The Fish Man May 2004

Posted May 2004
By Paul Kerlinger
Outdoors Editor

This month the Cape May-Wildwood fishing really explodes. As water temperatures warm up, several species turn on big time, offering some of the best fishing of the year.

Weakfish start in earnest and can be caught in Delaware Bay from rockpiles, jetties, and Delaware Bay beaches. Some of the largest fish of the year will be caught.

• Fluke (summer flounder) season begins on the May 8th and the action should be hot in back bays and channels
• Striped Bass continue to provide steady, sometimes hot, action in the Rips and elsewhere. Smaller fish can be caught from shore in the back bays and ocean, but the Delaware Bay will yield a good number of keeper sized fish.
• Bluefish of various sizes are running the inlets and back bays. Light tackle action from shore or by boat requires searching around, but they can be found.
• Drumfish have already started with decent fish being taken from charter boats. Fish over 60 pounds have already been reported by charter captains.
• Tautog and sea bass will pick up this month inshore and some wreck fishing will prove to be excellent.

Check out our Fishing Charter Boat Page.

Your Questions:

Jim in Mt. Holly, George in Ridgefield-CT, and Milnine – all ask when the mackerel are in.

Fish Man: That’s a tough question. Every year it is different and in the last three years the mack run has been unpredictable. They were here for a couple of days this year, but it was a 20-40 mile run for them. Some boats did load up a couple times and then the fish were gone.

HyunL – Asks about the best time to come to Cape May for weakfish and blues.

Fish Man: As of May 6, blues and weakfish were starting in Cape May. The best fishing for them will come starting a little later this month. Throughout May blues run the back bays and thereafter small blues are present in the back bays and inlets. May/June can be the best time for weakies.

Steve57 – Asks about June porgies.

Fish Man: Generally, Cape May isn’t a great spot for porgies, but they are more numerous later in the summer from boats.

MikeW – Asks about catching winter flounder in the surf in early May.

Fish Man: If you fish the surf in the Cape May Wildwood area in early May, don’t try for winter flounder. They won’t be there. However, put on larger hooks and a larger piece of clam (than you would for winter flounder) and try for striped bass. Other baits will also work for blues, weaks, and bass.

Ed – Asks about blues, weaks, fluke and when they can be caught in Cape May Point.

Fish Man: All three species have arrived and may be caught from the jetties in Cape May Point. Weakies will be most numerous and peak in late May through June and then turn on again in mid-late September into October. Fluke can be caught from Cape May Point jetties, but more will be caught from boats. Bluefish from the jetties are hit and miss, although they can be good at times. If you fish the jetties, do so with extreme caution. The rocks are very slippery and require non slip devices on your boots.

Have a fishing question??
Go to the Cape May Fishing Forum.