There is much excitement with this column these days. The Herald has set up a special Web site www.seemybigfish.com where you can post your pictures and show off how great fishing is in the county. Actually the site will be available to anyone, anywhere who has Internet access. It will also lead folks to this column.

Jack Jaskell, Wildwood (a.k.a. Monday Mornin' Jack at Sterling Harbor), landed this 31 inch snook off the beach in Marco Island, Fla. in March. Rumor has it, the smile is still on his face.

There is much excitement with this column these days. The Herald has set up a special Website www.seemybigfish.com where you can post your pictures and show off how great fishing is in the county. Actually the site will be available to anyone, anywhere who has Internet access. It will also lead folks to this column.

You can make this Website a success by posting pictures of your catches with a short cutline (a little information). Some of the photos may appear right here in print.

Remember, our readers, especially the tourists, need your reports and want to see the great catches we get. Keep the information coming.

Bucktail Willie, fishing out of Whale Creek Marina, Strathmere, found bluefish 17-20 inches along with summer flounder. Fluke were a little smaller but several were over the 18 inch limit. Larger fluke seem to be biting on the last of the outgoing tide. Everything was tagged and released to be caught another day.

Sterling Harbor, Shawcrest, had their Grand Re-opening on April 25 and their Annual Penny-per-Yard line sale will run through May 3. Hobie and Ocean Fishing kayaks are in and you can get special deals through Memorial Day.
Sterling Harbor is reporting that inshore tog fishing is excellent. Bob and the crew of the Saint Sandy limited out on tog late last week. A few drum fish have been caught in the Delaware Bay and stripers are up the bay. They expect to see some weakfish and bluefish as the water warms.

Captain John Sowerby, Caveman Sportfishing Charters, South Jersey Marina, is offering a special Mother’s Day Drum Trip for those interested. The Hooked Up has got all new custom rods from JPR Custom Rods and Shimano reels specially made for black drum and jumbo stripers. They are scheduling all night black drum trips and with the full moon on May 20 there should be some great black drum fishing of the season.

The Miss Chris, Cape May, reports improved catches of stripers with fish up to 20 pounds and some limit catches. Mark Leoni, Philadelphia, got his limit with fish up to 20 pounds; Steve Reynolds, Philadelphia, caught his limit; and Peter Mastrioni, Vineland, got the limit with fish to 17 pounds.
The Miss Chris is going to go out every night at 7 p.m. starting Friday, May 2.

Captain Fred at Harbor View reports improved striper fishing, too; more keepers and fewer dogfish. Charter boats Hunter, All Geared Up, Gallant Lady and Unreel, all had good catches. Drum and blackfish are also showing up.

The Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Project was honored with the 2008 Government Award by the Water Resources Association of the 2 p.m. Sau River Basin. Since 2004, the Project has contributed approximately $40 for every $1 invested, or roughly $168M, to the state economies of both Delaware and New Jersey. According to estimates, that ratio may reach as high $50:1 once harvests take place for the first time this year. This success comes as a result of the task force’s large-scale reef enhancement program in Delaware Bay.

Plan now for the DVSA Surf Fishing Tournament, Saturday, May 10, Municipal Marina Bldg., 346-42nd Place, Sea Isle City, register 5:30 a.m., fishing 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 624-1427.

Middle Township Drum Fishing Tournament, noon, May 16 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Registration forms available at www.middletownship.com or call 465-8743.

Boating Safety classes, Price Hall, Seashore & Academy roads, Cold Spring, May 17 & 31, eight-hour session, $45, 889-8575.

Weigh in on these Hot Topics:
Let me know your thoughts about these issues: saltwater fishing licenses, monkfish and tilefish limits, scallop day boats, reefs, overfishing of sandbar and other sharks.

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