The Fishing Line Aug. 15

Well, another windy week with threats of scattered storms, and an early damper on the fishing that rebounded by the end of the week. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, that’s been the recent pattern. The offshore scene has felt it the most, but everyone has felt it at least a little as even the local back bay pontoon boats cancelled recent trips due to predicted storms. Regardless, local anglers picked their spots and put fish on the deck. Let’s check out their efforts.
Cathy from Sterling Harbor says that anglers are getting back on track after the passing of the “snotty weather.” Keeper flounder are still in the back and occasionally being caught, even though more shorts are being taken. Focus your effort closer to the inlets as flounder head to the ocean. While in the back, you may be able to catch some of the small stripers that are around. Try clam or a top-water lure.
If you can get a good drift, you can get flounder and sea bass at the local reefs. Favorable conditions for a good drift are necessary, but the wind conditions have made it tough to get out in the first place.
The previously mentioned “snotty weather” made it tough to venture offshore. Prior to the blow, the chunking action in the Massey Canyon area was described as “good.”
The Cape May surf scene was ruled by kingfish, but the evenings belonged to those who went shark fishing. Bunker and mackerel were their baits of choice.
Crabby Jack said that crabbing was “a solid four claws” with crabs that are large and plentiful.
The “Dog Days of Summer Kayak Sale” is underway through Aug. 16. Stop in and check out the “huge savings” on stock kayaks.
The Sailor’s Delight was back at it after losing Friday afternoon to storms that never materialized. They resumed by putting keepers in the coolers on their three daily trips. One of their patrons electrified the action by adding another species to their list of caught fish. This one was an Atlantic Stargazer. These fish have the ability to generate an electric charge. The crew described the first few days after the windy period as “slow and steady, but good back water fishing.”
The Royal Flush is hitting the ocean during their three daily trips. They’re targeting kingfish, weakfish, triggerfish, bluefish and even some “stray” croakers.
Notable catches went to Brendan Fenton with a nice sea bass, Michael Strohl and Ed Bates with two triggerfish, Myra Holmes with a nice weakfish, Bonnie Lesser with a snapper bluefish and Jim Mansor with a “bucket full” of kingfish.
Grassy Sound Marina reported some nice crabs from the pier for Owen Moore, while the Stewart family from Rochester, N.Y. pulled in a keeper flounder from the pier while using minnows at the top of the incoming tide.     
The Sea Star III spent their week split between the ocean and the bay due to the “tough” weather conditions. Pool winners were controlled by flounder as the winners with their weights were: Earl Derrickson (2.0), Vincent Marinaro (2.0), Bob Carr (2.25), Chris Iannucci (3.5) and Blane Womble (4.75). Other pools were won by Bert Auburn won with a two-pound weakfish and Jim Radie won with a one-pound sea bass.
Matt from Jim’s Bait and Tackle started his report saying “the best news is the wind let up enough to go fishing.” He was commenting on the fact that anglers wanting to catch tuna were able to get out for the first time in a week “and the fishing was good.” Bluefin and yellowfin were caught to the south at Massey’s Canyon, and also at the Hot Dog and Hambone areas on both the troll and the chunk. Trolling at Lemke’s and the Lobster Claw led to bluefin being caught.
Wahoo “are starting to show up inshore.” A 48 pounder was caught by Marty Hannigan “just outside the East Lump.”
Jim’s served as the weigh station for the Jersey Coast Anglers Association Fluke Tournament Saturday. Conditions led to tough fishing, but they “did weigh in a few nice fish.” Roy Trainor had the heaviest fish, a 6.92 pounder. Second place went to Tony Mosloskie with a 6.62-pound fish, and third was claimed by Dan DeChurch with a 3.62 pounder. Dan’s fish was caught about 30 yards from the dock.
The Cape May Reef surrendered a 10.63-pound fish to Tom Sebastian. The Old Grounds and Delaware Reef Site 11 also had some action. Keeper sea bass are also “on the reefs.”
A few cobia were spotted around the buoys and under schools of bunker, but no takers were made mention of.
Fluke and kingfish are at Cape May Point and along the beachfront. The best fluke set-up was a bucktail with a strip of cut bait or a live minnow on it.
Catch and release shark-fishing “has been very good on the beaches out front” as well as “on the bayside.”
The Atlantis continues to bring in sea bass, kingfish and bluefish. They are sailing the 125 foot “Beast of the East” at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. A couple recent highlights went to twins Lorenzo and Belo Fortunato who caught a kingfish and bluefish respectively, and Robert Lewis who landed a “nice” kingfish. Recently on a trip they snapped some pictures of a hammerhead shark that was swimming at the surface. Like they said, “You never know what will swim by on a fishing trip.”
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle has a new leader on their “leaderboard” for the flounder category. John Green now claims first place after weighing in a personal best fish of 7.74 pounds. Other notable catches went to Gary Miller with a 50.05-pound yellowfin tuna, Team Overkill with two “50-pound class” bluefin tuna and Roy Trainor with a 6.14-pound flounder.
The Cape May Lady has been catching kingfish, sea bass, triggerfish, croakers and flounder. A recent catch of note was a 7.49-pound flounder. A mid-week trip loaded up on croakers which were described as “here in force.” The fishing can be called a mixed bag, but that’s not a bad thing.   
The Avalon Lady had an enjoyable trip with members of the Dolphins swim club. They had four keepers and “plenty of throwbacks.” They also had some excitement as one member caught a “huge ray.” They posted a video of the ray as it swam around and then was joined by another ray who swam close by. Another highlight occurred as on the following day as they recorded their 110th keeper of the season. Swing on down for an open boat trip or set up your own private outing by calling (609) 967-7455.
The Miss Avalon is bringing in limits of sea bass plus bluefish, kingfish, triggerfish and flounder. They’re sailing twice daily for fishing, plus offering sunset cruises and private fishing and party cruises. Give them a call at the number listed with their sister vessel, the Avalon Lady, and set up an outing.
A picture from Avalon Hodge Podge reported that a wahoo was recently caught at the Cigar by Glen Palmer. The fish was 88 inches long and weighed 81 pounds. It was caught while trolling ballyhoo.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle reported that Cathy and George were recently out on a section of Sea Isle beach and pulled in a kingfish and a bluefish that was described as “more important.” It doesn’t seem that there have been too many of them, so this was a nice surprise. They’re hoping that this marks their arrival in decent numbers.
First Fish Adventures of Sea Isle City with Captain Zig put an angler named Salvatore on a 65.6-pound, 59-inch long cobia. They caught the fish on Thursday and it gave them a heck of a battle.
Mike Cunningham from Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that catch, plus a 10.3-pound, 29.25-inch flounder that was caught Thursday afternoon by an angler identified as Chris P. Thanks for sending the report, and keep following the column. 
A notable catch went to Gus Fellenbaum who caught a nice cobia while on a recent outing with Adam Sneathen. Thanks for sending in the picture and the information.
The Ocean City Fishing Club Open House was held recently. It was deemed a success as “twice as much food” was collected this year as compared to last. The final totals were 453 pounds of food and $678 which will go to the Ocean City Food Cupboard. Members showed the 635-foot pier to the many visitors and some lucky children got to try their luck fishing. Some small sand sharks were caught and examined by the visitors before being released.
Well, as usual, it was a busy week. We had a lot of action, plus a nice assortment of fish caught. Get out, be careful and I’ll see you around.  
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.