Well, the wind and the coastal storm cost us a few days on the water. No worry though, as some still forced through the weekend wind before all was shut down as the week began. We still have fishing news, the conclusion of the Mid-Atlantic Tournament, plus news of an important fishing related meeting that is coming up. Let us proceed.
From Jim’s Bait and Tackle, Matt starts with word that “plenty of fluke” are still at the reef. The trick to catching the bigger fish that are concentrated on the structure is short drifts or holding the boat over the structure. Matt’s recent trip to wrecks in 85 to 110 feet of water was “ok on fluke” but even better on sea bass. They got their limit and were throwing back two- to three-pound fish.
There are some small blues and Spanish mackerel on the 5 Fathom Bank and South Shoal. It’s best to troll with small spoons and lures. The inshore tuna and dolphin bite was slow, with only a few dolphin reported “around the pots.” Green inshore water “all season long” hasn’t helped.
Offshore, both blue and white marlin action has picked up as boats were fishing “in the deep” of the Spencer and Wilmington Canyons. However, tuna have been “spotty” with no concentration of fish anywhere.
The surf has croakers in good numbers at Higbee’s Beach that are hitting “worms and clams,” while “the Point” has many fluke, but most are small. Snapper-blues are “all over the Cape.” Spot and kingfish are “showing up” on the Wildwood Crest beach, with the spot in tight and the kingfish a little farther out.
The Sea Star III continues to catch keepers, plus plenty of shorts. Keepers came in all week as some nice fish won the daily pools. With weights in pounds, the winners were: Iran Buckler (3.21); Mike Buccialia (3.60); Andrew Lee (3.65); Dan Breslin (3.75); Owen Brown (4.01); and Frank Servocky who brought the biggest one home at 5.15 pounds.
As of now, Captain Chuck plans to continue to run after the flounder season ends on Sept. 5. He’ll go as the weather allows, so show up and get out.
The Miss Chris is making the best of the early ending to flounder season, just like us all. Rick Masio was on board, and caught a pool-winning fluke plus a tasty 14-inch sea bass. Another angler, young Kevin Callahan Jr. of Prospect Park, Pa., had an enjoyable outing and went home with a 20-inch keeper.
Caveman Sportfishing changed up its approach recently by deciding to stay inshore. The strategy worked as they landed “some nice mahi-mahi,” some bluefish and some false albacore that will be parlayed into bait on a future shark trip. Sounds like the change of pace worked out just fine.
The Fishin’ Fever with Captain Tom Daffin recently had an outing with members of the Ocean City Fishing Club. They had a great day catching flounder and sea bass. Thanks to club member Mel Jenkins for sending in news and a picture from the trip.
The Royal Flush continues to sail three trips daily, so get out and get fishing. 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. trips give you lots of options.
The ocean out front has produced catches of flounder, sea bass, triggerfish, kingfish and weakfish during the day. Venturing out into the night has seen croakers, sea bass and weakfish come onto the lighted deck.
Highlighted flounder catches went to Brett Newman, Jeff Garwood and Jeff Lee. Bonnie Wright and Margie Fox brought in nice triggerfish, but the top triggerfish angler was Madison Marinelli who caught six, plus a pufferfish for good measure.
The Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing Crew is staying busy. “First fish ever” catches went to Dante and Anthony, two young anglers. Another notable trip and catch went to “Mark the Shark” who was out fishing with the guys while on his “Bachelor Party Fishing Trip.” Congratulations to all the anglers, plus Mark and his new wife.
Things were busy at Grassy Sound Marina. A “first fish” went to 5-year-old Molly Thornton while a “first fluke” went to 9-year-old Dylan Jenkins. Charlie “Cholly” Shields caught a 24-inch, 4.5-pound flounder while Carol Boyle defeated her husband by catching another nice flounder. The big fluke award went to Terry Fortino who “reeled in” a 28-inch, 7.8-pound “doormat” at the Wildwood Reef right before the windy weekend.
The Miss Avalon continues to put keepers in the boat as the season winds down. Her anglers are also catching some triggerfish as well as some sea bass. Captain Irv and crew are planning on going all out through the end of the season.
I recently caught up with Captain Brandon of the Avalon Lady as I paddled by the boat. I was in a kayak and helping with the Cedar Island 5K Swim, which is where the Avalon Lady and the Miss Avalon are docked. It was a different perspective of both boats. The “Lady” has been catching flounder, sea bass and even some triggerfish. Fishing in the back is always exciting.
Checking in with Boulevard Bait and Tackle finds that some nice-sized fluke are still hitting the scales. John Cannuli brought a 26-inch, 6.77-pound fluke in from a local reef. He fished on the “Sea Nuts” and they ended with five keepers for their efforts. Ted and William fished the back waters and pulled in a 26-inch, 6.30-pound fish while “trolling the sod banks.” Finally, the boss man, Cameron, got out with another angler and they got six keepers. Their big one measured 27 inches and weighed 6.9 pounds.
Brian Collings of Cape May Court House and captain of the “Double Dipper” sent in a picture and word of his recent catch at the Cape May Reef. On Aug. 25, Brian caught a 26-inch flounder. Good job and thanks for reading and contributing to the column.
The 26th Annual Mid-Atlantic Tournament wrapped up as the week-long outing eclipsed the previous cash purse by raising the new total to $3.24 million.
One tournament participant won two major categories. The Brielle, N.J. based “Goin’ In Deep,” captained by Walter Harmstead, “doubled up” and won the blue marlin and tuna divisions. The anglers’ 680-pound blue marlin and 184-pound Allison yellowfin tuna allowed them to sail away with over $1.1 million in prize money.
An interesting note from the blue marlin division was that only two fish qualified. As a result of that, the third place prize money was split between the only two boats that did qualify. Oh, and this. The first place marlin weighed 680 pounds while the second place winner was 677 pounds. That three-pound difference was worth $437,833. That’s a very expensive cost-per-pound difference. That’s part of the fun and experience of a big tournament like this. Only two entrants in a category, both very big, and the winner determined by only a few pounds.
454 billfish were caught over the five days of fishing with 95 percent being released. Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Aug. 19-24, so save the date.
Public notice of an important meeting: The Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club will hold a meeting on Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Strathmere Fire House. Federal and state elected officials have been invited to attend. State marine biologist Jeff Burst, from the NJDEP, will have a 10- to 12-minute presentation. Three main subjects are scheduled for discussion. They include the ongoing flounder situation, ways to do secure beaches without dredging prime offshore areas, and to request help in dredging “choked” waterways and inlets. The public is invited to this meeting.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
