by Larry Jock
OC MARLIN CLUB HOLDING ROLEX RAFFLE
The Ocean City Marlin Club will be selling tickets to raffle off a Rolex watch during White Marlin Open week to support it's elevator fund.
Tickets will be available at the White Marlin Open as well as at the Ocean City Marlin Club starting at noon on Saturday, July 31, 2010 and running through lines out on Friday, August 6th. You can also order online by sending your name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address, along with the number of tickets to info@ocmarlinclub.com. Upon receiving the e-mail, the Club will contact you for payment and promptly mail the tickets to you.
BENEFIT AUCTION RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 2ND
The benefit auction, normally held on the final day of the Branch Kreppel Memorial Blue Marlin Tournament, has been rescheduled for Monday, August 2nd at Sunset Grille. The starting time of the event has not been determined, but will be around 6:30 pm. (look here in coming days for the official time) Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Kreppel family in Branch's name. Items scheduled to be auctions are:
Original Barry Gibson Artwork
Jewelry (including a Pandora bracelet)
Furuno Depth Sounder
Gift card for Eagle's Landing Golf Course
Gift card for Deer Run Golf Course
Gift cards for parasailing, paintball, local hotels and salons
Custom Gift Baskets
Gift cards for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Gift cards for Micky Fins Restaurant
Gift cards to Sunset Grille
Gift cards to Assatague Crabhouse
Gift cards to Crab Alley
Gift cards to Carrabba's Restaurant
The rain date for the August 2nd event will be the following day, August 3rd.
BLUE MARLIN TOURNAMENT POSTPONED
July 22, 2010 - Due to the poor weather forecast, this weekend's 2nd Annual Branch Kreppel Memorial Blue Marlin Tournament has been postponed until September 9th - 12th. Fishing will be 2 of 4 days. The benefit auction will still be held on Sunday night at 6:30 pm at the Marlin Club. Cost is only $15 per person. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Kreppel family in Branch's name.
NMFS - NO GIANT BLUEFINS NORTH OF GREAT EGG INLET, NJ
NMFS closes the northern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy") BFT for the remainder of 2010. Fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) north of 39°18' N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ,) is prohibited effective at 11:59 p.m., July 18, 2010.
The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota of 1.7 mt. NMFS closed the southern area trophy BFT fishery effective June 12, 2010. Anglers are reminded that all non-tournament BFT landed under the Angling category quota must be reported within 24 hours of landing either online at www.hmspermits.gov or by calling (888) 872-8862.
In Maryland and North Carolina, vessel owners must report their recreational tuna landings at state-operated reporting stations. For additional information on these programs, including reporting station locations, please call (410) 213-1351 (Maryland) or (800) 338-7804 (North Carolina).
Anglers may catch and release or tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. NMFS regulations at 50 CFR 635.21(a)(1) require that all released BFT be released in a manner that will maximize survivability, and without removing the fish from the water. For further information on safe handling see: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/Partner...ish/ethics.htm NMFS may make further Angling category adjustments via inseason action, if warranted.
OC TUNA TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES
As a result of the change in bluefin regulations this year, allowing recreational anglers only 1 bluefin per trip measuring between 27" and 59", the Ocean City Tuna Tournament has announced the following changes:
1. Lines in at 7:00 am... Lines out at 3:00 pm
2. Boats will only be allowed to weigh 1 bluefin tuna measuring between 27" and 59" each day.
3. Only bigeyes and yellowfin tuna will count in the big money, Added Entry Level "F", $5,000 Pro Jackpot. Bluefins will not count.
4. Minimum weight for tuna will be 25 lbs.
5. Added Entry Level "G" will be a 50/50 charity split with 50% going to the single largest fish and the other 50% going to charity.
NMFS ADJUSTS 2010 BLUEFIN REGULATIONS
National Marine Fisheries Service made the following adjustments to the 2010 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Regulations:
1. In the HMS Angling Category, the retention limit was changed to 1 bluefin tuna 27" to less than 59" per vessel per day/trip
2. In the HMS Charter/Headboat Category, the retention limit was changed to 1 bluefin tuna 27" to 47" AND 1 bluefin tuna 47" to less than 59" per vessel per day/trip.
3. Closure of the large medium/giant "trophy" bluefin tuna (73 inches or greater) fishery south of Great Egg Inlet, NJ through December 31, 2010 (based on North Carolina Tagging Program data).
ASMFC VOTES TO INCREASE SEA BASS SEASON
In a vote supported by all member states of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board today, states will now have the option to liberalize the 2010 black sea bass season in state waters by an additional 90 days. The proposed new season will run from May 22 through October 11, with an additional open period of November 1 through December 31. The proposal would keep the size and bag limit the same of 12-1/2 inches and 25 fish per angler.
The increase in fishing days became possible after the recent release of 2009 black sea bass landings. Projected 2009 landings had been mandating a 44% reduction in landings for 2010, but the updated data showed that only a 21% reduction was needed, allowing for the liberalization. For the new regulation to go into effect, individual states will have to implement the new proposal, but given the unanimous support of the states for the motion, implementation is expected.
OC SHARK TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES
The Ocean City Shark Tournament, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, announced some changes that they hope will result in:
- Opportunities for more teams to win large payouts.
- Release Division participants will always be in the running for big money payouts even if exceptionally large fish are landed by other teams in the open, mako, or bluefish divisions.
- With fishery regulations now allowing only makos, threshers, and blue sharks to be boated prior to July 15, the expansion of the release category will allow increased opportunities for anglers to be rewarded for catching (and releasing) sharks such as big hammerheads or spinners that in past years might have been contenders in the Open Division.
Starting in 2010, in addition to the guaranteed $5,500 division payout and the Daily Calutta payout, the Release Division will have its own A-E Added Entry levels. These $1,000, $500, $250, $100, and $50 calcuttas could push release winnings to levels above what might be paid out any other division.
The tournament is offering a $50 discount on all tournament registrations received before June 1st.
7.31.10 8:48 am
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN AT TOURNAMENTS THIS YEAR WILL BE POSTED IN OUR PHOTO GALLERY. CLICK ON "PHOTOS" AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE... CLICK ON "2010 TOURNAMENTS" AND SELECT THE TOURNAMENT FROM THE PULL DOWN MENU.
FRIDAY, July 30, 2010: Another windy day today, keeping most at the dock. Good flounder bite in the East Channel.
"Skip's Charter & Guide Service" returned with a 21-inch flounder during their morning trip and another from their afternoon trip. Capt. Skip also reported numerous throwbacks. Gulp! Swimming Mullets have been doing the trick.
Leah Patterson caught a 23-inch flounder in the East Channel.
The "Bay Bee" had 3 keepers and 125 throwback flounder during their trips today.
Frank Zeccola had a heckuva catch, coming back with 2 flounder weighing 6 lbs. and 6 lbs. 11 oz. Both were caught in the Inlet on strip bait.
"Game Over" had 3 yellowfins and a small dolphin.
"Billfisher" went to the Norfolk Canyon where they caught a yellowfin, released 2 white marlin and a blue marlin.
"Legasea" went to the Norfolk and caught a 63 lb. wahoo.
THURSDAY, July 29, 2010: Windy day today. Storms throughout the afternoon. Some boats did venture offshore. Bay water looked like mud.
Tom Monaco caught a 20.5-inch flounder on a minnow while fishing off of the Rt. 50 Bridge.
"Good Four Pop" had 2 flounder... weighed 5 lbs. 1 oz. and 5 lbs. 8 oz. Caught on the south side of the Rt. 50 Bridge on live spot.
"Marli" returned with 1 bluefin tuna, 1 yellowfin tuna, a wahoo and 2 dolphin from the Tea Cup. All were caught on ballyhoo and spreader bars.
"DA Sea" released 4 white marlin in the Washington Canyon.
WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2010: Very windy day today. Even forced some boats in the bay to return to the dock. Some offshore boats braved it.
Matt Danner on the "Morning Star" caught a 6 lb. flounder on a strip of squid and Steve Taylor landed a 3.5 lb. sea bass on a Gulp Swimming Mullet.
"Fish Finder" returned from Great Gull Shoal with 2 cobia weighing 31 lbs. and 41 lbs. Caught on live spot.
"Skip's Charter & Guide Service" had a 20-inch flounder caught on live spot in the East Channel.
"Blood, Sweat & Tears" had 2 yellowfin and 36 bailor dolphin from the Baltimore Canyon.
"Always Late" had a 57 lb. yellowfin tuna and 2 dolphin from the Washington Canyon.
"Bay Bee" had a good catch of flounder on squid and shiners near Harbour Island. Largest was 20.5-inches. They also had 86 throwbacks.
"Get Sum" had 2 flounder during their morning trip... measured 19" & 21". Caught on white Gulp Swimming Mullets.
"Marli" caught a dolphin in the Washington Canyon.
"DA Sea" went to the Washington Canyon and released 8 white marlin and caught a yellowfin tuna.
"Reel Joy" had 3 white marlin releases in the Washington Canyon.
"Marlin Magic" caught a dolphin in the Poor Man's Canyon.
"Double Trouble" caught 50 dolphin and a triggerfish in the Baltimore Canyon.
"Trust Fun" released a white marlin in the Baltimore Canyon.
"Pumpin' Hard" released 2 whites in the Norfolk Canyon.
"Reel Toy" released 2 white marlin in the Norfolk Canyon. They also caught a dolphin.
TUESDAY, July 27, 2010: The "Get Sum" had a 30-inch striper, caught on live spot near the Rt. 50 Bridge this afternoon.
"Last Call" returned with 19 bailor dolphin and a white marlin release from 50-60 fathoms in the Baltimore Canyon.
"Restless Lady" fished in the Baltimore Canyon today and released a white marlin and caught 30 dolphin.
"Marli" released 2 white marlin and caught a dolphin in the Poor Man's Canyon.
"Lady Luck" caught 33 dolphins in the Washington Canyon.
"Wave Dancer" caught 7 dolphin at the Rockpile.
"Marlin Magic" released a white marlin and caught 6 dolphin in the Baltimore Canyon.
"Billfisher" released 2 white marlin and a mako in the Baltimore Canyon. They also caught a few dolphins
"Lucky Duck II" released a white and caught 1 yellowfin and 4 dolphins in the Baltimore.
"Amanda Sue" went a little south of the Baltimore and released 3 white marlin.
"Candy Man" weighed a 55 lb. bluefin tuna, caught in 20 fathoms just outside the Hambone.
MONDAY, July 26, 2010: Offshore weather continues to be nasty. Boats headed out... turned around... headed out a little later... turned around.
"Restless Lady" did venture out and caught over 100 bluefish around the Jack Spot.
The "Get Sum" returned with a 19.25-inch flounder caught at the mouth of the Commercial Harbor.
"Bay Bee" had 6 keepers during their morning trip ranging from 19-inches to 21.25-inches. Most were caught in the bay behind the OC Airport.
SUNDAY, July 25, 2010: Windy conditions kept the vast majority at the dock. In the bay, anglers are still pecking away at flounder in the East Channel and are having luck fishing around the island just off of Bahia Marina.
"Osprey" had 5 dolphin and a yellowfin tuna in the Washington Canyon.
"Bay Bee" had 83 throwback flounder and 1 keeper during their two trips.
"Get Sum" had two 19-inch flounder during their morning trip.
SATURDAY, July 24, 2010: The bad weather forecast kept most boats at the dock today. Flounder bit better this morning than during the afternoon.
Hugh Cropper caught a 35 lb. cobia at the Winter Quarter Shoal while live lining eels.
Shawn Strausbaugh caught a 20.5-inch flounder on shiners near Harbour Island this morning.
"Get Sum" returned from their morning trip with 3 flounder caught on white Gulp! Swimming Mullets. Two of the fish were caught along the wall on the north side of the Inlet and the third fish was caught in the East Channel.
Zachary Crim caught a 22-inch flounder at the mouth of the South Bay on a squid and minnow combination.
"Pursuit of Happiness" returned with 2 bluefins measuring 35" and 53". Both were caught on skirted ballyhoo ad spreader bars between the Jack Spot and the Fingers.
"Hot Pursuit" had a 16 lb. dolphin, caught on a purple and black bullet head at the Hambone.
FRIDAY, July 23, 2010: Everybody tried to get out today in front of the bad weather coming this weekend. Tuna bite was slow today, but I did hear that there were a lot of white marlin spotted throughout our canyons. Flounder bite continues in the East Channel. Hoffman's Hole is picked over.
David Wells and Dan Mergott ended up with 3 keeper flounder (20, 22 & 23") while fishing early morning in the East Channel using spot for bait.
John Diehl caught a 22-inch and a 24.25-inch flounder on spot near the Rt. 90 Bridge. Rodney Landis also caught a 22-incher during the trip.
"That's Right" returned with 5 yellowfin tuna and 2 white marlin releases from 60 fathoms between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons.
"Reel Escape" had 2 dolphin, caught on skirted ballyhoo at the Chicken Bone.
"Marli" released 2 white marlin in the Poor Man's Canyon.
"Pumpin' Hard" released a blue marlin and caught a yellowfin and a dolphin at the Rockpile.
"Cyntinory" caught 7 dolphin and released a white marlin in the Poor Man's.
"Espadon" released 2 white marlin and caught 10 dolphin in the Washington.
"Billfisher" released a blue marlin and a white marlin in the Washington.
THURSDAY, July 22, 2010: Looks like the yellowfin were snapping in 60-100 fathoms between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons. White marlin were down in the Washington around the 850 line.
"That's Right" had 6 yellowfins from 60 fathoms between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons.
"Angler" had a couple of sea bass weighing 4 lbs. 3 oz. and 4 lbs. 13 oz. along with a 7 lb. 2 oz. tog at a natural reef.
Nicholas Bowersox caught a 3.2 lb. flounder off the Oceanic Pier on a minnow.
"Second Chance" had caught a wahoo and had 3 white marlin releases in 60 fathoms near the 850 line in the Washington Canyon.
David Konick caught a 12 lb. dolphin, a spanish mackerel and some bluefish. The mackerel was caught at the Jackspot and the dolphin was hooked 4 miles south of the African Queen.
"Reel Naughty" returned with 2 dolphin, 3 yellowfins (182 lbs.) and 2 white marlin releases from 80 fathoms between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons.
Colton Lawler caught a 26-inch flounder, 5 lbs. 11 oz., in the Thorofare on a finger mullet.
Bud Bricker on the Morning Star caught a 4 lb. 8 oz. sea bass while fishing on the "Morning Star" at a natural reef.
"Oasis" had a yellowfin from the Baltimore Canyon.
"Osprey" had 7 dolphin and a white marlin release between the Baltimore and Poor Man's Canyons.
"Marlin Magic" returned with 3 yellowfins and a white marlin release from between the Baltimore and Poor Man's Canyons.
"Reel Chaos" caught 4 yellowfin, 3 dolphin and had 4 white marlin releases in the Washington Canyon.
"Lucky Duck II" caught 6 dolphin and released 2 white marlin in the Washington Canyon.
"Reel Naughty" caught 3 yellowfin and released a couple of white marlin in the Poor Man's.
WEDNESDAY, July 21, 2010: Flounder bite was good in the East Channel, up towards Harbour Island. Yellowfins were caught between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons and some boats went down to the Washington and picked up some dolphin and a few yellowfins. A lot of small striped bass and bluefish can be caught in the early evening around the Rt. 50 Bridge.
"Legasea" had a white marlin release and 3 yellowfin tuna in the Washington.
"Pumpin' Hard 58" had 3 white marlin releases, a yellowfin and a dolphin in the Washington.
"Angler" returned with an 11 lb. dolphin, caught 6 miles south of the Great Eastern Reef.
"Something Fishy" weighed a 38 lb. cobia and a 49 lb. bluefin tuna. Both were caught on skirted ballyhoo between the Twin Wrecks and the Fingers.
"Morning Star" had a 6.5 lb. tautog, caught at the Great Eastern Reef. They also had a good catch of sea bass and 3 flounder.
"Skirt Chaser" had 12 yellowfins and a dolphin. Caught in 80-100 fathoms between the Poor Man's and Baltimore Canyons.
"Marli" had 4 yellowfins and a white marlin release in the Washington Canyon.
Larry Jock, Sr. caught a 20-inch flounder on a white Gulp! swimming mullet in the East Channel.
