By Steve Zelck
After getting everything Mother Nature had to give us last winter, the weather gods have decided to go easy on us this year. Only a few small piles of snow in comparison to last year. We definitely got off easy. So what does this mean? You bet, early spring! Let the games begin because it is time to fish!
Spring inventory has arrived and is already on the shelves. With that being said, be sure to head down to Three Lantern Marine & Fishing on April 15-17 for their annual spring Open House. There will be plenty of discounts and deals to go around, and the best Italian sausages in Gloucester.
The local water temperature never dropped below 40 degrees this winter so we are already starting way ahead of last spring by at least 10 degrees – which in my opinion could be both good and bad.
On the good side, it means we should be able to get our boats in the water earlier and be waiting at the gate for the first fish to arrive. I’m going out on a limb and predicting the first striper to be taken in the Annisquam River by April 20th. Call me crazy, but it’s just a hunch.
When groundfish opens on May 1st, I’m sure the flounder will be around. From the sound of it, NOAA and Marine Fisheries might allow us 15 haddock per day – well worth a day of charter fishing. Still no word on cod fish – rumor is maybe one or two – lets keep our fingers crossed. Like I said, 15 haddock is worth a day offshore. Throw in a few Pollock and mackerel and you got something for your friends and your freezer.
Don’t waste anymore time and get yourself some new toys and tackle. Time to get your boat washed and waxed, too. Don’t forget to renew that saltwater license… you know the green police will be checking. Hopefully your girlfriend, wife and everyone else for that matter knows the drill and realize they are about to become a fishing widow for the next several months. Good luck and tight lines. GAME ON. Woohoo!
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 & Fishing, you can bet he’s out working on his lobster boat, F/V Erik and Devin, named after his kids. He also tuna fishes aboard the F/V Bounty Hunter with Captain Bill Monte from Wicked Tuna.