Stay tuned, this site will soon contain interesting articles about fishing, links to charters, and even a section for posts about your fishing trip. We are looking forward to supplying the serious and the part-time fisherman with some great insight into all aspects of fishing. Along with this we are going to supply reports on everything from the tides, weather, to what fish are biting where (within reason, we all know that no one will give up the secret spot) and what the bait is. Starting in South Jersey we are looking forward to forging freindships with Captains, Marinas, Baitshops and most importantly the fisherman. Eventually we want to be the one stop site for all your fishing information all over the world.
A little about Timmy T
I started fishing before I even remember. As a little kid I would ride out on the boat and catch minnows out of the bucket and put them back. When I was old enough to hold a rod I was fishing. I have expanded fishing from the Delaware Bay, where I was raised to fishing in South Florida as well. Two greatly diverse fishing areas. I try to get out as much as possible, and when the sun shines it is a good day. Growing up on the Delaware Bay we would fish for Fllounder, Weakfish and now the ever popular Striped Bass, in Florida we have done reef and troll fishing along with little spear fishing. I have also fished in Alaska and North Carolina and I look forward to the many adventures to come. The greatest day, is any day on the water with my pop, but a truly memorable day is the day we caught a Marlin a few years back half way between Cuba and Key West. I will go into detail about that later.
Anyway, I won’t say that I am the most knowledgable, but I can tell a story. That is half the fun in fishing!!
Well keep checking and I will be sure to post entertaining and fun stuff along with some good insight, information and contacts.
Tight Lines,
Timmy T
Fishing for Striped Bass in the Delaware Bay
When we think of Striped Bass fishing we all have a separate thought. I think of bunker or menhaden, the fresher the better. Some may think of clams, eels, blood worms or even artificials. One thing is common though, bait stinks. When you put in in the water the bait will emit the scent that the fish like. It is just like when you are cooking barbeque in the summer, ever notice that the neighbor suddenly appears? Same thing only different, you can’t fillet him!
The scent is the attractant and the bait catches them. I am a firm believer in being at the right place at the right time. You need to talk to the guys you buy the bait from, if they tell you they are getting large bass in the nets right off shore, why are you running to the channel? In the Middle Delaware Bay, or as I like to affectionately call it the land time forgot, you can get your bait right off the boat if you get to know the locals. For my family after almost 40 years my father is considered a local. I am simply “his kid”, I do get the benefits though. So when you can get fresh bunker and the stripers are hot get out there.
To pump the scent up we usually have some frozen bunker to cut up and chum with. This is usually the first order of business. We get the chunks out and get the lines wet. I find the bigger the bait on the hook the bigger the fish. I myself have never caught the bragging rights, lunker striper, my pop on the otherhand has. Pop spends on average 250 days on the water, he is a variable walking and fishing dictionary. He has even laid claim to a tounament win up in the Bay. We have tried the atrificial scents and oils, I am not going to say they don’t work but I don’t think we have the patience. The old frozen bunker is just as good and really does the trick.
When talking rigs up there we generally keep to an age old adage, keep it simple stupid! K.I.S.S. is applied at everything I can possibly apply it to. We generally use a circle hook with a weight “line slider” . This allows the bait the float a little behind the weight on the bottom. With the chunk floating the striper can attack it.
If you are lucky enough to get out bring extra weight, when fishing the channel edges the current can rip. If fishing inside on a hole you can have a lot less current and just as much of a chance at the lunker! Next time I will talk about the right place at the right time.
Catch em up,
Timmy T
