After checking out the local fishing reports we see that drum fish are dominating the scoresheet. Stripers and bluefish aren’t being shut out, but they are being solidly outscored. A new entrant came on the scene on May 15 as sea bass season opened, so that gives the local captains another fish to pursue. And it’s a rather tasty target at that. We’ll check out some of the local catches, and we’ll also pass on word of a local fishing tournament, in Stone Harbor, that will occur in June. Let’s get going.
The Porgy IV was out on Friday evening and Brian Smith had two drum but was beaten for the pool by Frank Weymiller Jr. who landed a bigger one. Both though lost the high-hook crown to Mike Jung of Court House who boated a three fish limit. Nice effort Mike.
The following night was a trip for the rookies. Two first-time drum fishermen caught the largest fish of the trip. Rudy Fristachi claimed the pool with the biggest fish while Bill Ash placed second.
On May 15, and for the remainder of the year, the Porgy IV will resume a daily fishing schedule that has them leaving the dock at 8 a.m.
The Cape May Lady had some good trips over the last week. Their patrons landed some nice drum fish which included a number of 40 to 50 pound fish. A highlight went to Robin Jung who land two fish while he was on an evening trip. The larger of those fish was “a nice 40 pounder” while the second was smaller but fought harder and had Robin hoping he had hooked a “huge” one. After analyzing the catch, Robin noted the fish was swimming away on the tide. That extra push led to the belief of a really big one. Another highlight was the two small boys who teamed together to defeat a drum of their own.
Opening day of sea bass season led to a “full boat limit of gorgeous seabass.” There were a “couple jumbos” but most were of average size. Some bluefish were mixed in and the pool was taken by a white hake.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III described drum fishing as “good, and the bay sounds like a marching band every night.” They have caught plenty of drum with some over 50 pounds including one that won a pool for one angler. Pool winning fish (in pounds) went to Ed Slavinskas (37), Joe Valone (18), and John Dayton with a 54-pounder.
The Sea Star III will be sailing for sea bass by day, starting with the opening of the season on May 15, but evening trips will focus on drum fish. They had been sailing both day and evening for drum fish but now will offer two different fisheries for their patrons.
The Miss Avalon is now sailing for sea bass and had over 100 keepers on opening day while over 300 fish were caught in total. The largest was 3.33-pounds and was caught by Gary while a couple of other anglers caught their limit. Meanwhile, the Avalon Lady is sailing the inlet and back water for blue fish and stripers. They had a recent morning trip that brought in 20 blues that were in the 3 to 7-pound range. They are sailing four hour trips that leave at 8:30 a.m. Call 609-967-7455 to get the schedule for either boat.
The Starfish had a good opening day as fishing for seabass “was excellent with several anglers getting their limit.” They had a mixed bag that also included cod, blue fish, and ling. Call John at 609-263-3800 for additional information.
Avalon Hodge Podge weighed in a couple of nice fish recently as Manny came in with his 31-inch striped bass caught on clam in Stone Harbor while Tom Schultz landed a seven pound drum fish from the surf while using clam. It was 23-inches long.
Bob Dever had a good Saturday afternoon recently at the Ocean City Fishing Club pier. He caught a 26-pound, 22-inch striper. He was using a bunker chunk and caught the fish about an hour before high tide. Thanks Greg Borak for reporting that catch.
Cathy, from Sterling Harbor, checks in with her first report of the season. She starts with the fact that drum fishing has “lit up” the bay right off of North Cape May. Some anglers are catching double-digit fish.
Large stripers are being caught from the beaches on the bay side and from the Cape May and North Wildwood beaches while weakfish can be caught from around the local rock piles. Use bucktails and Mr. Twister Firetail Worms, or pink, bubblegum Fin-S lures, or pink Zooms. Floating bloodworms under a bobber also works. Smaller stripers and bluefish are in the back bays.
Sterling Harbor is now open so stop in and check out there supply of baits, both live and artificial, as well as their kayaks and kayak fishing items.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle continued to be a hub of activity. Wes tallied his first striper of the season, a 30-incher caught on clams in the surf. Many drum were brought in from the beaches and the Delaware Bay. Chris caught a 32-inch striper from the local surf and Cameron brought in a drum fish from the surf. He had challenged himself to get one from the surf and he can now check it off his bucket list.
Whale Creek Marina will offer a free flounder seminar on June 1 starting at 8:30 a.m. The featured speaker will be Bucktail Willie who has over 50 years of experience fishing the back bays of Strathmere No registration is needed and free coffee and donuts will be available for all who attend.
Save the date of Saturday, June 8. That is the day of the Annual Fishing Tournament of American Legion Post #331 in Stone Harbor. The angler’s meeting will be held on June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Post building at 117th and Second Avenue. Tournament tee shirts will be distributed, food and beverages will be served, registrations will be finalized, and rules will be review at this meeting. A raffle for a custom built spinning rod and a Penn Reel will also be run.
Summer flounder, bluefish and weakfish will be the eligible species. Prizes will be awarded for each species plus the angler who catches the heaviest eligible fish will win an additional prize and have his or her name engraved on a plaque to be retained at the post. Weigh-in is at the Post #331 building between 3 and 5 p.m. on June 8. Final results will be announced at approximately 5:30 p.m. The winner of the raffle will also be announced. Complimentary food and drinks will be served through 6:30 p.m.
Fishing is allowed from the beach, bridges, or jetties and to anywhere within 12 miles of shore. No fishing is allowed in the Delaware Bay. The entry fee is $40 ($10 for kids). Registration paperwork and fee are due by May 31. Forms are available at Avalon Bay Park Marina, Avalon Community Hall, Avalon Hodge Podge, Moran’s Dockside in Avalon and at Smuggler’s Cove in Stone Harbor. You can also register at www.stephencludlampost331.org.
For additional information contact tournament chairman Dick Herb at 609-602-0047 or co-chairman Spence Jones at 609-780-2168.
Don’t forget to check out Mark’s Fishing Line on Facebook for additional fishing news. Take care, get fishing and let me know how you did.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
Villas – Don't kid yourself. Those "Nobel" prize people are as political as you can get. Wise up!
