It seems odd when you step out and the air is soupy and the temperature is very warm. This weather indicates that we are in the midst of perfect summer conditions. The reality, though, is that we are still plagued by cold water that is slowing the fluke bite, not stopping it totally, but making you really have to put your time in and earn your catch. Your effort will make you appreciate the results even more. Let’s check out what occurred recently out on the water.
Capt. Mike, from the Miss Chris, reports that the past week was similar to the previous one. Plenty of croakers are “dominating” the action, but kingfish and weakfish are also well represented when the day’s activity is reviewed.
Kingfish have won most of the daily pools, as Dawn Channing was able to do with her “very nice” kingfish. Another angler of note was Skyler Maisey, who finished her trip by totaling 22 croakers and two kingfish.
Capt. Chuck, aboard the Sea Star III, reported that southerly winds have ushered in more cold water. This in turn had led to a mix of bay and ocean fishing, with the daily weather being the determining factor as to where the Sea Star III heads. The ocean trips produced fluke and sea bass, while croakers, kingfish and weakfish made up the bay catch.
The pool fish were varied this week as Chuck Grebloski won with a 1.9-pound Ling, sea bass won pools for Mike McHugh (2.1 pounds) and John Vogt (2.25), Elliot Fowler won with a 1.25-pound weakfish, and finally Gary Agness claimed his daily pool with a 2.5-pound fluke.
Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters, with Capt. Tom, has been targeting tuna on his recent trips. A recent charter had a nice day as they landed a 180-pound Bigeye and two yellowfin. They released a White and had another Bigeye pull the hook.
Hands Too Bait and Tackle reported that an angler named John stopped in to show off his first keeper flounder, a 19-incher. Congratulations, John. Now start working on number two.
The Miss Avalon is sailing each day at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. They are heading to the local reefs for flounder and sea bass. Weakfish have also been biting.
The Avalon Lady, the pontoon boat of the Miss Avalon Fleet, is sailing the back waters and inlets in search of flounder, croakers, bluefish and weakfish. They leave each morning at 8:30 and return at 11:30. An afternoon trip is also offered from Monday through Wednesday. That trip leaves at 1:15 and returns at 4:15. A Wednesday evening trip sails at 6 p.m. and returns at 8 p.m.
The Starfish is sailing twice daily at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. They also offer a five-hour night fishing trip on Wednesday evenings. This trip leaves the dock at 6 p.m.
Recent catches have consisted of a mixed bag, mainly made up of croakers and sea bass. One recent catch of note is a small, throwback Thresher Shark.
First Fish Adventures-Sea Isle City reported that the bonita bite is “on fire.” As evidence, the recent outing for Michael and Parker ended around 11 a.m. They had “their hands full” as they returned to dock and used their catch to make sushi.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that a 98.2-pound yellowfin tuna was caught recently by Evan McClasky. Evan was fishing with Capt. Scott from Playmaker Fishing. Some mahi were also reported for this trip.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle passed on a report from Kevin who was fishing the surf from a local beach that says the kingfish bite is really hot. Small hooks tipped with bloodworms or Fish Bites are the way to go.
The Sailor’s Delight saw a weekend that provided plenty of mixed bag fishing. Spot, croakers and kingfish combined with keeper fluke to provide good trips for those who fished. The highlight was the 21-inch fluke that one angler landed.
The Cape May Lady is sailing two daily four-hour trips at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Croakers, kingfish, and flounder have been caught recently. Plenty of short action will help to keep you sharp for when a keeper bites.
Congratulations go out to reader, and contributor to the column, Len Fenimore, who won the two heaviest flounder under 20-inch category in the recent Doormat Derby. The boat was the Good as Gold led by Capt. Richie Burgess and the two-fish total was 5.55 pounds.
Other results from the Doormat Derby, which was based out of Off The Hook Bait and Tackle, saw the sea bass division split between C U Again with Capt. Nick Leonetti and Side Money with Capt. Anthony D’Andrea. Both had sea bass weighing 2.45 pounds.
The Heaviest Three Fish category went to Capt. Marcalo with a first place weight of 15.6 pounds, while the single heaviest fluke prize was won by Capt. Nick Cianci on the Lex Sea.
This week was slower than expected, or wanted, but that’s the way it is. The cold water continues to hamper many fishing trips, but we adjust, fish areas we may not try this time of year, and still catch fish. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
