Michael Berk of Pennsylvania on board Tide Runner with a bluefish out side the Inlet.

Weather temperatures, winds and sea conditions are everything when deciding to go out fishing. But when they all come together, fall provides some exciting fishing activity.

Captain John Sowerby, Caveman Charters at South Jersey Marina, plans to continue fishing the Southern canyons from Cape May well into November as long as the weather cooperates and the fish are within range. He is looking for singles and small parties to do make-up canyon trips as well as regular six person charters. He will be targeting the big bluefin after Nov. 1 which may go over 200 pounds, so contact him for details if interested.

They are now starting to book a limited number of striper trips on the Delaware Bay bunker-chunking targeting the bigger ones from 25 pounds for those that would like a true trophy striper. He will go any time to avoid the crowds including night fishing on the bay.

Sterling Harbor reports croakers, bluefish and small weakfish being caught along the beachfront. Some yellowfin tuna were caught while chunking overnight in the Canyons. Dave Bowman and crew of the Blue Hoagie had three tilefish from the Wilmington Canyon, and two wahoo. Small bluefish and an occasional striper are being caught in the surf in North Wildwood. Small stripers are being caught along the back bay sod banks on top water plugs or using clam for bait, mainly on the high tides.

Captain Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May, found that cooler weather and water temperatures are just what he needed. The water has cooled a bit and the resident stripers have started to bite better. The best action for fly and spin anglers was in the inlet and ocean front. You still had to work hard for them with no keepers but there were more around and they provided great sport on light tackle. Popping plugs and popping flies were the best catchers. Caught seven stripers one night and 11 another with the best action around sunset or after it got dark. Now it is just the waiting till the larger migratory fish arrive.

Fins&Grins will continue bottom fishing until the stripers show up and Captain Jim says the sea bassing at the Cape May Reef continues to be good.
DON’T FORGET:
Utsch’s Striper Tournament, Oct. 25 to 27 Utschm@comcast.net"or www.capemayharbor.com"

Anglesea Surf Anglers Surf Fishing Tournament, Oct. 27, register 6 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Firehouse, Second & New Jersey avenues, North Wildwood, fish 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., fee for participants, 522-1526.

Seventh Annual South Jersey Big Bass Open, Nov. 2 – 4, 884-2400. Entry forms and details are available at www.sjmarina.com"

OF INTEREST:
The Marine Fish Conservation Network issued this Mid-Atlantic Update: For the third year in a row, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council defied the National Marine Fisheries Service and set a higher catch level for summer flounder than what was recommended by the council’s scientific advisors. The monitoring committee advised a safe catch level between 11.64 million pounds and 12.90 million pounds but the council chose to set a catch level of 15.70 million pounds for the 2008 fishing season. More info to follow.

Cape May Marine Agent Stew Tweed was honored by Gov. Corzine and NJ Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus who presented Stew’s family with a special plaque honoring his contribution to the State’s shellfish and commercial fishing industries. They also recognized the establishment of the Stew Tweed Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarship Fund started by NJMSC and New Jersey Sea Grant to commemorate Stew’s lifelong service to aquaculture and commercial fishing, his devotion to marine conservation and education in the Delaware Bay, and his advocacy of the ecological and economic importance of the eastern oyster. Stew was New Jersey's first Marine Extension Agent and served in that capacity for 27 years.

The Associated Press reports that in Estin, Fla. six friends on a grouper fishing tournament caught an 844-pound, 11-foot mako shark. After it was gutted, the mako still weighed 638 pounds, breaking the tournament's previous shark division record by 338 pounds.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is offering Boating Safety Grants up to $4,000 for boating safety projects but you need to apply by the Nov. 1 deadline. A total of $50,000 is available. Preferential consideration will be given to proposals about the need to wear life jackets. To download an application visit www.BoatUS.com/foundation or call 1-800-245-2628, ext. 8354.

Be sure to send your fish stories and pictures and Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Pictures submitted that do not appear in print can be found at www.CapeMayCountyHerald.com.