The Fishing Line: Flounder, no; Fish, yes

It is called the shoulder season, these beautiful days of September that somehow seem more peaceful but local towns have their weekends jammed full of special events to lure back the tourists. Folks will continue to fish.
Less hectic, yes; less fishing, no. September is a great time to fish and tournaments are on the calendar.
Captain Ray had a little tougher time fishing with lower than normal high tides during day break and sunset but he was still able to put together catches of stripers and bluefish along with some Spanish mackerel. Most of the stripers are the small resident schoolies but there are some nicer fish around.
One evening one plug angler caught and released a keeper bass and lost another keeper before they could net it. He was using a Rapala Ex-rap swimming plug. His young grandson was onboard and was the official fish releaser. Not only did he enjoy catching fish at night, but he liked the releasing part too, where he could watch the fish swim away.
Ray says the back bay flats have both stripers and bluefish that whack steroid rattling gurglers flies and smack-it-jr popping plugs as they popped along the surface.
Remember that the flounder season is closed now but according to Sterling Harbor, croakers are starting to show around Cape May Point and schoolie stripers are being caught in the back bays along docks, bridges and sod banks with top water plugs like Smack-Its or on clam bait.
In the surf, snapper blues and and kingfish are being caught in North Wildwood.
There is an excellent white marlin bite out at the Canyons with some dolphin in the mix.
Even without the fluke, there are plenty of reasons to fish. Most party and charters are still taking customers out although some may have changed their schedules. Be sure to check.
The Royal Flush is now sailing two trips a day, 8-noon and 1-5 pm and night trips Thursday-Sunday. Captain John says they are catching seabass, snapper blues, croakers, and triggers.
Mark your calendar for the 18th Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament scheduled for Oct. 4 at Island Beach State Park, rain or shine. Pre-registrations must be postmarked by Sept. 14 and adults save $5 by registering by the deadline. Those who pre-register are also eligible for special prizes offered on the day of the tournament.
The pre-registration fee is $10 for ages 18 and up and $15 on Tournament day; $5 for ages 13-17, free for under 12. You can register the day of the Tournament beginning at 5 a.m. Download a form at http://njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm.
This weekend, Sept. 11-13, there is a Surf Fishing Tournament, Third Avenue to Hereford Inlet, North Wildwood; register at the Gazebo, Third and JFK avenues, adult and youth divisions, prizes, Friday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 6 a.m.-noon, $10, 522-2955.
All photos submitted appear online at SeeMyBigFish.com. Be sure to send your fish stories to cmiller@cmcherald.com. This column appears first online at capemaycountyherald.com