The Fishing Line June 14

It seems “Shark Week” started this week. Not the television show, nor the big Great White named Mary Lee who was recently off our coast. I’m talking about a recent tournament, and the amount of shark catches that have suddenly popped up. There was one that was bigger than the rest, plus some nice flounder catches, some weakfish and some stripers, so let’s get going. 
A special highlight starts us off. 10-year-old Paige Franklin who was fishing in Cape May last weekend caught the first striper of her fishing career. The fish was 42 inches long, 22 pounds and was caught on bunker. Nice job on your first striper, Paige. Thanks to her dad for sending in the news of the catch.
The big shark of the week went to the crew of the Mushin who weighed in a 537-pound mako. It was weighed in Cape May at the Canyon Club, and caught “inside 100 fathoms.” It looks like some nice-sized sharks are arriving just as more tournaments get ready to kick off.
Captain Ken from Irish Fly Charters had a good Saturday morning. His charter started in the back hitting the sod banks and scored four striped bass ranging from 20-24 inches, and two bluefish in the 20-inch class. As the tide dropped, they moved to the rocks and brought in 13 weakfish. Six were caught on light tackle, while the others were caught on a fly rod. Two keepers were 20 inches, and the rest were in the 15- to 17-inch range.
Captain Ray from Tide Runner Charters, another fly-and-light-tackle fisherman, reported a “great week” with “decent “sized bluefish and stripers in “good numbers” from the back bay. When they moved to the ocean they picked up small weakfish, plus some fluke. Rubber chartreuse baits and gulp on jig heads were the hot offering.
Matt from Jim’s Bait and Tackle reports that the drum bite in the bay continues to be “very good.” The deeper water along the edges at Tussy’s Slough is producing, but there are “still a few” coming in from the Bayshore Channel.
Sea bass have been good on the wrecks in the 120-foot depth range. The local charter boats are reporting limits on the inshore reefs, but you’ll need to “weed” through some smaller fish.
Stripers are still being caught from the local beaches. A 48.8 pounder was caught by Joe Paparo while fishing from Poverty Beach.
Bluefin tuna in the 40- to 55-inch range have been caught in the Baltimore Canyon, while smaller fish were trolled up at the 28 Mile Wreck.
First place in Jim’s Shark Tournament went to the “Ni Cara” with a 240-pound thresher shark. Second place went to the “Whiskey Girl” with a 184 pounder. A few makos plus “a ton” of blue sharks were caught and released. The staff wants to thank all who participated.
The Fishin’ Fever had a good drum fish trip on Saturday as Ron McClelland and friends went eight for eight. The fish are still around, and Captain Tom has a few openings, so give him a call quickly as he will be changing the fish he is targeting. 
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle weighed in an 85-pound mako for the crew of the Miss Joy. Not quite as big, plus a different species, but just as respectable was the 6.6-pound weakfish caught by Jim Sharpley.  
Cathy from Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle sends word of “excellent” fishing “along the South Jersey Coast.” The back water has nice flounder and small stripers, with plenty of nice-sized blues still “cruising” around. When leaving the back, try near any rock piles for weakfish with pink zooms or bloodworms.
Blue sharks, makos and thresher sharks are arriving offshore, just in time for the local shark tournaments. A 293-pound thresher shark was caught by Thomas Dalfonso and crew from his boat, “Reel Trouble.”
Tilefish were caught by those who ran to the edge of the Canyons. The “Tuna Can,” owned by Bill Stewart, caught 23 tilefish from the edge of the Wilmington Canyon.
Crabby Jack reports a rating of 3.5 claws, with some smaller crabs mixed in with some “nice heavy keepers.”
The Sea Star III, with Captain Chuck checking in, reports a “busy week.” Sea bass, flounder and drum fish ruled the catches and the pool winners. Frank Servocky won three pools, with a 66-pound drum, plus two others with sea bass. Frank Anaya won another with a 46-pound drum. Jerry Levin won the first pool with a flounder entry for this season. Trips sail daily at 9 a.m.
The Sailor’s Delight was picking up flounder over the weekend as it cruised the backwaters of the Wildwoods. Like most others in the back, anglers caught some nice keeper flounder, plus some bluefish and sharks despite the heavy boat traffic.
The Royal Flush is now leaving the dock twice a day, with trips from 8 a.m. till noon then from 1 till 5 p.m. They are pursuing sea bass, weakfish, snapper blues and kingfish. I sure they will also accept any flounder that wish to bite, with legal size being best. Some notable catches belong to Dominique Dorris and her bluefish, Tony Hurtado and Jackson West with weakfish, and Mary Morris and her sea bass.
The Avalon Lady had a busy stretch through the weekend. Her patrons caught a nice mix of keeper fluke and blue fish. They also caught a healthy amount of throwbacks which provided more action.  
Boulevard Bait and Tackle was busy over the last week. Two big flounder, a 25.5-inch, 6 pounder for Jim Elberson, and a 27-inch, 7.36 pounder for Jason, were weighed in. A big thresher shark was caught by Greg Frank and Michael Deluca. Clay sent in pictures to the store of two keeper flounder and a nice weakfish he caught in the back, while the Inlet gave up a flounder and a big stringer of bluefish to Tracy and Andy.
Congratulations to Harry Cowan and crew for winning the recent Middle Township Drum Fish Tournament. Second place went to Charles Armstrong and his crew, third went to Jason McFarland and Kevin Gregory, and fourth went to Matthew Cox.
On July 7, the Exchange Club of Ocean City will hold its 31st Annual Boat Only Fishing Tournament, commonly known as the Great Egg 1000. The tournament benefits the Tabernacle’s Son Club, an after-school program in Ocean City, and the Lawrence McClellan Scholarship Fund which helps young men and women further their education and skills. To register or for more information, go to www.ocxc.org and scroll down to “Events,” or contact Jon Batastini, Tournament Chairman, at (609) 399-0035.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.