Big wolf fish on Stellwagen Bank
Capt. Rich Antonino
June 4, 2008
Stellwagen Bank - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing in deeper water after running around all of Stellwagen Bank looking for more of the shallow bite, we found a nice, solid area that gave up really nice haddock, decent cod, and 4 big wolf fish to 20 pounds. It was nice getting wolf fish like that; they're great eating fish and excellent fighters.
The gill netters moved in and took over the northern part of Stellwagen Bank completely. The bite that was so amazing there last week is done. You can't get a line in the water without catching a net and the fish can't swim around there without swimming into a net. It doesn't seem right. And if you add that to the virtual armada of draggers working the western edge of Stellwagen, it's no wonder the fish aren't going to be around much longer on Stellwagen. It makes you wonder what the fishing would be like without the draggers. Also, I wonder how many stripers are being caught in those nets---we landed another big, fat striper in 120' of water just ahead of one of the draggers. We had three customers fishing today on a shared charter and I ran the trip myself as Matt was at Princeton for his brother's graduation. We jigged when we could and also fished effectively with bait. Two of the wolf fish came in on jigs and two came in on bait. I got a 15 pounder on a spinning rod with a jig and Roger got a great 20 pounder on bait. Floyd, working the bow, managed to catch fish regardless of their willingness to bite! Hooking fish on the tail with his single teaser became commonplace!! Michele, fishing most of the day with a norwegian jig, landed some great fish to end the day, keeping me filleting for quite some time. She landed the nicest haddock of the year as part of a double-header with a beloved dogfish. Yes, they're back.
The bait and whale shows out there are still pretty amazing and a good sign of the tuna bite to come. I'm ready for that.
I'll be in Buzzards Bay this weekend fishing for sea bass and porgy. This is a good time to fish in Massachusetts--everything is here and the waters aren't too crowded yet. I have room to fish in the next couple of weeks for whatever you want to catch, although it may be tougher to get you the dates you want if you wait too long. Give me a call with your schedule and I'll see what I can do to get you out there.
Target Species:
cod, haddock, wolf fish, and pollack
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