As we drift closer to summer flounder season 2018, you can almost feel the pressure building. Drum fish are around, but not in steady numbers. Stripers are being picked up, but they are mostly schoolies. Even the bluefish haven’t turned on in full force. People are waiting for May 25 and the opportunity to bounce a bucktail for some fat flatties. Actually, some people have been out already catching them. These fish are returned since they can be caught legally when the season opens. Let’s get going and see what we have for your fishing pleasure.
Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing is one of the boats cruising the back waters looking for bluefish, stripers and pre-season flounder. On one of the boat’s trips over the weekend, anglers ended up catching some nice keeper-sized flounder. Yes, they were returned to the water. I’m sure the anglers were thrilled with the fight they had, but they will be even happier when the fight, and catch, is during the legal season. It’s good to see that there is some life out there. Captain Andrew reported water temperatures in the low 60s, which we figure to be up a few more degrees by the time the season opens. Hopefully warmer water means even more action.
Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle is open and is on “Island Time.” They are open seven days a week, and have bait, gifts, gear and kayaks ready to go. Stop in and check things out.
Captain Ray from Tide Runner Charters checked in with word that when the weather and wind allowed, he got out and found “good small striper fly action.” None of these fish were over “the mid-20s” in length, but the “action was pretty heavy.” Captain Ray has been fishing the ocean front so far this spring, but went to the back bay one day due to increased “wave activity.” For this choice, his patron Dave Pollard caught Tide Runners’ first back bay striper this season. It was a “short,” but I’m sure it was happily welcomed before being returned it to the water.
The Sea Star III, with Captain Chuck leading the charge, got into some drum fish during their first “Prime Time” night trip of the season. They are also fishing for drum fish during the day from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m., but that will change soon. The first pool-winner of a night trip went to John Dayton of Cape May Court House with a 25-pound fish. The night-time trips run from 4 till 10 p.m. They are still taking reservations, so don’t forget to call ahead to reserve a spot at (609) 884-3421.
The change I alluded to earlier is that the Sea Star III will switch their daily focus to sea bass on Opening Day, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. At that point they will fish for drum only at night. That sounds like an interesting daily-double for some enterprising anglers. Fish from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m. for two drastically different species, and have a one-hour layover to change your gear and refresh yourself. Sounds interesting. Is anyone up to trying it? There is not a boat-promoted offer, just an interesting possibility that I noticed as I went through the report.
The Fishin’ Fever checked in with results from their Sunday tilefish trip, which was their first of the year. Captain Tom reported catches of 35 fish total, with goldens weighing to 26 pounds and bluelines that topped out at 14 pounds. Tom finished by commenting that the “conditions definitely hampered us,” but the “guys did great.”
The Stalker Fishing Charters skiff got out on Tuesday and the crew suffered a case of the blues. That’s as in bluefish. The pictures showed nice-sized bluefish. As the weather warms, the blues and hopefully more stripers will start to hit the deck regularly. And don’t forget that summer flounder will soon be added to that mix. The backwater is getting ready to break wide open.
The Cape May Lady hosted a Cub Scout fishing trip on Sunday. They described the day as “lots of bent rods and smiles.” From the pictures I saw, some of the catches included blackfish, sea bass, a skate, a spiny dogfish and even a small striper. In the desire to teach fishing etiquette, all small or out-of-season fish were returned to whence they came.
I saw a video of the new boat from the Miss Chris Marina. The Atlantis did her sea trial and she looked real sharp, smooth and fast moving through the water. She should be a good addition to the local recreational fishing fleet.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle has been handling updates from their customers of catches of small stripers, drum fish and bluefish. Some of the drum have some nice size, and same for the bluefish. The beaches and rockpiles around Sea Isle, plus the area around the Townsends Inlet Bridge, have turned on recently. Bucktails, swim plugs or some nice clam have been the hot offerings.
As the action intensifies, Boulevard Bait and Tackle will switch to their summer hours, which are Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. till 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 a.m. till 6 p.m., and Sunday from 5 a.m. till 4 p.m. That’s extra time for us all to get in and say hello.
Avalon Hodge Podge checked in to report that Bill Wrubel had a nice Thursday morning by catching several nice bluefish that looked to weigh in the four- to five-pound range. He caught them on “metal” while fishing from the Eighth Street Jetty.
Tony Primo was fishing the local beaches when he landed a nice drum fish. It appeared to be in the 20- to 25-pound range, so Tony was very happy with his effort. So was his mom, Lisa, who let me know of the catch. Tony fishes a lot, so we may be hearing from him in the not-so-distant future. Keep me up to date, mom, in relation to how Tony’s fishing trips are going.
An approaching event to remember is the Opening Day Flounder Contest at Grassy Sound Marina. The date is Friday, May 25 and the time frame will be 7 a.m. till 6 p.m. You can weigh in your flounder during opening day. There is no registration or fee, and the prizes are two $100 gas certificates or full-day rental boats. Sounds like a great opportunity for a fun day.
Blues, stripers and drum are out and about. Get out, pursue them, and let me know how you did. Good luck, and I hope to see you around.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
