After a couple days of weather and boat problems (topics for another post) I welcomed aboard Robert Gray's party who hail from downeast Maine.  Robert chartered my boat last year on one of my Saco Maine trips and I convinced him to travel a long ways to try out spring fishing on Stellwagen Bank off the Massachusetts coast.  At this time of year fishing in this area is fantastic while the northern areas of Jefferys which I fish in July are slow.  Leaving from Gloucester enables me to target three prime locations all with 12 miles of the harbor.

The Lady Diane, resting in her new berth at Cape Ann Marina in GLoucester, welcomed the crew including Robert, Steve, Bobby and his son "WideEye" and we departed at 0600 under clear skys with a 10knt west wind.  As we rounded eastern point I found a light chop so the hammer went down and we cruised at 24knts to our first waypoint about 11 miles to the southeast.

I wanted to stop on a structure upon which I have caught many tuna during the past couple years but have never ground fished before.  The bottom rises to 30 fathom and it looked like a great spot.  Jigs went to the bottom and Bob and Steve immediatley hooked up with real pole benders...unfortunately that piece must have caught a draggers net and we were now on tight.  Steve somehow caught his jig free but Bob donated our first offering  to the sea gods.  Skull and Crossbones now mark the spot and we set off for famous Stellwagen Bank.

The northwest corner was a parking lot and I hate crowds so I moved south east with intentions to go until I found fish.  Ont the first stop the crew caught a few short cod but Steve got the honor of our first keeper cod of the season...no monster but a VERY SPECIAL FISH as it broke the ice on the 2009...thank you STEVE!

As the morning progressed we picked away at the market cod and a couple decent 22"+ haddock...the bite was sporadic so I kept the boat moving.  If rods aren't bending I am not happy.  Around 1000 a strong wind freshened from the SW and I feared we would be blown out.  I reversed course and returned to the parking lot as it was in the right direction in case the seas steepened.  Once in the fleet we found plenty of 23.999" cod (legal is 24") and a few keepers.  Around 1100 the wind let go, ocean flatten, and I steamed to where I originally intended to fish.

We found the fish in 160' of water and an excellent haddock bite commenced.  These fish were slamming 17 oz jigs with abandon but would not touch bait.  Five times I dropped maine shrimp, which normally they inhale, and never got a tap while the crew was nailing them on jigs.  With the shallow water I broke out the ultralight gear (Trevala spin rods with 7oz jigs) and the boys had a ball whipping "bugeyes" on the deck.

"Wideye" made his mark late in the day when he caught a nice haddock  25" just after his dad Bobby nailed a beautiful 28" haddock. 

Not to be out done "Wideye" then dropped down and nailed the two best market cod of the day! I love having young fisherman on the boat...they remind me of myself many years ago when I caught my first "ocean fish"

Around 1330 the guys decided to call it quits as a 4hr+ ride awaited them.  I put the Lady Diane on autopilot for a easy cruise home as I proceed to fillet the days catch.  I cut 50 haddock 22"-28" and 2 dozen market cod on the trip home When you leave my boat your fish is filleted, iced and ready to eat..this is all included in the charter.

We arrived at Cape Ann Marina at 1400 as we need to let a huge barge passed by (tonage wins) during our voyage home. With a stiff wind blowing,  docking in the berth for my second time was an adventure but it was a success as the dock survived Lady DIane. Robert and the guys loaded 90+lbs of fillets (50H/40C) into their coolers, made plans for future trips  and headed to the north home to Maine.

I cant imagine a better season opener...GREAT customers, Great weather, and SUPER HADDOCK fishing.  The bite is on..NOW is the time to go FISHING!

Tight Lines

Capt George