mail is tilefish 4@aol

May 13, 10 am.  Where to start with todays report I don't even know.  The store has been so busy and I've heard so many fish stories it seems like it is all available.   Stripers continue to bite with Bob Scull having an excellent morning yesterday releasing five fish from 33" to 36" outside of Broad Creek.  Red Man finally got a good one to the boat after breeaking off a bunch last week .  all these fish were on live herring.  Fluke continue to pile up at the end of the stakes and are filling Josh's slough which is just south of Absecon Channel draining the south side of the bay.  John Navratil had a fat limit of flounders there yesterday.  He siad he didn't have a fish worth a picture, but all were over 2 1/2 lb.  The Brigantine Bridge continues to give up fish like the one Pearl Zychowski caught on clam yesterday, but the night moves on the bridge must be something to experience.  I filled up a new reel with 50 lb. Power- Pro for an unnamed angler who said that with help from his friends had 11 keeper sized bass at a 3am bite thursday night. 
     Big weakfish still are being caught and this seems to be getting better every day.  Grassy Channel in Great Bay seems to be the place to do the most catching, but they are all along the waterway holes.  It sounds like the water is still cold enough to keep the bluefish sluggish as mackeral baits seem to be the choice for them  I believe that they should bust out on surface poppers any time so make sure your supply of noisey surface lures is in good shape.  For now its back to work.

May 11, 9 am.  Big weakfish continue to be the big news, Frank Hannum was drifting the Intercostal Waterway and came back with a 9 and 1/2 pounder at this rate, by the time shedder season starts at the end of the month there will be a full blown blitz.  for now work bucktails with plastic of squid strips and hang on.  I also heard that thebridge ar Ruffu Ford on route 40 has produced big weakfish on clam baits sent out for stripers.   In the inlet I'm getting more reports of kingfish everyday so if you want some tastey dinners get a bag of bloodworms and go the jetties or beach front.   Ventnor Pier has also been identified as a hot spot for the kings.  Fluke season continues very good , make sure you fish through the going out tide as I have had reports of some quick catches when the waters warm at almost low water.
     Before I quit I just had a report of big blues to 8 lb and weakfish on rebel minnows at the end of Grassy Channel yesterday Make the ride and get out there for real fun.

May 10, 6 am.  Yesterday was a buzy one for a weekday in May, but it might have had something to do with the great fishing weve been having.  Bill Lake got in the flounder groove finally with a doormat that was every bit of 6 1/2 lb.  He's been bringing in soo many fish that I may have to end his retirement and put him to work behind the counter giving out advice and selling tackle.  If you see  an old fisherman looking guy in the store who is at least as ugly as me and he gives you a suggestion you'd better take it.  His success yesterday centered around the color pink with pink twisters on white bucktails.  by the way he brought in two 4 lb. class weakfish and released two"SLUGS" which were females filled with eggs.  There were also plenty of other nice fluke in his ice chest.  He gave up the day because as the tide got high bluefish moved in so thick he couldn't keep anything in the waterwithout it being cut off so it is definately time to stock up on wire leaders and surface poppers for some real fun.
    Mike Zinc and Chuck Dempey took another load of live hering to the Cape May Rips Sunday .  They didn't stop back here, but I got a call yesterday that they fed them to a full limit of six bass in the same size class as the day before.   It seeml like a lot of meet to me, but it is legal and that is why the new slot limit will be soon going into effect.  The assembly voting session is set for tomorrow so maybe by the weekend you can invite the next 24" striper you catch to dinner.
     Remember the Absecon Ramp is still closed, but work is progressing rapidly don't look for it to be open this weekend.  as soon as I have any specific information I will post it here and on any message boards that are looking for good fishing information.  Speaking of more information I got a visit from someone sponcering www.soundfishing.com an online fishing reports page.  It seems that it has been mostly New England and New York, but wants to work it's way south, so stop by if you are interested in more fishing information and I'll keep the URL in the fishing report lin ks for your convience.   

From: "Daniel Ostaszewski" <bigstrip@earthlink.net>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: absecon inlet.
Date: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 9:20 PM

the wife and i were out on 5-7,from 6:30am.-2:00pm,and of the 15 flounder
we caught,9 were keepers,to 18in. we also had 4 blues. our best action was
in the stakes,just outside the creek. we also had a couple of fish in broad
creek,but the water temp.in the stakes was 8 degrees higher than in the
inlet.all in all a nice day, danny&pam O.


--- Daniel Ostaszewski
--- bigstrip@earthlink.net
--- EarthLink: It's your Internet.

From: "John Bushell Jr." <cobra076@erols.com>
To: "00000000000 0000000000" <Bomber16a@webtv.net>
Subject: THE BLUES ARE HERE!!! Bluiefish blitz at the Bathing Beach in IBSP
Date: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 2:47 PM

5/9/00
2:16 PM

We heard rumours of blues on the surf here and they, but now they are blitzing on metal. Local angler Bill Bertram reports hundreds of 3 to 5 pound blues nailing metal with some bass mixed in. Get down there.

JBJ
Betty and Nicks
www.bettyandnicks.com

May 9, 7 am.  Sunday and Monday continued great fishing, I do have a few new pictures on the photo of the day page.  If you rare comming to fish Absecon remember the ramp is closed and unless you have a very small alluminum boat don't try to go off the old ramp, well a big 4 wheeler will allow for a bigger boat.   The bluefish have slowed the bass fishing on live herring by chopping up a lot of the baits put into the water.  which I guess is ok since I checked out Mayslanding dam yesterday and even though I did get a few fish it looks like it really is over. Anyway once the hundred or so baits in my tank are gone its over.  Live eels should take over as a prime striper bait as we get farther into May.  Cut fish, mainly herring and mackeral has been accounting for a lot of the early season fluke as usual.  Since I forgot just how popular mackeral is as a early season bait I didn't order enough so fresh herring is the bait I have in stock at the moment.  You can bet I won't get caught short for this weeks delivery.  well it's off to work, there are boats to paint, docks to repair and customers to put on fish.

May 7,  10:30 am.  Tht weather did get hot and the fishing is burning.  By the end of an extremely long day yesterday I was not ready to post a report so I tried at 5 am this morning, but  already I was swamped by anticipating fishermen.  Fluke season is off to an impressive start.  Since the Absecon Boat ramp is closed most fishermen weren't close for showing off their fish, but this morning while they buying more bait there were lots of reports of five pound plus fish.  Stripers are still in thewaterways, but you will just be lucky if they eat your flounder bait.  Harry Rabiger and Paul Steelman got up extremely early this morning and had a hot time catching the linesiders in broad creek before the flounder hoards even thought about waking up.   They fed them live herring and unless another run starts up at Mayslanding my tank is just about empty so it may be time to feed them eels or plastic.
     Bluefish have invaded the back bays and now is time to get out the semi warn out poppers and have some fun.  Anything that makes a lot of noise and has some silver or chartruce in it should bring smashing strikes.  The Egg Island Flats are always my favorite for bluefishing because more than a few ten pound plus fish will swim down Grassy Channel looking for warm water asnd an easy meal.  Wherever you are fishing always keep a plug rod ready because the blues can eruptunder birds anywhere and if your ready you will connect. 
     One of the best catches I heard of was by Ron Mossman  on the fishing Machine.  By 7:30 they limited out on flounders and Stripers and had six weakfish to 5 1/2 lbs.  another early riser which goes to show that if you want to catch fish it seldom pays to stay late in bed.   Todays best picture comes from Mike Zinc and Chuck Dempey who didn't want to put their boat in at Brigantine so went to the Cape mMay Rips and fed their live herring to a trio of matched 25 lb. bass.   They headed back today so we will see what happens when you take a little innicative and try new areas.

May 5, 7 am.  Tomorrow starts flounder fishing season and most of the activity I saw yesterday was related to getting ready for the opener.  I read Shep's report in the press and one big note is that there is a minnow shortage.  I don't know about other tackle shops, but I have plenty of monster minnows I catch my own and always make sure I have plenty.  and still at $5.00 per pint or $3.00 per half pint.  I also have some new inovations for fluke fishing.  Pro- Cut Baits came out with colored, shedder crab scented squid strips which reportedly have been doing well with catch and release fishermen this spring.   They come in red, chartruce, green and purple besides the regular white. 
      As far as actual fishing I just got some great feedback that Black Point, marker 168, is producing extremely well, but that is usually a given this time of year as the water that far back warms up faster than most areas.     Bluefish are moving in fast and this sun should really turn on the flats of Great Bay,  They are running in the ocean as the local gillneters brought in a load along with some beautiful bunker which I have freshready for chunking.  I expect to be very buzy so if I don't get back before late tomorrow  good fishing and don't forget to bring in your fish so I can post your pictures on the web.

May 4, 6am.  The weather man is finally on my side so I can't take time for much of a report.Yes the bass are still here, make sure you are fishing the dropping tide, they do seem to be grouped together and they are not necessarily found in the same spot every day.  Yesterday the hot spot was fish point, behind Brigantine.  The day before Marker 175 was best, and Monday the numbers of fish came from Mankiller Bay.  So if you aren't getting bit or don't see any fish on your machine you aren't fishing in the right place.  One note of interest I heard on one raido newscast that the gobvernment has turned off the selective availability on the GPS which means even the cheapest handheld will put you within 30 feet of an exact position which is a great reason to buy a GPS if you still haven't.  I don't keep them in stock because of the simple reason that there are so many to choose from and the prices change, thankfully for the consumer  they go down, very rapidly.  However I can help you makea good decision and order any unit usually at the same prices as the big box marine stores.

Weakfish are beginning to make a great appearance, I weighed a six pounder from the back of Lake's bay, but I could'nt get a picture because I was pounding dock pillings at the time.  I also have very reliable reports of real tide runners comming out of grassy channel in good numbers.  This sun will also wake up the bluefish.  If everything goes right this weekend you should be able to catch a grand slam of striper, weakfish, fluke and bluefish if you put in a little time and aren't afraid to burn some of the high price gas.  I'm hoping to get some fluke pictures on openday so if you catch on saturday and have time to stop by bring in your fish even if it isn't the doormat of your life.  Now to catch the minnows.  I will have plenty for the weekend.

From: "Ivan Petersen" <skyking@dialnetwork.com>
To: <gofish@abseconbay.com>
Subject: fish of the day 5/2/00
Date: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 10:32 PM

georges picture was seen in Illinois and Ca. Quite good I might say

From: "John Bushell Jr." <cobra076@erols.com>
Subject: Bass Blitz at Island Beach
Date: Monday, May 01, 2000 7:58 PM

5/1/00
7:29 PM

I know not a lot of people are going to repsond to this now, but I had to tell you. They are currently blitzing bass on clams at areas 16 and a little past 23 which is the end of the paved road. Nothing on plugs yet, but they are getting bigger. Had a few more keepers weighed in today.

JBJ
Betty and Nicks

May 1, 7 pm.  George Duberson got hold of a "Large" 32 pounder that couldn't resist Striper Candy (Picture)It gave a great fight trying to run down Broad Creek to the Brigantine Bridge, but oviously didn't make it.  After my slow night last night George and Bill lLake did find the fish in numbers hanging around Mankiller Bay.  It seems the stripers are schooled up and when you find them get ready for some fun. 
    I got word from John Navratil thet inside of Egg Harbor Inlet is paved with tog.  He brought in the two that posed for the picture yesterday but brought another cooler to show off today.  Today the biggest was abput five pounds, but the smallest of his limit was over four.  The hot spot is the barge that is putting pillings on the Longport side.  He does have a special trick and uses the tiny kicker on his tin boat to hover in the current and drop his green crab baits down to the structure.
    Yesterday Tom King and Frank Hannum brought a full limit of herring to put in their cage so went looking today and didn't even see one herring.  I hope the run isn't over and the more people I talk to about it the less I know.  I am going to get up at four in the morning to sdee if maybe they are spawning under the cover of darkness.It just doesn't seem like it should be done yet as cold as the water is.
    The weatherman is forcasting great weather for the week and the flounder opener.  I'll be ready with plenty of bait and everything you need to get yours.  Don't forget how good the striper fishing is and give it a try as well because if the weather is right we will have a long productive fluke season.

From: "thomas caterina" <mvptomcat@dellnet.com>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: Everybody out today!
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2000 9:02 PM

Name: Thomas Caterina
Date: April 29, 2000
Where Fished: Brigintine Bridge
Weather: Partly Sunny
Wind: less than 10 kts.
Sea Conditions: less than 2 ft.
Report: Increased boat traffic & several more fisherman at the bridge today. Fished an hour before and after high tide with herring chunk, no success. However, a friend of mine caught & released his first 27" striper.

Ralph Yost also sent me some pictures of his fish from 1999 so I will get a page for e-mailed pictures real soon.  Current pictures will get posted here.

April 30, 6 am.  Stripers are still the word and I finally broke my boat free and caught one Friday evening.   Nothing big 31" ,     10 1/2 lbs.  He ate a live herring in the inland waterway just south of the 175 marker.  Bob Scull was sitting right there catching fish after fish.  I wasn't getting the hook in them and only went one for three hits.  Yesterday was a super day on the striper front and I had some reports of hot catch and relesas fluke fishing so get ready for next weekend.   It should be a great double header and if the sun stays out the water may warm enough for the weakfish bite to start up.    Blue fish on the egg island flats should be a good possibility even today, I've herd reports of a bluefish bite in the back of Lakes Bay by Pleasantville high school, where the water warms up quickest. 

April 30, 7:30 am,  The weatherman finally gave us a break so I'll have tocut this short if I am ever going to get it uploaded.  I guess I'll put my pictures up on the catch of the day , so look there .  It looks like it will be a great week on the weather map soget fishing.  Heres my first just in the boat.

April 28, 8 am.  STRIPED BASS is the word and if you aren't out you aren't fishing.  wether you want to hunt athem with lures, swim herring into their lairs or soak clams or bunker chunks they are here NOW from the inlet right up the Rivers.  Fish the inland waterway with live herring and your sure to hook up.  The route 30 draw bridge is the spot to soak clams and any bridge with lights is a night hot spot.  There may be other fish to fish for but they can wait, this striper seasson is here now.  I had reporst of two herring cut off by bluefish, so even if the stripers are here the blues will spoil a lot of the fun.  One more week to fluke season, but with the weather we haven't missed anything there. 

A note on the herring, I have been questioned on the legality of catching and selling herring. Yes there is a state permit available from the division of FreshWater Fisheries and I do have one.  This is described in the Freshwater issue of the Fish and Wildlife digest.  The permit I have is only for alewife herring in the Egg Harbor River, so that is where my fish are comming from.   As of yesterday the herring run had slowed considerably, I hope this is due to the extremely cold nights and rain we've been experiencing.  It appears the weekend will warm up considerably and maybe the run will pick up and make it easy to get your bait.   I do have plenty for the weekend.

April 26, 8 pm.  When the sun is out I'm buzy, but when it rains it pours.  Monday was quite a day calm wind and sunshine, and the best part plenty of bass to be caught.  I just never got a chance to get a report down.  I had a lot of anglers anxious to try the striper candy and I believe every herring which was put down in the Absecon Bay, Inlet area was crushed by a striped bass.  BILL Lake went five fish for four herring, having much better luck on the Gamagatsu 8/0 octopus hooks.  Bob Scull and companion brought in three, but had trouble hooking up until they went to treble hooks, something I advise against since it can make for tough releases.  Since these fish came home for dinner anyway, it really doesn't mater.  See their picture on the picture page. Craig Calloway proved that clams are still a great bait and showed off his 33" fish on the picture of the day.

     Yesterday was a blow out in anybodies book and If I hadn't got a big load of herring in it would have been a complete loss.  If youwant to catch your own herring they are in Mayslanding now.  do not wait if you want to catch them.  If you just want to fish with them I have plenty.   

     Today was still a hard north East wind and not many souls were brave enough to try and beat it.  Skip Baily was one and he couldn't resist taking four herring for a swim, and fighting a half dozen bass were his reward.  so even if the weather doesn't cooperate it doesn't mean the fish won't.  I put some more herring in the big cage today so I hope to have enough to last after the river runs are over.  I am betting against the weatherman and ordered plenty of frozen bait for the weekend, so I am completely ready.  I hope I have time to get back tomorrow.  Now some rest.

April 24, 6 am. Easter was a slow fishing day as it should be.  I did hang around most of the day , but most of the activity was just soaking minnows in the fresh water.  The reports along the drawbridge into AC keep getting stronger and cut herring seems to be the bait of choice at the present.  At 7 o'clock I got a report thet herring were back at the dam in Mayslanding and even thoughit was late I met my brother down there and I managed to catch a decent load so I got flenty of fresh ones swimming in the tank.  With approximately 200 fish I don't think one died so if you want to cut some you will have to sacrifice a live one.  The only other thing is this report from Tom Caterina on Friday.

From: "thomas caterina" <mvptomcat@dellnet.com>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: More Stripers !
Date: Sunday, April 23, 2000 7:29 AM

I stopped by the marina at about 7:00 PM to weigh in my catch, I must have just missed you. Anyway, I caught another pair at the Brigantine bridge using the herring I purchased earlier. They were quite similar to the pair I caught on Thursday, both 30" and weighing between 10 & 12 lbs. Looking forward to my next outing, I'll contact you accordingly. Tom Caterina

April 22, 6 pm. The weather gave us a break and anyone taking acvantage of it brought in fish.  Jonas Haws got his first with live herring in Broad Creek and lost a big one and almost his rod when he set it in the rack with a herring swimming around.  Bill Lake also got into the herring game with five fish for four herring with a fish about 34" comming home for dinner.  See both these fish on the picture page.   Any hard fishing customer that came through the store today had striper stories.  All the bridges are on fire.  Even the first Route 30 Bridge by the old drive in gave up a 33" fish on a bomber mullet.  The draw bridge into AC 'has been hot with clams fished on the bottom have been responsible for most of the keepers there.  More and more reports are comming from the train bridge, which gets hot because of the lights which shine on it from the expressway.  Same thing with the Ocean City Causeway at Rainbow Channel It is definately time to get fishing.

From: <CMeili120@aol.com>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: Herring
Date: Friday, April 21, 2000 11:23 AM

Went down to the old Trellis in Mays Landing last Sunday and got 27 herring
in about 45 minutes.

April 21,  All it takes is some sun and the fishermen start bringing in the fish.  George Duberson fished Broad Creek with live herring and had four keeper stripers and two shorts and loosing the big fish of the day at the net.  Tom Caterina brought in a brace of 30" stripers.  Check them out on the Catch of The Day Page  He e-mailed me a report so I'll let him tell his story himself.

From: "Phillip Fors" <Phinatil@webtv.net>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: First keeper
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 7:29 PM

Fished the south beach in Brigantine last Tues on the incoming and
landed 3 including my first keeper. A nice 30"er. Using clams on a
breakaway rig. Phil

April 20,  I missed four days of reports, but we all had to put up with three days of rain. With the cold northeast wind blowing all the time I haven't heard anything good and it looks like ths great day may just be a very short break in between storms.  The wrok has begun on the ramp on Absecon Creek so it is officially closed, but they seem to be working full bore so I'm sure we will have a great new ramp before the best fishing starts.  Since thesunis out I have to get moving and catch up on lots of work out in the yard.  The Herring tank is full so stop  on by for live bait if you need a striper fix.

April 16, 8pm.  Rain Rain went away, but the fishing public mostly stayed hid until the sun came out about 1:00.  One fisherman that didn't was Bill Lake, it must be nice to be retired.   Any way fishing down the inland waterway around meadow cut he saw some herring breaking water and his trusty yo-zuri plug found the mark to several fish including a pair form 30" to 32" that came home to dinner and a pair of cows from 18 to 22 "pounds" that went back to spill their spawn in one of the local rivers.   Several that missed thje 28" mark also learned a lesson about pulling against power-pro line which maybe they will be smarter when they come up against you. That wasn't all the bass action happening.  One loyal customer was fishing in the Egg Harbor River yesterday with bloodworms and his boat had over 25 fish, a great day even if they all had to go back.  They had plenty of solid pullers with a majority longer than 24" which will make them legal when the new slot limit goes into effect.    If we can get into a calm weather pattern get ready for some world class fishing.
        If your looking for Mackeral  you may be to late, or you may be to early.  I think the ASMFC is completely out of wack when they give reports of incredible Mackeral Bio-mass Something is wrong when they never come into range of the recreational fishing fleet. In any case by next weekend there will be no chance to catch them here.  YOUR LAST CHANCE MAY BE TOMORROW IF IT DIDN"T ALREADY PASS.

April 15, I missed a couple days, but mostly it's been wind, wind and more wind and right now we have rain.   The weather may have scared off a lot of fishermen, but it doesn't seem to have affected the fish.  Bill Lake has made two trips so far.  Wednesday he faught the wind for four shorts and yesterday he got seven with one breaking 28".  All were caught on Yo- Zuris or Bombersaround the sod banks in the Broad Creek Area.   Joseph Larotunda has been scoring regulary on theOcean City Bridge and brought in a 32" 12 lb fish this morning.  See them both on the New Catch of The Day page.  I've got my digital camera working so bring in your fish to get posted here on my site.

Catch of the Day

April 11, Happy Birthday to me,  With the wind we've been having there hasn't been much to report, but today it changed direction and from the stories I've been hearing it is definately time to fish.  It appears that the Egg Harbor River is going to bust wide open, so you better be there.  Perch is still the name of the Game at Betsy Scull, but stripers rule if you want to catch them.. I had one customer buy five packages of Red Shad Fin-s saying he has been going through at least a package every day.  Another came to pick up Jointed Black Bombers because he beat out his partner last night  with four keepers to three shorts on another lessor bait.  It definately is time to get out and look for the fish.  If you find them don't be shy about sharing Information, just push the button and I'll post info here.  I did get a digital camera for my birthday so if you do catch one and want to show off bring it in and I'll post your picture here on my page.   Look for a daily catch page to start up as soon as I see some fish.

April 8, 6:15 pm.  What A blow out day, but the fish are comming.  I just got the first weigh in by a big guy named Don.  He had a 30", 9.1 lb. striper  he caught in the Mullica on a clam.  I've had reports on just about anything and everywhere.  Back bay fish are eating eels for the boaters, bridges are turning on at night and Harrah's dock is starting to light up, but the fishermen there have been catching  them on squid fished on the bottom, even though there appears to be lots of agerssive action on the surface , the bombers and fin-s haven't been catching them.  I did have one customer who said that a school of keeper size fish has been working duck thorofare and he and a buddy both limited out Thursday night.  Pearl bombers and fin-s were the ticket for these fish which were stuffed with silversides.  If you are wondering that is the flat  bridge just before the draw bridge on route 30 going into Atlantic city. The perch are also getting better by the day.  Betsy Scull on the Egg Harbor river is really turning out some nice eating fish.  So the verdict is if the weather gives you a chance it is definately time to fish.  If you have a report you don't mind sharing please take the time to send it in, it will be greatly appreciated.  On the other hand if you give me some info it definately will find it's way onto this page so don't tell me anything you don't want public.,
  

April 5, 6am. Wind, wind and more wind at least it changes direction once in a while. Still from the die hards the fish reports keep comming.  It seems like there are plenty of stripers in the back bays and the rubber bouncers are starting to get them.  I had a report from John Fish that one of his buddies released 17 bass over the weekend with 4 pushing over 28".  He was dropping off shirts for the Greater Atlantic Bluefish Tournament.   They are really nice this year so if you want a great shirt and to help the Cancer Society stop by and pick one up for only $15.00.  Perch are comming on strong and seem to be real nice size.  I've had reports of twenty filling a five gallon bucket which makes them big enough to filet, so if you want some great eating before the fluke season opens up get some bloodworms and head up the rivers.  Lets hope the weatherman will let this wind slow down.

April 3. 6:30 am. It was a good weekend for fishing, especially if you got out Saturday Morning.  Jerry the Tog man and his crew including sons and other tog manic Jon Mangan made the best of it bringing in 14 fat tog including three over 6 pounds, I've got to break down and get a digital camera, maybe this week if the weather is good to me.  Stripers are just about anywhere you care to fish.  I've had customer reports from just about anywhere and on any bait with lots of keepers in the mix.  So far I haven't heard of any giants.  Blood wrms are still the favorite bait even though I did have a report of a keeper caught in Longport on a live eel and one angler fished the Egg Harbor River Friday evening by the old nudist camp with live minnows and got two keepers to take home.   One couple just passing time drowning bloodworms by the Brigantine Golf Course soaking bloodworms got their big fish of their lifetime  .  A bass longer than from his shoulder to fingertip gave him quite a match. but ended up on thebank.   Since they werent prepared to handle , cook and clean a fish of that size they released the fish to fight another day.  hat is a great story, but they bought more worms and braved yesterday's winds to try again. 

       I've started to get the store in good shape and have gotten the reels together and on desplay as well as a good amount of rods.  Now comes the hard part with bokes and boxes of lures, hooks , and terminal tackle.  It will take awhile, but everything will ge into order If you stop by I'm sure you will find anything you want or need.  Bait wise I am completely stocked up , green crabs have arrived and I have netters dropping off fresh bunker daily.   the bloodworms havebeen great size wise and and I am getting at least three shipments a day so they are always fresh.  Thats all for now time to go down and get to work.

March 31,  It looks like a great weekend shaping up, The weatherman is really on our sideand I've been having reports come in from customers about fishing picking up everywhere.  Stripers are on the beach, in the back, in Great Bay  and up the rivers so take advantage of the weather and get out and fish.  The store is fully stocked with all the bait and tackle you could possibly need so stop by.  On a more important note the following is a e-mail from Tom Fote of the JCAA about the changes in the striped bass regulations.   Please give it a look over and at least e-mail .  For myself I have to keep this short and get to work.

There is a real problem with the striped bass bills (S1075/A2197).   There
is no full Assembly voting session until May 11. The bill has passed the
full Senate and is out of the Assembly Committee but needs the full
Assembly to vote on it. The Governor then needs to sign it. Assembly
Speaker Jack Collins needs to schedule a voting session as soon as possible
to make this happen. Delaware is going to put these same regulations in
place on April 1st by an emergency regulation. If the Assembly does not
have a voting session until May 11 then New Jersey will not be able to fish
using the slot limit until late May while Delaware will be doing it April
1. Write, call or email Assemblyman Jack Collins and tell him you want a
voting session as soon as possible.


Assemblyman Jack Collins, Republican, Speaker
63 East Ave.  Suite C,
Woodstown, NJ 08098-1499
Phone 856-769-3633
Fax 856-769-0049
AsmCollins@njleg.state.nj.us

March 30, 6 am.,  I'm getting an early start because it looks like the weather is finally giving us abreak right through the weekend.  If you could get a line in the water the last couple days without having it blown out of your hands you would have had a good chance at catching something.  From Scott's Bait  fishing report it appears that Graveling Point is turning on big time so if you don't have a boat in the water it might be worth a ride to Mystic Island.  If you have a boat and the wind stays down the entire great bay area should produce.  I would look at the flats at the end of Grassy Channel with clams, chunks, or bloodworms and cast a slow moving plug or sassy shad style lure while waiting for a bite.  I've had some confirmed reports oif fish behind Brigantine and the few boats that have made it out on the Cape May Rips have caught fish.  What really is hot is the Delaware River.   I can't get away from the store, but if I could I would do some exploring over there.  I can't give specifics, but I believe that may be one of the most under utilized striper areas available.

     Talking about the store I have tons of tackle to get up on the walls, a couple spring orders came in yesterday so if there is something you have been wanting to pick up  I probably have it, if you have time to let me wade through some boxes.  I have just about every bait needed for Stripers, except live herring, and I hope to get ahold of some of them today as they have begun to show in Mays Landing and rumor has it that white darts are the best choice to catch them.  But you better have light line 2 pound test is best. I also have poats to launch for the weekend, it looks like everything is breaking out.  if you want to spend less time fooling with your boat this spring  I can take care of the necessary work at reasonable prices.  check out the Spring Makeready Services and prices.  That is enough for today, I'll be back this evening if anything develops.

March 28,  The weekend is over and the weather certainly helped us out.  I still haven't seen any fish to weigh in, but rumors are getting more serious.  Graveling point is still the best producer of keeper sized fish,  but more ad more fish are comming out of the surf.  It seems like Rainbow Channel on the OC, Somerspoint causeway is turning on real well.  Suposedly a few herring made it up to Mayslanding yesterday so look for fish to start. pushing up the river farther.  The bulkhead there is producing yellow perch, crappie and pickeral in great numbers.  Finally some nice white perch are showing up farther down the river.

  March, 25, Saturday AM,  We finally have a beautiful weekend looking at us.  I'm up early and hoping to get things rolling in thelocal fishing world.  The last week of cold really hammered everything and the North East wind messed up the ocean.  We have had two beautiful days to get things straightened out so it is definately time to fish.   After noon when the tide starts to roll out of the back bays and rivers should be the time to see some striper action.  There have been some reports of herring still up in Mayslanding so you might want t check out the possibility of getting some fresh bait.  I did manage to score a few fresh bunker yesterday so if you want to try a hunk of that in the surf along with the clams and worms stop on by.  I hope I have something good re[port by theend of the day today.  I finally did get done just about all of my spring orders andexpect new tackle to start rolling in everyday on the UPS trucks, so stop by when I'm unloading boxes and maybe we can find you something good.

March, 21,  It's been almost a week and we are officially in Spring, but you wouldn't know it by looking out the window.  Last Thursday I had great reports out of Graveley Point where Joe Milza caught ten bass with two big enough for the dinner table.  Then winter hammered us again and I haven't heard anything about fish since.  I guess that all we can hope is that all this north east wind will push the fish and bait onshore and when we get some sun that they will finish the trip and come into our bays and rivers looking for warm water.  I guess I'll try to use some more time to generally improve te site.

March 15, Another beautiful and I had to spend it in computer class.  Lots of activity around as it kept my dad plenty buzy, at least some people are able to take advantage and go fishing.   I'll be buzy tomorrow getrting the store situated and making room for new tackle that is comming in just about every day.  Now my brain is fried, I hope to havesomething better tomorrow.

March 13,  No real change from the weekend, all the fish I've seen are only rumors, but that is a start.  Perch fishing must be getting better by the day because most of the worms I've been selling have been for the anglers looking for a white perch dinner.   A few of the buyers have been bass fishermen and I did check out Scott's Bait web page report and it looks like Graveling Point is starting to turn on.  Scott's Bait Fishing Report .   No major Herring Reports today, but I did sell my last Keep Alive 30 gallon bait tank so someone is getting started.  I should have more by the weekend.  There still is a 10 gallon.

From: <Fishboy61086@aol.com>
To: <reports@abseconbay.com>
Subject: perch
Date: Monday, March 13, 2000 6:20 PM

I went down to Patcong Creek the other day and caught several perch. They were all pretty small, but it felt good to wet the line. There are small schools of baitfish in the area also. Bigger fish should be coming in soon,
and I'll be there to welcome them.

March 12, weekend report,  I still have not actually seen a fish to weigh in, but things are starting to happen.  1st off there are herring at both Batsto and Mays Landing.  From what I understand these are the Blue Back herring and usually this is a short run so if you want to get a few for bass bait you better get in gear.  I still haven't figured how to get any numbers for the store, but as soon as I do I'll be posting.  I sold a couple of the Keep Alive bait systems today so I 'll be ordering more tomorrow so I'll have plenty on hand by the end of the week.  Check out their web site for the best live bait areation system available.

Keep Alive Oxygen Infusers

Fish wise, the striped bass definately are starting.   As I stated I haven't actually weighed any in, but fat scoolies a little short of the legal limit are biting in the rivers, and it seems like more than a few big enough to find their way home have been mixed in.  Blood worms still seem to be the hot bait, but with herring in the rivers don't be afraid to throw plugs or liveline a herring if you can get one.  If we get more sunny days this week I would bet on the flats out in Great bay inside of Little Egg Inlet to start producing.  The freshwater fishermen have started to do quite well.  If you can sneak between the tourists and Canada Geese, Smithville Lake has been producing crappies and largemouth bass.  One customer released one he estimated at over five pounds on a piece of dough ball fron the Pizza shop.

March 11, 2000 am.  I missed a couple days.  This great weather is getting the season started and has kept me getting the store in order.  I sure hope the fishing gets good, because I will be ready.  Fishing wise I haven't gotten any solid reports, but rumer is that the warm sunny days have gotten at least the small bass biting on the shallow mud flats of the Mulica River.  From all reports the North Jersey winter flounder fishing is fantastic and most likely worth the trip.  What is very strange is that no one has found this fsh in the local waters.  Around 1970 there was a great fishery for these tasty panfish.  I remember fleets of over twenty boats anchored in the mud holes around Absecon Bay and everyone catching fish.  This is a chumming game but occasionally there are reports of fish comming off the Brigantine Bridge. If these nice days continue it may be something to try.  I'm sure the old spots and methods would work and I'll be glad to let you know how I did it.

I did find something very interesting.  There is a new site with a camera on top of the aquarium in Gardners Basin overlooking Absecon Inlet.  This is a very high quality camera which will give you a great view of the conditions in the inlet and may help you make decisions on where you want to fish.   Supposedly this is a very sensitive low light camera and you should even be able to see who is night fishing for stripers.  Give it a look see.

Atlantic City Inlet Camera

March 9,2000 am,  I spent all day yesterday in a internet web class so I can improve this page, I think it's working.  My dad was in the store and sold a lot of bloodworms and minnows so at least there are people trying.  If your looking for a great fishing trip I'm putting all the information for my Absecon Bay Fishing Safaries on its own page so I invite you to take a look.  Now it's time to work outside since the weather definately is here.

Absecon Bay Fishing Safaries

March 7, 2000     No real fish stories today, but lots of activity with about 50/50 buying bloodworms or minnows.  The Bass fishermen and the fresh water perch and pickeral fishermen are running about even.  Thewarm weather is supposed to hold all week so it is time to get out.

March 6, 2000    The weather is holding and though I haven't seen any fish I had a great report from a customer that bought some bloodworms and was on his way to paint his boat bottom and go because his buddy caught a 33" bass and a half dozen shorts at the Coastr Guard Station at Little Egg inlet on bloodworms yesterday.  Looks like spring is upon us.

March 5, 2000:   The sun shone bright this weekend and it looks like honest fishing will get started this week so I hope I've got my computer knowlege together enough to get a good report page together.  Please be patient with me and stop back often.

The following links will take you to other fishing report pages.  Please bookmark this page now so you can return easily.

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