It’s hard to believe but we’re into the second week of August already. The reefs are full of flounder, sea bass, and triggerfish, kingfish are at “The Point,” and the backwaters are still holding nice flounder and croakers.
Also, while at the reefs, you may be able to pick up a tautog, which came back into season when the calendar rolled into August. You can keep one fish at 15 inches until the season expands in November. We had some big flounder, including a double-digit fish, caught in the past week, so let’s check out what was caught, and by whom.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle was busy weighing some nice flounder at their scale recently. They weighed in a couple of big flounder, including a double-digit fish.
First up was Billy Alexander. The name may ring a bell since his father, Bill, was the previous owner of the shop before Cameron bought it. Bill was fishing in the inlet when he met his “personal best” fluke. After getting it to the shop, where it was weighed and measured, the final numbers were 30 inches and 10.8 pounds. Congratulations on a great catch Billy.
Another “personal best” fluke was caught by 11-year-old Theo, who was fishing from the reef. His bar is set high, as this fish was 28 inches and 8.4 pounds. Congratulations, Theo.
Other flounder catches went to an angler named Bill, who was at the T.I. reef where he caught a 25-inch, 5.4-pound fluke, and to Chris, who caught a 22-inch, 3.8-pound fluke, as she fished in the back bay.
The Starfish, from Sea Isle, continues to sail daily to the local reefs, targeting flounder, sea bass, tautog (blackfish), and triggerfish. Check ahead to confirm their schedule.
The Miss Avalon sails twice daily, Monday through Friday, as they head to the local reefs, where they have been catching flounder, sea bass, and triggerfish. They can now add blackfish to their list of targeted fish. Call ahead to confirm their schedule. They sail one trip on Saturday and Sunday, leaving the dock at 8 a.m.
The Avalon Lady has been catching keeper flounder in back bays, even as the summer goes along, and you would figure most flounder are now out at the reefs. The fact that flounder are still there, along with the croakers that are caught each trip, helps to fill the cooler a little quicker. Their presence is also good for any anglers looking to catch their first flounder.
Capt. Mike, from the Miss Chris, reported another good week of fishing from both the reefs, where they caught flounder and sea bass, and The Point, where kingfish and croakers were the main quarry. He is still waiting on the “main run of croakers.” Some have obviously shown up, but they seem to be the early arrivals.
A couple of pool winners from the week were Kelsey Brown, of Haymarket, Virginia, who won with a 21-inch fluke, and Bill Peters, from Rio Grande, who staked his claim with a 16-inch sea bass.
Sea Star III, with Capt. Chuck, reported that fishing is “more of the same this week.” That means nice fluke, including some limits, plus fluke over 5 pounds, plenty of sea bass, and also some triggerfish.
Pool winners for the week were Rob Ferrante, with a 2.8-pounder, Frank Servocky (3.55), Joe Venezia (4.3), Mike Jung (5.0), Mike Moore (5.4), Biff Pein (5.75), and Chris Kehoe, with a 6.96-pounder.
Capt. Tom, from Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters, has been busy running flounder and tuna charters. He has some open seats on upcoming flounder trips and some days that are available for you to set up a tuna trip. Check out his Facebook page to see when they are and if you can take advantage of this opportunity.
The Sailor’s Delight, and the S.D. II, are both busy. So much so that the Sailor’s Delight II had a recent morning trip where they caught 97 fish. They were scattered amongst croakers, sea bass, and spot.
Both boats are catching those fish, as well as some nice crabs during their crabbing trips. Oh, and they’re both still catching flounder. The back waters are still producing, so get out and have some fun.
We have this reminder that the Ocean City Fishing Club’s (OCFC) 46th Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament is scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 12. This is a free event that will be held rain or shine.
This event has a 9 a.m. registration at the north end beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. Parents, or guardians must sign a waiver for insurance purposes before their children can participate. Fishing starts at 10 a.m. and will end at noon and then will be followed by the awards presentation.
An important aspect to remember is that all anglers must provide their own fishing gear and bait. There will be age groups of 8-10, 11-13 and 14-16. Parents can assist the 8-10-year-olds by casting their line out, but after that, the child must do their own fishing.
Ed Hoban, who chairs the tournament for the club, said that every child who signs up for the tournament will be given a prize. The boy and girl who land the biggest fish in each category will win a rod and reel donated by Fin-Atics Bait and Tackle Shop. Century-Advanced Fishing Rods will award $300 gift certificates to the boy and girl who catch the most fish overall.
Come out and enjoy this free, rain or shine, fishing event, have a chance at winning some nice prizes and pick up some knowledge from OCFC members who will be on hand to measure each angler’s catch.
The Doormat Derby Flounder Tournament, presented by the Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo, will be held Aug. 26 at Off The Hook Marina. For more information, please check out The Doormat Derby page on Facebook.
Well, we had some comfortable weather and some nice fish. That’s a winning combination. Take care, good luck if you get out, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
