Well, the storm blew in, then out almost as quick. Thankfully, I didn’t hear of much damage, but we did lose a few fishing days. Still, anglers got out, so we have stories to tell and pictures to show. Let’s crank the engine and leave the dock.
Cathy at Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle reports good flounder fishing as the water has warmed. Before the wind, limits were being caught at Delaware Reef Site #11 and the Old Grounds. Frank Hennigan had a 6.5-pound fish amongst his limit.
Offshore, the canyons have produced yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi and “an occasional white marlin.”
Inshore, the lumps are holding yellowfin tuna that can be caught while chunking butterfish and sardines, or by jigging Butterfly jigs. Ed DeLaney had a 43 pounder, while Jim Mendocino caught a 42 pounder. Both were caught from the “Grace Kelly” owned by Ron Hirsch.
Kingfish are in the surf, and can also be caught from boats off of Cape May Point. Bloodworms and Fishbites Bag-O-Worms work best. The inlets have some keeper flounder as those fish are moving out to the ocean.
Crabby Jack says crabbing is “excellent” and rates 4-5 claws this week. The “weather is predicted to be beautiful this week” so get out and do some crabbing.
The Royal Flush is running its three regular trips at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Out front with the water temperature picking up, its anglers are enjoying catching kingfish, weakfish and triggerfish. For added fun, seabass, porgies, snapper blues and flounder are “thrown in here and there.”
Notable catches of kingfish went to Maria Amato and Tom Morales while Mario Marchetti and Joey Stofanak tallied triggerfish. Mandy Losatto hooked a snapper blue.
The Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing boat got back out after the wind and rain and found the flounder, as has been its practice. Its anglers were also picking up some sea bass. On Monday they had “a good little flurry” of snapper bluefish. They saw that as an “excellent sign” for the late summer and early fall. That species played a big role for Sailor’s Delight last fall. Hopefully, that “sign” will be repeated again.
Grassy Sound Marina was getting back into the flow as was mostly everyone. Before the storm, Carol Boyle and her husband got out. Well, the report says she out-fished her husband again. The picture also backed that up as it showed she had a nice keeper.
Matt, while holding down the fort at Jim’s Bait and Tackle, mentions “good” fluke fishing at Delaware Reef Site #11 right up till the time of the rising wind. Flat Top in the Delaware Bay is another productive area. Out front off of Cape May there were some short flounder caught, while the Rips have slowed on kingfish.
The 19 Fathom Lump had “a good bit of fish on it” that’s helping to keep the tuna bite up. Massey’s and the Hot Dog had some fish, but were a “little more spotty” than late. Lemke’s Canyon “is still holding bluefin.” The “Libation” caught two bluefin and a dolphin on a recent outing to Lemke’s. The bluefin were in the 50- to 60-pound range.
White marlin are starting to “show up in the canyons.” The “Krazy Salts” crew caught and released five recently that were “hooked up” while in the Wilmington Canyon.
Surf fishing is about the same with weakfish, small fluke, spike weakfish and a few croakers being caught. The Point and Higbee’s Beach are the best areas.
There are sharks being caught from the beach also, but the bigger ones have moved to the deeper waters of the Delaware Bay.
Crabbing, which has “been excellent all season long,” is a nice option for the times “when the winds are blowing.”
The weather caught up with everyone, including Captain Chuck on the Sea Star III, but they still caught sea bass and fluke. Anthony Volz lead the way with a four-pound pool-winning fluke, Jerry Levin had a 3.1 pounder and Debbie Sergeant had a 2.5-pound fluke. Frank Servocky had a limit on sea bass.
Full Ahead Sport Fishing got out Monday after a three-day hiatus. Captain Bob took out a charter from Maryland and was able to track down “some nice yellowfin.” He and the anglers returned with enough tuna so they’ll be “eating tuna for a while.” Their fish were in the 50- to 60-pound range.
Captain Tom on the Fishin’ Fever had a good day after being stuck at the dock “for a few days.” His charter caught nine fluke, including one for Joe Munizza that weighed in at 10.5 pounds.
Caveman Sportfishing reports the “best looking conditions in the southern canyons in years for yellowfin trolling in August.” Before the arrival of the windy weekend, Allison, from South Florida, along with Rich, Bill, Louis, Ron and Bob, got out and were rewarded with a plump yellowfin and a mahi-mahi. A trip a few days earlier provided four fish for four anglers.
Cape Queen Sportfishing had the Jarred Rutherford party out for one of her bay sharking trips. Anglers succeeded by catching and releasing some feisty sharks as all aboard had a good time.
Off the Hook Bait and Tackle had word of a nice, fat, 7.2-pound flounder for Team Determined during a recent outing.
The Avalon Lady has been catching fish before and after the storm. Sea bass, flounder and kingfish are being pulled in from the back waters. One of the kingfish weighed in at 1.26 pounds and was the biggest they have seen this summer.
The Miss Avalon is back out sailing the ocean after the storm. She is bringing in triggerfish “in good numbers,” as well as some nice keeper fluke. Some seabass have also come over the rail, which only adds to the daily catch.
Avalon Hodge Podge checks in as Tammie reports that keeper flounder are still being taken. Brandon Schmale caught a 20-inch flounder on minnows, which are the hot bait. Weakfish can be taken also. A 24-inch, 4.19 pounder was caught at the 8th Street Jetty. It hit a bucktail tipped with Gulp that was thrown by Mark Barimani.
Heading out to the offshore waters, particularly around 2FB, will give you a chance at Bonita and large bluefish. Trolling with small Gotcha Trolls or small feathers is the best ticket. Clark spoons are also producing.
If you want a chance to catch a dusky shark, grab some mackerel and head to Shooties Shoal where 40- to 50-pound specimens have been caught.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle has a new name at the top of its yearly tournament board. Alex was out at the local reef, and was able to land a 27-inch, 7.73-pound flounder. On a previous trip to the same location, Alex, along with Bruce and Pat, caught seven keeper fluke and two sea bass. As mentioned in the report, it “looks like the storm turned the reef on.” Prior to the arrival of the storm, P.J. caught two keeper flounder in the back. Fish out back and fish out front. That’s a good situation to be in.
Thank you to the Boyle family for sharing the information on their get-together. 70 family members spent July 22 catching 200 crabs behind North Wildwood. It sounds like they ate well that night.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
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