It’s now full-bore into flounder season, as the first portion of sea bass season has come to an official end. If you’re fishing at the reefs or wrecks, you may also pick up some ling, as well as triggerfish, which have recently started to make their presence known. Some drum fish may still be around for those wanting to give them a final look at their bay haunts, while the back waters have flounder, weakfish, bluefish and some croakers. Let’s check things out.
Captain Andrew, of the Sailor’s Delight, reported that his fares have been catching flounder up to 21 inches during the past week. Also coming over the rail were croakers, the first spot of the year and sharks and skates. The thought of a big flounder is usually the first that comes to mind when either starts pulling on your line.
The Cape May Lady is running trips for flounder and other reef denizens, just no sea bass. They are also running deep-drop trips targeting golden and blueline tilefish. Call them, or check out their Facebook page for trips as they are added to the schedule.
Grassy Sound Marina will hold its 19th annual Flounder Tournament on Saturday, June 28. To register and for more information, go to www.grassysoundmarina.com/flounder.
Captain Brandon, from the Avalon Lady, reports that the fishing trips have been good, as keeper flounder have been a steady contributor to each trip. Bluefish and some keeper weakfish have also been providing action for the anglers. Daily trips leave the dock at 8 a.m. and return at noon.
The Avalon Lady will also be offering live music, featuring Joe Downs, on a Sunset Cruise scheduled for July 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through www.missavalon.com or by calling 609-967-7455.
The Miss Avalon is sailing to local reefs for flounder and other fish. Weakfish and triggerfish have started to show up and are usually willing to bite a baited hook. Book a trip online or give them a call. The contact information is listed above.
Moran’s Dockside Bait and Tackle reported that Vincenzo and a friend caught some bluefish over the Memorial Day weekend, while anglers Justin and Nick each caught keeper flounder during their recent outing. Other nice catches were also recorded.
Ethan Szyszko got in on the action when he caught a nice flounder from the Townsends Inlet area. He was using a lite jighead and a 4-inch white gulp. Another nice catch, this from the T.I. seawall, went to Seamus, who caught a 5.75-pound flounder while pitching a jighead tipped with a 6-inch white jerk shad.
A third big flounder, a 6-pounder, was caught from the same area. Jonathan was the proud angler behind that catch. The favorable water temperatures and clear water were cited as contributing factors for the nice flounder being caught from that area.
A late-week report mentioned that Joe Plitnick caught his flounder limit on Wednesday, which followed up a Monday trip where he caught another flounder, plus a big weakfish.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle mentioned that Joe checked in with a limit of flounder that fell for gulp and salmon strips. Another angler, Mark, weighed in a 5-pound, 24-inch flounder that was caught a day before the Slack Tide Flounder Tournament that was sponsored, along with other companies, by Boulevard Bait and Tackle.
That tournament was won by Sean Fenton, who caught the heaviest flounder, a 25.5-inch, 6.64-pound fish, with Justin McDermott in second (4.96 pounds) and Mark Harrison (4.54) in third. The heaviest stringer of three fish went to Jimmy Lane with a total of 12.84 pounds, while R.J. Attenborough won the Junior Division with a 3.44-pound flounder that edged second-place finisher James Burkhart and his 3.1 pounder. The weakfish category was won by B.J. Mastrangelo with a 14.5-inch, 0.92-pound fish.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle recorded catches of a nice sheepshead and a weakfish for an angler named Carson, a 5.75-pound flounder for Dom and a 4.7-pound, 23.5-inch flounder for Kyle. He caught his flounder on a bucktail, while fishing in a back bay.
The Sea Star III, with Captain Chuck, had a full week of day trips and action that was “good.” That meant a lot of sea bass interspersed with fluke, weakfish and the first triggerfish of the season. It also meant that the evening drum fish trips wrapped up. Captain Chuck deemed that fishery “successful” and wanted to thank all those who came out and made it so.
The pool winners for the week with sea bass were Matt Hornberger (2.1 pounds), Dutch Weaver (1.9), Craig Young (1.75), Phil Sam (1.75) and Eric Zetterstrand with a 2.05-pounder. Rich Mucerino won with a 2.75-pound flounder, and Bob Hackett claimed the final daily pool with a 3.75-pound triggerfish. The drum fish pool-winner for the week was Chris Gardner, who landed a 47-pounder.
The Sea Star III sails daily at 9 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m.
The Miss Chris is sailing for flounder, weakfish, bluefish, kingfish, croakers and other fish that are starting to visit our region. Some have already been here, but others are arriving as June headed toward July. Check out their schedule, which is available online, and plan on getting out on the water.
Captain Bob, from Full Ahead Sport Fishing, reported that flounder fishing is good. His charters have been getting close to their boat limits, with many fish landing in the 20- to 24-inch range.
Check with Captain Bob to see what else he may be running trips for as the spring and summer progress. Reach him at 609-847-2304.
Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters, with Captain Tom, reports good fishing for flounder and tilefish. He recently started his yellowfin tuna trips, as these fish are “making a great showing” in our area.
Check out his list of available trips on his Facebook page. Pick a date, then give him a call at 609-868-6014.
The Atlantic Adventure, with Captain Adam, will be targeting flounder and other fish around the local wrecks and reefs. Some will be in-season and others won’t, but the crew will let you know what’s legal.
Adam also runs dive trips for Atlantic Divers. Contact the dive company if you want to see what’s below.
The Fred’s Tavern Flounder Tournament was held recently, and congratulations go out to Drew McClure, who claimed first place with a 4.09-pounder. No other place winners were listed.
Congratulations, and thanks for submitting your report, to Audrey and Madeline Kampf, who were fishing with their grandfather, Bill Kampf, on Friday the 13th. Regardless of that, it was their lucky day, as the two young anglers caught five of the seven keepers that day. Keepers ranged from 18 to 23.5 inches. They were fishing behind North Wildwood.
Nice flounder were caught this week, and croakers and triggerfish made some reports. All signs point to summer fishing starting to kick in right on time. Let’s hope this process continues. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
