Happy Fourth of July. Celebrate America! Go fishing. It’s all systems go on the water.
Captain Dan Schafer, Insomniac Charters, has been hitting it up on all fronts. His first destination, an 8 inch shallow crystal clear flat that’s just beginning to flood, delivered double hook ups as bass surrounded the flats skiff. At the turn of the tide he found one of the most phenomenal schools of the year thus far. Dan says, “Summer fishery has arrived in the flats and creeks, with fish located in high definition in the deep swings. The backwater has it all now and it’s going to be an incredible next couple of months.”
Sterling Harbor reports flounder fishing getting better each week with hot spots at Reef Site 11, Cape May Reef, and the Old Grounds. Nice sea bass were also caught at Reef Site 11, the Old Grounds and the Cape May Reef. Back bay fluke fishing remains good however with dirty water from all the rain, you have to work a little harder for the bigger fish. Schoolie stripers are in the back bays. Try top water plugs such as Zara Spooks. Weakfish continue to be around the North
Wildwood and Cape May jetties. Kingfish and croakers are starting to show up in the surf along with an occasional flounder.
Offshore, shark fishing remains good and tuna reports from the Canyons were excellent. CMMTC reports The Motivation, Harbor View Marina, released a 750 pound plus blue marlin along with a catch of multiple yellow fin.
Grassy Sound Marina reports minnows are scarce but fishers are catching plenty of flounder on mackerel and squid. Croakers and king fish are being caught in the back bay and off the pier. Pat DeSanto, Audubon, took his first dozen crabs home off the pier. Amy Welsh, Harleysville, Pa. caught 2 keeper flounder and a short striper.
For Captain Ray, Tide Runner, had another great week of fishing for fly and spin anglers with weakfish still providing the bulk of the catches. The bigger weakfish seem to prefer the fly over the jighead. With the warmer water he caught more fluke, some croakers, and a couple of trigger fish. Ray also had more than enough action with an occasional cow nose ray that gave the drags a good work out.
CALENDAR: Cape May Marlin Tuna Club’s Junior Angler Tournament for kids 16 and under, targets fluke, sea bass and blues. Registration and the Captains meeting, July 5, 7 p.m. Fishing hours are Saturday, 8 am-3pm. Weigh in and cookout 4 pm. Contact is fluke@marlinandtuna.com
Sterling Harbor Marina Duke of Fluke Tournament, July 13, www.sterlingharbor.com
Ocean City Fishing Club, first Open Houses, July 7, 3-5 p.m., commemorating its 100th anniversary. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Ocean City Community Food Cupboard.
Information about the Ocean City Fishing Club at www.oceancityfishingclub.com
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com. Let’s go fishing!
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
