03-24-2002, 09:15 PM
STELLWAGEN BANK, MA- Cod Fishing 3/24/02<br><br>Strong easterly winds most of the week made getting out on water difficult. Two groups from New Jersey were able to get out on Wednesday, however you would never know it was the first day of spring. Rich Swisstack of Matawan, NJ and friends fished the shoal water on the JANET B while Russ Cannici’s group from Hewitt, NJ fished on the DECISIVE in the deep-water to the east of the bank. Wind and tide made the fishing more difficult than usual. Rich’s group jigged mostly scrod and medium cod to 12 pounds from the shoals. The deep-water produced a varied catch of haddock, wolfish, cod, cusk and a few red fish using jigs as well as bait.<br><br>Gale winds forced cancellation of Friday’s and Saturday’s charters. The marginal forecast on Sunday warranted re-scheduling of the charters from New Jersey. Two groups, one from CT and another from MA, were willing to risk the drive to Green Harbor and did get out on Sunday as the wind let go somewhat over-night. Rene Lariviere’s group ( Granby, MA) from OSEG, producers of the Springfield Sportsmen’s show, worked the shoals on the JANET B. Jeff Savarese and friends from P rospect, CT fished the deep-water on the DECISIVE. The wind and seas did not calm down as predicted until late in the day. Both groups worked hard battling the chop to make a day of it. Most cod from both the shoals and the deep-water were 6 to 12 pounds.<br><br>The judicial decision on ground fishing has been delayed until April 12th to allow the New England state’s departments of Marine Fisheries to intervene with their input. Please write your director of Marine Fisheries with your comments during this crucial comment period.<br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com<br><br><br><br><br>Capt. Mike Bartlett<br>B-Fast Charters<br>www.bfastcharters.com