Why No Gulf Stream Eddies for the Mid-Atlantic This Year?

[Mike Avery]

I have not seen any visits of the gulf stream this year off Virginia. No blue water. No weeds except for one or two pieces here and there and no weed lines. I did see a brief visit in mid May on the 900 line where we got some YFT but technically that is not Virginia, that is NC. And I don't count the hero or zero run (we were zeros) Trax and I made to 1200 fathoms in early June and found some blue water but little life. This time of year one can usually count on shaggin weeds. Now I don't miss shaggin weeds but I do miss running into massive, formed weed lines loaded with bait and life. Why is the stream staying so far off this year as compared to others. Is the stream slowing down or the labrador speeding up or both. Is this pattern temporary or a sign of the times. I've heard some joke the 1000 fa curve is the new 100 but I don't find this funny since the 100 fa curve is so far off, reaching 1000 fa is no easy task.

[bob the welder]

Mother nature plays by her own rules. I know what you mean about the weeds. It's the chain of life thing. We fished the 300/500 and had a good day and the next week it was dead. Flat water temps from the 20 to the deep. The 1000 is fishable even with small boats as we run a 24 wellcraft single 200hp to the 500 troll 6 hrs with 80 gal. and had 30 left. I may try the wilmington in the next day or 2.

[grady28]

Great question. Maybe due to all the strange weather this year. While trolling north of Wilmington Canyon during the White Marlin Open, we came across a several mile long (20-30 yard wide) weed line with tons of dolphin throughout. We hooped up a few but had to venture in another direction cause we were in search of a big eye or yellow. I’m still hoping things will improve out of Ocean City and will venture offshore this weekend (if sea conditions are good). Will post a report if I do.

[TerpHeels]

Overall the fishing the last few years has made one become synical about the whole offshore deal here off DelMarVa. It was given into Aug years ago a stud bft on the lumps and even yft in the mix throughout the range. I can remember weed lines and mats so thick is was like fishing in an aquarium. Boats backed up to the weed lines just bailin. So now u see a rpt about a good day being a catch of bailers and u kinda shake your head. Sorry to sound like Scrooge.

[Bend-Lure]

SW wind all summer is blowing all the weeds offshore. Just a thought.

[Casca Dura]

Something has definately changed over the last few years. Tuna fishing has dropped way off. I also noticed a lack of gulf stream water this year. Tuna fishing in the early and mid 90's was fantastic. I remember loosing 7 bluefin one day while fishing the Jackspot in 1994. I lost more tuna on that day than I've caught all this year and last year combined.

[tolbard]

The past years have been diffrent. This weekend I found true blue water and A weed line. Hope the sowth west winds say south.

[Skipjack/VA]

You mean this year, last year, the year before that, and the one before that as well.... total suckage for the most part in terms of true G stream water coming inside and on the shelf. I have seen the stream at the triangles with whites on top back in the 90's.