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Random Quote: If you take care of your boat your boat will take care of you.
I finally was able to get out yesterday after months of tryuing after this wonderful winter we have been dealt. We fished the area of the bank known as the mussels and came away with everyone getting their legal limits of codfish. Most of the shared charter stated they would be back for another trip as soon as next month. I think the bank will come alive once the bait moves in and the draggers and gillnet boats stop fishing on the 1st of April.
Jigs and teasers rigged with a small piece of clam was the trick of the day. No large steakers caught but we did well wtih fish in the 10 - 15 lb range.
Unfortunately, it is blowing again today so we will see what happens next week.
Thanks,
RELENTLESS
[This message was edited by Wet-n-Wiley on 03-30-03 at 12:28 PM.]
Hi Dave
You did the right thing by going offshore.
I spoke to two commercial gill netters yesterday afternoon in Scituate, who set up inside, and they did poorly on the cod.
Did you try inside before you went to the bank? -Tom
[This message was edited by Wet-n-Wiley on 03-30-03 at 12:29 PM.]
I tried inside about three miles east of the "B" buoy and it was dead. Can't wait for the eels to arrive and the draggers to go elsewhere at the end of the month. When is the Karma being launched?
Dave -- Thanks for a great day yesterday Interesting also was how well the mixed goup interacted -- I felt I was with old friends right from the start "It was all Good" PS not a worm in any of the fillets.
Tite Lines
Vin
Glad you enjoyed trip adn had a great time. Remember the color purple and you can't go wrong.
Hopefully my report will be out tonight. The group was excellent and the type that makes it an easy day for Ken and myself. I still need to get back in to scrub down the codfish blood where we missed.
Yesterday I fished with JayB on one of the Andy Lynn Chater Boats out of plymouth. We fished east of Stellwagen (45 miles - 3 hours each way). Between the two of us we caught two 20+ lbs wolffish, a 12lb cod, and a 6lb pollock. Overall pretty slow . . . but great to be out fishing again!!!!
It is open to fishing and right now both recreational and commercial. Come one April it will only be open to recreational fishing. You are somewhat on track as the Ocean Conservancy Group and Conservation Law Foundation do whant to shut down large sections of the bank to all fishing.
Tonight at the Viking Club in Braintree, MA on Route 53 is a meeting, open to the public on the Freedom to Fish act which will provide legislation keeping State Waters open to recreational anglers.
This is a public meeting, starting at 7:00PM and everyone is not only invited but encouraged to attend.
The meeting was very interesting and scary to say the least. Where we are now is, RFA is working with Mass Striped Bass Assoc attempting to get one of the folks on the hill to introduce the F2F Act. So far from what I understand, no State Senator has stepped up to the plate.
As we sit here working on this , OCean Conservancy and other groups are already working on testimony and a campaign to oppose this. We will need everyones help to call, write and speak to their local politicians askiing them to support this bill. In addition a small doantion of 20-50 dollars and thanking them for their support will remind them of how to vote.
I would hate to see us lose this because it will give these groups more power in closing off large bodies of offshore MPA'S including Stellwagen Bank and Jeffereies Ledge.
Dave, I was wondering if you know of any guides I could hire to go out with me on my boat fo rthe first time to the bank, All my expeirience is in the narraganset, risound, bi sound and buzzards bay waters. I dont want to run out of plymouth the first time blind.
JB, why not book a charter on Dave's boat. You can learn a lot by watching a pro. I know the captain I fish with in Maine has taught me alot over the years. Eventhough I now have my on boat I still take a few charters every year.
I only wish I could to the bank. I'm much further south/west, near new london.
Anyone know any spots closer to nantucket or the lower cape? I know some boats go out of point judith, and my boat has good range (and a life raft, and immersion suits, and epirb, and.... ok, i'm insane, what can i say) just don't know where to look.
Hey i'm looking to get out fishing the bank/ outer cape: anyone been out with the weather feeling like it has the past couple days? How are they doing near peaked hill or the golf balls, anyone hear?
I picked a few fish for myself on Friday on the eastern side of the bank. The largest was 22 lbs and the trip was a detour after bringing my boat back from Onset where we had the bottom painted, hull waxed and a little glass work.
I will keep the reports coming as much as I can starting next Friday. Beginning Friday the 4th we have 8 charters booked for the following 10 days. The fishing should be good as the commercial season will be closed in Massachusetts Bay and the bag limit is increased from 5 to 10 cod. We will be running out of Green Harbor and do have a few openings for trips in April if someone is looking for a trip.
Cod Fishing Stellwagen Bank 
Interesting also was how well the mixed goup interacted -- I felt I was with old friends right from the start 
"It was all Good" PS not a worm in any of the fillets.
