Bay newbie...

[San-Man]

Hello all, I've been browsing the forums here for a few days now, liked what I saw and I finally registered and here's my first post...I recently purchased a used boat (my first boat, it's a 19' 4Winns) that I plan on using to tool around the bay with and do a bit of fishing...In the past, I've mainly done just freshwater fishing and any saltwater fishing was done from a smaller boat with an outboard...Do you folks have any tips & hints for navigating and fishing the Delaware Bay and C&D canal areas? Thanks in advance...

[Another Fish on]

Welcome, There is a lot of good Barners in the big D ;)

[WETDREAM]

Welcome aboard!.....Seeing how your new to it. I'd suggest.. seatow in case you break down. Always check the weather before launching. make sure someone(on land) knows when your due back. As I started boating I picked my days and ventured further as I became comfortable with the area. The DB can get nasty in a hurry. Always know where home is. Get some charts with compass. Of course GPS is great but be able to nav without it in case it dies. After years of it i now fish at night some....which I absolutetly luv but limit it to summer nights. Spring and fall water temps can be deadly. You only have a few minutes in the bay at these temps. I'd suggest a partner as you get used to it. And have them able to handle safety issues if they come up. Watch out for black painted crab floats....hard to see even in the day.

And last but not least....don't forget to put the plug in....BEFORE you launch :D


Good luck in 2004!

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

Nice post wetdream, welcome san-man...

San-man, some suggestions beyond what wetdream said.

Find a coast guard course location and take the class

make sure you have the complete list of Coast Gaurd equipment on board and know how to use it

don't under and circumstances leave the doc without a chart and compass, even the summer haze can limit visibility to 1mi or less it doesn't take what you would call bad weather to get you lost

keep the w*** forecast under 15 kts the first couple of trips so you can get used to running the boat without 3 ft waves to contend with

take 2 anchors with you in case you lose one

make sure oyu have a radio that works (hard mount)

don't fish in the following areas

ship john shoal
elbow of cross ledge light
#32 bouy area
#6 bouy area

there are no fish there

[Ding]

Hang around here and read the Barn. Then invite a Barner to go fishing with ya. He gets a fishing trip and you get an education. HAPPY DAYS.


Ding

[fshlot]

welcome san-man....Lots of good fshing guys and gals on here.... ;)

[matt]

WELCOME ABOARD SAN MAN

[San-Man]

Thanks for the info folks, it was very helpful...I already have most of the required safety items and know how to use them, I have a map of the bay and a compass and I plan on getting a GPS unit before I hit the water...My brother in law had a recent experience in which he did remember to put the plug in, but put it in the wrong hole...heheh...Luckily, he made it back to the dock in time...Besides the crab floats and other hazards noted on the charts I have, are there any other damger areas I should be aware of or put more emphasis on?

[Capt Buck]

Welcome to the Barn San-Man. The big bay can be alot of fun, but is not without it's quirks. One of the quirks is how the sea conitions are affected by tide and wind. It can go from lake smooth to 3 footers ,or from snotty to smooth in a matter of minutes on a tide change. You will learn after a bit how wind directions and tidal flow combinations result in nice or nasty seas. This is not meant to scare you off,just a heads up so you can be aware. Also don't put a lot of stock in NOAA weather forecasts, we've seen them wrong too many times. Best bet if you can do it, is to go down to the marina and check things out for yourself. The worst that will happen is you'll not go out that day. All the above is good advice, especially taking a Boating Safety course, you will learn much that will make your boating not only safer,but more enjoyable. If you have any questions, there are a lot of experianced bay rats in here, I'm sure you'll get some help. Again, Welcome Aboard.

[ 04-08-2004, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Capt Buck ]

[windmeup]

Buy a Chart for the Bay. That will kinda give you a hint where to fish at and of course plot a course to and from your future spot! If you see a bunch of boats out there, stop cloe in without wake-ing everyone and give it a try. 9 out 10 they already know that's a hot spot.

[Reel-ality]

Welcome aboard San-Man !

Dave Isanski

[DONNY O]

San-Man,
WELCOME ABOARD

[San-Man]

Thanks again...Looks like a nice friendly community here...Hopefully one day I can return the favor and help you folks out too...

[MargaritaVille]

San-Man, Do you sell booze at a discounted rate???? Not sure what else you could do to help me tongue.gif

Welcome Aboard. If you are every short a fishing partner, give DING a shout. he is boatless, but is a vast plethra of fising and nautical knowledge.

[WETDREAM]

I have to second the tide change thingy. Keep extra watch when the tide changes. It goes from a little rough to either flat calm or "time to get outta here". Or it goes from real flat to rough. Some days I'll be thinking about calling it over but lets see what happens when the tide swings around....if it's not a long wait......and it paid off.....or its a long ride in. Seems the tide can make it's own wind...????

[seaswirl]

San man, welcome, you will love it hear on the barn. i see you live in newark. is your boat and trailer registered in Del., drive down to bowers beach, they have a awesome ramp and great access to the bay, how far do you live from eastern marine. i was just wondering, i am going there this week, maybe we can hook up and shoot the ****! deffinately do what others have said, invite people out with you and trust me it will be a learning experience, i would deffinately get a gps, and a good depth finder and a GOOD chart of the bay cause like others have said the bay can turn ugly very quick and you want to know where you are at all times. drop me a line , maybe we can hook up.
seaswirl

[wish2fish]

Welcome to the 'Barn San-man. Keep your eye's open and you'll be able to read between the lines on alot of posts. This will help you to increase your catch and fun ratio. Alot of good advice concerning the big "D". The only other thing is if you wish to converse with another 'Barner on the radio always give your screen name when giving a call out ;) Good luck and have fun,that's what it's all about!

[San-Man]

Actually seaswirl, I'm within walking distance of Eastern Marine...Boat is regged in DE, but I haven't yet regged the trailer because it needs some work...What I have to figure out is should I put the boat up on blocks while I do the trailer or should I leave it at a marina for a while? I have no idea what a marina slip would cost me for a few weeks though, or even which marina to go to (or even how long it's gonna take me to do the work on the trailer, I've been busy as hell lately)...Currently, I'm awaiting the installation of a remanufactured engine for my boat and it's gonna take at least another 2 weeks or so...The trailer is gonna need all new rollers, new wiring and lights, some rust that needs to be removed too and new tires at the least (prob need new wheels and hubs too)...Any ideas on which way I should go? BTW, the boat is an '85 4Winns Horizon 190 that's in great shape other than what I mentioned above...I've bought charts already and I'm pretty much set on which GPS & chartplotter I'm gonna get...Thanks again...

[Ron Redington]

Welcome to the community San-Man!

Stay tuned to the BBC (Bass Barn Chanel) this season. BS'ing on the board is nice and all but when it comes down to it there's nothing like knowing there are fellow BARNER's within shouting distance when you're on the water smile.gif

[capthersch]

http://home.comcast.net/~hfelmey/wsb/media/271716/site1294.gif

[bountyhunter39]

San Man I'm out every weekend. I launch out of Bowers or Cedar Creek , If you want to hook up and follow me out your more than welcome.I have a 20 ft. angler and have been fishing the bay for 6 years now .
Pay a lot of attention to wind and tides is a must, if you have southern winds on outgoing or northern on incoming it will get snoty.Be aware of moon phases to ,new moons and full moons change tide heights too and can be hard to load the boat on the trailer at some ramps.