The cost of gas may be affecting how often fishers get out, but from all reports, the fish are waiting for you.
Captain Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May, found good fly and light tackle action with stripers and bluefish in the early evening and after dark in the back bays. The best action has been in the shallow warmer areas furthest from the inlet and intercoastal waterway.
Fly anglers using popping flies and floating line are enjoying great top water action. He suggests colored flies pre-sunset and all black after dark. For spin anglers smack-it-jr popping plugs have been taking their share of fish too.
Captains Diana and John Sowerby, Hooked Up II, South Jersey Marina, had a phenomenal week fishing for bluefin tuna and caught dozens over 100 pounds. The fishfinder was often lit up with big red blobs showing the bluefin coming through. Jigging was the way to go.
Others in the charter fleet at South Jersey Marina continued to have success with the large pod of bluefish located just off the inlet near Cape May Reef. Top Shelf, Cape Queen and Common Sense were among those that had full loads of fish during this week.
The good news from Somers Point is that Captain Brook Koeneke reported fantastic action with summer flounder during drifts in Ship Channel and Rainbow Thorofare. The bad news: few keepers and anglers’ finding their terminal tackle clotted with a strange, filament-like grass on some outgoing tides.
Some keepers did come across the rails. Gene Curry, of Philadelphia, had a 20-inch fluke; Larry Friedel, Seventh Street Surf Shop Ocean City, landed a 23-inch flattie; and Pat Hansen, Punta Gorda, Fla, went home with a 2.8-pounder.
“We’re experiencing more trips without keepers,” Captain Koeneke said. “But the action has been non-stop when the tide and the wind cooperate. Virtually everyone has been catching fish.”
Fishing for a Cure, Jersey Shore Classic, Avalon Pointe Marina, official tournament of RFA, captains’ meeting, July 24, fishing July 25 and 26, Victory Party July 26, 967-4100.
Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club annual overnight tournament, Aug. 10-16, $700 includes dinner for five at Ocean City Yacht Club with an open bar. This is a captain’s choice tournament which means that a participating boat picks which two days to fish and will fish from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. the following day. Awards banquet on the 16th following the last day of fishing at the Harbor House and is open to all family and friends. Boats can leave from Beach Haven to Cape May and must weigh fish in at Sundays Harbor, Third Street, Ocean City. Call Brian Logue 827-0820 or Jack Davidson 856-982-5250.
Last week’s Duke of Fluke Tournament at Sterling Harbor Marina saw 130 boats entered and 14 kayaks.
Single Heaviest Fluke: 6.6 pounds (4 way tie), Liquid Asset–George Danley, Obsession–Mike Reed, Big Bully II–Greg Bulifant, Freaky One–Ed Adams.
Five Heaviest Fluke: First Place–31.6 pounds, Capt. Archie Faulkner–High Wire; second place–29.4 pounds, Capt. Jim Lai–Ridge Runner; third place–24.2 pounds, Capt. Dan Avena Jr.–Gold Rush.
Duchess Award: Colleen McGee, 6.2 pounds aboard Michael Bascome’s Size Matters.
Junior Angler: Quinn Overcash, 5.0 pounds aboard Tim Krause’s Paranoid.
Kayak Division: Justin Fesler – 2.2 pounds–Hobie Mirage Outback.
Heaviest Bluefish: 8.4 pounds–Capt. Ed Rust–Captain Flatty.
Heaviest Sea Bass: 2.6 pounds–two way tie, Don Friel aboard Alan Ritter’s Little Devil and Jeffrey Katz–Empty Cooler.
For all the pictures sent in, check out www.SeeMyBigFish.com and be sure to send your fish stories and pictures to Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com.
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