Well we’ve finally had a few summer-like days. Very warm and humid, and even the gnats started to make their presence. Ok, I’ll admit it. That taste was enough. Warm is one thing, but you can have the humidity and gnats. Give me the fall weather and that would be fine. We have news about the flounder situation this week, plus actual fishing news, so let’s open the bailor and drop the line.
The final word on the 2017 summer flounder has arrived. It came out as the previous column was being sent in, so many of you may have started to target them already. Let’s take a quick look at the details.
The first official day of the season was May 25 and will run till Sept. 5. For all coastal New Jersey waters, there is an 18-inch minimum size limit and a three-fish bag limit. For the Delaware Bay the size limit is 17 inches with a three-fish bag limit, and for Island Beach State Park (shore mode only) there will continue to be a 16-inch minimum with a two-fish bag limit. The listed dates are for all the areas mentioned.
The word out of Jim’s Bait and Tackle is that the drum fishing has rebounded this week after a slow start. The Bayshore Channel area is producing again as double-digit catches by reporting charter boats can attest. The water temperature rose into the 70s, so while that may have contributed to the increase in drum fish, the striper bite has slowed. Bob Shepansky was able to get a 38 pounder to the scales at Jim’s, caught off a North Cape May beach. More stripers were caught from the beachfront in Cape May and North Wildwood showing that they have turned the Cape and exited the bay.
Bluefish were still “pretty thick” around the Cold Spring Inlet before the recent windy weather. Casting lures was a proven method used by local anglers to attract hits from the “big” fish in that area.
Weakfish are “showing up in better numbers from the Point Jetties to the North Wildwood Seawall. Using bucktails or floating bloodworms are the best options right now. Shedder crabs, another good bait, “should be available for bait soon.”
The rising ocean temperature has Matt excited for Jim’s Shark Tournament to be held on June 2and 3. A contact from Ocean City, Md. was catching Makos from the “Lumpy Bottom” of Virginia recently, and these sharks are expected to continue their trek up the coast and be in the area come tournament time.
Captain Ray from Tide Runner Charters was getting out and catching fish as the weather and wind allowed. Stripers, some getting very “close to keeping size,” plus big bluefish up to 33 inches and more two to three pounders, were caught. The surf line, inlets and back bay areas were all producing. Captain Ray, who specializes in fly-fishing as well as light-tackle charters, is also happy with the news that more weakfish are showing up. They too will be on the targeted list for some fly-fishing Clouser Flies.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III starts by mentioning a slow week of drum, as previously mentioned, but adds that he feels they may be spawning now, then will start eating when finished. His pool winners, with weights in pounds (all drum), were Amanda Venezia – 13), Frank Servocky – 31, Lou Yearby – 54 and Jim McWhorter – 59.
Chuck is fishing for drum at night and has some seats available, so call to grab one. He will begin fishing for sea bass or fluke during their 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. trips.
The Miss Chris will return to flounder fishing when the season opens on May 25. Sea Bass will be legal on May 26. Meanwhile, they will continue to pursue drum fish on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 6 p.m.
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle is also getting in on the drum fish game. Two noteworthy catches went to an angler name Nick with a nice-sized drum, and store-employee Shawn who caught a “nice” drum.
You can enter the yearlong Beat the Board Tournament at Off The Hook. There are 12 categories of fish, you can enter as many as you wish, and there is a small entry fee for each species. There is a 24-hour waiting period between your sign-up and your first weigh in. “The objective of the tournament is to finish the year as the leader of your category.”
Captain Skip from Stalker Fishing Charters has been catching big bluefish recently, and will continue to target them along with flounder. He has some openings on his skiff for two-people parties or a private outing. Give him a call at (609) 972-5218 to set up your trip.
Cathy from Sterling Harbor checked in with a report of nice five to 10 pounders still patrolling the back waters.
The jetties in the area are holding weakfish. You can get them on bucktails tipped with firetail worms, pink Fin-S-Fish or pink zoom worms. Floating a bloodworm also works.
Sterling Harbor will have all your flounder needs for the season now that the regulations have been set, so stop by. Check out their kayaks for some back bay fishing, and see what they have available.
Crabby Jack says crabbing should receive four claws this week – which is good with me – and should only get better as the water warms.
Checking in on Boulevard Bait and Tackle reveals that anglers are bringing in their catches in droves. Drum fish, stripers and bluefish hit the scales. Highlights belong to Brian Owen who weighed in a 47-inch, 38-pound striper, a very large drum fish (no weight given) for Jason who was fishing on the Ginger Lee, and a 38-inch, 19.9-pound striper for Steve. Bulk orders of clams for fishing are available, but call ahead.
Rocco Tirado sent me some pictures of his spring catches which included stripers, bluefish and a pre-season flounder. Go job, Rocco, and keep up your productive ways.
Two other locals, John Bilo and “Big” Mike Hawley, both from Rio Grande, went out looking for bluefish and found some. John had the biggest with a 30-inch “gator.”
The first freshwater fish I’ve seen in a while was caught by Ryan Morse. He caught a 13-inch channel catfish while fishing at the old Ponderlodge.
There’s a lot going on, and only more to follow. Flounder and sea bass will also be available to us as you read this, so get out, go fishing and let me know how you do.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
