12-08-2001, 11:03 PM
STELLWAGEN BANK, MA- Cod Fishing 12/9/01<br><br>Saturday’s split-charter found the cod fish feeding voraciously both on top of the bank and on the eastern edge, as the leading edge of the low, which threatens to dump the season’s first snow fall on New England, passed over the coastal waters. Dr. Miu and his wife from Old Westbury, NY joined up with Mike Cree’s group from Mansfield, MA to stock their freezers before the Christmas holiday. The fishing was so fast and furious that the arm-weary group threw in the towel by mid-day.<br><br>B-Fast’s DECISIVE found greatest concentration of bait and ground fish in about 130 feet of water on the eastern-edge of the bank. Mackerel, whiting and sand eels were in great abundance. Jigging 16 to 20 ounce jigs with a rubber teaser above the jig was most effective. Mostly market or medium cod came over the rails with a few pollock mixed in. Pool winners were in the 20-pound class. Typically, this is the start of the migration inshore from the deep-water as the water temperature drops. This excellent fishing in the shoal-water on the bank will hold right through early summer. <br><br> Recreational anglers interested in taking advantage of this spectacular cod fishing in New England, a fisheries management success story, should be aware that there is a move to ostensibly close recreational access. This motion before the New England Fisheries Management Council, which is heavily weighted with delegates from the commercial fishing sector, endeavors to take away our right to the resource. This motion will be voted on at the December 19th council meeting. Information on this issue is available at the NEFMC website: www.nefmc.org or in the News section of my website : www.bfastcharters.com.<br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com<br><br><br> <br><br><br><br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com