STELLWAGEN BANK, MA-Cod Fishing 4/26/03
B-Fast’s vessels were able to got out to the grounds four days this week: a record in what is proving to be the worst April weather for chartering in the past 10 years. Once again the weekend’s gale winds forecast is wiping out both Saturday’s and Sunday’s trips to Stellwagen.
Monday’s split-charter of Roger Thuot and Steve Mallet of MA paired up with Leo Ferrity of NY and James Blackman of CT found favorable seas and hungry medium-sized cod eager to take the clam-bait presentations. Both the shoals and the eastern-edge have been producing well depending on the tide. Typically the eastern edge fishes best on the incoming and the western edge is best on the ebb. The group had limits of cod filling the boxes by mid-morning.
Capt. Frank Tenore of Fins on Feathers charters and friends from Millburn, NJ had good fishing on Tuesday’s trip. Again, bait is producing best in the 100-140 ft depths on top and on the eastern edge of the bank. Medium cod, 8-15 pounds, filled the boxes. The 22-pound steaker from the shoal-water proved to be the pool winner for the day.
Jason Dillion and friends form Ebensburg, PA had similar results on Friday on the JANET B. 140 ft depths fished well in the morning flood while the 120-130 ft depths on the western edge produced wellbbb during the ebb. Limits of market cod were the rule for the group. A 15-pound cod was the pool-winner. The other groups on B-Fast vessels had similar results.
The weekend’s gale winds fostered cancellations of trips until Monday.
Based on the very low water temp.-just now approaching 40 degrees—we anticipate the cod run to continue later than usual. It appears that new fish are just moving in. Further, on Friday, we found the first evidence of baitfish in cod stomach contents. The bait arrival appears to be late as well.
Capt. Mike Bartlett
B-Fast Charters