Summer is fleeting and you still haven’t gone fishing? Better get in on the action soon. It’s not only the weather that’s heating up.
Captain Ray out of Cape May has been fishing the back bay areas targeting schoolie striped bass on the shallow flats with the incoming water. Popping flies in a variety of colors fished on floating line produced some exciting action for fly anlgers. For the spin anglers popping or swiming plugs worked well. With it being vacation time Ray had three trips with young kids saltwater fishing and catching for the first time. On the days when it was nice enough to fish the ocean, he found mostly under size fluke but some keeper size weakfish that were released.
Flounder fishing is picking up every day with the best action continuing to be at Reef Site 11 and the Old Grounds, says our friends at Sterling Harbor. Back bay fluking remains good with keeper flounder in the 3 to 5 pound class being caught on a regular basis with plenty of shorts in the mix. Joanna McShaffrey of Erma, caught a 24 inch flounder in the Wildwood back bays. Croakers made a showing along the beachfront and in the back bays and bloodworms has been the bait of choice.
Shark fishing remains good between the 20 and 30 Fathom lines with dusky, hammerhead and mako sharks being caught. Offshore fishing was spotty with some reports of yellowfin tuna in the 60 pound range, and a few mahi and white marlin in the Baltimore and Poor Man’s Canyon’s. Entry forms for Sterling Harbor’s 21st Annual Duke of Fluke Tournament on July 12 are available in the shop and online at www.sterlingharbor.com.
Results from the 8th Annual Grassy Sound Marina Flounder Tournament: Boat Division, First Place Heaviest Flounder, Bill Roverano, Philadelphia, 6.5 pounder; second & third place, Ken McDermott, Court House, 5.3 pounds and Chip Gruff, North Wildwood also at 5.3 pounds. Three Heaviest Combined: Randy Peterson, Warrington, Pa.
Women’s Division.: Mary Bohrer, North Wildwood, 3.8 pounds; Children’s Division: Wayne Petersen, Mickelton, 4.2 pounds; and the Daisy Mae Award (11th Heaviest) Mark Zebley & Keith Arenberg.
Fishing Pier Division: First Place, Tim Everett, Philadelphia, 2.8 pounds; second place, Ken Kang, Cape May; third place, Savannah Kang, Cape May. Winner of the Bill Kinsley Award: (First fish of the day) John Shanahan, Philadelphia.
NEWS: Casting for Recovery is seeking women for their [no cost] weekend retreat for breast cancer survivors. The purpose is to relax, heal, and find new strength in a beautiful environment AND learn to FLY FISH. South Jersey retreat is held in Sea Isle City, Sept. 26, 27, 28; deadline is July 18. Email/ Fax/ or Mail application. www.castingforrecovery.org, 888-553-3500, e-mail info@castingforrecovery.org Inquire about Volunteer and Donation opportunities as well.
Fourth of July falling on a Friday meant an earlier deadline for today’s column. We’ll catch up next week.
The Fishing Line runs year round so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures (many which did not make it into the print edition) are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Check out epektales.com for info on Miller’s book, “Counting the Fish in the Sea: the Story of the NEAMAP Trawls.”
North Cape May – Another shout out to Officer Bohn, the school resource officer at LCMR. I admire his hard work and devotion to the students and staff as I see him every morning and afternoon, snow, wind , sleet or…
