It’s hard to believe, but we’re one-third of the way into September. Talk about time flying by. With that thought, here’s a reminder that you have 15 days left to enjoy flounder fishing. From the reports I’ve seen and heard, that fishery bounced back nicely after Hurricane Erin passed and its accompanying swells lessened. Also, the other fish being caught at the reefs before the bad weather, sea bass and triggerfish, are also present, and hungry. Let’s check things out.
The Miss Avalon, with either Captain Irv or Captain Brandon at the wheel, has seen the action return as we’ve gotten further from the passing of Erin. The first few trips to the local reefs were challenging at best. The action started to return as the waters calmed and now were closing in on action similar to what we had through mid-August.
Some early catches over the last week saw 12 sea bass and 15 triggerfish caught, while a few flounder were starting to bite. Within a day or two, flounder catches “picked right back up,” and keepers were back in the daily mix of fish being caught. Outings since have produced more of the same trio of species, as trips are worked in around the breezy days we had during our recent, enjoyable cool weather.
The Avalon Lady enjoyed a great summer season but will now turn its attention to crabbing. Their next scheduled trip is this Saturday, Sept. 13. They will leave the dock at 8 a.m. and return at noon. You can book your trip online at www.missavalon.com.
The Starfish is sailing an 8-hour trip every Wednesday in September that will be targeting fluke. The boat leaves the dock at 8 a.m. You can call or book your trip online.
Cameron, from Boulevard Bait and Tackle, had the opportunity to report on some nice flounder catches recently. The action was split between the back bays and the reefs.
The back water gave up a 24.5-inch, 5.52-pound fluke to Ken, a 5.26-pound, 25-incher to Dave, and a 25.5-inch, 6.12-pound flattie, plus two other keepers, to Captain Jerry. The ocean was also giving, as Bob weighed in a 6.64-pounder that was part of a four-man limit from their trip on Win the Day Charters. The big fish went to Savannah and Joe, who stopped in with a 29-inch, 9.38-pound jumbo. They caught their limit, with some of those fish near the 5-pound mark.
Kingfish Nick stopped by to show off a stringer of tasty kingfish that he caught during a morning outing at a local beach. He also reported that some small blues were mixed in with kingys.
Moran’s Dockside Bait and Tackle will be open for bait and tackle, coffee and breakfast sandwiches, but sorry, there are no more hoagies for 2025. C.J. will be around and willing to help you out with your food and fishing needs.
Mike, from Sea Isle Bait and Tackle, reported that Captain Joe Cunningham was able to put a recent charter onto a nice cobia. Reports of other catches of cobia were also mentioned. Other highlights went to Rick, who stopped in with four sheepshead, including the largest at 22.5 inches and 7.43 pounds; Chris, who was catching small bluefish from the surf; Everett, who landed his first flounder, a 21-inch keeper, and Pearl L., who caught a 24.5-inch, 5.33-pound fluke at the T.I. Reef.
Two other catches to report went to Dave Z., who caught a nice 4+-pound flounder off of his dock, and to Art, who did well on a recent back-bay trip, with his largest fluke measuring 24 inches.
The Sailor’s Delight is busy in its familiar haunts in the back bays. They are pulling flounder, with recent keepers to 22.25 inches, plus kingfish, croakers and bluefish. One angler even pulled in an unusual catch that ended up being a discarded, or lost, anchor. That probably felt like dragging in a big skate, just without any fight.
A highlight of one outing during the week was a battle between regular customers, Big Mike and Leo. They were catching fish for fish and ended up with 18 summer flounder and three sharks between them during a four-hour trip. Gulp, Bay Treats, spearing and squid were all used during the trip.
The Atlantic Adventure is sailing from Cape May, with recent trips catching fluke, croakers, sea bass, bluefish and mahi.
Captain Adam also offers dive trips with Atlantic Divers. Those trips are providing good dives on local wrecks, plus some nice fish for dinner, such as blackfish and flounder, for some skilled divers.
Captain Chuck reported that the anglers on the Sea Star III are again catching some very nice fluke. Sea bass, croakers, bluefish and triggerfish are also clearing the rail. Some limits of fluke were also caught. The action was slow early in the week but then became steady through the rest of the week.
Fluke ruled as all pool winners won with that species. The daily winners, and weights, were Joe Venezia (4.25 pounds), Heather Ryan (4.35), Jim Hornbach (4.8), Kirsten Johansen (4.85), Frank Servocky (5.5) and Barbara Moynihan with the giant of the week, a 7.25-pounder.
The Sea Star III sails daily at 9 a.m. and returns to the dock at 3 p.m. Captain Chuck is looking to sail into December, when blackfish will be the main target.
The Miss Chris, with Captain Mike, has been enjoying fishing that is returning to pre-storm levels. Their patrons are having fun catching fluke, sea bass and triggerfish. The Miss Chris will continue to target these summer favorites, plus others, as the summer flounder season runs through Sept. 25.
Captain Skip, at Stalker Fishing Charters, Cape May, is booking trips for backwater striper fishing. He reports that the back waters are filled with peanut bunker and feels that fishing will be really good this fall.
Captain Bob, at Full Ahead Sport Fishing, reported that the current bite is among the best he has ever seen. Big fish, such as Sam’s 8-pounder and Dave’s 7-pounder, led the highlights, which included quick boat limits on other recent trips.
The word from Cape May Bait and Tackle is that anglers fishing along the beaches have been catching small weakfish, croakers and kingfish as well as small bluefish and a few pompano. Bloodworms and Fishbites have been good baits to use.
The local jetties have been a good place to catch sheepshead. The baits of choice are sand fleas and fiddler crabs.
The Cape May and Wildwood reefs are giving up fluke, triggerfish and sea bass. Mackerel strips, gulp and squid are fluke favorites, while clam and squid are favored by the sea bass and triggers. A few reports of cobia being caught were heard, with the Cape May Reef and Five Fathom Bank being mentioned.
Crabbing remains good in the back bays of Wildwood, as well as the harbor areas, as keeper-size blue claws are being caught.
Hands Too Bait and Tackle reported that the increased presence of sheepshead continued as an angler named Bobby landed his first catch of the species. Congratulations, Bobby.
Thanks to readers Marcus Dean for submitting a picture and report of his nice flounder caught before the storm, and to Tom McCrosson, who sent in a report and picture of Rick Czyzewski, who caught two keeper fluke using live bunker while fishing at the Wildwood Reef.
It’s nice to see that fishing at the local reefs, as well as the back bays, has returned to what we had before Erin. It took a few days for the swells to drop off, but when they did the fish started biting. Hopefully, things stay good and we finish the summer flounder season strong. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
