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Schoolmaster Snapper, Belize, February 2015
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2019 Species Wish List
I made a wish list last year that included 18 species. By the end of the year seven of those targeted species had been caught. They were: Cusk (Saltwater), Whiting, European Perch, Blue Runner, European Ling, Lizardfish, and Freshwater Cusk (aka Burbot.
The Saltwater Cusk was caught while bottomfishing for haddock on a party boat from the Yankee Fleet in Gloucester. The Whiting was also caught while party boat fishing for Haddock this time with Captain John Boats from Plymouth. The European Ling was caught on a Party/Charter boat off the west coast of Ireland. Also from Ireland was the European Perch which I tried but failed to catch in the Azores last year. A few Blue Runners were caught while Kayak fishing off Dowses Beach in Osterville. The Burbot, a freshwater relative of the Cod was caught while ice fishing in New Hampshire.
I found the Lizardfish at the same location where I last caught one four years ago, just off the beach in Megansett Harbor. These odd looking fish with their lizard-like heads are only found in my area from late August to early October. They rest on the bottom in shallow sandy areas and ambush small baitfish using large toothy jaws.
This year’s list includes 19 species separated into three categories.
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Lizardfish, Megansett Harbor, October 2018
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Species caught in 2017 that I shouldn’t have missed in 2018.
Wolffish
False Albacore
King Mackerel
Spotted Hake
The Plan:
1. Plan on additional party boat trips out to Stellwagen Bank to provide a shot at catching Wolffish.
2. More Kayak fishing on the south side of Cape Cod to target False Albacore and King Mackerel.
3. Planning a vacation to Belize in March which will provide another shot at catching False Albacore and King Mackerel.
4. A few more hours spent Kayak fishing in Cape Cod Bay might help with bagging a Spotted Hake.
1. Plan on additional party boat trips out to Stellwagen Bank to provide a shot at catching Wolffish.
2. More Kayak fishing on the south side of Cape Cod to target False Albacore and King Mackerel.
3. Planning a vacation to Belize in March which will provide another shot at catching False Albacore and King Mackerel.
4. A few more hours spent Kayak fishing in Cape Cod Bay might help with bagging a Spotted Hake.
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Wolffish, Captain John Boats, June 2017
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New species to target
Ocean Pout
Walleye
Banded Sunfish
Mahi
Snook
Bonefish
The Plan:
1. Best chance for Ocean Pout is as a by-catch while fishing for Haddock on a party boat.
2. Could get lucky with Walleye while Ice Fishing this winter. The Connecticut River would be the place to go.
3. There’s a chance of bagging Mahi, Snook, and Bonefish in Belize.
1. Best chance for Ocean Pout is as a by-catch while fishing for Haddock on a party boat.
2. Could get lucky with Walleye while Ice Fishing this winter. The Connecticut River would be the place to go.
3. There’s a chance of bagging Mahi, Snook, and Bonefish in Belize.
Species that I haven’t caught in a while that will be targeted in 2019.
Northern Pike
Weakfish
Redfish
Skate
Gray Snapper
Mahogany Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Schoolmaster Snapper
Bluestriped Grunt
The Plan:
1. Northern Pike, like the Walleye, is a good ice fishing target. Both species are found in the Connecticut River. Pike are also stocked in a number of other large ponds closer to home.
2. On Cape Cod, Weakfish occasionally move into the estuaries during the Spring. I have a couple locations in mind to try this year. Party Boat fishing during the late fall in Rhode Island is another opportunity for Weakfish.
3. Redfish are another Haddock fishing by-catch species.
4. Fish at night off the Cape’s north side beaches or Kayak fishing in Cape Cod Bay for Skate.
5. I caught all of the other species on this list on my last trip to Belize in 2015. Hoping to be just as successful the second time around.
1. Northern Pike, like the Walleye, is a good ice fishing target. Both species are found in the Connecticut River. Pike are also stocked in a number of other large ponds closer to home.
2. On Cape Cod, Weakfish occasionally move into the estuaries during the Spring. I have a couple locations in mind to try this year. Party Boat fishing during the late fall in Rhode Island is another opportunity for Weakfish.
3. Redfish are another Haddock fishing by-catch species.
4. Fish at night off the Cape’s north side beaches or Kayak fishing in Cape Cod Bay for Skate.
5. I caught all of the other species on this list on my last trip to Belize in 2015. Hoping to be just as successful the second time around.
