Hot, humid weather welcomed those who got out early in the week. Friday and Saturday, while still hot and humid, produced calm, still weather for the first time in a while. With that, though, came the gnats and other pesky insects that swarm on anglers when calm conditions allow. Some bug spray should help against them. Lots of the regular late spring fish that you expect to be around were caught, so all is good with that.
Captain Ray and the Tide Runner Charters got into the stripers this past week. They were catching schoolies “to around 26 inches,” while also picking up “some decent bluefish for both fly and spin anglers.” The back bays and the ocean both contributed to the action, with no real hots spots being determined. That’s not actually bad because no matter where you go, you have an opportunity, and that’s all you can ask for. Ray also reports weakfish being around, but you’ll need to “put in your time if you want to catch one.”
The report from the Sea Star III mentions that sea bass are still being caught, while fluke have started to show up in better quality and quantity in the ocean. Drum fishing “is still hot,” but Captain Chuck stated that they will be fishing for them for “only” two more weeks. The exact date of the last trip will be Saturday, June 16. Call ahead and reserve your seat so you don’t miss out.
Recent drum fish pool winners were Max Collins with a 37 pounder, Gary Agness and his 70 pounder, and finally Tony Caputo who won with a 72-pound fish. Kevin Jordan won a sea bass pool with a two-pound fish. Two flounder also won, as Chris Gardner had a 2.25 pounder and Gary Agness won with a 3.10-pound flattie.
Jim’s Bait and Tackle held its annual Shark Tournament during the first weekend of June. 31 boats competed, and many blue sharks, threshers, tigers, browns, makos and even a couple hammerheads were caught. All were released except four. A 261-pound mako won first place for “Miller Time.” “Fishin’ Technician” took second with a 226-pound mako, and third went to the crew of the “Team Player” with a 324-pound thresher. Matt at Jim’s explained that makos take precedence over other sharks, even if they are heavier. A bonus was the presence of bluefin tuna in “several areas along the 30 line and out to the canyons.” A few anglers trolled a few up for dinner. Jim’s would like to thank all who participated and make the outing a success.
Some striped bass action continues in the surf at Poverty Beach. Steve Parness caught a 33 pounder on bunker chunks while fishing that area. The North Cape May beach still has action, as does the North Wildwood beach where George Harris caught a 28 pounder.
Sea bass fishing “turned on again this week” at the 20 Fathom wrecks. Some charter boats “reported limits by mid-morning.”
The drum fish bite is still good, but obtaining bait is the issue as the clam boats don’t have “enough orders to go fishing so they’ll be in short supply.”
Libation Charters recently had the honor of participating in Operation Tight Lines. This is a program that hosted 45 anglers from the Wounded Warriors program for a shark fishing event. The crew was happy for the opportunity “to show our appreciation for those who have given so much for our freedom.” Their “two heroes” caught and released four browns, then bested a 281-pound thresher. They won the Largest Shark category as well as the Most Released category.
The members from Libation Charters wanted to thank the Roohan’s for hosting the event for the last five years. They described it as a “special weekend, so well executed and such as great cause.”
Cathy at Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle reports that the summer flounder are “holding” in the back bays. George Danley stopped in with his offering – a five-pound, 11-ounce specimen. Also, in the back, and the jetties as well, are weakfish. Captain Dan Guss weighed a four-pound, 11-ounce fish. Bloodworms “were the bait of choice” for the weakfish.
The Delaware Bay surf is still giving up stripers on lures or bait. Bass can also be caught from the Cape May and North Wildwood beachfront by using clam as bait.
Drum fishing “remains excellent on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Bay.” Nice fish are still being caught.
Crabby Jack gives crabbing only two claws this week as the action “was on the slow side this past week.”
The Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing boat has been cruising the waters behind the Wildwoods and experiencing a steady catch of keeper flounders. Some anglers were exiting with multiple keepers for their efforts. Tuesday saw another angler getting two keepers for his efforts. Quality catches were being made and the patrons had smiling faces in the pictures I saw, so everyone was happy.
Call about the Father’s Day special. The crew is running two evening “happy hour” back bay trips on Father’s Day weekend. They’ll run from 5 to 8 p.m. and target fluke, weakfish and bluefish. Rod, bait and tackle is included. Call (609) 827-8309 for cost and other information.
The Avalon Lady has been getting out to the back waters lately and finding flounder. Anglers had two trips with five keepers and another with four. Short trips to the hot fishing areas and multiple keepers when they get there make for good trips.
A mid-week trip reported that “fishing is great” and accumulated “seven nice keepers and lost another four keepers.” The anglers had “action all around the boat” as “everybody caught fish today.”
Boulevard Bait and Tackle continues to weigh in some very nice striped bass. In addition to the 52-inch, 50.8-pound striper caught last week by Kevin McShea, and previously reported, other nice fish were caught this week by George (43 inches, 26.6 pounds), Jack (45 inches, 30.2 pounds), Sal (48 inches), Mike and his two keepers (one over and one under) plus a keeper flounder, and Mike Young with a 52-inch personal best striper. Other nice catches to note were a 5.33-pound flounder and a 17-pound drum fish caught by Mike (a third one) “from the surf” on Saturday morning.
First Fish Adventures of Sea Isle City was out doing some flounder fishing. Zach Liebs and friend Duc Lam from Texas were in the area and able to get two keeper flounders. The report said it was “a little different from cat-fishing back home.” Captain Zig got out with friend Dan Fenimore “for some mid-day fun” and then proceeded to get three keepers.
Notice: American Legion Post #331 will be holding their Annual fishing Tournament this Saturday on June 16. The Anglers Meeting will take place on June 15 at 6 p.m. while the Awards Meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday after the tournament finishes. Food will be provided at Friday’s meeting as part of the registration fee, and also on Saturday where complimentary food and beverages will be available till 6 p.m. For information on participating, go to www.stephenludlampost331.org. Use the “Full Site” icon at the bottom of the page, then the Tournament link is at the bottom center. You can also contact Dick Herb at (609) 602-0047 or Spence Jones at (609) 780-2168. Registration forms can be obtained at businesses listed on the website or right through the website.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
