Well, it still feels like summer, too warm and humid for my liking, but the fishing hasn’t returned to the late August, pre-storm level. Nice flounder are still being taken as a recent 7 pounder can testify, but the captains are working hard to get them. Stripers, with some weakfish mixed in, are providing early morning and late evening fun in the back bays. A big wahoo, amongst others canyon dwellers, helped to provide some activity offshore, while good eating crabs are still around. All good stuff, so let’s get to it.
Captain Chuck of the Sea Star III starts with word that “fluke fishing still hasn’t recovered from the storm and other high winds.” He also reminds us, sadly, I’ll add, that we are quickly running out of days to legally keep fluke. For the record, the summer flounder season ends on September 25.
Regardless of the obstacles, Chuck had some good catches to report. Mike Buccialia caught two fluke going 3.5 and 4.95 pounds. Don Fagan brought up a 4 pounder, and Jack Hemmert got a 3.85 pound specimen.
As a sign of the ending fluke season, the Sea Star III will NOT be sailing from September 26 through October 21. They plan to leave the dock on October 22 and pursue sea bass, then stripers, until late December.
The Miss Chris led by Captain Mike reported in after a recent morning trip. They were happy to let me know that Mike Huff caught a 7 pound fluke while fishing with Gulp on a teaser rig. I was very happy to hear about it and see the accompanying picture. It’s good to hear of a nice late season catch like this. Later in the week I saw a picture of some kingfish that came over the rail, so it was nice to see and hear of them since they seemed to have dropped out of the bottom of the ocean since the storm went through.
Cathy from Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle is next up and mentions that “the fall smorgasbord has begun.” The mullet are moving from the back waters and everything is after them.
Starting with a look in the back finds schoolie stripers that are hitting top water plugs as well as soft plastics. Small sea bass, weakfish, bluefish and spot will also hit your offering, and if you want to try crabbing, they are still around as Crabby Jack gives them 5 claws. They are big and they are heavy. They would make excellent table fare.
Inshore finds bluefish, weakfish, flounder and stripers. The reefs have flounder with most being throwbacks, while some keepers are mixed in. The “best” keeper flounder are being taken from wrecks in 100 to 130 foot depths. Bob Fritz and Bill Stewart returned from Cape May Reef with a mixed bag of flounder, Spanish mackerel and weakfish.
A quick surf report from North Wildwood arrives from Texas Ray Pashuk who caught two stripers on top of water plugs. His advice? Find the mullet schools and you’ll find the bass.
Heading offshore will allow you to find wahoo, small tuna and false albacore if you troll from the Elephant Trunk out to the canyons. Out in the canyons there are “plenty of white marlin, more small tuna and tilefish.” Bob and Sharon Bigwood trolled the Elephant Trunk area on their boat the “Maddie Rose.” They caught two wahoo to 73 pounds, plus a mix of yellowfin tuna and false albacore.
If you’re looking for a kayak, Sterling Harbor is running its end of the season kayak sale. It’s now in full swing, so stop in and check out their selection of leftover and demo kayaks.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle gets involved with a report of good Wednesday night striper action with fish up to 28.5 inches. In addition to that, Cameron also caught a tagged fish. I have never caught one of those but would like to. To know the story of that fish, where and when it was caught before, and to know where it had traveled, would make for an interesting report.
The next morning a fisherman named George got in on the action. He stopped into the store with word of his beach success. “Every cast” produced either kingfish, bluefish or sharks. It seems he had an enjoyable action-packed morning.
Thursday morning was also a good time for anglers on the Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing pontoon boat. Bill and Alicia came aboard, fished and went home with some tasty, small bluefish. A mixed bag catch consisted of sea bass, buefish, sharks, a small striper and a croaker. Good action left them smiling.
The Tide Runner with Captain Ray hasn’t been fly fishing or light-tackle fishing much lately due to unfavorable conditions. One recent trip caught the late afternoon incoming tide and worked it till dark. They hit the ocean, and went four for five on hits and catches. They got a small striper, a small fluke and two small bluefish. The return may not have been the best, but the charter insisted on trying. You have to admire their desire. Anyway, a day on the water trying for fish is better than not getting out and wondering about what might have been.
On a personal note, I want to wish a Happy Birthday, number 14, to our daughter, and a good angler, Lindsay. Seeing her follow along in the fishing footsteps and fishing in various genres – boat, kayak, beach and fresh or saltwater – plus succeeding in her own interests of swimming and running, is very rewarding. Happy Birthday, Lindsay.
As we say goodbye to flounder 2016, we will amp up for other fall-centered species. The weakfish and stripers are in the back now, so get out and enjoy them. Try for kingfish and bluefish in the surf, and head farther out for the offshore offerings. Get out and try for something! Tog are legal, but limited to one. Sea bass season is coming, but not soon enough, but before you know it they will be legal. If nothing else, use the time to prep your gear and make some rigs for your fall favorites. If you get out and succeed, shoot me a picture and information so I can share your success.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
