It was another good week of fishing around the Cape. The ocean fishing at the reefs, as well as the back bays, gave up plenty of nice catches. Catches this week were led by some nice fluke as well as some nice sheepshead. Sea bass, triggerfish, croakers, and weakfish also are swimming in our waters. Let’s see who caught fish this week.
Captain Mike, on the Miss Chris, reports that his fares had “another good week” regardless of the windy conditions. The action they experienced led to Kenny Browning and John Bates teaming up to catch 80 croakers and four kingfish. Two catches to note on the flounder side were made by 9-year old Michael Burk, who landed a 21-inch keeper, and by Paul Krowzloski, who caught an 18-incher. Plenty of good filets went home with those anglers.
“Another solid week” is how Captain Chuck, from the Sea Star III, described the latest week of fishing. That included a mixed week of bay and ocean fishing. On days when the wind ruled, the Delaware Bay provided croaker, kingfish, and weakfish, while the days in the ocean were spent catching fluke, sea bass, and triggerfish. The reef fishing had some limits of fluke, with a couple to 7 pounds being caught.
Pool winners from the bay trips this week were Janet Mowery with a 1.55-pound kingfish and Dave Rash with a 1.8-pound weakfish. The others, all from the ocean and with fluke, were Ron Walker with a 2.5-pounder, Kirsten Johansen (2.7), Dan Donohue (5.65), Tony Koska (7.0), and Tom Leahy with a “giant” 7.25-pounder.
The Sea Star III sails daily at 9 a.m. and returns to the dock at 3 p.m.
The Atlantic Adventure, led by Captain Adam, is sailing for flounder, ribbonfish, and mahi. Recent trips had some nice fluke being caught, while trips for mahi produced some tasty catches. Another trip for ribbonfish is scheduled since the first proved to be such a success. More of all these trips will continue through the summer. Other fish, such as sea bass and triggerfish, are also caught, especially during the flounder trips.
A midweek trip produced some nice keeper flounder, even if you had to work a little harder for them. Mike Jung caught his limit, and sea bass and triggerfish were listed as being caught by those aboard.
The Sailor’s Delight has its patrons staying busy as they catch flounder, both shorts and some keepers, croakers, and sharks. I’m sure plenty of other back bay fish are also being picked up, such as sea robins, spot, and kingfish. The weekend boaters and the stirred up water made for a challenge, but even then, and into the new week, the fish kept biting. The variety of the back bays, and knowing that you could catch anything, makes for a fun day of fishing.
The Starlight Fleet is catching croakers and keeper weakfish on their 4-hour trips. Flounder, kingfish, and bluefish can also be caught. They sail at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
No Bones Bait and Tackle reported that a trio rented one of their rental boats to do a little crabbing. The crabbing was so good, and quick, that after catching their fill, the group went fishing and caught two keeper flounder. Another angler was fishing off their dock and caught a 24-inch, 5-pound, 2-ounce flounder.
No Bones has rental boats available for you to spend a little time out on the water. Stop in so you can rent a boat and enjoy time crabbing or fishing.
The Starfish sails twice daily, at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., for ocean trips to the local reefs. They are targeting flounder, triggerfish, and sea bass. If you’re prepared, you may even be able to land your one legal tog.
The Miss Avalon is ocean fishing and even did a rare back bay trip recently. Both produced fish, but the ocean was the spot to be. Flounder, sea bass, and triggerfish are the main fish that the reefs are providing. The Tuesday trip drove that point home as the three previously mentioned fish filled the boat’s fish box and the coolers of those aboard.
The Miss Avalon sails daily at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., while a single trip is offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Check the schedule on Facebook, or go online to schedule a trip.
The Avalon Lady is sailing behind Avalon and up into Sea Isle waters. They are mainly fishing for flounder, but you may catch weakfish, bluefish, or croakers. Hop on for a relaxing day on the water.
Moran’s Dockside Bait and Tackle reported that Bill Neff caught a couple of quality flounder before the recent northeast winds moved in. When the wind abates, and you head out, they suggest you use either mackerel strips, salmon bellies, or spearing. This is due to the “stained” water resulting from the action of the waves stirring up the bottom.
Weekend highlights at Boulevard Bait and Tackle saw Gene stop in with two keeper flounder, with the largest stretching the tape to 23 inches and the scale to 4 pounds. Young angler Hunter caught a keeper flounder while he fished a local inlet, and Craig stopped in to weigh in a 5.62-pound back bay sheepshead. After the weekend, Orion stopped in to show off his first keeper flounder. It was a 2.5-pounder he caught in the back bay. Congratulations, Orion.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that Ren stopped in to show off his first sheepshead that looked to weigh in the 6-7-pound range. Also stopping in and reporting on his epic day was Dom. He fished a local reef and returned with his limit of flounder, his one tog and sea bass, a bunch of triggerfish, and some croakers. The reef was described as being “on fire.”
Two other anglers who swung by the shop after the weekend, and who also did well at the reef, were Chase, who finished with his first triggerfish and croaker and his limit of flounder, and OG, who caught his limit of flounder also, with his largest being a 25-incher.
The fishing is good and the weather has been very comfortable. If you can, get out and enjoy it. Take care, be safe, good luck fishing, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
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