Fishing with Bob Jackson ...

By the time you read this, the fishing season in Cape May will be in full swing. Surf fishing in the Cape May area is one of the best kept secrets, there are not too many places on the East Coast that offer such a wide variety of opportunities to catch fish.

From the blue water charter boats, or surf fishing with me, Bob Jackson, to saltwater fly fishing with John Miller, Cape May has it. Beach fishing or what we call surf fishing is an ideal way to spend time with the family, or just trying your luck or skill, whichever you have the most of.

Our fishing season started quite nicely with striped bass being caught in early spring, weakfish and bluefish started to be caught mid- to late April. Fluke (also known as flounder) season started May 6 with some very nice catches being reported. And by the end of May, weakfish were still running hot and heavy — 8 to 10 pounders not uncommon).

Saltwater fly fishing is one of the quickest growing sports in the area whether it be the back bay, sod bank or the surf, all the above mentioned fish are caught by the fly rodders. Here are a few tips on surf fishing for the big three — weakfish, bluefish and flounder.
For weakfish, a top and bottom rig spiced with shedder crab or bloodworm is one of the best. Bucktail and a black and chartreuse rubber worm and a firetail or a pink worm are my favorites. For bluefish, try a white or red and white bucktail using squid, bunker or mackerel strips as bait. These work well, especially with a top and bottom rig. For the very popular flounder or fluke, the same bucktail as for weaks and blues can be used. Minnows, squid, Sea Robin belly or mackerel strips make for good bait. These are but some of the techniques used locally.

If in your visit to wonderful Cape May you would like more information on the various fishing arrangements or fishing techniques, contact a local fishing center or Bob Jackson's Surf Fishing Center at 719 Broadway in West Cape May or call 609-898-7950 to get up to the minute info on what's being caught and how to catch it. So until next month, “Happy Fishing.”