Mackerel Report 12/30 Miss Belmar Princess

Capt. Jimmy of the Miss Belmar Princess just set the stage for the next Mackerel trip. He searched the area and found the concentrations.


We are on the full moon so after this it should be great. Since this was the "first trip" it was tough but it paid off for us.

First I have to thank Capt. Jimmy. He is the only one (Capt. in the area) upholding the tradition. I can't imagine what it would be like without a boat to go out for Mackerel. That is how close we are to not having the opportunity. Call me melodramatic, but it is the truth.
Mackerel and herring have fed our gamefish over the centurys, so if you discount them, you are missing the boat. Without them you would not have Cod, Big Stripers and many other fish that depend on them.
Plus we didn't do so bad. Couple of dozen fish is OK in my book. See the pictures.
For me it is more of a tradition. Like the stupid Mastercard Comercial says, To spend a day with your son and his friend and to share stories of the past... and to continue the tradition, PRICELESS. That is what it is all about.

I had a great day out. The Mackerel are here and they will be inforce ANY DAY NOW.

Don't wait till you can't get on the boat. Support Capt. Jimmy now. He deserves it.

Leif

Clams Casino

Makes about 32

Ingredients

3 dozen Little neck clams
2 dozen chowder clams

3 small cloves of garlic (chopped)
1 cup of flavored Italian bread crumbs
1 stick of butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup clam broth
1/2 lb bacon (cut into 1 in. slices)
Paprika

Directions

Scrub clams, cover with water and steam till clams open.
Take clams out of broth and remove clams from shells.
Save all small shells from little necks, separate shells.
Set aside a cup or so of broth.
Let cool.
Roughly chop clams by hand or food processor

In a medium sized sauce pan add olive oil, melt the butter
Add chopped garlic
Add the chopped clams
Add the broth
Add bread crumbs (should be a pasty consistency) you may need more or less bread crumbs.
You can add a little more broth if it becomes too thick.
You may also sub chopped canned clams instead of using the chowder clams.
(three 6 oz cans)

With a spoon, fill each shell
Place a piece of bacon on top
Sprinkle Paprika on top
Broil until the bacon is crispy.

Enjoy,

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12-19 NASTY!!

Deal Surf Report 12-19 NASTY!!


Pulled into the parking lot at 6:00am. Tony Green was in the lot already and his son Ben was already headed down in the dark. Gotta hand it to that kid....He really likes to fish and nothing is going to stop him.

Anyway, finished my coffee and talked to Tony for a while as it was getting lighter.

Next, fisherman Mat pulls up with his brother in law and after a brief introduction we headed down. Nice to meet you! Hope you got one after we left.

Fished for about an hour or so with AVA 27's along the stretch. 30 mph NE gusts, snow, freezing temperatures and frozen fingers was the name of the game. How can Ben fish without gloves??? My fingers were frozen.

The water looked good but no fish. Ben had one on for a brief time near the rocks and that was it. At least we tried.
It was a great to get out there. Every day is different and I still enjoy it after all the years of fishing.
My son Leif was still getting over not feeling well so he slept in and missed the fun.

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12-15 "Lots of action"

Fished the Deal surf from 6:30am to 7:45am. I was surprised to pull up to an empty parking lot on such a balmy day....45 degrees. Took a few casts off the Phillips jetty and after getting walloped with a wave decided to hit the beach to the north side.
It wasn't long before I had a fish on the Yozuri crystal minnow. After a brief battle and thrashing it was gone. I had several other hook ups with the same result. The crashing surf, sloppy hits and thrashing of the little fellas made them hard to land.

As it got lighter I could see the fish milling around the surface further out and decided to try an AVA 27 which proved effective in the heavier surf. I had a couple of hook ups as well which resulted in lost fish but finally landed one fat 25 incher for a photo.

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12/13/09 Got em!

Fished the Deal surf from 8:15am till 9:30. There was no wind at all and an outgoing tide. Nice and overcast as well and not too cold...37 degrees.

I fished off the sand again in front of the beach club. I also used a lighter outfit and used the silver and black Yozuri crystal minnow again. After a few cast I managed a 25 incher on the north side of the bar.
A few more raps but no more fish landed after that one. As I was leaving the rain began and so did the south breeze. I guess that's it for today. Nice to get out a get one.
Just like last year, it seems lighter leaders, smaller plugs and slower retrieve is the trick to catching these smaller fish in calm conditions.

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12-12 Action at dusk!

Deal Surf Report 12-12 Action at dusk!


Fished near the Deal Casino Jetty tonight for an hour and a half, 4:00-5:30pm.
As it was getting dark the fish began to swirl in the surf. Landed a few 20inchers and called it a night.
I fished a Yozuri crystal minnow( silver and black) on a teaser rig very slow in the wash.

This morning there were lots of birds diving off the beach but I didn't get there until 8:00am and did not fish.
South coming tomorrow....maybe OK in the am. Still lots of fish around.

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12/06/09 A good time was had by all!

Well, fished the Deal surf this morning and afternoon. Got up late and fished by myself from 8-9am. Saw a couple of fisherman and talked to them as well. The bite was over at that time but fish were caught. One surf caster had a keeper and one had several shorts. One fly fisherman has a few small fish on sand eel imitations.

Later in the afternoon I ventured out with Leif an his friend Ben. We fished the low tide and had a couple of small fish wack our small plugs next to the jetty but no takers.

It is always nice to take a few casts and fish with the boys.

Hopefully it will be a good December and we will catch a few more before the year is through.

Leif

Deal Surf Report 12-05-09

Deal Surf Report 12-05 Stripers for all!


Fished the Deal area today from 6am-9am. Wind was from the NNE with light rain and incoming tide.

Upon arrival several fisherman were there including Snapperbluefish and his dad Fishing physician. Snapper alerted me to the fact that he had already caught two shorts on a AVA 2oz and slugo teaser combo. They got there around 5:30.

I started with a yellow bomber but quickly switched to a AVA 3oz and teaser. Just as it was getting light I caught my first short around 20 inches.

The pick continued as Snapper, his dad and my self accounted for around a dozen fish up to 26 inches. All the fish were caught on AVA's and teasers.

It was nice to get out and hit the surf. Glad to see Snapper and his dad get those stripers!

I wish Leif (Snoozerson) could have joined us...perhaps tomorrow.

Leif