Article by Larry Jock
It was an interesting week of fishing in Ocean City. Anglers braving rough offshore conditions were rewarded with good catches of yellowfins, dolphin and white marlin. Inshore, anglers were able to land some nice flounder in the normal spots.
A horrible weekend weather forecast forced organizers of last weekends 2nd Annual Branch Kreppel Blue Marlin Tournament to reschedule the event to September 10th-12th (fishing days). The benefit auction was rescheduled for August 2nd and will be held at Sunset Marina/Teasers. The time of the event has not been finalized, but I would imagine it would start somewhere between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Stay tuned to our website for updated information or call Sunset Marina for details.
Billfish
Just in time for the White Marlin Open, local boats really got on to the white marlin this past week. On Wednesday, a few boats ventured down to the Washington Canyon, where the “Pumpin’ Hard 58” recorded 3 white marlin releases and the “Legasea” and “Marli” each released a whitey.
On Thursday, the action heated up with several boats releasing multiple white marlin in the Washington Canyon. Action centered in 60 to 100 fathoms around the 850 line. “Reel Chaos” released 4 whites, while the “Second Chance” recorded 3 releases.
On Friday, in addition to several white marlin being hooked, a couple of blue marlin were also released. “Pumpin Hard 58” and the “Billfisher” each released blue marlin around the 800 Square.
Over the weekend, the seas were too rough to head offshore, so the billfish bite will have to wait until mid-week.
Yellowfin Tuna
I would have to say that most everyone is happy with the yellowfin tuna bite we have been experiencing this year. The fish started at a nice size and, on the whole, have increased in weight over the last couple of weeks. We started off with yellowfins in the 40-45 lb. range and are now seeing catches where the average fish is in the 50-60 lb. range.
The nicest catch of yellowfins we saw this week came in on Wednesday, when the “Skirt Chaser” arrived at the Ocean City Fishing Center with 12 caught in 80-100 fathoms between the Poor Man’s and Baltimore Canyons. This has been the “hot” location over the last couple of weeks, although it looks like the fish may be pushing in closer to shore. The “Marli” did venture down to the Washington Canyon where they boxed 4 yellowfins and recorded a white marlin release.
Thursday was a busy day with a lot of boats fishing. Some went to the Washington Canyon while others stuck with the Poor Man’s/Baltimore Canyon spot. “That’s Right” boated 6 yellowfins in 60 fathoms between the Poor Man’s and Baltimore Canyons where the “Reel Naughty” and “Marlin Magic” each ended their day with 3 in the box.
Of those boats that took the trip south to the Washington Canyon/Rockpile area, the “Reel Chaos” ended up high-hook, catching 4 yellowfins.
On Friday, “That’s Right” had another good day, finishing with 5 yellowfins in the same location as Thursday’s catch.
Like the billfish bite, the weekend weather prevented boats from reaching the tuna grounds.
Wahoo
A couple of wahoo were boated last week. On Tuesday, the “Playmate” caught one in 150 fathoms in the Poor Man’s Canyon and on Thursday, “Second Chance” returned with a speedster caught in 60 fathoms inside the Washington Canyon.
Bluefin Tuna
The bluefin tuna bite has been scarce but we did see a couple hit the scales last week. On Wednesday, “Something Fishy” caught a 49 pounder between the Twin Wrecks and the Fingers. On Saturday, “Pursuit of Happiness” trolled between the Jack Spot and the Fingers and ended up with 2 bluefins measuring 35 and 53-inches.
Dolphin
Like last year, dolphin continue to be caught in good numbers by anglers targeting yellowfins and white marlin in the Washington Canyon and between the Poor Man’s and Baltimore Canyons.
The largest dolphin we have seen so far this year was caught on Wednesday by Jim Hughes on the “Nontypical”. The 49 lb. mahi-mahi was hooked on a naked ballyhoo in 60 fathoms north of the Poor Man’s Canyon.
Cobia
A couple of cobia were caught this past week. On Wednesday, “Something Fishy” threw a 38 pounder on the scale at the Ocean City Fishing Center. The “man in the brown suit” was hooked between the Twin Wrecks and the Fingers. Then, on Saturday, Hugh Cropper ventured down to Winter Quarter Shoal and hooked into a 35 pounder while live lining eels.
Striped Bass
Keeper-size stripers are being pulled out of the Rt. 50 Bridge pilings by anglers fishing with spot at dusk. Most of the stripers are on the small side, but keepers are definitely there to be caught. Kevin “The King” Weber found success there all week, ending his days with 2 keepers in the box. Glad to see Kevin back in action!
Flounder
A good number of flounder continue to be caught although anglers need to show a lot of patience since the throwback ratio is still very high. Anglers drifting minnows and squid and shiner combinations are doing well, but those fishing with Gulp! Swimming Mullets are really hooking into flatties. Chartreuse had been the most productive color, but it looks like white is the way to go now. You would think that “a curly tail is a curly tail” but Capt. Nick on the “Get Sum” told me that they experimented one day and put a regular curly tail on one jighead and a Gulp! Swimming Mullet, which looks like a curly tail, on another jighead. Capt. Nick reported that the Gulp! definitely outperformed the non-Gulp! curly tail. Kind of interesting. Must be the “gravy” that the Gulp! bait sits in.
Location-wise, it looks like “Hoffman’s Hole” in the West Channel may be picked over. Most of the flounder we are seeing are coming from the East Channel near the Cement Plant, the island behind Bahia Marina and in the bay surrounding Harbour Island. Flatties are also being caught on the flats in the Thorofare where anglers find success trolling along the edges of the channel.
In the Surf
Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Tackle reports, “Everyone is talking about catching sharks on the beach at night or early in the morning. Some anglers are getting break offs, and never get to see the catch. Others are getting them in and releasing them. Big rays too! Sandbar, dusky, and black tips are mostly being caught with a couple spinner sharks thrown in. The big ones take big baits such as chunks of bunker, mackerel, or whole kingfish or spot heads. Kingfish, spot, and croaker are all biting. Croaker in Ocean City have been mostly at night. Look around, and find yourself a hole on the beach. Flat beaches don't produce.”
Upcoming Tournaments
There are a few tournaments on the schedule for this upcoming weekend.
On Friday and Saturday, the 2nd Annual Marlin Club Ladies Tournament will be held at Sunset Marina. You do not have to be a member of the Marlin Club to participate in this tournament. Registration is on Thursday night and lady anglers are allowed to fish 1 of 2 days. Weigh-ins are from 3:30 to 7:00 pm on both days.
On Saturday, the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will hold their 3rd Annual Flounder Tournament. Weigh- ins are from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Ocean Pines Marina & Yacht Club.
Finally, the world famous White Marlin Open runs from Monday through Friday at Harbour Island on 14th Street. This tournament is always exciting with big fish at the scales and big money to the winners. Weigh-ins are held from 4:00 pm to 9:15 pm each night.
See you at the scales!
