The Wildwood Boat Show was certainly a great way to get everyone’s engines running. It’s a great kick-off for the new season. Several of our regular ‘reporters’ are back in the water and just waiting to take you out fishing.

Ready to go is the Elliott crew from Gone Fishin’ at Utsch’s Marina.

Captain Fred at Harbor View bait & Tackle is reporting improved striper fishing on those days that the weather cooperates. Some fish have gone up to 25 pounds. A few drum were also landed last week and sea bass continue in the 6 pound range offshore. Blackfish are still showing up on the wrecks.

The Miss Chris, Cape May, also reports improved striper action. Jack Williams, Philadelphia had a ice striper at 24 pounds, Tony Moreland brought in one at 22 pounds, and Sam Castillini, Philadelphia, had one at 18 pounds.

On the Atlantic Star. Wildwood Crest, anglers are still coming in with their limit of sea bass. Larry Rossi, Malvern, Pa., caught the limit and the pool winner at 7.5 pounds. (See photos)

Captain John Sowerby, Hooked Up II, South Jersey Marina, is looking for single and small parties for eight hour jumbo striper-black drum trips Tuesday May 6, one day after the new moon and an eight or 10 hour overnight trip for stripers-black drum departing early evening and fishing all night on Saturday, May 10. This trip is designed to avoid the heavy boat traffic on weekends.

Captain Mark Elliott, Gone Fishin’, located at Utches Marina, Dock A, Slip 7,
has a new boat just waiting to go out. Mark Jr. recently passed his captain’s exam at age 18 but will be still holding down first mate duties this season. That is unless the Elliott’s get a second boat in the water. Call 374-0860 or e-mail BAYHAWKCHARTERS@AOL.COM

Of Interest:

More than 181,000 trout from the Pequest Trout Hatchery have been stocked in nearly 200 ponds, lakes, and streams statewide. If you haven't already bought a fishing license and checked over your equipment, now is the time. Trout stocking will continue throughout the seven weeks following opening day. Nearly 390,000 more trout will be stocked during this period, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch freshly stocked trout. The stocking schedule is available online or at the Trout Hotline: 609-633-6765. Visit

title="http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_spr08.htm">http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_spr08.htm

Rock Snot, an algae that forms massive mats in streams has been reported in New Jersey rivers. The Department of Environmental Protection DEP asks anglers, boaters and other water enthusiasts to be vigilant in cleaning their equipment in order to stop the spread of this invasive species.

Rock Snot is drab in color and attaches to rocks or plants. It either forms large mats closely resembling algae blooms or forms long streams that look similar to toilet paper.
Any object that has been in contact with the water should be cleaned before traveling to a new site.
1. Remove any natural debris from your equipment before packing up and leave the debris on the shore at the site.
To clean your equipment, use either a solution of bleach, dish detergent or salt and the hottest water available; do not use a hose to clean your equipment, this may result in the Rock Snot entering a storm drain and thus entering a stream. If cleaning is not practical, dry or freeze the items completely, then let set for at least an additional 48 hours.

Be sure to send your fish stories and pictures and Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com.

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