Good fishing, especially with fluke, was reported this week. That’s good because fluke were the topic of the recent New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council meeting, which took place on Thursday, July 13.
New Jersey had been ruled out of compliance with the regulations adapted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. This was because of the 18-inch size limit the state instituted. The Delaware Bay has a 17-inch minimum. What may happen is anyone’s guess, so it could be good, or not.
Quick update: NOAA affirmed New Jersey’s current-season summer flounder length and bag limits. This means that all rules adopted by the state earlier this year will remain in effect through early September.
A sad note to pass on is that of the passing of Vince Talarico who many may know from his days at Just Sports in Court House, and more recently from his work at Sea Gear in the Cape May. Vince was a friendly, knowledgeable guy who was always willing to give you the assistance you requested. Rest peacefully, Vince.
The Sea Star III is getting “some nice fluke” on most of its trips according to Captain Chuck. He wishes the season was longer, but the anglers are giving it their best. A couple bigger pool fluke went to Roy Garthwaite with a five pounder and Jaime Stephenson with a 4.25 pounder. Luc Tremblay won another pool with a two-pound sea bass.
Captain Ray at Tide Runner Charters mentions “decent” fishing despite the warmer weather. Weakfish and bluefish catches were less, but stripers continued to hit flies at dawn and dusk. Less light and reduced boat traffic seemed to be the key. Chartreuse and white Clousers, which mimic adult spearing, were a successful fly. The hot area for action was in three to four feet of water during the full moon tides.
Captain Skip of the Stalker has been putting his fares on the tuna. Chunking and jigging have been the key to all the hook-ups they have experienced. The biggest went to Jim Munizza who caught one that went “about 100 pounds.” Many other “smaller model” tuna have come over the rail lately.
The Miss Chris has been doing well on their half-day trips with some nice keepers going in the box. A recent good day was had by Sy Hiller. He caught a limit of keepers, and proudly showed off his three fish. Another young angler showed the nice keeper that represented the fruits of his labor.
Cape Queen Sportfishing has been hitting the local waters on both sides of the Cape, as they featured some trips with results of different sharks weighing up to 200 pounds. They practice catch and release so they can swim another day. One shark that did return to the dock was a 65-pound mako for Al Carbone and his group. They had a change of pace recently as their charter decided to pursue sea bass. They hit some wrecks, and Joe Gallagher’s father who was visiting from Florida won the pool.
Tammie from Avalon Hodge Podge reports a “very productive week for keeper fluke.” The biggest went to Rob Myers with a 25-inch, 5.15 pounder. He used the “BIG” minnows to fool the fluke in the back bay of Avalon. Snapper blues can also be caught in the back.
The surf has kingfish that are hitting bloodworms, plus snapper blues hitting mackerel, metals and plastics. Weakfish can be taken from the 8th Street rocks on bloodworms or pink plastic.
Looking offshore, we find tuna at the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons. Yellowfin are being caught while trolling ballyhoo. Smaller yellowfin are at the Hot Dog and are being taken on the troll.
The Miss Avalon is fishing every day and hearing “fish on” a lot. Flounder, seabass and triggerfish make up most of each day’s haul. She has been cruising the ocean, while her younger sister, the Avalon Lady, patrols the back waters. She too has been catching plenty of fluke, the occasional weakfish and some of the snapper bluefish that are cruising around.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle reports of flounder being caught at the inlet, as well as in the back waters of Sea Isle. Also being caught are sea bass and sea robins. More appealing are the bluefish, weakfish and stripers that are also being represented. Cale, Preston and John had an active trip catching 25 fish, with two keepers to 23 inches, while Tom got a 22.5-inch fluke from the inlet beach area.
The Royal Flush is sailing its daily trips at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. It’s fishing in the ocean and harvesting flounder, weakfish, kingfish, snapper blues, sea bass and triggerfish. Some notable catches of those species went to John Carney and Joanna Huff with flounder, Patrick Daltwas and Kevin Garcia with sea bass, and Ed Moriarity and Kevin Miller with triggerfish.
Check out the Royal Flush’s Facebook page for current information and pictures.
Sailors Delight Back Bay Fishing continues to put its customers on some nice fluke while patrolling the back. Keepers to 22 inches have been caught, and Tuesday had an early morning 20 incher caught. That’s a good quick return with much of the day still to go. According to Captain Andrew’s report, they caught over 150 flounder during that first week of July. He describes the season so far as the “best year my boats seen,” and the “best flounder fishing.” That amount of action is a good thing to hear about.
Sterling Harbor is up next. Cathy starts by saying “flounder fishing was good in the back” and also “at the artificial reefs.” The full moon slowed the early week’s good catches, but should pick back up “right after the full moon.”
Yellowfin, some white marlin and mahi-mahi are “starting to show” at some of the offshore canyons.
The surf contains some kingfish, plus small stripers that are taking clam offerings. The evening surf “is producing” sharks that have topped the eight-foot mark. Browns, dusky, sand tigers and even a hammerhead have been caught on mackerel or bunker. Use circle hooks to help protect the sharks and aid in an easy release.
Crabbing was good, but slow during the full moon, garnering 4.5 claws this week from Crabby Jack.
Grassy Sound Marina had a good weekend and mentioned that Joanne Scott-Santos pulled in a 22-inch flounder from the pier, while Greg Gliwa caught a 19.5 incher. Crabbing in Grassy Sound and from the pier is “hot right now.”
Mike Munizza had a good couple of weeks by catching a five-pound, 13-ounce flounder on June 25, then declared his independence by catching his first ever tuna on July 4 while fishing about the Stalker. His brother, who sent in the information, is listed above for his nice tuna catch, also while fishing aboard the Stalker.
The Ocean City Fishing Club will hold an open house on Thursday, July 20from 6 to 8 p.m. The club will hold a second open house on Aug. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. It is a popular feature of the Family Night on the Boardwalk program. Stop by the 635-foot pier, watch a surf casting demonstration and share in an opportunity to meet club members.
Well, lots of happenings this week. Get out, get involved and let me know how you do.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
