By Steve Zelck
April is finally here. The clock is ticking and the countdown has begun. It’s time to go fishing boys. Do you have plenty of jigs and frozen clam bellies ready to go? What about fresh braid so you don’t lose that slob when you are out jigging? You never know what might be lurking in the depths.
I remember last year, just after the opener, a guy fishing with the Yankee fleet hooked into a 200 pound beagle shark and, yes, that was in April. If you don’t have everything you need, and let’s face it, we all need or want more fishing stuff, then be sure to stop by Three Lantern Marine on April 11, 12 and 13 for their spring open house. All new tackle and rods will be ready and on display, as well as registration for this year’s Winchester Striper and Bluefish Tournament. There will be prizes and giveaways all three days, as well as free appetizers.
As I write this, it’s noon and 30 degrees out. This winter has been like a crazy ex-girlfriend, it just won’t go away. That could be a good thing. A lot of the old timers here in Gloucester claim a cold winter brings better summer fishing. The ice and cold snow runoff into the rivers and streams bring more nutrients to the shoreline. This brings more baitfish, which then leads to big fish. I for one have had it with the cold and can’t wait for temperatures in the 80s. Let’s hope the water temperature moderates this year so the big boys stay local.
Last year, it got too warm too fast. The biggest bass and tuna arrived in June and then were gone on to the cooler, Canadian waters. In the dog days of late July, I was lobstering outside of Thatchers Island and had a surface temperature of 80 degrees.
As Coach Belicheck would say, “That’s not what we are looking for.”
If we can stay in the mid-60s to low 70s, I think it will be a great year.
Start sucking up to the boss now, make nice with the wife or girlfriend and think up some good excuses to escape well ahead of the season. Then you can be prepared for when that great spring or summer day comes. You will definitely want to escape and enjoy it and put a slob or two on the deck.
FORECAST BY: Steve Zelck was born and raised in Gloucester. Steve’s love of the sea lured him back to pursue his fishing passion and not a day goes by without him checking the pulse of the harbor for action. If you don’t find Steve at Three Lantern Marine, you can bet he’s out working on the F/V Jean Elizabeth hauling traps or hunting Bluefin on the F/V Eagles Nest. www.threelanternmarine.com.
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