This good weakfish action will hopefully keep up until the middle of October. After that, these fish will head out of the bay and continue south. As of last year, Raritan Bay in North Jersey saw some good weakfishing, but we did not. It is hoped that this past spring, some of these fish made a left turn as they headed up the coast.

CROAKERS, ANYONE?
Meanwhile, if the weakfish population remains weak, the croaker population in Delaware Bay has gone just the opposite way. Back in the 1940s, croaker fishing was at its best, as noted earlier. Then it fell off to just about nothing for several years . . . until two years ago. At that time, there were loads of croakers, but most were only 7 to 9 inches in length. Then last year, these hardheads began averaging from 10 to 13 inches, with some larger fish in the 16- to 17-inch class mixed in.

Last year's comeback fishery provided party and charter boats out of both sides of the bay with something to catch for their fares. If it hadn't been for this invasion of good-sized croakers, last year would have been a disastrous season! While fishermen do not prize croakers like weakfish, they do recognize that we better learn to be content with what is sent our way each year. Naturally, we hope for good numbers of weakfish. However, croakers are fighting fish and good on the table, even though they're a bit more difficult to clean.

Croakers inhabit most of the same places as the weakfish, since they too like grass shrimp, small crabs and worms. They also must be fished for on the bottom. In addition to shedder crab, croakers will hit small pieces of bloodworms, clam and these new artificial baits like Bag O' Worms and Berkley Gulp!

Will croakers be back in good numbers this year? They should be here by now, and Bruce Freeman expects them to return in good numbers this season as well. Keep in mind, however, his caution that the croakers' normal top range is Chesapeake Bay; and that it takes an overflow from a great year in that bay to send them into our waters. What a year it could be if both the weakfish and croakers see the Delaware Bay as their home this summer! As it's about the time to experience this type of bay fishing, be optimistic and get out there to see for yourself. Let's hope it's just like the good old days of just a few years ago!