First Trip- Good Fishing but Bad Catching - The Hull Truth

Codfisher · 04-12-2006, 08:13 AM

My buddy and I took a long boat ride Tuesday to scout out the area. Headed south from Wells Harbor to some inside humps south of the Isle of Shoals then out to Old Scantum and then to the Prong on Jefferies. Then we headed north hitting all our favorite numbers along Jefferies all the way back to the fingers. Round trip was about 60 nm

At most stops we hit plenty of short cod but no bug eyes were to be found. Cod hit both bait and jigs. Amazing how a 20" cod will try to eat a jig that is bigger than he is.

It looks like that the haddock have not moved up on top yet to spawn but I think it will be a different story after the 15th. For now I recomend saving gas and sharpening hooks.

It was a great day on the water however, only two headboats in sight all day. The Lady Diane ran perfect and the new auto pilot took us home from the fingers at 30knts. That is going to be real nice we have fish boxes full waiting to be cut!

We will be heading out late next week for another look see. Stay tuned

karnog · 04-12-2006, 08:19 AM

Sounds like a good day on the water to me!

AlloyToy · 04-12-2006, 09:19 AM

Thanks for the info George, I think the majority of the fish down hereare East of Stellwagon too. Won't be long though!!

Codfisher · 04-12-2006, 09:28 AM

Word has it Tillies is getting hot...thats where they got them yesterday. Just to far a run for me from Wells unless I headed straight there. Maybe next week.

Reel Pursuit · 04-12-2006, 10:02 AM

If the weather holds I'm heading east of Stellwagen on Sat. Will post a report here.

Harpoon · 04-12-2006, 11:09 AM

G-

I had a friend hit Tillies last week end. The fishing was crap. This has been the story for the past two springs.

I have also had big days at halfway hump in April. But I think that spot is on or off.... like the way you described Tanta's.

I used to have good march/april results at the cove, inner pigeon and also the 180 line running south of the cove.

Also before the doggies are around, try anchoring with a chum pot hanging off your bow.

Codfisher · 04-12-2006, 11:32 AM

Phil thats what I heard about Tillies last weekend as well. The last two days the gloucester and hampton boys have hit them (haddock) pretty well though. I will probably hold off till Wed/Thurs next week but will check out the Cove...thanks.

Harpoon · 04-12-2006, 12:10 PM

I have a friend that went on a head boat and got a few. From what he described he was probably in the pigeon hill area. Poke around the back (E) of the cove toward pigeon as well.

Reel Pursuit · 04-16-2006, 02:00 PM

got out Sat off the eastern edge of the Bank. Place was fogged in real good. Jigged up about 23 cod, 5 keepers in the 10-13 lb range but nothing big. Fished about 250 ft. No haddock for us. A buddy boat further north did well on haddock.

Fresh Fish · 04-16-2006, 06:44 PM

Out of Gloucester last Friday, about 20 miles E/SE. Plenty of haddock. The good sized haddock started hitting on the outgoing tide, but the bite was steady. Cod were far and few between and no keepers. Only used clams, as jigs were not producing. Back at the dock, the environmental police were checking coolers for the cod. The length is 24" now. We were only able to show about 20 lbs or 25 lbs of haddock fillets.

xbluefinx · 04-16-2006, 09:34 PM

24" size limit does not go into effect until may 1st

Reel Pursuit · 04-16-2006, 10:51 PM

I wish we knew that - we threw back a few 22-23" fish cause we weren't sure.

ccguy · 04-17-2006, 11:28 PM

Any post weekend updates?

Codfisher · 04-24-2006, 09:28 AM

Went out Sat with a fellow THTer on his 31' Pursuit....what a beautiful rig.

Seas were 3-4' rollers with a 2 ft chop on top. Wind and chop let go around 11am (tide change) and gentle swells the rest of the day.

Fished around Tillies with slow results. A half dozen nice size haddock, same with market cod, and alot of short cod.

Water is still cold...41 degrees at 50 fathoms.

Boat is staying in port this week until the haddock/cod bite heats up. Gas is too expensive to waste on short cod. Fishing will get better once we warm the water a little.