Another day in paradise

Last night we watched the sun settle into the Delaware Bay from the deck of Harpoon Henry's. Back in June, we had to look to the right--now the sun sets to the left (perhaps foretelling this week's election).

Mr. Henry looked quite dapper, and quite happy. Our summer ends. His summer begins.

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The very local fishing report

The lingcod (red spotted hake) are still running by the ferry jetty. A few fisherman came by and tossed chunks of herring at the muddy water, trying to coax a striper, using bait not much smaller than the lingcod I caught, but left without a hit.

I landed a half-dozen lingcod using clam.

We did see some nice stripers brought in for the 8th Annual South Jersey Big Bass Open while kayaking by the marina. The weights were announced via a booming speaker system, and the South Jersey marina was draped with banners of all sorts.

I guess if you pay $300 to enter a contest, you want some fanfare.

Seems a shame folks need more than one fish if one weighs over 45#, but a $10,000 top prize can take the sport out of sportfishing. We did see one boat toss a live (we hope) striper back in the water after weighing.

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The very local mucking report

At the end of the very short Harbor Lane (just off Texas Avenue as you hit the island) is a great mucking spot. Park in Harbor Cove, then jump off the bulkhead. Be wary of glass, and don't climb down if you don't think you can get back up.

Yesterday's prize find?
The Cheeseburger in Paradise, a sailboat hailing from Beaufort, North Carolina, was stuck in the mud, waiting for the next high tide.