2018 Species Wish List

I made a wish list last year that included 17 species.  By the end of the year eight of those targeted species had been caught.  They were: Lake Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Tiger Trout, Black Crappie, Brown Bullhead, Winter Flounder, Grouper, and False Albacore. This year’s list is again separated into three categories.

Northern Pike

Species caught in 2016 that I shouldn’t have missed in 2017

Cusk (Saltwater)

Whiting

Northern Pike

European Perch

Blue Runner

The Plan - 1. Plan on more party boat trips out to Stellwagen Bank to provide a shot at catching saltwater Cusk and Whiting. 2) Another vacation to Europe, this time Ireland, will provide opportunities for European Perch and Northern Pike.  3. Targeting Pike during the ice fishing season is another option. 4. Blue Runner show up around the jetties on the south side of Cape Cod during late summer and early fall.  Just have to be there at the right time. 

New species to target 

Mahi

Ocean Pout

European Ling

Carp

Rudd

Roach

Tench

Bream

The Plan - 1. Could get lucky with Mahi this year on Brown’s Ledge during late Summer.  

2. Best chance for Ocean Pout is as a by-catch while fishing for Haddock on a party boat.  

3. There’s a chance of bagging a European Ling in Ireland.  4. The Blackstone River near the Rhode Island border is supposed to be a good place for Carp.  5. Rudd, Roach, Tench, and Bream are European fresh water species to target while in Ireland.

Redfish

Species that I haven’t caught in a while that will be targeted in 2017

Weakfish

Redfish

Lizardfish

Skate

Freshwater Cusk

The Plan - 1. On Cape Cod, Weakfish occasionally move into the estuaries during the Spring. I have a couple locations in mind to try this year.  2. Redfish are another Haddock fishing by-catch species.  3. Lizardfish show up in shallow water near beaches late summer and early fall.  Might try trolling for them in my kayak. 4. Fish at night off the Cape’s north side beaches for Skate  5. A couple ice fishing trips to Lake Winnipesaukee will give me a shot at a Freshwater Cusk.