Friday, August 29, 2014

For Family Fishing Cape May Is Perfect

By Harriet Porter


Catching fish is something most kids enjoy. Family fishing Cape May New Jersey is a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors any time of year. However, it's absolutely perfect in summer, when beaches, bays, and the ocean are warm and inviting. It's also when the croakers are in residence.

Fishing in New Jersey is very seasonal. Some species are there year-round, while other are only found in the warmer months. Croakers are small fish, usually less than twelve inches in length, and they are plentiful in the summer. They're perfect for kids, because they don't take much strength to land but put up a furious fight for lots of excitement.

A fun way to go after croakers and many other species off Cape May is to join a party boat. They fill up fast on week-ends, but week-days often have room for last-minute applicants. These family-friendly boats are inspected and licensed by the Coast Guard, so they are clean and safe. They have cabins, bathrooms, and friendly crew members who love to show kids a good time.

Kids also will like the natural wonders of the area. An area called 'The Rips' where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean has strong tidal currents which create a rippled bottom with deep holes and sandbars. Off-shore winds, when they're against the tide, cause high waves to stand up behind the barriers on the bottom. This area is only for experienced fisher-folk, but it's great for sightseers and birdwatchers.

It's a dramatic sight, made even more so by the throngs of predatory birds and maybe even Bottle-nosed dolphins or Hump-backed whales. The kids will enjoy seeing these wild fishers, and birdwatchers will find The Rips fascinating. Many different kinds of gulls and terns compete with kittiwakes, pelicans, storm-petrels, jaegers, gannets, and larger fish for the small bait-fish.

Boat trips that take about four hours are suitable for children over six. Older kids and teens may enjoy the six or eight hour day trips. Fish are usually from half-pound to ten pounds, so as many are thrown back as are kept. For those who are really keen and at least twelve, night-fishing for bluefish is an exciting experience that calls for a certain amount of strength and courage.

The family can fish in other ways, not just from boats. Cape May, the charming Victorian town that draws almost as many visitors as the water, has bridges, jetties, and beaches for fishing nearer to land. Kids also like crabbing, a sport that is great for small fry and can get you dinner, too. There are quiet back-bays, where little ones can watch minnows and try for larger prey.

Cape May, the town, is full of great restaurants, charming shops, museums, and activities for all ages. The beaches are great, the ferries fun to ride, and both hotels and B&Bs ready to make things comfortable and fun.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment