The return of decent weather has, in essence, opened the ocean back up. Local captains were ready, their patrons were primed and fishing returned. Sea bass, porgies and triggerfish filled coolers as all rejoiced. Let’s check out who enjoyed their time in the sun, and on the sea.
The Miss Avalon reported that the inshore fishing was “tough” as only croakers and sea bass, consisting mainly of shorts, with a “few” legal fish mixed in, were caught. So, that led to a new strategy.
Heading to deeper water proved to be the ticket as a slow start increased through the day. Some nice-sized sea bass, as well as some keeper porgies, filled up the stringers in the fish box.
The patrons on the Starfish have had a good return to the water. There have been plenty of nice sea bass caught, with limits recorded around the boat on each trip. An angler named Alphonso won a pool with his big sea bass. Some triggerfish were also caught, and a big one won the Sunday pool for a young angler named Desmond.
The Sea Star III, with Captain Chuck, had a delayed start to the sea bass season. When it hit the open water, the action consisted of sea bass, croakers, bluefish and a few triggerfish. As they headed to week two, the anglers were looking for a high keeper ratio, but aren’t we always looking for that. Regardless, everyone fishing was having a better time than when the weather kept them at the dock.
Pool winners for the week were Adam McGraw with a 2.3-pound bluefish, Frank Servocky, who won with a 1.75-pound bluefish, Linda “Loo” Martin, who claimed the win with a 2-pound sea bass, and Jim Hornbach, who took home his daily pool with a 3.4-pound triggerfish.
The Miss Chris started its fall season with “excellent action” on all of its trips. They are offering four-hour and eight-hour trips later in October. Check out their schedule for available days and trips. Their dockmate, the Sea Star III, sails six-hour trips daily, leaving the dock at 9 a.m.
Cape May Bait and Tackle reported nice sea bass catches at the local reefs. Sea bass and triggerfish were being caught at the Wildwood and Cape May reefs with clams and squid on a high-low rig being a successful setup. Local charter boats reported that their trips to offshore sites limited out in a few hours. Those trips also saw bluefish, porgies and bonitas being caught.
Anglers fishing off the beaches reported catches of snapper bluefish, kingfish and weakfish. The bluefish are liking mullet baits or metal lures, while fishbites or bloodworm pieces attracted the weakfish and kingfish.
The rock piles are producing some bigger bluefish, with some striped bass mixed in. While you’re there you can soak some crabs and join those who have been catching some blackfish by doing just that.
Captain Stan, from the Sailor’s Delight, has been taking his patrons to the rocks, and they have been catching triggerfish and blackfish. The Sailors Delight is docked near No Bones Bait and Tackle just over the George Redding Bridge. Stop in the shop, grab some weights, rigs or jigs, and then go hop on the boat.
The Atlantic Star, a member of The Starlight Fleet, reported that it had a good trip recently that consisted of catches of sea bass, with many limits, some nice porgies, plus bluefish and a couple of bonitas. Donna Brown was the pool winner, as she and husband Steven both hit their sea bass limits. They also added some porgies to their day-end total.
The Cape May Lady reported good sea bass fishing, with anglers reaching their limits quickly. They were also catching triggerfish, bluefish and blackfish. Check them to find out their schedule and to secure a spot on the boat.
As you can see, when the boats can get out, fish can be caught. Sea bass, triggerfish, blackfish and bonitas are all out there, and biting. The beaches offer bluefish, kingfish and some striped bass. Pick your spot and get out and enjoy some time on, or along, the water. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
