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For Family Fishing Cape May Is Perfect

By Harriet Porter


Catching fish is an outdoor activity that people of all ages enjoy. For a day trip or a vacation, family fishing Cape May will make memories to last a lifetime. The sport is best for children in summer, when the croakers come into the area, but it's a year-round activity here.

Croakers are small fish, usually not more than twelve inches long. They put up a great fight when hooked, but they aren't too strong for a child to bring in. They also are plentiful during the summer, so a day out in a party boat can be full of action.

They are favorites of kids out on a party boat, one of the specialty boats for beginners or the not-so-serious. Party boats have high rails for safety, cabins and bathrooms, and trained staff who love to help kids have fun on the water. The crew is happy to help both young and older bait their hooks and land their catch. The US Coast Guard licenses and routinely inspects these excursion boats, so they are equipped with all safety gear.

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.

Boats are great, but the family can also fish other places. There are quiet back bays where even toddlers can explore the sport in safety. Surf-casting and trolling is fun, as is fishing from the bridges and jetties around town. Crabbing is a favorite of small children, who love lying on the dock and watching their chicken neck attract blue crabs.

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.




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