By Steve Zelck
December is here and we all know the 2013 season is winding down. As I look back, it was a long and beautiful summer. The flounder fishing was epic in Gloucester early in May and June and we can only hope they return, only a little bigger nextâ¨year. I saw all myâ¨big stripers soon after the flounder with the arrival of the mackerel, but then it petered out when the water got warmâ probably too warmâand the big fish moved to cooler waters.
For those of you with an addictionâ¨to tuna fishing, you know what Iâm talking about when it warmed up. It was a long and hard season, with many disappointing trips on the books. Those that never gave up were rewarded with the occasional catch, and evenâ¨a fish tipping the scales just over the 1000-pound mark. If I had it my way, I would be out there now, even in December.
As I write this in the last week of November, there still seem to be some big guys hanging on in some areas. You can find boats in the usual spots: Northwest Corner, Southern Jeffries, and Ipswich Bay. Thereâs still plentyâ¨of bait out there. In fact, you can practically walk on the herring and mackerel. The great thing that is you donât have to venture far at all.
We are still getting reports of fish being caught, so there are still a handful of days left until itâs officially âova.â Get out there and load up those sabikis and throw some macks on the grill. Work the rods in tight and along the beaches for those last few resident stripers. And if we do get a blue bird day and you want to take one last shot for the elusive bluefin, you donât need to venture real far.
This time of year, the water is coldâ¨and the weatherâ¨can change quickly, so remember to be smart and be safe. Let someone know when you expect to be back or go withâ¨a buddy boat. Good luck, tight lines, and letâs hope the weather holds a little longer.
Steve Zelck was born and raised in Gloucester. Steveâs 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 donât find Steve at Three lantern Marine helping customers, you can bet heâs out working on the F/V Jean Elizabeth hauling traps or hunting bluefin on the F/V Eagles Nest. www.threelanternmarine.com.
[easy-social-share]