Well, it’s easy to say welcome to the arrival of sea bass. They have provided an influx of additional action to the current fishing scene. Drum fish are also very active, while blue fish slowed some, and striped bass have dropped to a trickle but a few are being caught here and there. And guess what? It is now officially summer flounder season so they will be making their presence known soon in our reports. We have word of some nice catches and also a birthday wish for a loyal follower so let’s get going.
The Sailor’s Delight made their first trip of 2019 on Saturday. Actually, they made three as the first two trips went for bluefish, but the “no show” bluefish left them feeling well, blue. The third trip of the day which was focused on drum fish went much better. They put together a nice catch for the evening. They will be running all kinds of trips, so call 609-827-8309 and talk to Captains Andrew or Stan about getting a spot at the rail. Flounder trips will also be another offering now that the season has started.
The Cape May Lady has been splitting their time between sea bass and drum fish. Both have been successful, plus some ling came in while they were hitting the wrecks for sea bass. They also had time to make an offshore trip that provided “a handful of exotics” such as monkfish and Pollock. If you want to participate in any of the trips, call 609-425-4303 to check for availability.
Their drum fish trip on Monday evening produced many nice-sized fish. No weights were reported but from the looks of it, many were in the 45 to 50 pound range.
Congratulations go out to Robin Jung who was fishing on the Cape May Lady on Wednesday evening. He landed a 70-pound drum fish which represents his personal best. The crew summed up the night by stating that they “left them biting their heads off.” You hate to leave when the fish are biting, but sometimes you just have to.
The crew of the Sea Star III has been very busy lately. Sea bass, throwback blackfish, and even a codfish came over the rail during their busy day trips. Chuck Augustine (4.45 pounds), Ray Caba (4.20), Robin Womble (2.60) and Joe Venezia (2.25) won pools with nice sea bass. The evening trips produced many drum fish including three big fish which were the highlights of those trips. Anna Dubose (69 pounds), Frank Lavelle (65) and Max Collins (41) landed those fish.
The Miss Avalon had a busy weekend as sea bass ruled the roost. The “sea bass fishing is on fire” as their report said. They’ve had fish to four pounds and plenty of limits. So much so that the Sunday trip ended early as they had a boat limit. Call 609-967-7455 to check when they’re sailing so you can get on board “and get your dinner.”
The Wednesday trip provided plenty of tasty sea bass filets for those aboard as the day provided “great fishing.” Get out while you can as these fish are too good to miss.
The Porgy IV has been sea bass fishing and producing a number of limits. Chick Collington from Bear, Delaware was one of those. Ray Kreszswick won a pool with a fish that topped out at close to four pounds. Ryan Morse landed five keepers on the same day.
Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle reports “some great fishing this past week.” It starts with sea bass where a lot of boats are fishing wrecks in the 25 to 30 mile range. “The majority of boats came home early” with their limits.
Drum fishing “lit up” on the Jersey side of the bay as “some boats reported double-digit catches off of North Cape May.” Dan McGovern came in with a 54.5-pound drum fish after fishing on the Lit L’Bee out of Wildwood.
Large striped bass are being caught from the beaches along the Delaware Bay and from the Cape May and North Wildwood beaches also. The jetties in those areas are producing weakfish which are hitting rubber baits or bloodworms floated under a bobber.
Schoolie stripers and bluefish are scattered around the back bays. Those bays are now open for flounder, so that gives you another option for a dinner. Remember, its three fish at 18-inches or greater.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle reported a “spring grand slam” for Karl who caught a “big” striped bass, a black drum and a bluefish from the Sea Isle beach on Friday. The next day George and Cathy had lots of action, but only took home one fish each. Cathy had a 30-inch, 8-pound striper while George had a “nice-sized” drum. The feeling at the shop is that after a quiet period “it looks like another wave of fish has pushed in.”
Avalon Hodge Podge was busy as some striped bass were recently caught off the Avalon beach. Rick had a couple on Tuesday morning while throwing swimming plugs. An angler named Brandon stopped in with a bass that weighed 36-pounds and was 46.5-inches long that he caught from the beach on clam. Also, Captain Jim Weiser from the Fins and feathers was fishing in the Delaware Bay and “landed a couple of nice drum,” then stopped by for a picture and report.
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle reported a nice catch for young angler Ryan Trainor who landed a 2.69-pound sea bass. Another catch of note went to Jim McCloskey who weighed in a 60.9-pound drum fish.
Libation Charters, and Captain Franz, caught a 230-pound mako while the crew of the Saltlick caught a 248-pounder. Thanks South Jersey Marina for word of those catches.
Caveman Sportfishing got their 2019 season started with a nice drum fish trip recently. They plan to run drum fish trips through the new moon in early June. Call Captain John for trip availability at 609-425-1970.
A “Happy Birthday” wish goes out to reader and contributor Ryan Morse for his forty-sixth birthday on June 2. Enjoy your day Ryan and tight lines to you.
Take care, get fishing, and let me know how you did.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
