03-14-2001, 04:15 AM
The March Nor’easter wiped out the cod fishing efforts through most of the past week. A brief let up in the winds and seas allowed three of B-Fast’s vessels, JANET B, DECISIVE and ALLIE to fish the shoal-water on Sunday before the next gale center coursed through. We have been averaging about two fishing days per week all winter. The outlook for this coming week is just as ominous as last—March is the "windy" month. Jack Wallace’s group from Stratford,CT, Giro Nazzaro’s group from Carmel, NY and Barney Prisco’s group from Middletown, NY found the fishing <br>slower than normal for this season. This was possibly the result of the high-course tides and the aftermath of the Nor’easter’s bottom-churning effect. Both physical conditions tend to scatter the schools of bait. Nevertheless, the groups toughed-out the lumpy sea and pending SW gale warnings , to jig up a respectable catch of scrod and market cod between 6 and 15 pounds. Although there were more throw-backs that usual for this year, Jack Wallace proclaimed his trip to best his personal-best on Stellwagen.<br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com<br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com