03-21-2005, 12:58 AM
STELLWAGEN BANK, MA- Cod Fishing 3/20/05
Cod fishing both on the bank in the shoal-water and in the deep-water to the east has been off to a slow, cold, inconsistent start in March thus far. Much colder than normal water temperature have plagued the Northeast for the past two winters. Surface water plankton concentrations are a full-point lower this spring, which may account for the lack of concentrations of baitfish on the bank. Typically, the phytoplankton bloom starts in mid-March and encompasses both Stellwagen and Georges Banks by mid-April based on Satellite data. A change in plankton concentrations will have a ripple-effect through the food chain.
Two of B-Fast’s vessels did get out on Saturday. Based the information above, the rather meager success from previous trips in March thus far, and a marginal forecast at best, I encouraged both groups to consider re-scheduling. Evidently, the long winter doldrums and cabin fever prevailed. Bill McNamara’s group from Mawah, NJ and James Niles group from Hartford, CT braved the NNW winds and rough seas on the DECISIVE and
SASHAMY. Both groups worked hard with jigs and bait, which produced few cod and no haddock from both the shoals and the deep-water. The best results were from the few scattered schools of bait on the shoals.
I am advising clients to be patient and consider re-scheduling or waiting until April for their annual trips. This spring is shaping up to be a copy of last year. Our best cod and haddock fishing last year was later in the spring.
Capt. Mike Bartlett
B-Fast Charters
www.bfastcharters.com
[signature]
Cod fishing both on the bank in the shoal-water and in the deep-water to the east has been off to a slow, cold, inconsistent start in March thus far. Much colder than normal water temperature have plagued the Northeast for the past two winters. Surface water plankton concentrations are a full-point lower this spring, which may account for the lack of concentrations of baitfish on the bank. Typically, the phytoplankton bloom starts in mid-March and encompasses both Stellwagen and Georges Banks by mid-April based on Satellite data. A change in plankton concentrations will have a ripple-effect through the food chain.
Two of B-Fast’s vessels did get out on Saturday. Based the information above, the rather meager success from previous trips in March thus far, and a marginal forecast at best, I encouraged both groups to consider re-scheduling. Evidently, the long winter doldrums and cabin fever prevailed. Bill McNamara’s group from Mawah, NJ and James Niles group from Hartford, CT braved the NNW winds and rough seas on the DECISIVE and
SASHAMY. Both groups worked hard with jigs and bait, which produced few cod and no haddock from both the shoals and the deep-water. The best results were from the few scattered schools of bait on the shoals.
I am advising clients to be patient and consider re-scheduling or waiting until April for their annual trips. This spring is shaping up to be a copy of last year. Our best cod and haddock fishing last year was later in the spring.
Capt. Mike Bartlett
B-Fast Charters
www.bfastcharters.com
[signature]