The summer season rolls on and the fishing is good. Fluke, sea bass, croakers, and triggerfish are all swimming throughout our waters. Weakfish, spot, and bluefish also add to the action, then throw in some crabbing for blueclaws and you have plenty of chances for a productive day on the water. Let’s see who took advantage of the bounty that’s out there.
Capt. Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported another good week. That means his patrons continued to bring in their share of fluke and sea bass. Some triggerfish also cleared the rail, which helped to pad the coolers of those lucky enough to catch them. A few limits of fluke were also scattered through the week’s results.
The pool winners this week all won with fluke. Craig Constantino won with a 2.70-pounder and was joined by Bill Buchecker (3.1), Pat McCarthy (3.25), Frank Servocky (3.4), Mike Jung (4.1), Brian Overstreet (4.25), and Fred Nelson, who took his winnings with a 6.55-pounder.
The Miss Chris, with Capt. Mike at the helm, led his customers to the Cape May Channel, and down to the Point, where they enjoyed plenty of action. The reefs were a little slow for his four-hour trips, so he changed tactics, and it worked out.
Keeper fluke, kingfish, bluefish, croakers, and weakfish provided the action and helped some lucky anglers claim their pools. Those went to Matthew Hunnichuck, with a 19-inch fluke, and Kimberly Daily, who won with an 18-inch weakfish.
Cape May Bait and Tackle reported that there are plenty of small fluke, croakers, kingfish, and weakfish around the Cape May beaches. The flounder like Gulp, minnows, or spearing on a jig or bucktail and can be found in the shallows near the closest waves to the beach. For the others, you should use small hooks tipped with Fishbites or bloodworms.
If you want to try for sheepshead, then head to the local rock piles with a tog rig or jig and tip them with a fiddler crab or a sand flea.
The Miss Avalon had a good weekend, with the Sunday trip being the best. Multiple catches of flounder, with a number of keepers included, plus sea bass, croakers, triggerfish, and weakfish kept the mates busy. Fish were being cleaned until the time they cleared the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge on the way home.
The Miss Avalon had a good mid-week duo of trips, as keeper fluke, triggerfish, and sea bass were caught on both trips that day.
Trips are sailed twice daily at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday each have one trip, with Sunday’s being a five-hour trip that sails from the dock at 8 a.m. and returns at 1 p.m.
The Avalon Lady is busy with their fishing trips and “Summer Camp” outings. They have been catching fluke and croakers on both style outings. They sail at 8 a.m. daily but call ahead to make sure they are running an open-boat trip on the day you want to fish.
The Starfish is sailing twice-daily and is motoring to the local reefs. They are catching fluke, sea bass, croakers, and triggerfish.
They also have night trips scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings. Call ahead to confirm this or any other trips.
A new offering will be the Tilefish trips. The first is Sept. 5 and will be approximately 18 hours. It will leave at midnight and return roughly at 6 p.m. These trips are planned for Tuesday, Thursday, and select Saturday nights. Check out their webpage or Facebook for more details.
Capt. Zig, at First Fish Adventures, has been running charters that have been producing fluke, croakers, and bluefish. Along with those fish, his patrons also caught some ribbonfish. They must have ventured into our waters, as this is not the only mention of these fish being caught.
Capt. Zig runs ocean and back bay charters for both new or experienced anglers, so if you want to head to the reef, or get the kids out for a new experience, give him a call at 609-602-9004 and set up a trip.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle weighed in a 5.7-pound, 24.5-inch fluke for Jody. Congratulations go out to Jody, as she put in a lot of time and effort to get a fish like this.
The Sailor’s Delight is staying busy running charters for fishing, as well as taking people out on their split fish/crab charters.
Those who go out have been catching fluke, croakers, spot, weakfish, and, of course, crabs. Sea robins are also being caught and some sharks have provided something different to keep the anglers busy.
Robin, from Peace Token Fishing Tackle, had a good offshore trip recently. He was fishing with some friends and was able to land a 55-pound yellowfin tuna while using squid. Jason Kim landed a tuna of similar weight while also using squid as bait.
Another angler on the trip, Dennis Muhlenforth, finished off the trip by catching “some nice” golden tilefish. Obviously, a good day was had by all.
The Starlight offers daily fishing trips for fluke, triggerfish, sea bass, croakers, and kingfish and whatever is swimming in our waters.
The Starlight is running deep-water trips in September for tilefish. These trips are limited to 32 anglers, you will need reservations and you will be boarded in the order of your reservation. You can book online or call Tracie at 609-729-7776, ext. 2.
You can also follow the same procedure above to book a seat for the 10-hour, or 18-hour, sea bass trips. You may also be able to hook into some porgies, bluefish, and ling and whatever else may be lurking near the wrecks.
No Bones Bait and Tackle reported that crabbing is really good right now. Crabbers were putting some nice crabs into their baskets, which then led to a tasty dinner.
No Bones rents skiffs for those who want to do a little crabbing. Call them at 609-522-3017 for reservations, departure times and any specials that they may be offering.
This Saturday, Aug. 19, the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club will be holding their 19th Annual Kids Fishing Tournament.
Admission to the tournament is free and open to all children 17 and under. Meet at the Prescott Street Beach where registration begins at 8 a.m. and fishing is from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Anglers must provide their own rod, reel, and equipment and are being asked to use pyramid dipseys instead of round or drop weights. Fishbites will be provided, but if you prefer live bait, you must purchase it on your own. The children will also receive T-shirts, hot dogs, and drinks while the supply lasts.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Also, the organizers ask for “no bare feet please.”
Another nice week of fishing and crabbing was recorded here at the shore. There aren’t that many left, so we need to enjoy them while we can. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
