Headed north today for the seasons first offshore cod trip in my home waters.  I welcome Patrice and his party from Montreal aboard the Lady Diane at 0500 and we headed east for the offshore grounds.    I had planned on a run of 40 miles to my favorite offshore spot but the seas (tropical storm well offshore , NE winds)  along with a thick fog bank called for a change in plans.

I altered course and headed for a spot on northern Jefferys where in the past I have done very well.   I haven't fished this area in a year and was hoping my instincts were correct.  I always like to pre-fish and area within a few days of a charter as I consider this a service that customers deserve. 

We arrived at "Georges Hill" around 0630 and since my guests had not been ground fishing before I gave them my quick "how to" lesson in jigging.  I then positioned the boat and gave the "go get em" yell and three jigs plummeted to the bottom below.  About thirty feet from the bottom all three rods doubled over and the guys were tight on SLAMMER POLLACK.  As fast as they could reel, land fish and drop the jigs again the action continued.  We made a couple moves and the guys started taking great market cod to 25lbs.  These fish were on a bite on whiting..something that I hadn't seen in many years.  Anyone who dosen't believe the mid water trawler ban is having any effect should have been on board.

Within three hours we had boated over 500lbs of cod and pollack and the guys said they had had enough. 

As much as I wanted to keep fishing, I had to admit we had a great catch and these guys were on vacation and not here to catch the last cod alive.  I turned the Lady Diane west, put her on auto pilot and proceeded to fillet the days catch.

We arrived at the dock around 1230 and Patrice and the guys piled bags full of 200lbs of fillet into the back of their vehicle...the coolers they had brought were too small but fortunately they had a short ride home.  The smiles on these anglers  are worth an thousand  words.

I had a great time with these guys in the short time they were aboard. Patrice's charter experienced the best "poundage" trip of the season and even though they only fished a total of 3 hours.  It was definitely a day of catching as well as great fishing! The best part about this trip was we had the grounds to ourselves...the way I like to fish!

 If you are from or vacationing in the area,  and want to get in on this action please give me a call....remember that I guarantee fillets to take home on all my ground fish trips or the trip is FREE!!  

Capt. George