The recent cool mornings we’ve experienced have had a definite fall feel. We’re not there yet, but it won’t be too long before fall fishing arrives. Don’t rush it though, since we can still fish for fluke, sea bass (still only one, but soon 10), and triggerfish. Use the final eight days to your advantage by getting in a few more trips to the local reefs. Also, flounder are still being caught in the back, which is a benefit for many. Let’s see what’s been going on recently.
Captain Andrew, at Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing, reported that pre-autumn fishing for flounder is in full swing. Lots of short fish, plus some nice keepers, are being pulled from the back bays. It doesn’t matter whether it was a sunny Friday or Saturday or a rainy Sunday, or any day for that matter, the action has been good.
The Sailor’s Delight fleet will fish for flounder till season’s end, then will have Chunk and Chum trips for bluefish. Get ready for a nice fight if a feisty bluefish grabs your bait.
The Atlantic Adventure, led by Captain Adam, has been putting his patrons on fluke and triggerfish during their recent trips. He will sail these trips whenever the weather cooperates till flounder season ends. Captain Adam sells his trips out at 12 anglers, which allows for plenty of space to drop your line.
A recent trip saw plenty of throwback sea bass caught (they’re out of season till Oct. 1). Brandon Overstreet caught a nice stringer of triggerfish while others caught keeper fluke.
Captain Chuck, on the Sea Star III, spent a good portion of the past week fishing in the Delaware Bay. The high winds, and corresponding seas, led to this development. The bay trips produced weakfish, croakers and kingfish, while the lone ocean trip of the week saw some nice flounder caught.
Pool winners from the trips to the bay were Taryn Smith with a 2-pound weakfish, Ken Robinson with a 1.1-pound kingfish and Frank Servocky with a 1.25-pound kingfish. The ocean trip had Biff Pein win that day’s pool with a 5-pound fluke. Gary Agness caught two nice keeper fluke on that same trip. The reefs have some nice fluke as was shown, but the wind needs to cooperate so the anglers can get to them.
The Miss Chris, with Captain Mike, is fishing for our local summer species through the close of fluke season. Once October hits, he will sail for sea bass. Eight-hour trips are available and can be scheduled through the links on their Facebook page.
Captain Skip, at Stalker Fishing Charters, Cape May, has done a couple of morning scouting trips recently. He was checking out the striped bass bite, which he reports as “really good.” The stripers were pounding the mullet and peanut bunker in the back, which makes for an exciting time for fishing. Captain Skip sees the good bite continuing through November. Call him at 609-972-5218 to set up a trip.
The report from Cape May Bait and Tackle mentions that surfcasters are catching fluke, on minnows, spearing or gulp-tipped bucktails. Kingfish and croakers favor bloodworms or Fishbaits. You may also pick up some small bluefish that are chasing mullet.
The reefs are giving up fluke that have liked squid and mackerel strips. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are also around the reefs as well as at the Five Fathom Bank, where trolling Clarkspoons works. Farther out, at the Hudson Canyon, anglers have done well with yellowfin and big eye tuna.
Early-morning anglers may want to check the beachfronts and inlets for bluefish. Some stripers may be mixed in with them. Also, within the next few weeks, mullet and peanut bunker should be moving through our area. Throwing a Hopkins or small poppers is an excellent way to catch bluefish or stripers that are chasing the live bait.
The Miss Avalon continues to fish the reefs whenever they can get a break in the windy weather. They are targeting fluke and triggerfish and will sail as often as possible till fluke season ends.
Trips for sea bass will be taking place when their season opens on Oct. 1. Reservations for these trips, many being 10 hours, are strongly suggested.
The Starfish is sailing, like most local boats, when the wind allows. When they can get out they have been catching fluke and triggerfish. They’ll fish for these through the end of flounder season, then prepare for the upcoming sea bass season.
The organization Hook, Line, and Warriors has some events coming up. This organization takes veterans fishing to promote better social, emotional and mental health.
These outings include a five-hour Fun Trip aboard the Starfish on Sept. 28, an eight-hour sea bass trip, followed by a fish fry after the trip at the Sea Isle City VFW, where a $10 fee for a local food bank is requested, an Oct. 11 eight-hour sea bass trip aboard the Atlantic Adventure, and finally an eight-hour trip for blackfish aboard the Starfish. For this trip they are asking for a $10 donation to the Dennis Township Secret Santa program.
To sign up for any of these events please call or text 609-425-6091.
The Ocean City Fishing Club will hold its 56th annual Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 20. The first session will start at 7 a.m. and run till 9:30. You will have 30 minutes to relocate to the next fishing station. That session will run from 10 a.m. till 12:30. Following that, a free lunch will be offered at the intermediate school.
Teams of six or adult individuals may enter. Boys and girls under 16 may fish for free. The city is providing one-day, free beach access for those with four-wheel-drive vehicles. The tournament will cover beaches south of 23rd Street. For those without vehicles, an easy access fixed location will be assigned. Those anglers can fish in the first, second or both sessions.
You can register online using the website oceancityfishingclub.com. Registration fees should be made payable to Ocean City Fishing Club and mailed to OCFC Tournament Chair, PO Box 1215, Ocean City, N.J. 08226. Fees are $70 for a six-member team or $15 for adult individuals.
All participants, and those registering on the tournament day, must report to the O.C. Intermediate School on Sept. 20 from 5:30 a.m. till 7 a.m. to get their information packets, which provide assigned fishing locations.
The summer flounder season is rapidly dwindling to a precious handful of days. Let’s hope the end has good weather so everyone can get in a few final trips, then, after a short break, roll into sea bass season on a high note. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
