The Fishing Line: Wrapping Up Flounder Season

September 11. Take a moment to recall the events that seared this day in our hearts and memories.
Beautiful September weather should lure you out on the water to catch a few more flounder before their season ends on Sept. 27. Then sea bass reopens. Tog is open, one fish at 15 inches.
At Pier 88 in Sea Isle City, Kristy has a true fish tale to tell, one that puts the topping on a great season. Alex, 11, a frequent customer at the Pier, caught his first striper while crabbing in 2 feet of water. It’s true. While Alex and his family were crabbing something hit the hand line with a bunker head on it. Not a crab, but what was it? Someone’s hand line was mysteriously missing its bunker tail. So Alex hooked up a mackerel head on a hook, casted out and the fish took the bait. Staying calm, cool, and collected under pressure, Alex reeled in one terrific striper, tipping the scales at over 10 pounds and 29.5 inches. Once the fish was on the fillet table they discovered the missing bunker pieces in his stomach. Stories like this one, make me love fishing even more. (See photo)
Flounder fishing remains excellent out at the Reefs when the conditions permit, reports Sterling Harbor Marina. Even with windy conditions, those that ventured out caught plenty of quality fish, many in the 22 – 24 inch range. The back bays are still producing a few keepers close to the Inlets.
Along the beaches there are plenty of croakers, kingfish and spot to keep the rods bending. The shark fishing has also been excellent for the surf anglers. Bluefish up to 2 pounds have invaded the Cape May County waters, along the beachfront and in the back bays. Schoolie size stripers are being caught in the back bays, around the docks and bridge pilings.
Offshore, there’s an excellent Big Eye Tuna bite at the Wilmington Canyon. Some yellowfin tuna are starting to show up, and even swordfish have been reported by anglers chunking at night. Crabby Jack gives the crabbing 4 Claws this week!
They were glad to see the blues show up at the Grassy Sound Pier and some very nice flounder are still being caught. Snapper blues, croakers, and short stripers are coming in at the incoming tide. John Thompson, Philadelphia, caught a 23 inch flounder caught off the Grassy Sound Pier. A small sea bass took the mackerel he was using for bait and the flounder grabbed the sea bass.
The Mooers (Grassy Sound Marina) are making the most of the 8 day extension to flounder season with a season-ending tournament. Weigh in your flounder Sept. 17 to 24, largest wins $100 gas gift certificate for the marina. Full day boat rentals at half day rate for the 8 day extension. Free boat rental to the largest flounder by a rental boat. Largest flounder on the Pier wins a $25 gift certificate.
Bill (bucktail willie) Shillingford fishing out of Whale Creek Marina had a strange week, 18 fluke one day up to 20 inches but then the next two days, same area, nothing. He also looked for striped bass and managed a couple of shorts on poppers and one 29 incher on a live spot, with a few bluefish. Willie also caught lots of large spots which were big enough to fillet for good eating along with croakers up to 4 pounds. Willie reminds us that this is September and there is nothing consistent about September fishing but there are surprises for sure.
CALENDAR: NJ’s WILD Outdoor Expo, Sept. 14 and 15, rain or shine, Colliers Mills Wildlife Area, Jackson Township, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Classes, demonstrations and exhibits on fishing, kayaking, camping skills, rock climbing, shooting sports, geocaching and more. www.wildoutdoorexpo.com/.
Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, Oct. 6, Island Beach State Park. Largest fish wins Governor’s Award and fishing equipment is awarded to winners with the largest fish of species and age group categories. Early entry incentive ends Sept. 13, http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/gsft.htm.
Tournament anglers may be asked to verify their compliance with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. Make sure you register before hitting the beach for the tournament. Registration is quick, easy and free. Go to www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/
Send your reports and pictures to cmiller@cmcherald.com. Column and pictures are posted online at www.capemaycountyherald.com and on Facebook. Keep them coming.