After a tough winter that featured many unfishable days and generally poor results on the handful of days boats could get to the cod grounds, things exploded on Saturday, March 26th for the couple of boats that were able to sail. Both the Viking Star and the Island Current reported phenomenal action with full boat limits and an early return to the dock. Doubleheaders were common, with jigs and bait equally effective.
Capt. Steven Forsberg on the Viking Star spoke of non-stop action the entire trip with doubleheaders coming up all over the boat. Pool winners were Carlos Gonzalez with an 18.5 pound cod. The Feldman Brothers of Freeport both scored cod of 18.2 pounds.
Capt. Scott on the Island Current III sailing out of Snug Harbor for the winter, called it an epic day of cod fishing with anglers arm weary from hauling cod over the rails. He added that there were at least 50 doubleheaders over the course of the abbreviated trip. Sean Endres took the pool with a cod just shy of the 20-pound mark, and counted 22 other keepers (orl) for his efforts. Wayne Pinder had 24 keepers (orl). Even more impressive than the catches were the massive amounts of bait and fish showing up on the fishfinder, according to the captain, adding that the fish ate anything you put in the water.
Warming water temperatures appear to have dramatically improved the fishing and most skippers we spoke to expect a repeat of last year’s fine spring cod run. Down the Island’s South Shore there was also hope for a developing spring run.
Capt. Tom on the Point Lookout based Capt. Al sailed on Saturday and reported picking away at cod, with a mix of keepers and shorts, in 70 to 90 feet of water. Some blackfish and bergalls, along with the first sea bass of the year also came aboard. The veteran skipper was encouraged by the amount of life on the inshore grounds at this point in the season.
