The Fishing Line: The Luck of the Leprechaun, September Fishing

Bluefish, kingfish, crabs and fluke, fluke, fluke with a nice striper here and there. It’s mid-September and anything can happen. Summer flounder will be off the table at the end of the month (Sept. 27) so don’t delay your trip.
Flounder are being caught on the outgoing tide near the Stone Harbor toll bridge near Grassy Sound Marina and some nice keeper stripers being caught consistently off the Grassy Sound Pier at the bottom of the tide. Triggerfish showed up near the North Wildwood bridge, with croakers, and snapper blues one after the other. Laurie Hampton and crew, Morrisville, Pa. caught two keeper flounder near the marina on minnows and squid, outgoing tide. They also kept the kids busy with snapper blues.
Captain Ray is still getting schoolies stripers for fly and spin anglers and all the action is around sunrise or sunset when there’s a good tide. Steroid Gurgler flies and popping plugs were working best and most fish were in the 18 to 26 inch range and a lot of fun on light tackle.
The Starlight has begun the 6-hour weekday schedule and has had a good start. Catches include flounder, blues, triggerfish and on some trips, lots of big croakers. Big fish report includes Stan Miller, Poconos, who weighed in a 3.5 pound flounder. Jack Winston, Philadelphia, also with a nice flounder that tipped the scales at 3.2 pounds. Ronnie Taylor, Ocean City, had a 3 pound blue, while Kathy Horner caught a good mix of blues and triggers and croakers.
The Royal Flush is catching flounder, sea bass, and snapper blues. Some notable catches are Ted Gennett of Lititz, Pa., three pound flounder; Jason Barnes of Philadelphia, four pound flounder; and Mary Noone of Blackwood, 4 pound trigger fish.
Stray Cat Charters reports fluke fishing is outstanding. Open boats run Tuesday and Thursday, 8 am sharp, call for reservations.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Comprehensive Summer Flounder Amendment. Hearings will be held Sept. 29 – Oct. 22. Scoping is the first and best opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns that will be considered. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the range of potential issues to be addressed in the amendment.
The Scoping Document contains background information on summer flounder management and on issues that may be addressed in the amendment, as well as a description of the amendment process and timeline. Additional information and updates will be posted at www.mafmc.org/actions/summer-flounder-amendment. Contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy, FMP Coordinator, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Krootes-murdy@asmfc.org, 703.842.0740. Nearest meeting for locals is Sept. 29, 6 p.m., City Hall, 1 West New Jersey Ave., Somers Point. Contact: Kiley Dancy
CALENDAR: Sept. 20 Women’s Surf Fishing Club of NJ Tourney, Brigantine, call Chris at 264-7754.
The Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) Surf Fishing Tournament , Oct. 18 open not only to members of local fishing clubs area but also to individuals and families. Fishing will take place along beach from 15th Street south, registration day of event 5:30 to 7 am at the OC Intermediate School, 18th Street and Bay Avenue. Fee $60. Contact Kieth, 893-5916 or ocfcitasac@aol.com.
The Fishing Line runs year round so keep sending your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures (including some that didn’t appear in print) are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Check out Miller’s new children’s book “Counting the Fish in the Sea: The Story of the NEAMAP Trawls” on www.epektales.com