Our recent brush with Tropical Storm Debby cost us a few precious days of fishing, but not all was lost. The fishing in the back, and at the rock piles and bridges, perked up as anglers recorded some nice catches. The water temperature continues to fluctuate, which makes fishing at the reefs a challenge, but not an impossibility as some fluke are still being caught there. Let’s check things out.
The Miss Avalon was out fishing after the recent storm passed by. Saturday was slow as expected since the water was churned up, but Sunday proved to be much better.
The anglers that day were able to land plenty of sea bass, including 30 keepers. Some ling were also caught, which helped to fill up the fish box. Some flounder were caught during the weekend trips, but no keepers were amongst them.
The report was that the water quality was better on Sunday, so hopefully we’ll see improvement each day. Now to get the water to warm up, and stay warm.
The Avalon Lady has been able to get in on the rejuvenated back water action. They have been catching flounder, both shorts and keepers, as well as croakers during their morning open-boat trips, and during their summer camp excursions.
The Starfish is sailing daily for fluke, sea bass, and any other fish that are swimming around the reefs.
The first trip of the season for Tilefish will be on Sept. 2. The trip will leave at midnight, then return around 6 p.m. that evening. You can go online to book a trip, or you may call 609-263-3800.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that fishing for Tog, Triggerfish, weakfish, stripers and Sheepshead has been good lately. Among some of the week’s catches were the triggers caught by B.J., the five triggers and a tog caught by Hannah and Dom, the sea bass and tog that Vince brought in, and the 2.55-pound trigger that Roman brought in.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle weighed in some nice flounder this week as Gary brought in two, with the largest weighing 4.84 pounds, John had two of his own, including a 4.5-pounder, and Abby topped them both with her 24-inch, 6.92-pounder. An angler named Rocs came in with a 16-inch Tog that he caught while fishing from a local jetty.
The anglers aboard the Sailor’s Delight caught some really nice flounder after the recent storm passed. The water cleared quickly, and the action picked up. Spot, croakers, and kingfish were also active and hungry.
The Cape May Lady is sailing at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. through the remainder of August, then will be sailing for Tilefish. Those trips are scheduled for Sept. 8, 15, 22, and 29. Thirty-six hour combo trips for Mahi, Swordfish, and daytime deep-drop trips are planned for Sept. 6, 13, 20, and 27.
The Starlight Fleet has been doing well as their patrons are staying busy catching kingfish and croakers. The Starlight sails at 8 a.m., 1 p.m., and 7 p.m.
The anglers fishing with the Starlight Fleet have been busy catching croakers, sea bass, kingfish, weakfish, and flounder. Concerning flounder, angler Zach Griffin landed two keeper flounder during a recent Thursday morning trip. Oh, and don’t forget the drum fish that one angler recently caught. That’s a good variety that keeps every trip exciting for those aboard.
Mike Jung, from Peace Token Fishing Tackle, checked in with a nice double-digit fluke that he caught while fishing on the Fish Hawk out of Hyannis, Massachusetts.
He was using one of his Peace Token Salt Bug Jigs, tipped with Gulp, and was able to entice an 11-pound, 13-ounce fluke to hit it. Congratulations, Mike, on a very nice fish.
Grassy Sound Marina reported an “excellent” week that saw some nice keeper flounder caught. The backwaters proved to be a good spot to fish.
Highlights went to Drew, who caught a 7-pounder, amongst the five keepers for those on his boat, Joe Tomlin who caught two keepers, and Madeline Bernacki who caught a personal-best, 21-inch flounder. Congratulations to her for a nice catch and her biggest yet.
Capt. Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported fewer trips this week due to the effects, and concerns, about the remnants of Debby. The trips did provide action, though.
Sea bass and fluke, the main fish that were caught as shorts, with keepers mixed in, provided the action. Action was reported for all the trips, but even more would be welcomed.
The pool winners for the week consisted of a 1.8-pound sea bass for Young Lee, and fluke for George Palfy (2.5 pounds), Gus Poulos (2.8), and the biggest in a while, a 6.15-pound fish for Larry Brunton.
The Sea Star III sails six-hour trips daily, leaving the dock at 9 a.m.
The Miss Chris sails twice daily, at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and is catching kingfish, croakers, weakfish, and fluke.
Cape May Bait and Tackle reports that anglers along the Cape May beaches have been catching croakers, kingfish, and weakfish while using Fishbites, bloodworms, and nightcrawlers. Some small flounder are mixed in, and one customer checked in with a 20-inch keeper flounder that they caught from the jetty at Higbee Beach. Small bluefish were also seen in that area and were biting on cut mullet or bunker, while also chasing small metals.
Anglers in their boats were saying that the fishing was slow at the reefs, with keeper fluke being a challenge to get. The hope is that the water will warm now that the recent storm has cleared our area. That could help to increase the flounder bite as the water temperature should be more seasonable.
The 47th Annual Ocean City Fishing Club’s Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament was held recently with 118 participants. The 94 boys and 24 girls were divided into three age categories.
Olivia DiLucchio and Christian Rotondo each caught a 13-inch flounder and won the respective divisions for the largest fish in the girls and boys divisions.
The 8-10 age category was won by Chloe Kilroy and Sidney Langley, while the 11-13 age group was won by Grace Daley and James Veltri. Nick DiRico and Sean Scott shared top honors in the 14-16 age group since there were no girls entered into that age category.
During the two-hour tournament a total of 74 fish were caught, including kingfish, flounder, croaker spot, sea robin, skate, and dogfish. Even a few horseshoe crabs were pulled up.
We had another decent week as we recovered from the effects of the recent passing storm. The fishing in the back was good with some nice flounder being caught, and croakers, kingfish and sea bass, plus some keeper fluke, were from the beaches to the reefs. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
